Ganassi drivers in 500

McLaren have announced they will run 2021 NASCAR Cup champion Kyle Larson in next year’s Indianapolis 500 as he attempts a ‘double-header’ by contesting another race on the same day. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free Larson, who races for Hendrick Motorsports in NASCAR’s premier class, will race both the Indianapolis 500 in Indiana and then the NASCAR race 700km away in Charlotte, North Carolina on the same day. He will become the latest in a line of NASCAR drivers attempt to win both races on the same day – known as ‘the double’ – including Kurt Busch, Robby Gordon and Tony Stewart. The 30-year-old said competing in the Indy 500 will fulfil a long-held ambition to race in the fabled event. Larson said he was “super excited” to attempt the double with McLaren. “Competing at the Indianapolis 500 is a dream of mine and something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time – since I was a child before I ever began competing in sprint cars,” said Larson. “To do it … [Read more...] about McLaren to run NASCAR champion Larson in 2024 Indy 500 ‘double’ attempt

IndyCar has finalised its calendar for the 2024 season including a return to the historic Milwaukee Mile oval. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free The 120-year-old venue will hold a double-header round ahead of the season finale. As previously announced, that will relocate from Laguna Seca to Nashville’s street circuit, which is being remodelled for its fourth year as an IndyCar venue. With the number of points-paying races remaining unchanged, two events have been dropped as IndyCar returns to Milwaukee for the first time since 2015. Texas Motor Speedway has lost its place on the calendar, as has the second of two races on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. St Petersburg will open the season as usual. A six-week gap until the next round will be interrupted by a new, non-championship race at The Thermal Club in California, a venue which has never previously hosted races for such a high-level series. The Thermal Club $1 Million Challenge will take … [Read more...] about Milwaukee returns, Texas axed as IndyCar reveals 17-race 2024 calendar

There is a significantly different look on the calendar that remains made up of 17 events, along with the additional $1 Million Challenge non-points exhibition at The Thermal Club on 24 March. The changes include Texas Motor Speedway being dropped from the schedule, ending an annual trip that dates back to 1997. That loss won’t see a downsize in oval events, though, as the series returns to Milwaukee for the first time since 2015, with the venue hosting a double-header as the penultimate round on Labor Day weekend. “There is such a great tradition and history of IndyCar racing at the Milwaukee Mile, and we are excited to build on that legacy with a Labor Day-weekend NTT IndyCar Series double-header beginning in 2024,” said Roger Penske, chairman of Penske Corporation. “We appreciate all the loyal and passionate IndyCar fans in Milwaukee and across the state of Wisconsin, and thanks to our partnership with the Wisconsin State Fair Park, we can’t wait to return to the Mile next … [Read more...] about IndyCar reveals 2024 schedule as Milwaukee Mile returns

Newly announced IndyCar driver Tatiana Calderon says there are more opportunities available to female racing drivers in American racing series than elsewhere in the motorsport world. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free The former Formula 2 and World Endurance Championship racer was confirmed yesterday in a third Foyt-run car for the upcoming IndyCar season. “IndyCar has always been on my radar,” said Calderon. “I’ve always been very competitive and I want to be where the best drivers are at and I think IndyCar is pretty high up there on the single seater ladder. I’ve always enjoyed single seaters quite a lot as well, so it’s a honour to be racing in IndyCar.” Having spent much of the past 10 years racing in European-focused series, Calderon believes there are more opportunities available to drivers who are women in the US than in Europe. “Here in America, in IndyCar, there have been many female drivers coming through. So I think there is more opportunity at … [Read more...] about More opportunity for women racers in IndyCar – Calderon

The Florida-born driver joined the team at the start of 2023, his sophomore year in the IndyCar Series, and earned two victories at Long Beach and Nashville, driving the Andretti’s #27 Honda-powered entry. He finished up the year with five additional top 10s, a pole and led 88 laps en route to 11th in the championship standings. “I am thrilled to be able to continue with Andretti Global for years to come,” said Kirkwood. “We have built something special within the team this year and I’m excited to see what we can do next season in the #27 AutoNation Honda. "It’s fantastic that I will now have the opportunity to work with the same group – it’s a luxury I haven’t had the privilege of having since my karting days. "Now we can put our heads down and fully focus on winning races and becoming a strong Championship contender. "I have such a huge respect for this team and it will be an honor to continue to call myself an IndyCar driver for Andretti Global.” Kyle … [Read more...] about IndyCar race winner Kirkwood signs extension with Andretti Global