154 - Momentous Opportunity - Simon Pagenaud Navigates a New Chapter in His Career

Conor Daly and Chase Holden reconvene on Speed Street to discuss the latest IndyCar off-season news as 2024 winds to a close. Dreyer Reinbold Racing have named their 2025 Indianapolis 500 line-up, which raises questions about Conor’s plans for next season. He addresses where he currently stands and how difficult it is for drivers to concentrate on their craft when most of the fundraising efforts fall on their shoulders. The guys also discuss the prospect of new manufacturers coming to IndyCar and what steps can be taken to help bring more household name brands into the sport.

2016 IndyCar Champion and 2019 Indianapolis 500 winner Simon Pagenaud joins the show to talk about his long-term recovery after his harrowing crash at Mid-Ohio in 2023. Simon explains that he suffered a traumatic brain injury from the incident and his road to recovery is open ended, in which he has learned a lot about the human brain and how sports related injuries can affect it. Simon gives his insight from being on the sideline watching the sport this past season and he gives much praise to reigning IndyCar Champion Alex Palou on being a total package racer. Simon and Conor talk about racers who have struggled to adapt to the latest IndyCar chassis modifications, mainly the aero screen and the hybrid system. He speculates that drivers coming into the series in the last couple of seasons will flourish in the new versions of the car, while drivers who have been in the series for many years might feel that the car no longer speaks to them. The guys also discuss driver branding, the marketing of IndyCar and who will be on the podium next May at Indy.