November 11, 2025 • 48 mins
Tonight, on an in-studio edition of Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee, they recap the recent testing from Phoenix Raceway with Scott Dixon and Alexander Rossi. They later talk about Caio Collet moving up to the NTT IndyCar Series full-time next year competing for A.J. Foyt Enterprises in the #4. They later talk about the possibility of Myles Rowe competing in a third Foyt car for the 2026 Indy 500. They also talk about Santino Ferrucci’s new sponsor and look for next year with Homes for Our Troops. They later talk about the latest in silly season.
In the second segment, they are joined by in-studio guest and Burger Bash supporter, Ryan, answer fan questions about Phoenix Raceway and Conor Daly. They later answer fan questions from X.
To wrap up another edition of the show, they talk about the recent ESPN streaming conflict and the latest on Jackson Lee’s racing in Atlanta.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
This is track side with Kirk Cavin and Kevin Lee
on ninety three five and one oh seven five the Fan. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
I think firstly, it's great to be back here at Phoenix.
You know, definitely a lot of great memories, especially for me.
I think back to the early two thousands, so I've
seeing a lot of different variants at the circuit.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
But the test is going well.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
It's great that, you know. I think Indycara and obviously
Firestone are working hard, you know, to to you know,
create opportunities I think for racing, not just here at Phoenix,
but some of the other tracks down the road, a
short ovals especially, So it's cool to actually be back
doing a full on tire test.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
The test day's going great. You know, this is a
super important one for the series to try and make
sure that we choose the right tire, you know, with
how close IndyCar racing has gone now with how dynamic
short oval racing can be, a lot of that is
about choosing the right tire, and I think really the
(01:00):
more that we've done these tests, the better race product
we put on. So really honored to be a part
of it and help kind of steer the direction of
what the choice will be.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
In March.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
Indy Cars. We're on track at Phoenix last week for
the first time in seven years. That's Scott Dixon and
Alexander ROSSI. We've got another confirmation since last week for
a full time seat. We'll update what's left and your
questions tonight at Kevin Lee twenty three on Twitter, on
x at Kirk Cavin as well. You are listening live
(01:34):
to an appearance in studio for Trackside Tonight's Kevin Lee
Kirk Cavin landon Koons Special in studio guest Brian Gavigan
is here. He has donated to the Burger Bash to
benefit the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, and we'll hear
from Ryan in just a little bit. I was joke, Kirk.
We like to come in here every once in a
(01:56):
while to make sure the key card still works alas
you have to be able to find it. So I
had to make Land and come and get me at
the door. Today I've lost the key card. I've been
here twenty five years. I made it towards the end
of the run and I have no key card.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
I actually had the original key card when I started
here nearly twenty years ago and lost that and last
year got a brand new one. So I have a
brand new key card to retire when this building is
no longer radio.
Speaker 4 (02:30):
I'm probably just gonna have land and let me I understand,
I understand it all right. The thing things to get
into tonight. Let's talk first from what we heard from
Dixon and Rossi at Phoenix. Also same day last Thursday,
Kyle Collette and Dennis Hauger did rookie oval tests in
Nashville Super Speedway. I didn't hear any reports negative on that,
(02:52):
didn't see any pictures of wadded up race cars, so
I feel like that's a positive thing as well. What
do we know about what they were looking to do
at Phoenix last week with the two cars.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
So I come away from from reports from you know,
both internally and externally for two thoughts. One, the tire
test obviously is a big deal in a short O. Well,
you need to make sure they get the tire right.
The Drew drivers, who are very experienced, were very happy
with what was presented, meaning they're not going to have
(03:24):
to do massive guessing or they're not going to go
if they go to an open test there back or
in the spring. It's not going to be a guessing game.
They feel very comfortable with what was produced results wise
with this set of this compound of tires. So one
tires is you know, check that box. The second thing
(03:46):
I heard was from a media standpoint, massive interest, big,
big turnout.
Speaker 4 (03:53):
Good.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
You don't normally see that on a tire test in
the middle of November when your race is what for
five months.
Speaker 4 (04:00):
Away and with just two cars.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
And just two cars, now, those were two pretty big
names and Phoenix has got a lot of media. Obviously
it's a big city. But to have a good turnout
from a media standpoint is a positive thing is as
we move forward. Obviously the Cup race is going to
attract its own attention, but to have people interested in
the IndyCar race is a good sign.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
And for those that maybe you're just casual fans, IndyCar
is back at Phoenix for the first time since twenty
eighteen in a combo weekend with NASCAR. We've not seen
this before with the Cup Series except because it was
necessary during COVID and then I think it lasted. Did
it last one more year?
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Yes?
Speaker 4 (04:42):
At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the road course, but
this is a new circumstance and a bit of a
trade as well, possibly because NASCAR's truck series is going
to support the IndyCar race. The previous week in the
opener at the Grand Prix of Saint Petersburg, so it
was the first two weekends of the season in mar
next year. One of the other things I read from
(05:03):
racer dot Com is that to make sure that they
don't have the tire issues that NASCAR had. There's a
lot of a load and a lot of stress put
on tires on short ovals, especially when you're going to
speed that IndyCar goes. They've dialed down the power just
a little bit. They'll still be thirty some miles an
hour faster than the Cup cars, But that seems smart
(05:27):
because it is always difficult to find the right circumstance,
and ultimately, while we love seeing one hundred and eighty
five one hundred ninety miles an hour, I don't know
that we're going to notice too much of a difference
just visually at one seventy five or whatever they're running
at this point. The key is good racing, and the
short oval package has been good for the last few years.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
It has been, you know, particularly, I was going through
my mind of the race tracks. But Phoenix is you know,
both ends of the racetrack ear into the load for
a long time. Yeah, you know, it's a it's a
pretty sweeping corner down there on the west end of
the racetrack, which is I still call it turns one
and two. I guess it's one in four now. But
(06:12):
that end of the racetrack in particular carries a lot
of load, and the other end of the racetrack is tight.
So you know, it's if you can back down the
back down the speed just a little bit, I think
that will help you. And shoot, I can't tell the
difference where you're going one eighty two or one eighty
eight or I mean you want to be going fast.
(06:34):
Most importantly, it sounded good. If you heard some of
the audio, it sounded like what I like to hear
at Phoenix.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
So that's good. What's still to come? Any more private testing?
Speaker 1 (06:47):
No, that's it. I think we're done.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
There's nothing else available.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
I don't think anything else is available. I heard that
on a call.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
You yet, h Letterman Lanigan cannot get Mick Schumacher on
an oval somewhere before the end.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Of the year. Now there could be, you know, so
introduction like that. That's that's kind of a you know,
a new driver, good for the series kind of Yeah.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
I was hoping he might be at this rookie test
last week, but obviously yeah, he well, actually he may
have raced. I bet he raced in Weck, he probably
did this past week because one of the things I've
read and we'll get to this next, that the team
he's racing for in World Endurance Championship, the top sports
car series in Europe worldwide Alpine, wants an answer. He's
(07:31):
welcome to come back, but they said we need to
know now, and Schumacher was quoted in sports car outlets saying, yeah,
I'm thinking about it, and I'm going to make up
mine soon, but I'm going to focus on one thing.
He's not planning on doing both. So I still think
there's a good chance that he wants to do this,
but we need to hear him say that, and then
we need confirmation from the team that Okay, we can
(07:54):
afford to go hire a driver and we can put
the puzzle pieces in place for that. So that's what's
going on at Phoenix, Indy Next had a test yesterday
in the high thirties low forties Barber Motorsports Park with
twenty three cars there Andretti looks strong as we expected,
(08:14):
as they have been. Max Taylor was fastest by a
pretty good chunk from what I saw over Josh Pearson,
then inzel Fit of Pality of HMD Lackey, Hughes and Andretti.
So that's three of four and Bryce Aaron of Ganassi
the top five. I think Miles Row was sixth and
they might be done as well.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
I think everyone is done. And by the way, that
was the last of the World Endurance Championship races. They
had to go run early November, but which I was
surprised they went that deep into the year.
Speaker 4 (08:45):
But they're not worried about football.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
They're not worried.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
About Europe and worldwide.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
Yeah, well American football, although Colds and Cardinals did play
in Berlin, but I don't think that was an overlap.
But anyway, Yeah, all scheduled Indy car tests are done, ok,
and next as well.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
Top two in Indy Next from last year have rides.
Dennis Hager we've known about with dale Coin Racing still
an Andretti Driver and Kyle Collette. We thought this was happening.
It's been confirmed. He'll be in the number four A.
J Foyd Karfter fitting second in the next championship. Won
three times last season. Sounds like testing has gone well
for him, so I'm encouraged about what he can do there.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Yeah, I think I think Kyle Collette is one of
the more intriguing prospects. You know, we know, we think
we know what Dennis Hauger is and he's pretty good.
Collette was very impressive in the test. Larry Foyt was
on a conference call with us today and just raved
about him. So yeah, I think I think we're going
(09:47):
to see good things from them. And you know, it
was interesting to hear Larry Foyt talk about sort of
the progress that the team and the organization has made
over the last couple of years. He did say, by
the way that team Penske associateation continues, so that is good.
And just how many more phone calls they got, you know,
(10:07):
because the team has stepped up.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
That's big news that the Penske relationship continues. Because I
didn't wonder I had seen Jonathan Dogood question asked that
I think it was by Marshall Pruitt, and there was
sort of a TBD or no comment or I'm new year,
ask me again in a little bit. So I didn't know.
(10:31):
Since they had already gotten what they wanted out of that,
out of Malucas, it made sense to continue because Miles
Row is still moving in an upward fashion, and they
may want a place for Miles in twenty twenty seven.
And I wouldn't rule out Miles Row being in an
extra aj Foyd car with some Penske help for the
(10:52):
Indianapolis five hundred this year. Yeah, yes, in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
Yeah, I agree, it's I wouldn't rule that out either.
Still to be determined. I still am am surprised how
many of the Indie only seats we still have to resolve.
We kind of talked about this last week. If not
really unless it's happened and I missed it. Have we
heard really from Ed Carpenter saying I definitely am going
(11:16):
to do it. Have we heard from l e Oh,
I'm definitely going to do it, you know. And we
got the Arrow McLaren seat that I think any day
now will be resolved or at least publicly resolved, So
we still have some sado another one that at ray Hall,
we think he's going to be in the car.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
But and now a great scene in Andretti is opened,
I think, but I don't know that we need to
have that confirmed. I think Ed is running the race,
and I don't think he's confirming it because I think
we could find him being asked this year, and I
know I asked him, you're not ready to quit, because
I know I asked him this before the five hundred.
Is there any chance this is the last one? And
(11:53):
he said no. So I'm not even putting there as
a question Ed's going to run. Well, it's not really
a question. I guess we want to see an announcement. Yeah,
we rise and a listener, So maybe throw that out there,
send out a pressure release the Java house number thirty
three car. Is that what he ran this year? You
run thirty three again? Yeah, So let's make that confirmed
(12:14):
to this point. And you know, we need to know
what prem is doing because if they do go away,
they'll need every one off potential to happen to get
to thirty three. Yeah, and then they're gonna need if
if they want to have bumping Ganasi's gonna have to
run a fourth. Somebody else will have to run a fourth.
(12:37):
Otherwise there is a path to thirty three, but there
is not an easy path to go beyond thirty three
if you lose the two Premi cars, because we had
thirty four.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
So we've talked about this, but it sounds like people
are still working in the organization, so I mean, until
we're told otherwise, I think we have to believe that
they're better than fifty to fifty.
Speaker 4 (12:58):
Back to why Larry Floyd was on a conference call
positive news there. We kind of wondered what was going
to happen there with some change from some of their
longtime partners, Sexton Properties, and it was confirmed that they
are I believe it was confirmed that they're not a
part of the program next year. But ABC supply and
(13:19):
mostly the Hendricks family is stepping up in a bigger way.
They were full time sponsors for a long time. They've
only done the five hundred and part of the Home
for Troops campaign, so that Red, White, and Blue livery
celebrating the two hundred and fiftieth birthday of the country
will be full season on Santino Ferruci's number fourteen car.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
I think it'll be the most impressive looking vehicle on
the grid. It's a beautiful race car. I can't think
of another one that really is that striking. And it's
been like that, but to do it in a full
season manner. They talked about today in the teleconference, talked
about the impact. You know, we will often wonder why
(14:00):
charities will get involved in race sponsorship, but it just,
you know, it goes from kind of word of mouth.
They don't do any other marketing of their charity, you know,
and so it's a word of mouth thing. And this
just exploded in terms of the you know, the feedback,
the and the donations that they received as part of
(14:22):
the IndyCar program, and so they think carrying this through
the course of the year will just really help the program.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
Fifteen million is what they've raised over the last five years.
And can you think of I think, you know, the
full season is big, but racing around the fourth of July.
Are we in mid Ohio again fourth of July weekend
this year? So yeah, there's going to be an event
and a celebration there and plenty of opportunities. One other
thing on the business Front Gamebridge reupt with the Indianapolis
(14:50):
five hundred in a multi year extension, so that's positive
news there. All right, let's go back. We talked about
Kyle Colette, So what seats remain at this point? Ray
Hall Letterman Lanigan is one their third car at this point,
as we've mentioned, and I think it's pretty obvious now
there's no path for Devlin de Francesco to return there,
(15:10):
so it's mix Schumacher or what linas Lunquist, Connor Day,
the next Christian loan guard out of F two, someone
that most of us are not familiar with. That's always
a possibility. Their season. Is it over question mark. We'll
(15:32):
know next year when Colton Hurt is racing an F two.
But there's still three more Formula One races, so it
either just ended at Brazil or is soon to be over.
I don't think it's over. I've not seen anything about
a champion, so likely a lot of their drivers haven't
decided what they're going to do, so it's very possible.
Something that's very good and that can easily bring around
(15:54):
three or four or five million dollars to help the program,
raises their hand and say yeah, I've got no over here.
I want to do what other Formula One drivers have
done and have a chance to win races and bring
the joy back to racing like I had in Carding.
So I wouldn't rule out a surprise there, And the
same would be said for dale Coin seat. That's the
(16:17):
only other one that we know is available, and I
guess actually we still know. So what there's three, there's
ray Hall, there's dale Coin dale Coin, and there's really
Hunkos Hollinger. We need the team to say, hey, leave
us alone. Sting Ray, Rob is our driver and until
(16:37):
that happens, unfortunately, I feel bad for sting Ray, but
it's it's clear that they are leaving their options open.
I still think Stingray is going to be their best option,
but the answer is always money. And if money becomes
available and someone says nope, we want this driver and
we're going to work a way to extricate oursels from
(17:00):
the other driver, it sounds like they are leaving that
option open.
Speaker 1 (17:03):
And you know you and I had a chance to
talk to sting Ray at the test just a few
weeks ago and was full steam ahead for him. He
was with the team, all seemed rosy, but.
Speaker 4 (17:15):
I'll be honest, I didn't ask him about that.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
Well, I didn't ask him specifically, But my point is
he he seemed to be in a good place and
he was hanging out with the race team.
Speaker 4 (17:23):
Or was it just staking out your ground stay away
this is my territory.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
Could be, could be? But I think we know Stingray
well enough. But anyway, we'll see. I have that same
question as well. It's a little bit of I guess
it's just doubt. I don't know if it's a question,
it's just I just have this bad sense for Stingray
because it feels like I need.
Speaker 4 (17:44):
The team to say, need the team to say so.
This isn't the media stirring up things. There have been
plenty of opportunities, and I know real journalists who write,
I'm sure have asked the team if you'd like to
clear this up, you can, and otherwise that's going to
lead to speculation on that front. And then there's dale
Coin and he had said at the end of the season,
(18:06):
we're going to have everything done by Halloween. I missed it.
Speaker 1 (18:11):
Maybe he's got a different calendar.
Speaker 4 (18:12):
Well, now he's looking at Thanksgiving. There are some quotes
for a Marshall Proud on racer dot Com today said Thanksgiving,
and then he hedged a little bit more and said, eh,
just before Christmas, So December fifteenth ish is what we're
looking at. So how about this. We've kind of said
that it's going to depend on again money. If they
(18:33):
find an investor, sponsors, then they are going to hire
the driver. And I think that would be Roman Grojean.
I think there's a good chance that would be Reman Grojean.
But I think I've said this in the last couple
of weeks. I don't think it's going to be Roman
Grojean because I think they're going to need a driver
(18:53):
that can bring some budget. And I like this quote
from Dale, which unfortunately is probably a little that's who
honest for those that are trying to seek investors in
their team. He said, there's still interest in talking and meetings.
You know, new owners that want to come in need
to realize what we're up against and there's no guarantee
(19:14):
of making money in this sport. If you get an
owner who does it for the love of it, that's great.
If you get an owner who as a company that
needs a marketing outlet, that's great, but if you get
a partner that wants to make money on it, good luck.
I don't think there's that anywhere. I don't know that
I want Dale representing me business ventures.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
Yeah, it's the truth of the matter. That's why they
always say that you start with a large fortune and
you get to a small one.
Speaker 4 (19:39):
That's why Dale always says, I'm going to make more
money in my real business so i can spend it
on the race team. And that's what he's done because
he is in it for the love of the sport
and he's successful enough that he's you know, frankly, probably
invested minimum a million of his money each year, sometimes
probably five to six million of his money or his
(20:03):
company's money over the year. So it looks to me
this way, if they have the budget to do it,
then I give Grojan a good chance. But he's also
likely going to want a decent salary, and if they
can't agree on that, then you get a younger driver
who's going to have nothing but his helmet to bring
(20:26):
and is essentially going to drive for quote minimum wage.
So alnas Lundquist or somebody like that in the category.
If and Connor Daily falls into both of these, because
Connor is one of those that you think about hiring.
But I would rate him as having a good chance too,
because he's hirable and he comes with partners.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
Difficult to believe that he doesn't have a seat in
this musical chairs, but it's possible he doesn't. But this
one feels like the spot. You know, he's kind of
like you said, he's the in between between Grojean and Lundquist.
I'm ready to see Linas Lendquist get a chance, I
mean a real chance. You know, that car depending on
(21:09):
which Dale Coin car you're talking about. The able car
didn't wasn't very able last year, so I'd like to see,
you know, have the right behind it. But we'll see.
I mean, but Lina's needs a shot.
Speaker 4 (21:24):
I feel like Jacob abel would or should have a
chance at this as well. Again, if they're looking for budget,
I think we'd all like to see Jacob get another
opportunity in a more stable environments with the same engineer
throughout the year, with a teammate that is going to
be supported. Well, it's a different relationship with Andretti. It's
not going to be an Andretti engineer. I think Dale
(21:46):
prides himself and having strong engineering, which he does. Michael
Cannon is there, others are there in support, but there
is going to be some help and some work between
the two teams. And even if it's not directly on
the second car, what you're going to learn for the
Holger car should apply to the other one as well.
(22:07):
And you know, one of the things that none of
us know is we don't know what budget comes with
what driver. But I would keep him in mind, and
same thing all of these drivers I think apply for
all of these seats. I think Connor, if it's kind
of an in between, I would think would be high
on the Honkohs Hollinger list as well. I don't think
that's going to be Romanko Jean. They just had him
(22:28):
last year, but maybe it would. At one point a
year ago that was said to be done, but it
came down to money. There was a partner that was
going to join that was going to help fund that car.
Didn't happen, so they then needed to take funding on
the car. So maybe we can't rule that out in
that point. By the way, Grojean was it was announced
(22:51):
that he's not going to stay with Lamborghini as a
factory driver their GTP, their top level program is going away,
at least for now. But he was announced. There were
a lot of people that we know that were announced
for sports car deals. Their season starts now soon he
doesn't end. They're testing at Daytona coming up this week.
(23:11):
It just ended. I think I just got back from
Rhade Atlanta. I literally just got back from Atlanta late
last night. Spent an extra day. I am a casualty
of the government shut down. No flights available, but made
it home. But I think I just got back from
Rhade Atlanta and they're already starting again. So Grojean is
going to be in a four GT three car as
(23:34):
part of a program mostly run by Riley Motorsports. Riley
ran the Lamborghini program last year. And remember that Ford
is bringing out a top level program, an LMDh program,
and I would imagine that Roman would be interested in
raising his hand and being a factory driver at the
top level. Ray Hall Letterman Atlanta and got their sports
(23:57):
car team, so that's good for their employees. They'll have
a GT Pro McLaren team and I have not seen
who is going to be testing, but they are testing
this weekend with that announcement was made last week, there
was no announcement. I did listen to Graham ray Hall's
interview with Hinch on his podcast, and Graham mentioned needing
(24:20):
to get an INSUL license and fill out a resume,
so I wouldn't be surprised if Graham ray All is
a part of that test next weekend. I don't know
he Maybe he has, but he's mostly done prototypes. I
don't know how much GT three racing he has done,
but sure, sure he can, so that's good for that program.
Christian Rasmussen is back in the Rolex in an LMP
(24:42):
two car. What else? Oh, Scott MacLaughlin and Joseph Neugartner
testing with the Poor Shapenski team. No confirmation if they
are going to race, but they are testing coming up
this weekend. It also was confirmed, so their World Endurance
Championship team went away, and we wondered, could they figure
out way to give Roger Penske a chance to win LAMA.
(25:03):
It sounds like no, they are not going to LAMA.
They're not going to be involved, and there's a lot
of rules about eligibility like we saw for Connor Zilich,
not enough super license points he couldn't do it, but
he will be in the Cadillac for Action Express this
weekend and we'll probably do the role X And I
mentioned this at the end of the show last week.
(25:23):
I think it was the last segment. But aj Allmendinger
will be testing with Meyer Shank this weekend. Scott Dixon will.
I don't think Alex Pollo is listed. I don't know
if he's busy this weekend or not. Do we know
when we're going to learn anything. It could still be
a few weeks, I think on the trial. So there's
not anything.
Speaker 1 (25:44):
He said January the other day when we do Wow. Yeah. So,
by the way, did Graham run for Has he deriven
a sports car for his dad's team or did he
do it for Ganassi? Just do it for Kanassi?
Speaker 4 (25:56):
He did it for Ganassi And I feel like he
drove an Accura for Penske.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
He did do one for Penske.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
That's from one point, and I remember it was hard
to fit for him.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
Yes, and.
Speaker 4 (26:09):
I you know what, I bet he because Ray Hall
had a GT program. I bet he has done that
at some point. It's just answer reason.
Speaker 1 (26:17):
But anyway, just a curiosity if he's done a gt Okay.
Speaker 4 (26:21):
So those some of the news of the day. We're
going to get to some of your Twitter questions via
the xbox at Kevin Lee twenty three at Kurk Cavin
and plenty more coming up. Track Side ninety three five
one oh seven five The Fan.
Speaker 5 (26:33):
Hi.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
This Scott Dixon and you're listening to trackside on ninety
three to five and one oh seven five the Fan.
Speaker 4 (26:40):
We are live in studio tonight, which means if you
were listening on the one oh seven five the Fan
app live or on the radio, the radio just regular
car radio, they still exist. You can tweet us a
question in the xbox at Kevin Lee twenty three at
kurt Cave and Ryan Gavigan is our in studio guests
(27:03):
donated to the Burger Bash. We'll have some news on
the Burger Bash. Looking to finalize some things for the
twenty twenty sixth edition benefitting the IE. You signon Comprehensive
Cancer Center that's coming soon before we go to the
Twitter box. Since you are here, Ryan, you get to
go first. What is your question?
Speaker 5 (27:19):
Well, it came up when we were bringing up Phoenix earlier,
and what I would like to know is what would
IndyCar or what would you guys as part of IndyCar
think would be a successful return to Phoenix. I was
there in twenty sixteen and eighteen, and to be honest,
the racing was rather not good in my opinion. And
also along with that, what are the chances you see
(27:42):
good ol' connor daily in the race at that oval?
Speaker 4 (27:45):
Okay, Kurt, it's a good question. The first one, what
is considered a successful event? Because you remember this is
a one one year guarantee. It's got to work right logistically,
everybody has to play nice together between IndyCar and NASCAR,
and IndyCar likely needs to be additive to the event.
Speaker 1 (28:06):
Well, I think the first word that comes to mind,
and this goes with every event, it's just finances. It
does it make financial sense? And the second word is
I don't know that I can I have the right word,
but to me, it's just perception. Is it does it
feel like does it feel like you're the second child
at this event or the third or the fourth? Does
(28:28):
it feel like you're relevant to the weekend? Does it
feel like people want you there? I mean, I think
all of those just how are you received, not necessarily
by NASCAR, not necessarily by the fan base, but do
you feel like a big deal you Does it feel
like what an IndyCar race, particularly at Phoenix should feel like.
(28:50):
And I think that's a that's not a measurable it's
it's a gut feeling, and it'll come down to finances
and whether you know it works on television and was
it a good show and all those things. But I
just think in this one, it's a little bit of
just a gut feeling. How does it feel. What's the
(29:10):
perception of running there on a Cup weekend?
Speaker 4 (29:15):
From a financial standpoint, this is one that I don't
really know how it works. Normally, it's either the track
the promoter pays IndyCar to come, and then the promoter
is going to need it to work to be invited
back to get their money back out of sponsorship's ticket sales.
The other path is a track rental, which IndyCar has
(29:40):
done at times, and then it's up to IndyCar to
make it work. Well, they were already going to be there.
It's possible that money is not exchanging hands, or it's
not the normal amount of money. It's possible. IndyCar said
we are open to waiving the sanctioning fee or the
(30:03):
normal sanctioning fee because we'd like to have another oval
because Iowa wasn't working and we'd like to try how
it works from NASCAR, And then NASCAR, which owns that track,
could have said, well, you need to rent the track
time to come, but well we're already there, we're already
staffing it. So maybe that's a win win, and there
(30:25):
could even be a revenue sharing from tickets on Saturday
or something along those lines. So you know, that's why
it's not quite so simple to say what makes it work.
Television rating won't be part of it, and that's where
you know, unfortunately, well what will help is the lead up,
(30:48):
so that weekend NASCAR and Fox won't be able to
help win. I was just starting to look up a
truck schedule where trucks they're not there that weekend, Well
they would have, and it's Saint Pete the week before
so and that's also on Fox. But really you're going
to have promotion in cup races the week before saying hey,
(31:10):
watch the IndyCar race the next week, So an IndyCar
is going to be able to help NASCAR, which I
also think is part of the motivation for NASCAR welcoming IndyCar.
They are going to have a two and a half
It's not going to be a two and a half
hour commercial because obviously we're going to talk more about
the IndyCar race. But I have to believe we're going
to have many, many promos that right here tomorrow at
(31:34):
four pm Eastern, you can watch the Cup race on Fox.
Speaker 1 (31:37):
Won't there be a Cup practice earlier in the day.
Speaker 4 (31:40):
But remember those aren't on Fox anymore. Those aren't on
the That's one of the problems. I think that the
new NASCAR TV deal is to get more money you have.
I can't tell you what outlet it's on. It's probably
on Max or Bleach. I'm in the business, and I
don't know where the NASCAR practice always are. I know
(32:01):
in the summer they're on True TV, maybe it's Amazon.
Maybe the first half is on Amazon Prime leading up.
But that's the point that they don't get any cross
promotion from the practices.
Speaker 1 (32:12):
No, but I do think there will be enough conversation
in the Cup community about being at Phoenix, and I
think there will be. I just think in the promos
if you're on Fox, I just think you'll know whether
or not you choose to tune in as another story.
But if I think if you're in, if you're likely
(32:33):
to kind of be in tune with with NASCAR that weekend,
there's a chance you'll you'll join us.
Speaker 4 (32:39):
And what you're hoping is that some of the NASCAR drivers,
because drivers are fans, yeah, the IndyCar drivers, and hopefully
let they let the drivers mingle at Indye. The IndyCar
drivers I think couldn't get in the cup garage, so
that would be nice if they give them a pass
to go visit with each other. But you're going to
get IndyCar drivers that are curious about NASCAR, and I
(32:59):
think you're gonna get drivers on social media saying, wow,
look at this, this is cool, I ain't doing this,
and you'll get kind of an endorsement from them. From
that standpoint, that'll help.
Speaker 1 (33:11):
And you know, I know a lot of those NASCAR fans,
just like the indiecar fans, are following their driver on
social media and that may be the purest way to
get as opposed to a television promo.
Speaker 4 (33:22):
I think it's got a good chance of being a
successful weekend chances. Connor, is there I'm going to say
they're high. I'm going to I think he is a
candidate for all three of these seeds of mix. Schumacher
doesn't come to Ray Hall, I don't. I think they
would be open to Connor agree, and then certainly the
(33:44):
other two. I really believe Hunkos has an idea of
still being to use him. And you know, the one
thing that Dennis Hager is going to need to adjust
to more are ovals. And if you're dale Coin Racing,
if you're Andretti, you might say, hey, I wouldn't mind
(34:08):
having Connor daily there. I wouldn't mind having a veteran
driver rather than a young driver in the second seat supporting.
Speaker 1 (34:17):
Dennis Hauger, especially when there's some zeros that can go
with this program.
Speaker 4 (34:21):
Yeah, okay. IndyCar Ken says happy offseason. Any word on
the April Ims Open Test, wondering if it will be
the week following Barber or the last week of the month.
Speaker 1 (34:35):
I don't have a calendar in front of me, but
it'll in my mind it's after Barber.
Speaker 4 (34:39):
I guess it's in the twenties. It'll be leading up
there will be no more IndyCar races.
Speaker 1 (34:45):
Correct before we.
Speaker 4 (34:46):
Get to the indiegp would be my best guess, just
kind of looking at what's going on between Long Beach
and Travel and Barber. It would just make a lot
of sense to do it later in the month and
teams could then basically move into their garages if they
want during that test and not have to move stuff away.
(35:06):
So the bar I don't think that's been published or confirmed.
Speaker 1 (35:09):
Yet, No, don't. I don't believe so. April nineteen is
the race at Barbara Motorsports Park. In my mind, the
end of that, end of the next week or will
be a prime time for it. Could be. I wouldn't
think it would be the first couple of days of May,
but it might be. Oh, no, we have what do
we have May first? Do we haven't? No, it's got
(35:31):
to look at my calendar. I just haven't really gotten
to my twenty twenty six schedule memorized yet.
Speaker 4 (35:37):
Hang on, let me get to my handy dandy. I
believe IndyCar is off the first weekend of May. The
Long Beach is the nineteenth, So Barber is actually March
twenty ninth, then Long Beach.
Speaker 1 (35:50):
Long nineteen eineteenth. That's what I was getting to I don't, and.
Speaker 4 (35:55):
Then you have three weeks off or I guess two
weekends off the weekend of the twenty sixth, and like
the second or third the seconds. So with two weekends off,
it would make a lot of sense to make the
ND five hundred tests be between Long Beach and the
road course on May ninth, because you're going to have
a gap there. So that's going to fill that gap
(36:18):
pretty nicely.
Speaker 1 (36:19):
And you're gonna come back from I mean it's going
to take a couple of days to get back from
Long Beach with all the equipment, So you know, anything
after probably the twenty third through the thirtieth feels like
where that test will.
Speaker 4 (36:34):
Land at Storm and Soda says, no questions this week,
just to thank for all you've answered before. Lynn Drive
for asked your cups in a row asks who is
your pick to challenge the ten car for twenty twenty.
Speaker 1 (36:49):
Six I think you got to start with Poto Award.
There's obviously expect a Penske bounce back. Don't you think
one of those Penske cars is going to be more
in the mix this time?
Speaker 4 (37:04):
More in the mix? Yes, yeah, all the way in
the mix.
Speaker 1 (37:07):
I agree.
Speaker 4 (37:08):
I don't know yet.
Speaker 1 (37:09):
Yeah, I don't know yet either, but more in the
mix for sure. Poto's one. You know, lining Guard took
a big step. In fact, I just wrote just a
little bit ago that the only driver that probably took
a bigger step in twenty twenty five than Kiff and
Simpson was Christian Rasmus. But you could probably throw Christian
(37:34):
Lingard in there too. He took a big step.
Speaker 4 (37:37):
I think that's we said it was one to watch
this year, the dynamic between Poto and long Guard. And
you can say all the right things and it does
seem like it's going to work because loung Guard was
at times a little bit better than Poto. But what
if it really changes. Kristian Lingard is really talented. He's
getting better and better on ovals. He's trying to figure
(37:57):
out the short ovals a little bit more.
Speaker 1 (38:00):
That's his weakness, you know. If he can, if he
can take a next step and on the ovals, if
he gets a teammate at Indy, that might one week.
You've been talking about that.
Speaker 4 (38:10):
You try to talk me out of Well I did,
so we'll we'll see. We don't know anything on that
front yet, but logic has just told me for a while,
and I've not seen a dryer and Ryan Bowld announcement
or anything there. And I think Connor Daily and others
are in play if they need just a one off
situation there. I've said along, I think Ryan Hunterrey makes
(38:32):
the most sense for Aara McLaren. But there's an Andrettie
set open now that I think is for Colden Hurda.
But we shall see, so we'll let uh, well, we'll
wait and see what happens on that front. And I
think Loinguard might be ready. The other is Kirkwood. Yeah,
(38:53):
I don't know if I would pick Power to win
the championship. I do think he's going to win multiple
races and has a great chance of being top five
or top six. But my guess would be Power and
Razuski will be additive and Kyle Kirkwood will benefit with
(39:16):
another year of experience.
Speaker 1 (39:17):
Just don't can't really get my head around Kyle's drop
off in the last part of the season. You know,
he was midpoint in the year, was an excellent shape.
Speaker 4 (39:28):
Well, they stopped going to street races.
Speaker 1 (39:30):
I understand that.
Speaker 4 (39:31):
I'm serious, that's where they were dominant. Now, he did
win on an oval, but the oval they won at
it was circumstance that helped them. But they need to
get their oval package a little bit better, and their
road course package wasn't as good as it has been.
But I think they'll take a step forward this coming
Year's a good question on that front, and the foregone
(39:53):
conclusion is that he will be shocked if Alex Palow
does not win the championship. That's right, okay. Paul Ingram
says so pleased with the dream team of mel Harder,
friends of Laguna Seca and the Monterey County supervisors, with
the weather Tech Raceway renaissance, the finale in the facility
will get better every year. Do Laguna lessons apply to
(40:13):
other local governments?
Speaker 1 (40:16):
You know, that's a that's an odd situation for our sport.
I mean, you don't have a lot of comps if
you will be.
Speaker 4 (40:24):
Great if it did. If counties were just willing to
pay one point five million a year to IndyCar to
hosting events.
Speaker 1 (40:29):
There just aren't many arrangements the way Laguna Seca set
up or the racetrack and then the community, so difficult
to see that kind of in play elsewhere.
Speaker 4 (40:41):
I'm happy that it's continuing. Yeah, I'm happy Mail was
there too, had a better crowd this year, so I'm
happy Mel's there. You know, it's not like Laguna Seca
didn't have a cheerleader for IndyCar there. They certainly did.
But Mel Mel brings and even he's, for lack of
a better phrase, is one of us, and that will
(41:03):
be good for the weekend. Ryan, you had one more question,
did you not? Maybe not? No.
Speaker 6 (41:10):
I was going to bring up the fact that they
were always talking about wanting to come up with new,
brand new events to put on the schedule and talking
about courses that are going to be taken away potentially
since we're not looking to add community to add up
to twenty races or whatever, what would be the ones
(41:31):
that would be.
Speaker 4 (41:32):
Looked at for being the go away?
Speaker 5 (41:35):
Are talking Portland, Ohio.
Speaker 4 (41:38):
I think you look at the ones that have the
least amount of people, and then what we also don't
know is who's paying the least. So let's see looking
at a schedule, I mean Portland is one that people
bring up. Toronto was on that list. It seems to
be solidified now with the move just outside of town
to mark them will have to keep an eye on
(42:02):
Mid Ohio. If Cleveland were to happen, would they run
in both markets? Certainly they could, and they did back
in the day, but this is not back in the day,
and I know some in the industry would like to
see the facility upgraded. Weather Tech doesn't run at Mid
(42:23):
Ohio anymore. So just because it's a track we all
love and a lot of fans love, doesn't mean it's
going to stay on the calendar forever. I don't have
an answer for your question. The good thing is it's
going to bring competition, and what you and I do
think they could add another race. I think they could
do eighteen. I don't think unless if television ratings really
(42:47):
take a big step up, then maybe you can start
to move up to nineteen or something like that. And
if the leader circle money continues to rise. Still not
really seen this confirm, but I trust the reporting that
it's up half a million or so, and presumably that
would be from the influx of cash with Fox buying in,
(43:09):
but don't know that either. But if that were to
raise a little bit more and teams seem to be
a little bit healthier, then maybe maybe remember and add
to the seventeen.
Speaker 1 (43:21):
Remember that the first one to go would be the
second race at a doubleheader, so we have two at Milwaukee.
So the other thing I would point out, you mentioned Toronto,
You've mentioned mid Ohio, and you mentioned Portland. All three
of those have a strong promoter in Green Savary, so
which helps, which is very.
Speaker 4 (43:40):
And they have a one of the top three or
four events in Saint Petersburg.
Speaker 1 (43:47):
It's a strong program that is very connected to this,
to the series, longtime promoter. So you know, we often
will throw in Portland because it's it's far away from
most of us, and it doesn't seem like it's it's
a solid event, but I think it is. You know,
it's it's probably better than we give.
Speaker 4 (44:08):
It TV to see that there's a lot of people
at them.
Speaker 1 (44:11):
Well, it's it's a pretty good event. It's and it
gives us a West Coast presence in that part of
the country, west part of the West Coast. So you know,
I don't know if it stays forever, but but Green
Savary is a good promoter, and it would it would
take some real hard, hard information to show that it
didn't need to be on the calendar.
Speaker 4 (44:30):
If and that's always a big if you know, we
can have all these rumors of new events, but until
they are announced, they are not done yet. But if
you had three great new events come on, one is
getting chopped off.
Speaker 1 (44:45):
Yeah good?
Speaker 4 (44:47):
You know you Yes, you could get rid of a
second race, but that's not even a guarantee. If there's
no new oval coming on, they might still want to
keep a doubleheader at Milwaukee.
Speaker 1 (44:58):
Yeah, I don't. I don't get this in It's that
most of the leadership would like double headers if they
could help it.
Speaker 4 (45:05):
That's good because most of the people and the teams
don't like the doubleheaders either.
Speaker 1 (45:12):
I think it's out of necessity.
Speaker 4 (45:13):
Yeah, I agree. All right, we'll see what we missed
and any late breaking news we'll check into next on trackside.
Speaker 3 (45:19):
Hi, this is Alexander Rossi and you're listening to trackside.
Speaker 4 (45:22):
So what's everybody been doing without ESPN? I think I
might be able to live without it.
Speaker 1 (45:28):
I think so too.
Speaker 4 (45:29):
I think I'm this has not been a good experiment
for them. I have YouTube TV. I like YouTube TV.
It's I encourage you to get YouTube very handy. I
would be a Comcast supporter, but it's not availbled my area,
or I would support one of the companies.
Speaker 1 (45:45):
Fubu sounds like a decent option.
Speaker 4 (45:47):
I've tried it. It's not as user friendly I'm thinking,
and at some point there will be something on ESPN
that I need to see and I will come back.
But in the meantime, I've found so a lot of
people have been finding some bootleg programming. I've not gone
to that path, but I have found PTI. It's posted
(46:08):
on It's posted on YouTube, the entire show, and that's
one of the shows I do miss Sports Center, but
I have started to look into other things. I would
recommend this show for those that like history on Netflix.
Death by Lightning about the president that no one remembers
(46:28):
and a person they've heard of even less who shot him. Okay,
James Garfield and Charles Guiteau Death by Lightning. Death by
Lightning four episodes. I watched them all last night. After
I got home from another opportunity to avoid Indiana in
the winter time, I went to Florida watched Jackson Race.
These WORRL races are kind of interesting because there's no
(46:54):
entry lists published. You have no idea what drivers are
in the car. There's three per team, it's an eight
hour race one day, seven hour the next day. Four
different classes, too many Rolex twenty four. You walk down there,
there's Billy Johnson. Billy Johnson was a Ford factory driver
just a few years ago. He's running in this. There
are really good drivers, there are really bad drivers. Sting
(47:17):
Ray Rob ran in the event a couple of times ago.
There's several former Indie Lights drivers, Dacota Dickerson, who's won
a couple of championships. He's actually who recommended Jackson to
get a chance. So I've enjoyed these just watching all
the different classes of cars, and they're really good about
not running into each other. It's good experience. Finally knew
(47:37):
what driver was in what car at the what time.
Speaker 1 (47:39):
I assume we drove home.
Speaker 4 (47:40):
Then no, we flew to Atlanta. We made that flight,
but then the Atlanta flight did not happen or the
next or the next, and we came home Monday night.
Speaker 1 (47:50):
But all good.
Speaker 4 (47:51):
Nobody cares about my travel problems. I get that, so
it's all fine. They take care of me as well
as they can. So, yeah, maybe racing off season, but
there's always racing somewhere, including Formula one in America a
couple of weeks. We'll talk about that next week on
the show. Ryan, thank you for supporting the I You
Simon Cancer Center and the Burger Bash. We'll have details
(48:12):
on that coming up soon. We'll see you next Tuesday
night for another edition of Trackside ninety three to five
and one oh seven five The Fan
This is track side with Kirk Cavin and Kevin Lee
on ninety three five and one oh seven five the Fan. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
I think firstly, it's great to be back here at Phoenix.
You know, definitely a lot of great memories, especially for me.
I think back to the early two thousands, so I've
seeing a lot of different variants at the circuit.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
But the test is going well.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
It's great that, you know. I think Indycara and obviously
Firestone are working hard, you know, to to you know,
create opportunities I think for racing, not just here at Phoenix,
but some of the other tracks down the road, a
short ovals especially, So it's cool to actually be back
doing a full on tire test.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
The test day's going great. You know, this is a
super important one for the series to try and make
sure that we choose the right tire, you know, with
how close IndyCar racing has gone now with how dynamic
short oval racing can be, a lot of that is
about choosing the right tire, and I think really the
(01:00):
more that we've done these tests, the better race product
we put on. So really honored to be a part
of it and help kind of steer the direction of
what the choice will be.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
In March.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
Indy Cars. We're on track at Phoenix last week for
the first time in seven years. That's Scott Dixon and
Alexander ROSSI. We've got another confirmation since last week for
a full time seat. We'll update what's left and your
questions tonight at Kevin Lee twenty three on Twitter, on
x at Kirk Cavin as well. You are listening live
(01:34):
to an appearance in studio for Trackside Tonight's Kevin Lee
Kirk Cavin landon Koons Special in studio guest Brian Gavigan
is here. He has donated to the Burger Bash to
benefit the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, and we'll hear
from Ryan in just a little bit. I was joke, Kirk.
We like to come in here every once in a
(01:56):
while to make sure the key card still works alas
you have to be able to find it. So I
had to make Land and come and get me at
the door. Today I've lost the key card. I've been
here twenty five years. I made it towards the end
of the run and I have no key card.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
I actually had the original key card when I started
here nearly twenty years ago and lost that and last
year got a brand new one. So I have a
brand new key card to retire when this building is
no longer radio.
Speaker 4 (02:30):
I'm probably just gonna have land and let me I understand,
I understand it all right. The thing things to get
into tonight. Let's talk first from what we heard from
Dixon and Rossi at Phoenix. Also same day last Thursday,
Kyle Collette and Dennis Hauger did rookie oval tests in
Nashville Super Speedway. I didn't hear any reports negative on that,
(02:52):
didn't see any pictures of wadded up race cars, so
I feel like that's a positive thing as well. What
do we know about what they were looking to do
at Phoenix last week with the two cars.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
So I come away from from reports from you know,
both internally and externally for two thoughts. One, the tire
test obviously is a big deal in a short O. Well,
you need to make sure they get the tire right.
The Drew drivers, who are very experienced, were very happy
with what was presented, meaning they're not going to have
(03:24):
to do massive guessing or they're not going to go
if they go to an open test there back or
in the spring. It's not going to be a guessing game.
They feel very comfortable with what was produced results wise
with this set of this compound of tires. So one
tires is you know, check that box. The second thing
(03:46):
I heard was from a media standpoint, massive interest, big,
big turnout.
Speaker 4 (03:53):
Good.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
You don't normally see that on a tire test in
the middle of November when your race is what for
five months.
Speaker 4 (04:00):
Away and with just two cars.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
And just two cars, now, those were two pretty big
names and Phoenix has got a lot of media. Obviously
it's a big city. But to have a good turnout
from a media standpoint is a positive thing is as
we move forward. Obviously the Cup race is going to
attract its own attention, but to have people interested in
the IndyCar race is a good sign.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
And for those that maybe you're just casual fans, IndyCar
is back at Phoenix for the first time since twenty
eighteen in a combo weekend with NASCAR. We've not seen
this before with the Cup Series except because it was
necessary during COVID and then I think it lasted. Did
it last one more year?
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Yes?
Speaker 4 (04:42):
At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the road course, but
this is a new circumstance and a bit of a
trade as well, possibly because NASCAR's truck series is going
to support the IndyCar race. The previous week in the
opener at the Grand Prix of Saint Petersburg, so it
was the first two weekends of the season in mar
next year. One of the other things I read from
(05:03):
racer dot Com is that to make sure that they
don't have the tire issues that NASCAR had. There's a
lot of a load and a lot of stress put
on tires on short ovals, especially when you're going to
speed that IndyCar goes. They've dialed down the power just
a little bit. They'll still be thirty some miles an
hour faster than the Cup cars, But that seems smart
(05:27):
because it is always difficult to find the right circumstance,
and ultimately, while we love seeing one hundred and eighty
five one hundred ninety miles an hour, I don't know
that we're going to notice too much of a difference
just visually at one seventy five or whatever they're running
at this point. The key is good racing, and the
short oval package has been good for the last few years.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
It has been, you know, particularly, I was going through
my mind of the race tracks. But Phoenix is you know,
both ends of the racetrack ear into the load for
a long time. Yeah, you know, it's a it's a
pretty sweeping corner down there on the west end of
the racetrack, which is I still call it turns one
and two. I guess it's one in four now. But
(06:12):
that end of the racetrack in particular carries a lot
of load, and the other end of the racetrack is tight.
So you know, it's if you can back down the
back down the speed just a little bit, I think
that will help you. And shoot, I can't tell the
difference where you're going one eighty two or one eighty
eight or I mean you want to be going fast.
(06:34):
Most importantly, it sounded good. If you heard some of
the audio, it sounded like what I like to hear
at Phoenix.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
So that's good. What's still to come? Any more private testing?
Speaker 1 (06:47):
No, that's it. I think we're done.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
There's nothing else available.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
I don't think anything else is available. I heard that
on a call.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
You yet, h Letterman Lanigan cannot get Mick Schumacher on
an oval somewhere before the end.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Of the year. Now there could be, you know, so
introduction like that. That's that's kind of a you know,
a new driver, good for the series kind of Yeah.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
I was hoping he might be at this rookie test
last week, but obviously yeah, he well, actually he may
have raced. I bet he raced in Weck, he probably
did this past week because one of the things I've
read and we'll get to this next, that the team
he's racing for in World Endurance Championship, the top sports
car series in Europe worldwide Alpine, wants an answer. He's
(07:31):
welcome to come back, but they said we need to
know now, and Schumacher was quoted in sports car outlets saying, yeah,
I'm thinking about it, and I'm going to make up
mine soon, but I'm going to focus on one thing.
He's not planning on doing both. So I still think
there's a good chance that he wants to do this,
but we need to hear him say that, and then
we need confirmation from the team that Okay, we can
(07:54):
afford to go hire a driver and we can put
the puzzle pieces in place for that. So that's what's
going on at Phoenix, Indy Next had a test yesterday
in the high thirties low forties Barber Motorsports Park with
twenty three cars there Andretti looks strong as we expected,
(08:14):
as they have been. Max Taylor was fastest by a
pretty good chunk from what I saw over Josh Pearson,
then inzel Fit of Pality of HMD Lackey, Hughes and Andretti.
So that's three of four and Bryce Aaron of Ganassi
the top five. I think Miles Row was sixth and
they might be done as well.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
I think everyone is done. And by the way, that
was the last of the World Endurance Championship races. They
had to go run early November, but which I was
surprised they went that deep into the year.
Speaker 4 (08:45):
But they're not worried about football.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
They're not worried.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
About Europe and worldwide.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
Yeah, well American football, although Colds and Cardinals did play
in Berlin, but I don't think that was an overlap.
But anyway, Yeah, all scheduled Indy car tests are done, ok,
and next as well.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
Top two in Indy Next from last year have rides.
Dennis Hager we've known about with dale Coin Racing still
an Andretti Driver and Kyle Collette. We thought this was happening.
It's been confirmed. He'll be in the number four A.
J Foyd Karfter fitting second in the next championship. Won
three times last season. Sounds like testing has gone well
for him, so I'm encouraged about what he can do there.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Yeah, I think I think Kyle Collette is one of
the more intriguing prospects. You know, we know, we think
we know what Dennis Hauger is and he's pretty good.
Collette was very impressive in the test. Larry Foyt was
on a conference call with us today and just raved
about him. So yeah, I think I think we're going
(09:47):
to see good things from them. And you know, it
was interesting to hear Larry Foyt talk about sort of
the progress that the team and the organization has made
over the last couple of years. He did say, by
the way that team Penske associateation continues, so that is good.
And just how many more phone calls they got, you know,
(10:07):
because the team has stepped up.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
That's big news that the Penske relationship continues. Because I
didn't wonder I had seen Jonathan Dogood question asked that
I think it was by Marshall Pruitt, and there was
sort of a TBD or no comment or I'm new year,
ask me again in a little bit. So I didn't know.
(10:31):
Since they had already gotten what they wanted out of that,
out of Malucas, it made sense to continue because Miles
Row is still moving in an upward fashion, and they
may want a place for Miles in twenty twenty seven.
And I wouldn't rule out Miles Row being in an
extra aj Foyd car with some Penske help for the
(10:52):
Indianapolis five hundred this year. Yeah, yes, in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
Yeah, I agree, it's I wouldn't rule that out either.
Still to be determined. I still am am surprised how
many of the Indie only seats we still have to resolve.
We kind of talked about this last week. If not
really unless it's happened and I missed it. Have we
heard really from Ed Carpenter saying I definitely am going
(11:16):
to do it. Have we heard from l e Oh,
I'm definitely going to do it, you know. And we
got the Arrow McLaren seat that I think any day
now will be resolved or at least publicly resolved, So
we still have some sado another one that at ray Hall,
we think he's going to be in the car.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
But and now a great scene in Andretti is opened,
I think, but I don't know that we need to
have that confirmed. I think Ed is running the race,
and I don't think he's confirming it because I think
we could find him being asked this year, and I
know I asked him, you're not ready to quit, because
I know I asked him this before the five hundred.
Is there any chance this is the last one? And
(11:53):
he said no. So I'm not even putting there as
a question Ed's going to run. Well, it's not really
a question. I guess we want to see an announcement. Yeah,
we rise and a listener, So maybe throw that out there,
send out a pressure release the Java house number thirty
three car. Is that what he ran this year? You
run thirty three again? Yeah, So let's make that confirmed
(12:14):
to this point. And you know, we need to know
what prem is doing because if they do go away,
they'll need every one off potential to happen to get
to thirty three. Yeah, and then they're gonna need if
if they want to have bumping Ganasi's gonna have to
run a fourth. Somebody else will have to run a fourth.
(12:37):
Otherwise there is a path to thirty three, but there
is not an easy path to go beyond thirty three
if you lose the two Premi cars, because we had
thirty four.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
So we've talked about this, but it sounds like people
are still working in the organization, so I mean, until
we're told otherwise, I think we have to believe that
they're better than fifty to fifty.
Speaker 4 (12:58):
Back to why Larry Floyd was on a conference call
positive news there. We kind of wondered what was going
to happen there with some change from some of their
longtime partners, Sexton Properties, and it was confirmed that they
are I believe it was confirmed that they're not a
part of the program next year. But ABC supply and
(13:19):
mostly the Hendricks family is stepping up in a bigger way.
They were full time sponsors for a long time. They've
only done the five hundred and part of the Home
for Troops campaign, so that Red, White, and Blue livery
celebrating the two hundred and fiftieth birthday of the country
will be full season on Santino Ferruci's number fourteen car.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
I think it'll be the most impressive looking vehicle on
the grid. It's a beautiful race car. I can't think
of another one that really is that striking. And it's
been like that, but to do it in a full
season manner. They talked about today in the teleconference, talked
about the impact. You know, we will often wonder why
(14:00):
charities will get involved in race sponsorship, but it just,
you know, it goes from kind of word of mouth.
They don't do any other marketing of their charity, you know,
and so it's a word of mouth thing. And this
just exploded in terms of the you know, the feedback,
the and the donations that they received as part of
(14:22):
the IndyCar program, and so they think carrying this through
the course of the year will just really help the program.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
Fifteen million is what they've raised over the last five years.
And can you think of I think, you know, the
full season is big, but racing around the fourth of July.
Are we in mid Ohio again fourth of July weekend
this year? So yeah, there's going to be an event
and a celebration there and plenty of opportunities. One other
thing on the business Front Gamebridge reupt with the Indianapolis
(14:50):
five hundred in a multi year extension, so that's positive
news there. All right, let's go back. We talked about
Kyle Colette, So what seats remain at this point? Ray
Hall Letterman Lanigan is one their third car at this point,
as we've mentioned, and I think it's pretty obvious now
there's no path for Devlin de Francesco to return there,
(15:10):
so it's mix Schumacher or what linas Lunquist, Connor Day,
the next Christian loan guard out of F two, someone
that most of us are not familiar with. That's always
a possibility. Their season. Is it over question mark. We'll
(15:32):
know next year when Colton Hurt is racing an F two.
But there's still three more Formula One races, so it
either just ended at Brazil or is soon to be over.
I don't think it's over. I've not seen anything about
a champion, so likely a lot of their drivers haven't
decided what they're going to do, so it's very possible.
Something that's very good and that can easily bring around
(15:54):
three or four or five million dollars to help the program,
raises their hand and say yeah, I've got no over here.
I want to do what other Formula One drivers have
done and have a chance to win races and bring
the joy back to racing like I had in Carding.
So I wouldn't rule out a surprise there, And the
same would be said for dale Coin seat. That's the
(16:17):
only other one that we know is available, and I
guess actually we still know. So what there's three, there's
ray Hall, there's dale Coin dale Coin, and there's really
Hunkos Hollinger. We need the team to say, hey, leave
us alone. Sting Ray, Rob is our driver and until
(16:37):
that happens, unfortunately, I feel bad for sting Ray, but
it's it's clear that they are leaving their options open.
I still think Stingray is going to be their best option,
but the answer is always money. And if money becomes
available and someone says nope, we want this driver and
we're going to work a way to extricate oursels from
(17:00):
the other driver, it sounds like they are leaving that
option open.
Speaker 1 (17:03):
And you know you and I had a chance to
talk to sting Ray at the test just a few
weeks ago and was full steam ahead for him. He
was with the team, all seemed rosy, but.
Speaker 4 (17:15):
I'll be honest, I didn't ask him about that.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
Well, I didn't ask him specifically, But my point is
he he seemed to be in a good place and
he was hanging out with the race team.
Speaker 4 (17:23):
Or was it just staking out your ground stay away
this is my territory.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
Could be, could be? But I think we know Stingray
well enough. But anyway, we'll see. I have that same
question as well. It's a little bit of I guess
it's just doubt. I don't know if it's a question,
it's just I just have this bad sense for Stingray
because it feels like I need.
Speaker 4 (17:44):
The team to say, need the team to say so.
This isn't the media stirring up things. There have been
plenty of opportunities, and I know real journalists who write,
I'm sure have asked the team if you'd like to
clear this up, you can, and otherwise that's going to
lead to speculation on that front. And then there's dale
Coin and he had said at the end of the season,
(18:06):
we're going to have everything done by Halloween. I missed it.
Speaker 1 (18:11):
Maybe he's got a different calendar.
Speaker 4 (18:12):
Well, now he's looking at Thanksgiving. There are some quotes
for a Marshall Proud on racer dot Com today said Thanksgiving,
and then he hedged a little bit more and said, eh,
just before Christmas, So December fifteenth ish is what we're
looking at. So how about this. We've kind of said
that it's going to depend on again money. If they
(18:33):
find an investor, sponsors, then they are going to hire
the driver. And I think that would be Roman Grojean.
I think there's a good chance that would be Reman Grojean.
But I think I've said this in the last couple
of weeks. I don't think it's going to be Roman
Grojean because I think they're going to need a driver
(18:53):
that can bring some budget. And I like this quote
from Dale, which unfortunately is probably a little that's who
honest for those that are trying to seek investors in
their team. He said, there's still interest in talking and meetings.
You know, new owners that want to come in need
to realize what we're up against and there's no guarantee
(19:14):
of making money in this sport. If you get an
owner who does it for the love of it, that's great.
If you get an owner who as a company that
needs a marketing outlet, that's great, but if you get
a partner that wants to make money on it, good luck.
I don't think there's that anywhere. I don't know that
I want Dale representing me business ventures.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
Yeah, it's the truth of the matter. That's why they
always say that you start with a large fortune and
you get to a small one.
Speaker 4 (19:39):
That's why Dale always says, I'm going to make more
money in my real business so i can spend it
on the race team. And that's what he's done because
he is in it for the love of the sport
and he's successful enough that he's you know, frankly, probably
invested minimum a million of his money each year, sometimes
probably five to six million of his money or his
(20:03):
company's money over the year. So it looks to me
this way, if they have the budget to do it,
then I give Grojan a good chance. But he's also
likely going to want a decent salary, and if they
can't agree on that, then you get a younger driver
who's going to have nothing but his helmet to bring
(20:26):
and is essentially going to drive for quote minimum wage.
So alnas Lundquist or somebody like that in the category.
If and Connor Daily falls into both of these, because
Connor is one of those that you think about hiring.
But I would rate him as having a good chance too,
because he's hirable and he comes with partners.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
Difficult to believe that he doesn't have a seat in
this musical chairs, but it's possible he doesn't. But this
one feels like the spot. You know, he's kind of
like you said, he's the in between between Grojean and Lundquist.
I'm ready to see Linas Lendquist get a chance, I
mean a real chance. You know, that car depending on
(21:09):
which Dale Coin car you're talking about. The able car
didn't wasn't very able last year, so I'd like to see,
you know, have the right behind it. But we'll see.
I mean, but Lina's needs a shot.
Speaker 4 (21:24):
I feel like Jacob abel would or should have a
chance at this as well. Again, if they're looking for budget,
I think we'd all like to see Jacob get another
opportunity in a more stable environments with the same engineer
throughout the year, with a teammate that is going to
be supported. Well, it's a different relationship with Andretti. It's
not going to be an Andretti engineer. I think Dale
(21:46):
prides himself and having strong engineering, which he does. Michael
Cannon is there, others are there in support, but there
is going to be some help and some work between
the two teams. And even if it's not directly on
the second car, what you're going to learn for the
Holger car should apply to the other one as well.
(22:07):
And you know, one of the things that none of
us know is we don't know what budget comes with
what driver. But I would keep him in mind, and
same thing all of these drivers I think apply for
all of these seats. I think Connor, if it's kind
of an in between, I would think would be high
on the Honkohs Hollinger list as well. I don't think
that's going to be Romanko Jean. They just had him
(22:28):
last year, but maybe it would. At one point a
year ago that was said to be done, but it
came down to money. There was a partner that was
going to join that was going to help fund that car.
Didn't happen, so they then needed to take funding on
the car. So maybe we can't rule that out in
that point. By the way, Grojean was it was announced
(22:51):
that he's not going to stay with Lamborghini as a
factory driver their GTP, their top level program is going away,
at least for now. But he was announced. There were
a lot of people that we know that were announced
for sports car deals. Their season starts now soon he
doesn't end. They're testing at Daytona coming up this week.
(23:11):
It just ended. I think I just got back from
Rhade Atlanta. I literally just got back from Atlanta late
last night. Spent an extra day. I am a casualty
of the government shut down. No flights available, but made
it home. But I think I just got back from
Rhade Atlanta and they're already starting again. So Grojean is
going to be in a four GT three car as
(23:34):
part of a program mostly run by Riley Motorsports. Riley
ran the Lamborghini program last year. And remember that Ford
is bringing out a top level program, an LMDh program,
and I would imagine that Roman would be interested in
raising his hand and being a factory driver at the
top level. Ray Hall Letterman Atlanta and got their sports
(23:57):
car team, so that's good for their employees. They'll have
a GT Pro McLaren team and I have not seen
who is going to be testing, but they are testing
this weekend with that announcement was made last week, there
was no announcement. I did listen to Graham ray Hall's
interview with Hinch on his podcast, and Graham mentioned needing
(24:20):
to get an INSUL license and fill out a resume,
so I wouldn't be surprised if Graham ray All is
a part of that test next weekend. I don't know
he Maybe he has, but he's mostly done prototypes. I
don't know how much GT three racing he has done,
but sure, sure he can, so that's good for that program.
Christian Rasmussen is back in the Rolex in an LMP
(24:42):
two car. What else? Oh, Scott MacLaughlin and Joseph Neugartner
testing with the Poor Shapenski team. No confirmation if they
are going to race, but they are testing coming up
this weekend. It also was confirmed, so their World Endurance
Championship team went away, and we wondered, could they figure
out way to give Roger Penske a chance to win LAMA.
(25:03):
It sounds like no, they are not going to LAMA.
They're not going to be involved, and there's a lot
of rules about eligibility like we saw for Connor Zilich,
not enough super license points he couldn't do it, but
he will be in the Cadillac for Action Express this
weekend and we'll probably do the role X And I
mentioned this at the end of the show last week.
(25:23):
I think it was the last segment. But aj Allmendinger
will be testing with Meyer Shank this weekend. Scott Dixon will.
I don't think Alex Pollo is listed. I don't know
if he's busy this weekend or not. Do we know
when we're going to learn anything. It could still be
a few weeks, I think on the trial. So there's
not anything.
Speaker 1 (25:44):
He said January the other day when we do Wow. Yeah. So,
by the way, did Graham run for Has he deriven
a sports car for his dad's team or did he
do it for Ganassi? Just do it for Kanassi?
Speaker 4 (25:56):
He did it for Ganassi And I feel like he
drove an Accura for Penske.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
He did do one for Penske.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
That's from one point, and I remember it was hard
to fit for him.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
Yes, and.
Speaker 4 (26:09):
I you know what, I bet he because Ray Hall
had a GT program. I bet he has done that
at some point. It's just answer reason.
Speaker 1 (26:17):
But anyway, just a curiosity if he's done a gt Okay.
Speaker 4 (26:21):
So those some of the news of the day. We're
going to get to some of your Twitter questions via
the xbox at Kevin Lee twenty three at Kurk Cavin
and plenty more coming up. Track Side ninety three five
one oh seven five The Fan.
Speaker 5 (26:33):
Hi.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
This Scott Dixon and you're listening to trackside on ninety
three to five and one oh seven five the Fan.
Speaker 4 (26:40):
We are live in studio tonight, which means if you
were listening on the one oh seven five the Fan
app live or on the radio, the radio just regular
car radio, they still exist. You can tweet us a
question in the xbox at Kevin Lee twenty three at
kurt Cave and Ryan Gavigan is our in studio guests
(27:03):
donated to the Burger Bash. We'll have some news on
the Burger Bash. Looking to finalize some things for the
twenty twenty sixth edition benefitting the IE. You signon Comprehensive
Cancer Center that's coming soon before we go to the
Twitter box. Since you are here, Ryan, you get to
go first. What is your question?
Speaker 5 (27:19):
Well, it came up when we were bringing up Phoenix earlier,
and what I would like to know is what would
IndyCar or what would you guys as part of IndyCar
think would be a successful return to Phoenix. I was
there in twenty sixteen and eighteen, and to be honest,
the racing was rather not good in my opinion. And
also along with that, what are the chances you see
(27:42):
good ol' connor daily in the race at that oval?
Speaker 4 (27:45):
Okay, Kurt, it's a good question. The first one, what
is considered a successful event? Because you remember this is
a one one year guarantee. It's got to work right logistically,
everybody has to play nice together between IndyCar and NASCAR,
and IndyCar likely needs to be additive to the event.
Speaker 1 (28:06):
Well, I think the first word that comes to mind,
and this goes with every event, it's just finances. It
does it make financial sense? And the second word is
I don't know that I can I have the right word,
but to me, it's just perception. Is it does it
feel like does it feel like you're the second child
at this event or the third or the fourth? Does
(28:28):
it feel like you're relevant to the weekend? Does it
feel like people want you there? I mean, I think
all of those just how are you received, not necessarily
by NASCAR, not necessarily by the fan base, but do
you feel like a big deal you Does it feel
like what an IndyCar race, particularly at Phoenix should feel like.
(28:50):
And I think that's a that's not a measurable it's
it's a gut feeling, and it'll come down to finances
and whether you know it works on television and was
it a good show and all those things. But I
just think in this one, it's a little bit of
just a gut feeling. How does it feel. What's the
(29:10):
perception of running there on a Cup weekend?
Speaker 4 (29:15):
From a financial standpoint, this is one that I don't
really know how it works. Normally, it's either the track
the promoter pays IndyCar to come, and then the promoter
is going to need it to work to be invited
back to get their money back out of sponsorship's ticket sales.
The other path is a track rental, which IndyCar has
(29:40):
done at times, and then it's up to IndyCar to
make it work. Well, they were already going to be there.
It's possible that money is not exchanging hands, or it's
not the normal amount of money. It's possible. IndyCar said
we are open to waiving the sanctioning fee or the
(30:03):
normal sanctioning fee because we'd like to have another oval
because Iowa wasn't working and we'd like to try how
it works from NASCAR, And then NASCAR, which owns that track,
could have said, well, you need to rent the track
time to come, but well we're already there, we're already
staffing it. So maybe that's a win win, and there
(30:25):
could even be a revenue sharing from tickets on Saturday
or something along those lines. So you know, that's why
it's not quite so simple to say what makes it work.
Television rating won't be part of it, and that's where
you know, unfortunately, well what will help is the lead up,
(30:48):
so that weekend NASCAR and Fox won't be able to
help win. I was just starting to look up a
truck schedule where trucks they're not there that weekend, Well
they would have, and it's Saint Pete the week before
so and that's also on Fox. But really you're going
to have promotion in cup races the week before saying hey,
(31:10):
watch the IndyCar race the next week, So an IndyCar
is going to be able to help NASCAR, which I
also think is part of the motivation for NASCAR welcoming IndyCar.
They are going to have a two and a half
It's not going to be a two and a half
hour commercial because obviously we're going to talk more about
the IndyCar race. But I have to believe we're going
to have many, many promos that right here tomorrow at
(31:34):
four pm Eastern, you can watch the Cup race on Fox.
Speaker 1 (31:37):
Won't there be a Cup practice earlier in the day.
Speaker 4 (31:40):
But remember those aren't on Fox anymore. Those aren't on
the That's one of the problems. I think that the
new NASCAR TV deal is to get more money you have.
I can't tell you what outlet it's on. It's probably
on Max or Bleach. I'm in the business, and I
don't know where the NASCAR practice always are. I know
(32:01):
in the summer they're on True TV, maybe it's Amazon.
Maybe the first half is on Amazon Prime leading up.
But that's the point that they don't get any cross
promotion from the practices.
Speaker 1 (32:12):
No, but I do think there will be enough conversation
in the Cup community about being at Phoenix, and I
think there will be. I just think in the promos
if you're on Fox, I just think you'll know whether
or not you choose to tune in as another story.
But if I think if you're in, if you're likely
(32:33):
to kind of be in tune with with NASCAR that weekend,
there's a chance you'll you'll join us.
Speaker 4 (32:39):
And what you're hoping is that some of the NASCAR drivers,
because drivers are fans, yeah, the IndyCar drivers, and hopefully
let they let the drivers mingle at Indye. The IndyCar
drivers I think couldn't get in the cup garage, so
that would be nice if they give them a pass
to go visit with each other. But you're going to
get IndyCar drivers that are curious about NASCAR, and I
(32:59):
think you're gonna get drivers on social media saying, wow,
look at this, this is cool, I ain't doing this,
and you'll get kind of an endorsement from them. From
that standpoint, that'll help.
Speaker 1 (33:11):
And you know, I know a lot of those NASCAR fans,
just like the indiecar fans, are following their driver on
social media and that may be the purest way to
get as opposed to a television promo.
Speaker 4 (33:22):
I think it's got a good chance of being a
successful weekend chances. Connor, is there I'm going to say
they're high. I'm going to I think he is a
candidate for all three of these seeds of mix. Schumacher
doesn't come to Ray Hall, I don't. I think they
would be open to Connor agree, and then certainly the
(33:44):
other two. I really believe Hunkos has an idea of
still being to use him. And you know, the one
thing that Dennis Hager is going to need to adjust
to more are ovals. And if you're dale Coin Racing,
if you're Andretti, you might say, hey, I wouldn't mind
(34:08):
having Connor daily there. I wouldn't mind having a veteran
driver rather than a young driver in the second seat supporting.
Speaker 1 (34:17):
Dennis Hauger, especially when there's some zeros that can go
with this program.
Speaker 4 (34:21):
Yeah, okay. IndyCar Ken says happy offseason. Any word on
the April Ims Open Test, wondering if it will be
the week following Barber or the last week of the month.
Speaker 1 (34:35):
I don't have a calendar in front of me, but
it'll in my mind it's after Barber.
Speaker 4 (34:39):
I guess it's in the twenties. It'll be leading up
there will be no more IndyCar races.
Speaker 1 (34:45):
Correct before we.
Speaker 4 (34:46):
Get to the indiegp would be my best guess, just
kind of looking at what's going on between Long Beach
and Travel and Barber. It would just make a lot
of sense to do it later in the month and
teams could then basically move into their garages if they
want during that test and not have to move stuff away.
(35:06):
So the bar I don't think that's been published or confirmed.
Speaker 1 (35:09):
Yet, No, don't. I don't believe so. April nineteen is
the race at Barbara Motorsports Park. In my mind, the
end of that, end of the next week or will
be a prime time for it. Could be. I wouldn't
think it would be the first couple of days of May,
but it might be. Oh, no, we have what do
we have May first? Do we haven't? No, it's got
(35:31):
to look at my calendar. I just haven't really gotten
to my twenty twenty six schedule memorized yet.
Speaker 4 (35:37):
Hang on, let me get to my handy dandy. I
believe IndyCar is off the first weekend of May. The
Long Beach is the nineteenth, So Barber is actually March
twenty ninth, then Long Beach.
Speaker 1 (35:50):
Long nineteen eineteenth. That's what I was getting to I don't, and.
Speaker 4 (35:55):
Then you have three weeks off or I guess two
weekends off the weekend of the twenty sixth, and like
the second or third the seconds. So with two weekends off,
it would make a lot of sense to make the
ND five hundred tests be between Long Beach and the
road course on May ninth, because you're going to have
a gap there. So that's going to fill that gap
(36:18):
pretty nicely.
Speaker 1 (36:19):
And you're gonna come back from I mean it's going
to take a couple of days to get back from
Long Beach with all the equipment, So you know, anything
after probably the twenty third through the thirtieth feels like
where that test will.
Speaker 4 (36:34):
Land at Storm and Soda says, no questions this week,
just to thank for all you've answered before. Lynn Drive
for asked your cups in a row asks who is
your pick to challenge the ten car for twenty twenty.
Speaker 1 (36:49):
Six I think you got to start with Poto Award.
There's obviously expect a Penske bounce back. Don't you think
one of those Penske cars is going to be more
in the mix this time?
Speaker 4 (37:04):
More in the mix? Yes, yeah, all the way in
the mix.
Speaker 1 (37:07):
I agree.
Speaker 4 (37:08):
I don't know yet.
Speaker 1 (37:09):
Yeah, I don't know yet either, but more in the
mix for sure. Poto's one. You know, lining Guard took
a big step. In fact, I just wrote just a
little bit ago that the only driver that probably took
a bigger step in twenty twenty five than Kiff and
Simpson was Christian Rasmus. But you could probably throw Christian
(37:34):
Lingard in there too. He took a big step.
Speaker 4 (37:37):
I think that's we said it was one to watch
this year, the dynamic between Poto and long Guard. And
you can say all the right things and it does
seem like it's going to work because loung Guard was
at times a little bit better than Poto. But what
if it really changes. Kristian Lingard is really talented. He's
getting better and better on ovals. He's trying to figure
(37:57):
out the short ovals a little bit more.
Speaker 1 (38:00):
That's his weakness, you know. If he can, if he
can take a next step and on the ovals, if
he gets a teammate at Indy, that might one week.
You've been talking about that.
Speaker 4 (38:10):
You try to talk me out of Well I did,
so we'll we'll see. We don't know anything on that
front yet, but logic has just told me for a while,
and I've not seen a dryer and Ryan Bowld announcement
or anything there. And I think Connor Daily and others
are in play if they need just a one off
situation there. I've said along, I think Ryan Hunterrey makes
(38:32):
the most sense for Aara McLaren. But there's an Andrettie
set open now that I think is for Colden Hurda.
But we shall see, so we'll let uh, well, we'll
wait and see what happens on that front. And I
think Loinguard might be ready. The other is Kirkwood. Yeah,
(38:53):
I don't know if I would pick Power to win
the championship. I do think he's going to win multiple
races and has a great chance of being top five
or top six. But my guess would be Power and
Razuski will be additive and Kyle Kirkwood will benefit with
(39:16):
another year of experience.
Speaker 1 (39:17):
Just don't can't really get my head around Kyle's drop
off in the last part of the season. You know,
he was midpoint in the year, was an excellent shape.
Speaker 4 (39:28):
Well, they stopped going to street races.
Speaker 1 (39:30):
I understand that.
Speaker 4 (39:31):
I'm serious, that's where they were dominant. Now, he did
win on an oval, but the oval they won at
it was circumstance that helped them. But they need to
get their oval package a little bit better, and their
road course package wasn't as good as it has been.
But I think they'll take a step forward this coming
Year's a good question on that front, and the foregone
(39:53):
conclusion is that he will be shocked if Alex Palow
does not win the championship. That's right, okay. Paul Ingram
says so pleased with the dream team of mel Harder,
friends of Laguna Seca and the Monterey County supervisors, with
the weather Tech Raceway renaissance, the finale in the facility
will get better every year. Do Laguna lessons apply to
(40:13):
other local governments?
Speaker 1 (40:16):
You know, that's a that's an odd situation for our sport.
I mean, you don't have a lot of comps if
you will be.
Speaker 4 (40:24):
Great if it did. If counties were just willing to
pay one point five million a year to IndyCar to
hosting events.
Speaker 1 (40:29):
There just aren't many arrangements the way Laguna Seca set
up or the racetrack and then the community, so difficult
to see that kind of in play elsewhere.
Speaker 4 (40:41):
I'm happy that it's continuing. Yeah, I'm happy Mail was
there too, had a better crowd this year, so I'm
happy Mel's there. You know, it's not like Laguna Seca
didn't have a cheerleader for IndyCar there. They certainly did.
But Mel Mel brings and even he's, for lack of
a better phrase, is one of us, and that will
(41:03):
be good for the weekend. Ryan, you had one more question,
did you not? Maybe not? No.
Speaker 6 (41:10):
I was going to bring up the fact that they
were always talking about wanting to come up with new,
brand new events to put on the schedule and talking
about courses that are going to be taken away potentially
since we're not looking to add community to add up
to twenty races or whatever, what would be the ones
(41:31):
that would be.
Speaker 4 (41:32):
Looked at for being the go away?
Speaker 5 (41:35):
Are talking Portland, Ohio.
Speaker 4 (41:38):
I think you look at the ones that have the
least amount of people, and then what we also don't
know is who's paying the least. So let's see looking
at a schedule, I mean Portland is one that people
bring up. Toronto was on that list. It seems to
be solidified now with the move just outside of town
to mark them will have to keep an eye on
(42:02):
Mid Ohio. If Cleveland were to happen, would they run
in both markets? Certainly they could, and they did back
in the day, but this is not back in the day,
and I know some in the industry would like to
see the facility upgraded. Weather Tech doesn't run at Mid
(42:23):
Ohio anymore. So just because it's a track we all
love and a lot of fans love, doesn't mean it's
going to stay on the calendar forever. I don't have
an answer for your question. The good thing is it's
going to bring competition, and what you and I do
think they could add another race. I think they could
do eighteen. I don't think unless if television ratings really
(42:47):
take a big step up, then maybe you can start
to move up to nineteen or something like that. And
if the leader circle money continues to rise. Still not
really seen this confirm, but I trust the reporting that
it's up half a million or so, and presumably that
would be from the influx of cash with Fox buying in,
(43:09):
but don't know that either. But if that were to
raise a little bit more and teams seem to be
a little bit healthier, then maybe maybe remember and add
to the seventeen.
Speaker 1 (43:21):
Remember that the first one to go would be the
second race at a doubleheader, so we have two at Milwaukee.
So the other thing I would point out, you mentioned Toronto,
You've mentioned mid Ohio, and you mentioned Portland. All three
of those have a strong promoter in Green Savary, so
which helps, which is very.
Speaker 4 (43:40):
And they have a one of the top three or
four events in Saint Petersburg.
Speaker 1 (43:47):
It's a strong program that is very connected to this,
to the series, longtime promoter. So you know, we often
will throw in Portland because it's it's far away from
most of us, and it doesn't seem like it's it's
a solid event, but I think it is. You know,
it's it's probably better than we give.
Speaker 4 (44:08):
It TV to see that there's a lot of people
at them.
Speaker 1 (44:11):
Well, it's it's a pretty good event. It's and it
gives us a West Coast presence in that part of
the country, west part of the West Coast. So you know,
I don't know if it stays forever, but but Green
Savary is a good promoter, and it would it would
take some real hard, hard information to show that it
didn't need to be on the calendar.
Speaker 4 (44:30):
If and that's always a big if you know, we
can have all these rumors of new events, but until
they are announced, they are not done yet. But if
you had three great new events come on, one is
getting chopped off.
Speaker 1 (44:45):
Yeah good?
Speaker 4 (44:47):
You know you Yes, you could get rid of a
second race, but that's not even a guarantee. If there's
no new oval coming on, they might still want to
keep a doubleheader at Milwaukee.
Speaker 1 (44:58):
Yeah, I don't. I don't get this in It's that
most of the leadership would like double headers if they
could help it.
Speaker 4 (45:05):
That's good because most of the people and the teams
don't like the doubleheaders either.
Speaker 1 (45:12):
I think it's out of necessity.
Speaker 4 (45:13):
Yeah, I agree. All right, we'll see what we missed
and any late breaking news we'll check into next on trackside.
Speaker 3 (45:19):
Hi, this is Alexander Rossi and you're listening to trackside.
Speaker 4 (45:22):
So what's everybody been doing without ESPN? I think I
might be able to live without it.
Speaker 1 (45:28):
I think so too.
Speaker 4 (45:29):
I think I'm this has not been a good experiment
for them. I have YouTube TV. I like YouTube TV.
It's I encourage you to get YouTube very handy. I
would be a Comcast supporter, but it's not availbled my area,
or I would support one of the companies.
Speaker 1 (45:45):
Fubu sounds like a decent option.
Speaker 4 (45:47):
I've tried it. It's not as user friendly I'm thinking,
and at some point there will be something on ESPN
that I need to see and I will come back.
But in the meantime, I've found so a lot of
people have been finding some bootleg programming. I've not gone
to that path, but I have found PTI. It's posted
(46:08):
on It's posted on YouTube, the entire show, and that's
one of the shows I do miss Sports Center, but
I have started to look into other things. I would
recommend this show for those that like history on Netflix.
Death by Lightning about the president that no one remembers
(46:28):
and a person they've heard of even less who shot him. Okay,
James Garfield and Charles Guiteau Death by Lightning. Death by
Lightning four episodes. I watched them all last night. After
I got home from another opportunity to avoid Indiana in
the winter time, I went to Florida watched Jackson Race.
These WORRL races are kind of interesting because there's no
(46:54):
entry lists published. You have no idea what drivers are
in the car. There's three per team, it's an eight
hour race one day, seven hour the next day. Four
different classes, too many Rolex twenty four. You walk down there,
there's Billy Johnson. Billy Johnson was a Ford factory driver
just a few years ago. He's running in this. There
are really good drivers, there are really bad drivers. Sting
(47:17):
Ray Rob ran in the event a couple of times ago.
There's several former Indie Lights drivers, Dacota Dickerson, who's won
a couple of championships. He's actually who recommended Jackson to
get a chance. So I've enjoyed these just watching all
the different classes of cars, and they're really good about
not running into each other. It's good experience. Finally knew
(47:37):
what driver was in what car at the what time.
Speaker 1 (47:39):
I assume we drove home.
Speaker 4 (47:40):
Then no, we flew to Atlanta. We made that flight,
but then the Atlanta flight did not happen or the
next or the next, and we came home Monday night.
Speaker 1 (47:50):
But all good.
Speaker 4 (47:51):
Nobody cares about my travel problems. I get that, so
it's all fine. They take care of me as well
as they can. So, yeah, maybe racing off season, but
there's always racing somewhere, including Formula one in America a
couple of weeks. We'll talk about that next week on
the show. Ryan, thank you for supporting the I You
Simon Cancer Center and the Burger Bash. We'll have details
(48:12):
on that coming up soon. We'll see you next Tuesday
night for another edition of Trackside ninety three to five
and one oh seven five The Fan
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