MAY 7, 2025

(Photo of Alex Palou by James Black for Penske Entertainment)

Alex Palou (No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing HRC Honda) flat dominated Sunday's Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix powered by AmFirst at Barber Motorsports Park. Palou earned his third victory in four races this season in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, scoring a 16.0035-second victory over Christian Lundgaard in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. It was the widest margin of victory in a series race since Scott Dixon won by 22.2256 seconds in August 2023 at World Wide Technology Raceway. “It was a perfect day, a perfect weekend,” Palou said. “The car was amazing, super-fast. I had a ton of fun. “I was a bit lonely there, but I loved it. It was an amazing day.” It was the 14th victory of Palou’s career, coming on the same circuit where he scored his first win, in 2021 with Chip Ganassi Racing. Palou led 81 of 90 laps today from the pole and increased his lead in the series standings to 60 points over Lundgaard entering two races this month at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Sonsio Grand Prix on Saturday, May 10 on the road course and the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 25. Three-time and two-time reigning series champion Palou has won the last two Sonsio Grands Prix, while he seeks his first career Indianapolis 500 victory. 2023 and 2024 Barber winner Scott McLaughlin completed the podium finishers, third in the No. 3 Team Penske Good Ranchers Chevrolet. Watch the Extended Race Highlights here. (Thank you to INDYCAR Media)

(Formula1.com)

Oscar Piastri (No. 81 McLaren Formula 1 Team) strengthened his lead in the World Championship by clinching his fourth victory of the season at the Miami Grand Prix, the Australian leading home team mate Lando Norris (No. 4 McLaren Formula 1 Team) to seal a dominant 1-2 for McLaren. And while plenty of action unfolded behind them across the 57-lap event, the papaya cars looked to be in a league of their own right to the checkered flag, where Piastri crossed the line 4.63s ahead of Norris. George Russell (No. 63 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team) finished third. Watch the Extended Race Highlights here. (Thank you to Formula1.com)

(Trans-Am)

Chris Dyson (No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang) scored his first victory of the 2025 season after an intense battle with 2024 TA Champion Paul Menard in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli event at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Starting the race in the point position, Dyson was passed early by Menard, but never lagged far behind, ultimately taking back the lead on lap 24. Dyson and Menard engaged in an intense battle in the closing laps, but a late mistake by Menard was too much to overcome, allowing Dyson to drive into the GYM WEED Winners circle at the Mission Foods Laguna Seca SpeedTour. With teammate Adam Andretti finishing second, CD Racing claimed a 1-2 finish in the event. It was Dyson's first victory of the 2025 season and his 27th-career win. He sits fourth in all-time TA class wins, just one victory behind third-place Tommy Kendall. Adam Andretti piloted CD Racing’s No. 21 Top Liner Ford Mustang after a crash at Sonoma Raceway damaged his Burtin Racing Camaro. His second-place finish earned a 1-2 finish for CD Racing. Paul Menard (No. 3 Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Ford Mustang) finished third, claiming his third podium of the season.

(Porsche images)

From the Porsche Press Release:

Atlanta. Porsche mourns the death of Jochen Mass. The former works driver died on May 4, 2025 at the age of 78 in Cannes, France. With his death, the brand not only loses a special driver, but also a person who shaped motorsport, and enriched and inspired Porsche with passion, experience and precision.

“We are very saddened by the news of his death. Jochen Mass was a driver with depth. One who could understand the car like few others”, says Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport. “He had an excellent feel for technology and for everything that makes a team strong. We are losing a remarkable driver and a trusted companion who was with us for many years. His legacy extends well beyond his success – it lives in memories, in stories and in his way of thinking about motorsports. Our thoughts are with his family”.

Jochen Mass was born on September 30, 1946 in Dorfen, Upper Bavaria. His journey into motorsport did not begin in the cockpit, but rather on the high seas: as a young sailor, he circumnavigated the world for three years. Only after this was he drawn to technology – and to the race track – and completed an apprenticeship as a car mechanic. When the regular driver at the Alfa Romeo dealer Hähn was absent due to illness in 1968, Mass stepped in and proved his talent. It was not a long-planned debut, but marked the spontaneous start of an extraordinary career.

His success speaks for itself: European Touring Car Champion in 1972, European runner-up in Formula 2, from 1973 he competed 105 times in Formula 1 – and won the Spanish Grand Prix in 1975. Until the Schumacher era, he was one of the most successful German Formula 1 drivers by points.

But Mass was to find his true home in endurance racing – and at Porsche. Between 1976 and 1987, he was a permanent member of the works team. He drove racing cars such as the 935, 936, 956 and 962 with passion, courage and precision. Together with fellow drivers such as Jacky Ickx, he celebrated consecutive victories, shaped championships – and his name was synonymous with reliability, not only due to his constant close contact with race engineers such as Norbert Singer. When the partnership with sponsor Rothmans was formed, it was Mass who helped establish it with vision and finesse.

In 1992, Mass ended his active career. His sporting record is impressive: More than 400 races, 105 Grand Prix starts, 71 World Championship points, winner of the German Racing Championship, European Touring Car Champion, Porsche Cup winner, German Sports Car Champion, Le Mans winner with Sauber Mercedes.

Even after retiring, he remained connected to racing – as a popular speaker, heritage ambassador and bridge builder between generations. Whether at trade shows such as Retro Classics, classic car events or media events organized by Porsche Heritage and Museum, people of all ages listened gladly to his unique stories.

Jochen Mass is survived by his wife Bettina and four children. Porsche mourns the death of one of the family – with gratitude, respect and deep affection.

  

Editor's Note: This is our dearly departed billboard, which we had at Road America for several years. Peter gifted the phrase "America's National Park of Speed" to the track, which now uses it proudly in all of its communications. -WG

Editor's Note: Click on "Next 1 Entries" at the bottom of this page to see previous issues. - WG