Editor-in-Chief's Note: INDYCAR has announced an updated engine formula that begins with the 2021 season. The 2.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 engines are projected to generate at least 100HP more than the current 2.2-liter configuration, with more than 900HP available when using the push-to-pass overtake activation. The new engine regulations will be in place for six years, through the 2026 season. INDYCAR has utilized the 2.2-liter, turbocharged V-6 formula since 2012, with exclusive use of twin turbos since 2014. Engines will continue to turn at a maximum of 12,000 RPM and on-track testing will begin in the summer of 2020. Additional manufacturers were consulted on INDYCAR's new engine formula, so we shall see which one decides to participate. -PMD
(Photo by Matt Fraver/INDYCAR)
Graham Rahal (No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing United Rentals Honda Turbo V6) was fastest of the 35 Verizon IndyCar Series drivers on track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Thursday, Day 3 of practice for the 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. Rahal turned an early lap of 226.047 mph that held up throughout the seven-hour session. Tony Kanaan, the 2013 Indy 500 winner, was second quick at 225.896 mph in the No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing ABC Supply Chevrolet Turbo V6. Marco Andretti (No. 98 Andretti Autosport U.S. Concrete/Curb Honda Turbo V6) was third fastest with a speed of 225.584 mph. Andretti's fast lap of 227.053 mph on Wednesday remains the best of the week thus far.
(Joe Skibinski/INDYCAR)
Day 2 of practice for the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil saw Marco Andretti set fast time on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. Marco turned a 227.053-mph lap in the No. 98 Andretti Autosport U.S. Concrete/Curb Honda Turbo V6. Andretti (above) led a parade of four Honda drivers atop the timesheet a day after Chevrolet owned the first three spots in Tuesday's opening practice. "It was a pretty productive day," Andretti said. "We got the car to 'almost there' in traffic. We're not there yet, but I'm sure everybody's dealing with a similar thing. But we think we have a direction, which is positive." Scott Dixon (No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing PNC Bank Honda Turbo V6) was second quick with a lap of 226.329 mph. Defending Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato (No. 30 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Mi-Jack/Panasonic Honda Turbo V6) was third with a lap of 226.108 mph. All of the fast laps were completed with the aid of the aerodynamic tow from leading cars in a group. The best lap of the day recorded without a tow went to Tony Kanaan (No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing ABC Supply Honda Turbo V6) at 223.048 mph. Practice resumes on Thursday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. ET, ahead of "Fast Friday" practice when engine turbocharger boost is increased by INDYCAR, generating higher speeds for Friday's practice and weekend qualifications.
(Photo by Matt Fraver/INDYCAR)
The official start of practice for the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil began on Tuesday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Simon Pagenaud (No. 22 Team Penske Menards Chevrolet Turbo V6) led the way with a best lap of 225.787 mph as all 35 entered drivers completed laps on the iconic 2.5-mile superspeedway. Helio Castroneves (No. 3 Team Penske Pennzoil Chevrolet Turbo V6) was next fastest in a three-hour end-of-day session at 224.665 mph. "We obviously are still learning a lot about the aerodynamics of the car," said Pagenaud. "It's quite different to what we had the past few years. There's still a lot to learn for everybody, I believe, but we're on the right track." Ed Carpenter (No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Fuzzy's Vodka Chevrolet Turbo V6) logged the fastest lap of the day without benefit of a tow from a car in front, 221.564 mph. Practice resumes from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. ET Wednesday through Friday, with a live stream available each day on RaceControl.IndyCar.com, youtube.com/indycar and the INDYCAR Mobile app. Qualifying to determine the 33-car field takes place Saturday and Sunday. ABC will broadcast the climactic two hours of qualifications each day, from 4-6 p.m. The 102nd Indianapolis 500 airs live beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 27 on ABC and the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network.
(Photo by Mike Harding/INDYCAR)
Will Power (No. 12 Team Penske Verizon Chevrolet) won the Verizon IndyCar Series Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course for the second straight year and third time overall - each victory coming from the pole position. Power finished 2.2443 seconds clear of Scott Dixon (No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing PNC Bank Honda). Power's victory also marked the 200th Indy car win for Team Penske, nearly double that of any other team. "It's amazing," said Power. "It just shows what sort of team that Penske is, and it's a real honor to drive for Roger. We're given the equipment week in and week out to win, so I can't thank him enough for the opportunity he's given me." Power led 56 of 85 laps on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile permanent road course to collect his 33rd career victory (ninth all time). Thirty of those triumphs have come since joining Team Penske in 2009, tying the 37-year-old Australian with Helio Castroneves for the most with the team. (See more in Fumes -WG)
(Photo by Joe Skibinski/INDYCAR)
Second-place finisher Scott Dixon congratulates Roger Penske after the race. Penske, the 81-year-old mastermind of the team, downplayed the achievement of the 200th win. He gave credit to Power and his crew while also looking ahead to the prize he craves most - another Indianapolis 500 win. "What a great day for the team," Penske said. "The greatest drivers have performed for us. IMS is the most special place to secure our 200th win. I could not think of a better setting. The most important win now is No. 201." Team Penske made its Indy car debut on June 15, 1968, at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, with driver Mark Donohue. Three years later, Donohue delivered the team's first win at Pocono Raceway. In 1972, Donohue drove to the first of what is now a record 16 Indianapolis 500 wins for Team Penske. Adding the four INDYCAR Grand Prix victories, 10 percent of Team Penske's Indy car wins (20 of 200) have come at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Photo by Doug Matthews/INDYCAR)
Twenty-nine-year-old Canadian rookie Robert Wickens (No. 6 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Lucas Oil Honda) continued to impress in his rookie season, finishing third. It was his second podium and third top-four finish in five races. "It was the first time in my career I've had to save fuel like that, but in the end, happy with the podium," Wickens said. "Would have liked to be a bit further up, but hard to complain."
(Pirelli)
Lewis Hamilton (No. 44 Mercedes AMG Petronas) flat-dominated the Spanish Grand Prix from the pole position on Sunday. Valtteri Bottas (No. 77 Mercedes AMG Petronas) finished second, delivering the first 1-2 of the season for Mercedes. Max Verstappen (No. 3 Aston Martin Red Bull Racing) finished third and Sebastian Vettel (No. 5 Scuderia Ferrari) came in fourth. Hamilton now leads Sebastian Vettel by seventeen points in the World Championship. “Today I felt a synergy with the car that I hadn’t been feeling all year,” Hamilton said. “This is when we are going to start applying some pressure. It’s early to say but I hope it can be part of a turning point. But we still have improvements to make and performance to add to the car. I’m nearly in the groove. I know that sounds weird but today is definitely I think the closest I’ve been.” Hamilton now has 64 Grand Prix wins.
(Getty Images)
Kevin Harvick (No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Busch Light Ford) passed Martin Truex Jr. (No. 78 Furniture Row Racing 5-Hour Energy/Bass ProShops Toyota) on the next-to-last lap to win the KC Masterpiece 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race on Saturday night. Harvick charged from sixth place and chased down race leader Truex Jr. after a restart on Lap 259 of 267. It was Harvick's second straight race win and his fifth in twelve starts this season. “I think, as you look at the last couple of laps, it wasn’t working for me on the bottom, and I was able to make up some ground on the top,” said Harvick, who will try to win three straight races for the second time this season when NASCAR goes to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600 on May 27. Joey Logano (No.. 22 Team Penske AAA Insurance Ford) finished third. Harvick now has 42 wins in NASCAR's top level.