Auto Racing 2026

[Yespage]

It was the Palou/Rosenquist show yesterday at Long Beach. The difference? One second by the pit crew. Rosenquist executed a near perfect race but still finished second to Alex Palou, who already made his mistake for the season in Phoenix.

Veekay's team gambled reds would suck, and that gamble paid off very very poorly. It paid better for Newgarden who ripped some seriously fast laps with an open course, but once back in traffic,he couldn't go faster. A forced move on Armstrong bald spotted a tire and that was it for him. Thankfully debris saved both of their races in a moral victory sort of way. Veekay lost one spot overall instead of over a dozen. Newgarden finished behinf Veekay after nearly taking him out in the last lap.

Graham Rahal had another top 10, continuing a good season so far.

 

[Foxbat]

Mrs. Foxbat surprised me with something she heard on the radio driving into work this morning. There was a combination event with Tire Rack and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at the Tire Rack Corporate offices. We got a chance to get a close-up look at the Borg Warner trophy as well as a 2026-spec Indycar and a 2026 Chevy Corvette Pace Car.

This was the kickoff of the 2026 Porch Party events. It was fairly well attended (I estimate around 300) and there were food trucks to feed those that were hungry. Entertainment was in the form of racing simulators, cornhole, music, some arts & crafts for the younger kids. The Oscar's Meyer Wienermobile was parked and pictures were encouraged. We got a Swag Bag of Porch Party goodies like a 3'x5' IMS flag, IMS bunting, a yard sign, two cups, a can of Red Bull, coasters, sun glasses, wristbands, and other branded merch.

Afterwards, Doug Boles, the president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway presented a ceremonial bottle of milk (signed by a couple of Indy 500 winners) to Tire Rack president before taking the Pace Car onto the Tire Rack test track for some laps. The Wienermobile also got a couple of laps in, too.

 

[dfergie]

View: https://www.youtube.com/live/oDYPzy1sRF4?si=UBYpAIKEsYZ8FK1A

 

[Yespage]

A little bit of something for the race fans.

Top Six (including a tow): Newgarden (Oval expert and 2X* Indy Winner), Daly (Local Hero), Palou (best driving in Indycar), O'Ward (Most popular driver in Indycar), Sato (2 time winner Veteran), Veekay (who doesn't cheer for Veekay?! )

 

[Foxbat]

I'm late, evidently, as everybody but me seems to know, but I just found Friday out that Indiana University Football Coach Curt Cignetti will be the Honorary Pace Car Driver at this year's Indianapolis 500 race:

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X To Pace 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge

America's quickest production car will lead the field to the green flag Sunday, May 24 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com

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[Yespage]

https://racer.com/2026/05/02/alex-zanardi-1966-2026

Alex Zanardi has passed away. He was an incredible driver, displaying a unique version of reckless perfection. He could put his nose where most other drivers would wreck. He had great success in Indycar, but suffered a devestating injury losing both legs in an awful crash in a race. He woupd recover and get into cycling or adjusted cycling and his relentlessness made him succeed there as well.

Another awful accident would befall him and it would be one too many.

A huge loss for the racing world.

 

[Foxbat]

More on the passing of Alex Zanardi:

‘A hero of the highest calibre’ – Remembering Alex Zanardi

David Tremayne remembers his friend, former F1 driver and Paralympian Alex Zanardi, after the Italian’s death at the age of 59.

www.formula1.com

Rest in Peace…

 

[klang]

Sad to see the news about Zanardi. I was a big follower of CART when he was racing for Ganassi. He was very colorful and personable off track on race weekend.

 

[dfergie]

NHRA Southern Nationals today for me,
might watch some of this…

View: https://www.youtube.com/live/lmL1cr7ZRw4?si=ft2oUfo-tBryGrJp

 

[Foxbat]

The Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix got moved forward to 13:00 EDT due to the threat of thunderstorms in the afternoon Florida heat.

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[meStevo]

lol, Max spins in the middle of the pack at the start of the race and keeps going like nothing happened. Wild.


View: https://youtu.be/5gYys4GL7S0

 

[Foxbat]

lol, Max spins in the middle of the pack at the start of the race and keeps going like nothing happened.

Unlike Leclerc who clipped the wall on the final lap and then couldn't stay within track limits, so in addition to being passed in the final 300 meters by Russell and Verstappen, he was handed a 20-second time penalty and slipped behind his teammate Hamilton and Colapinto. That's got to hurt…

 

[meStevo]

At Atlassian's TEAM 26 conference this week.

Currently sitting in a keynote featuring the Mercedes-Benz AG CSO Magnus Ostberg

 

[dfergie]

View: https://www.youtube.com/live/Ukqu8eaFnK4?si=WnYPPsfat3j6N0rh

 

[harshness]

The Baja video doesn't get going until the 27:42-minute mark.

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[dfergie]

View: https://www.youtube.com/live/_KjvtAg9YJU?si=td9KNEMsXMPGr3TB

 

[harshness]

What was the single-platform stock car racing league?

 

[dfergie]

IROC?

 

[harshness]

IROC?

That's the one! My memory is wandering off.

Thank you!

 

[dfergie]

Drag racing fans, vintage stuff.

View: https://youtu.be/eZnDSRKfdII?si=CYT-i5OTLKfVlpPi

Actually met Garlit's in Denver standing in line for port a potties in the pits during the era referenced…

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