Category: NTT Indy

Pataskala, Ohio (12 August 2024) – After a three-week break built around the Summer Olympic Games, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) will launch a homestretch run starting with the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 on Saturday (6:00pm ET, USA, SiriusXM Ch. 218).

MSR drivers Felix Rosenqvist (No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda) and David Malukas (No. 66 AutoNation / Arctic Wolf Honda) kick off the final month of the season which will consist of four ovals in five races.

The team will look to maintain the qualifying momentum gained in the two races before the break as both Rosenqvist and Malukas started in the top 10 at Iowa and Toronto. Work over the three-week break focused on converting those results into race-day success as MSR seeks to end the season in the same strong fashion it showed at the start of the year.

The previous two races saw Rosenqvist suffer issues that led to consecutive DNFs (Did Not Finish) for the first time this season, but will look to rebound as the Swedish driver seeks to reclaim a top-10 spot in the season standings.

Things are more positive for the No. 66 car as Malukas has taken it to its best finishes of the year since taking over the seat five races ago. He capped that run with a sixth-place result in Toronto and is poised to move into the top 20 in points despite missing the first half of the season with a wrist injury.

Malukas has great reason for optimism heading to the 1.25-mile oval located outside of St. Louis, Missouri as the young driver has finished second (2022) and third (2023) in his only two starts there. Rosenqvist has three top-10 results in his six previous starts at WWT Raceway and has led in three of those starts as well. MSR is looking for its first top-10 finish there since 2021, but the team has earned a pair of top-10 starting spots in its seven previous WWTR starts.

Qualifying on the oval takes place Friday evening with coverage beginning at 4:20pm ET on Peacock. Coverage of Saturday night’s 260-lap race begins at 6pm ET on USA Network and Peacock. All of the action can also be heard live on Sirius XM Radio, Channel 218.

Meyer Shank Racing Driver Quotes:

Felix Rosenqvist: “It’s been good for everyone to have this break and I feel like we’ve recovered the fire to get back into the fight. We’re definitely going into the oval part of the season and I’m ready to turn left!”

David Malukas: “I’m excited to return to World Wide Technology Raceway this weekend. This track has been amazing for me, with back-to-back NTT INDYCAR SERIES podiums in the last two years. The energy and incredible support from the fans make it a truly special place. I’m ready to see what we can achieve this year and push for another great result!”

TORONTO (Sunday, July 21, 2024) – Michael Andretti’s raised right arm said it all following the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto at Exhibition Place, and the team owner could have raised two.

One for Colton Herta, another for Kyle Kirkwood.

The two drivers gave Andretti Global a win for the first time since last year’s rebranding and its first 1-2 finish in a race since Kirkwood and Romain Grosjean delivered in 2023 at Long Beach.

Herta ended a 40-race winless drought by scoring his first NTT INDYCAR SERIES race in 799 days, and an Andretti car won this event for the ninth time. Andretti won seven times as a driver, Ryan Hunter-Reay went to victory lane for Andretti’s team in 2012.

“We needed this so bad,” Andretti said after the race. “We’ve been competitive all year but we just haven’t been able to get the final result.

“It was a big day.”

Herta effectively led from start to finish, relinquishing the lead only twice to pit. Officially, he paced 81 of the 85 laps, with Kirkwood following him throughout, including on the stops.

For the weekend, Herta had the fastest lap in all three practices, won the NTT P1 Award and then he won the race, a feat that is mind-boggling if not unprecedented. It’s believed no driver in the sport’s history has so dominated an event weekend. Herta now has eight career wins.

“We’ve been knocking on the door to win for so long,” Herta said. “Forty-one starts without a win is a long time, and it’s been disappointing for us. I think we’re a team – Michael is the owner — that demands perfection … (I’m) so happy. The Gainbridge Honda was so fast.”

The separation between Herta and Kirkwood at the finish line was .3469 of a second, but the driver of the No. 27 AutoNation Honda said he was less concerned with passing Herta than keeping third-place Scott Dixon at bay.

“Putting us at risk was just not the move today,” Kirkwood said of the team’s approach. “I played a little bit more defense as you probably noticed over the (late) restarts. Super happy with second place. (Finishing 1-2) was the goal today.”

Kirkwood said Herta earning the pole on Saturday made him “deserving” of the race win.

Dixon finished third to tie Mario Andretti for the most top-three finishes in series history. Each has 141.

Behind those three was something of a mess, including stoppage for a multi-car accident in Turn 1 on Lap 73.

Pato O’Ward was running sixth when he spun his No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet halfway around. At that point, there wasn’t much damage to his car, but there soon was. Worse, he was facing traffic and could see oncoming traffic at speed.

Marcus Ericsson veered his No. 27 Delaware Life Honda into O’Ward’s car on the left side of the track, but that wasn’t the end of it. Pietro Fittipaldi was the fifth car in line after Ericsson’s contact, and he struck O’Ward’s car with enough force to lift his off the ground. Santino Ferrucci was trailing Fittipaldi, and his No. 14 AJ FOYT RACING/SEXTON PROPERTIES Chevrolet launched, hitting the fence with the bottom of the car before landing on the track upside down.

Rookie Nolan Siegel and his No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet followed Ferrucci into the crash site, and his car struck O’Ward’s as well. Rookie Toby Sowery then hit Siegel with his No. 51 Global Kartin League/Vuzix Honda of Dale Coyne Racing. Fortunately, no one was injured.

Just prior to the accident, rookie Kyffin Simpson hit the Turn 8 wall with his No. 4 Journie Rewards Chip Ganassi Racing Honda as Alexander Rossi did in Friday’s practice. Whereas Rossi broke his right thumb, Simpson was not injured.

Minutes before that, Felix Rosenqvist overshot Turn 3 in the No. 60 AutoNation/SiriusXM Honda of Meyer Shank Racing and drove into the escape area. Ericsson similarly had to take evasive action.

Rookie Theo Pourchaire, who was standing in for Rossi in the No. 7 Ryde Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, had contact with fellow rookie Linus Lundqvist (No. 8 The American Legion Chip Ganassi Racing Honda).

If that wasn’t enough, Team Penske had a disastrous lap with nine laps remaining. Will Power (No. 12 Verizon Business Team Penske Chevrolet) bumped Scott McLaughlin (No. 3 Gallagher Team Penske Chevrolet) into the Turn 5 wall, leading to a penalty and sarcastic applause from McLaughlin as he waited for his teammate to come back around. They were racing for fourth place.

If that wasn’t bad enough for Team Penske, Josef Newgarden (No. 2 Hitachi Team Penske Chevrolet) suffered a cut tire in the sequence and was forced to pit. Whereas the team had three cars in the top seven at the time, they finished 11th, 12th and 16th as Newgarden later overshot Turn 3.

All three Penske drivers, plus O’Ward, have had designs on overtaking Palou for the series championship, but those hopes too a big hit as Palou drove from the 18th starting position to finish fourth. Palou extended his series lead over Power to 49 points. Dixon is third, 53 points out. Herta moved to fourth, 57 points behind Palou (No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda).

The series will take three weekends off as the Paris Olympics are held. The 13th race of the 17-race season will be the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway on Aug. 17.

Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto Race Results

TORONTO – Results Sunday of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto NTT INDYCAR SERIES event on the 1.786-mile Streets of Toronto’s Exhibition Place, with order of finish, starting position in parentheses, driver, engine, laps completed and reason out (if any):

1. (1) Colton Herta, Honda, 85, Running
2. (2) Kyle Kirkwood, Honda, 85, Running
3. (15) Scott Dixon, Honda, 85, Running
4. (18) Alex Palou, Honda, 85, Running
5. (13) Marcus Armstrong, Honda, 85, Running
6. (6) David Malukas, Honda, 85, Running
7. (16) Christian Lundgaard, Honda, 85, Running
8. (22) Rinus VeeKay, Chevrolet, 85, Running
9. (5) Romain Grosjean, Chevrolet, 85, Running
10. (8) Graham Rahal, Honda, 85, Running
11. (7) Josef Newgarden, Chevrolet, 85, Running
12. (9) Will Power, Chevrolet, 85, Running
13. (24) Linus Lundqvist, Honda, 84, Running
14. (26) Theo Pourchaire, Chevrolet, 84, Running
15. (21) Toby Sowery, Honda, 84, Running
16. (4) Scott McLaughlin, Chevrolet, 76, Contact
17. (14) Pato O’Ward, Chevrolet, 72, Contact
18. (11) Marcus Ericsson, Honda, 72, Contact
19. (23) Pietro Fittipaldi, Honda, 72, Contact
20. (17) Santino Ferrucci, Chevrolet, 72, Contact
21. (19) Nolan Siegel, Chevrolet, 72, Contact
22. (20) Kyffin Simpson, Honda, 66, Contact
23. (3) Felix Rosenqvist, Honda, 63, Mechanical
24. (25) Hunter McElrea, Honda, 57, Contact
25. (27) Sting Ray Robb, Chevrolet, 13, Mechanical
26. (10) Agustin Canapino, Chevrolet, 4, Contact
27. (12) Christian Rasmussen, Chevrolet, 0, Contact

Race Statistics
Winner’s average speed: 91.568 mph
Time of Race: 01:39:28.4293
Margin of victory: 0.3469 of a second
Cautions: 5 or 15 laps
Lead changes: 5 among 3 drivers

Lap Leaders:
Herta, Colton 1 – 34
Dixon, Scott 35 – 36
Herta, Colton 37 – 53
Dixon, Scott 54
Ericsson, Marcus 55
Herta, Colton 56 – 85

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Point Standings: Palou 411, Power 362, Dixon 358, Herta 354, O’Ward 340, McLaughlin 328, Kirkwood 314, Newgarden 266, Alexander Rossi 265, Ferrucci 231, Lundgaard 229, Ericsson 222, Rosenqvist 221, Armstrong 203, VeeKay 201, Grosjean 199, Rahal 197, Lundqvist 173, Fittipaldi 135, Simpson 133, Robb 121, Rasmussen 109, Canapino 109, Pourchaire 91, Siegel 88, Malukas 82, Jack Harvey 80, Tom Blomqvist 46, Callum Ilott 39, Ed Carpenter 32, Sowery 32, Luca Ghiotto 27, Helio Castroneves 26, Conor Daly 26, Katherine Legge 24, Kyle Larson 21, Takuma Sato 19, Tristan Vautier 12, Colin Braun 10, Ryan Hunter-Reay 6, McElrea 6, Marco Andretti 5

CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES
ONTARIO HONDA DEALERS INDY TORONTO
STREETS OF TORONTO
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA
TEAM CHEVY QUALIFYING REPORT
JULY 20, 2024

TEAM PENSKE’S SCOTT MCLAUGHLIN AND JUNCOS HOLLINGER RACING’S ROMAIN GROSJEAN LED TEAM CHEVY IN QUALIFYING ON THE STREETS OF TORONTO

• Chevrolet will have five drivers representing the Bowtie brand starting in the top-10 of Sunday’s 85-lap Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto after the conclusion of qualifying Saturday on the Streets of Toronto.
• Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin (fourth) and Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Romain Grosjean (fifth) represented the Bowtie brand in Saturday’s Firestone Fast Six qualifying.
• Grosjean (third) and Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin (fifth) represented Chevrolet in the Firestone Fast Six after transferring from the Fast 12 and finishing in the top six.
• Will Power (first) of Team Penske, and Grosjean (fifth) and Agustin Canapino (sixth) of Juncos Hollinger Racing, finished in the top six of Group 2 and transferred to represent Team Chevy in the Fast 12.
• Making his first appearance in the Fast 12 in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Canapino’s starting position of 10th is career-best in the series so far.
• McLaughlin (second), Ed Carpenter Racing’s Christian Rasmussen (third), Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden (sixth) finished in the top six of Group 1 and transferred to represent Chevrolet in the Fast 12.
• Will Power of Team Penske led second practice for Team Chevy, finishing third with his fastest lap of 1:00.8014 and only 0.2251 seconds behind the leader.
• Race day Sunday sees a warm-up for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES starting at 10 a.m. ET, with the green flag dropping on the 85-lap, 151.81-mile Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto live on Peacock at 1 p.m. ET. Additional coverage is broadcast via INDYCAR Radio and SiriusXM Channel 218.

TEAM CHEVY TOP-10 QUALIFYING RESULT:
Pos. Driver
4th Scott McLaughlin (0:59.9082)
5th Romain Grosjean (1:00.0012)
7th Josef Newgarden (0:59.8796)
9th Will Power (1:00.1310)
10th Agustin Canapino (1:00.2873)

TEAM CHEVY TOP-10 SECOND PRACTICE RESULT:
Pos. Driver
3rd Will Power (1:00.8014)
6th Scott McLaughlin (1:00.8696)
7th Rinus VeeKay (1:00.9607)
8th Josef Newgarden (1:00.9636)

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING (Quotes):

Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet:

“Just mistimed it. It was just an error in our calculations. Just a bit unfortunate. We were out way too long on reds [greens], way too heavy with fuel when the tires were at their optimum and ended up running three laps at the same pace. But you know when you’re out there on reds [greens] and people are coming out on sticker tires and you’re just catching traffic, there’s nothing you can do. So, it’s kind of just terrible for us because now we start buried in the pack and that’s never good here but we’ll make due for tomorrow.”

“Obviously, we’ve had great race pace all year long, I don’t think that’s going to change, we’re fighting some balance issues here this weekend. We’ve been on the back foot since FP1 And we were just trying to get some things changed but to be honest that’s how it goes on some street courses, so we’ll get it all tuned up and we’ll be good to go.”

Sting Ray Robb, No. 41 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet:

“Just speed, we didn’t have any speed. I don’t really know what it is that we’re struggling with — something that we just haven’t figured out yet. We’ve been trying different setups the last two days and this one didn’t work for us. So, we’ll probably unwind that a little bit and hopefully figure out something in the warm up tomorrow because right now we’re missing a lot.”

Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“It’s been a tough weekend. Obviously, qualifying was really frustrating with cars getting in the way right in the peak of the window of the tires to be able to transfer. We were less than a tenth and a half to transfer, so I think we would have been okay without those implications. It is frustrating, knowing that we could have started further up, but we will be rolling off P14. Historically, this hasn’t been one of our best tracks. It will be a tough one, but we will give it our best and see what the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet can do.”

Nolan Siegel, No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“We’ve been working to get it to a more comfortable window all weekend. The car actually felt quite good there, we just didn’t have the pace, so we will look into it. Not exactly sure where we are losing everything yet. A little bit of a confusing session to be honest.

“It is tough without Alex (Rossi). He is a huge resource for me as a new driver for the team. We miss him a lot. Wishing Alex all the best. Ultimately, our group is still moving forward, as normal. We are doing our best to put the No. 6 car as far up the grid as possible. That doesn’t change.”

“Difficult qualifying session for us. It’s not where we wanted to be, but we’re getting the car into a happy window and we’re getting there. We’re making progress, so we’ll continue to look into what we need to improve and see what we can do tomorrow. I think we’ll be stronger in the race. We’ve always been able to move forward, and I have faith in the No. 6 SmartStop Arrow McLaren Chevrolet and the crew. I’m looking forward to Sunday.”

Théo Pourchaire, No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“I was obviously not expecting to be here, so I am dealing with a good amount of jet lag. It was a bit of a stressful situation to get here, but we made it and I think we did okay. The No. 7 Ryde Arrow McLaren Chevrolet was good, and I adapted quickly. We only did nine laps, and I worked to try to learn the track the first time out with the new hybrid system, as well. I think we can be confident for tomorrow because the package looks pretty strong. It is not going to be easy, but I think we can grab some positions and complete every lap. I want to get this car as close to the front as I can for Alex (Rossi).”

Gavin Ward, Team Principal at Arrow McLaren:

“It was just a huge effort from the team and from Théo (Pourchaire) to get here in time for qualifying. It was important to get those laps in, and they will help us throughout the rest of the weekend. We’ll try to get him up to speed filling in on the No. 7 Ryde Arrow McLaren Chevrolet for Alex (Rossi), who we are hoping has a speedy recovery. We’re obviously thinking about him, too. It has been a weekend of adversity, and then to have Pato’s (O’Ward) qualifying spoiled by being blocked was obviously disappointing. He will line up next to his championship rival, so we’re going to try to beat him from there. I’m not sure if we had the pace to take it to the Andretti cars today. We’ll be looking into ways to improve our street course package coming here next year but also for the rest of this weekend.”

Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing:

“We thought (Théo Pourchaire) was the best driver, simple as that. He’s done an excellent job driving for us. He knows the team, obviously. We’re throwing him into the deep end here learning a new circuit in qualifying. But he’s a pro. We enjoy our time with him. Looking forward to getting him back in the car.”

He has been good on street courses this year, but what kind of challenges and what expectations are fair for him given the challenge:

“I think expectations have got to be pretty low. He’s going to be going out there and in ten minutes he has to learn a track and try and put a lap time down. I think he’ll get there in the race. He’ll learn quickly, and we’ll see. It’s unfortunate what happened to Alex (Ross) and hopefully he has a speedy recovery.”

Christian Rasmussen, No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:

“I am obviously very happy with that qualifying, second Fast 12 in a row for me! Super positive and just shows the direction we are headed, both myself as a driver and also the team as well. I am very proud of the GuyCare Chevy boys and what they have been able to do for me! We knew going into the Fast 12 we were going to be at a disadvantage as we used an extra set of greens in the first round, but we are still happy with 12th on the grid. We’ll see what we can do tomorrow during the race!”

Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:

“That was a really messy qualifying session, so many cars in the same place on track. I am upset with where we are starting because we had a solid weekend leading up to qualifying and were quick in both practices. The positive is we know we have a good car, we just have to make sure we make the most of it tomorrow.”

Romain Grosjean, No. 77 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet:

“I think we can be very proud of what we’re doing. It’s changed a lot. (The hybrid) has changed the car a lot. We reacted very well from a tough Friday and tough Saturday morning, but I’m proud of what we did. I wanted more. I wanted to be in the Fast Six. I wanted to hunt for pole. I made a mistake on my first set, and the second set of tires kind of went off at the end of the lap. It is what it is. I think we can be proud of that. With four Andrettis and Meyers Shank (Racing), one Penske and us, so I think Juncos can be very proud of everything we’ve been doing and now we just work towards a good race tomorrow.”

You talk about a good race tomorrow, when you came in today you chugged a whole bottle of Gatorade, you have ice packs down your suit. Tomorrow is going to be fairly similar conditions, and physical. How draining could we expect this race to be inside the racecar?

“It’s a tough one. It’s bumpy. It’s hot. It’s a lot of different tarmacs. I guess the winter can be harder (on the streets), at least that’s what they say. It makes the roads quite tricky, but we should be good tomorrow.”

Agustin Canapino, No. 78 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet:

“Thankful for the team, for Team Chevy. We were really close many, many times. Finally, we did it, so really happy. We are going to start in P9, P8. Maybe, two more and I’d go the Fast Six!”

What are the street courses like for you in year two? Are you enjoying the challenge?

“Yes, of course I am improving a lot. I remember one year and a half ago was my first open wheel race, so this year I feel much more comfortable. The team is growing a lot. I think we are having a really good year. The pace is there. Hopefully, tomorrow we can do a good race and achieve a good result.”

Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet:

“It’s just tight. You’ve got to be perfect. The team had a really good car. Definitely had a super fast car. I think they could have been higher up. So, it’s a shame to be seventh. That’s not a bad spot. I think we can win from there. It’s definitely up close to the front enough, so I’m excited to drive this Hitachi Chevy car with this team.”

Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet:

“The car was pretty good. I don’t think we’ve been the quickest car all weekend, but I think we didn’t overachieve, we just did a solid qualifying run. For us to be in the Fast Six, top Chevy, that’s a great achievement, but we’ve got a lot going for tomorrow. I’m sure with this Gallagher pit stop crew and strategy team, we’ll be up front tomorrow.”

Will Power, No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet:

“It’s so tight, qualifying is so tight in INDYCAR. A few tenths or hundredths of a second can be the difference in two to three positions on the grid. Very happy with the Verizon Chevrolet. This is a tough race to win but I think we have the race pace to where, if we get a few breaks on strategy, we can be right in the game.”

THÉO POURCHAIRE, DRIVER OF THE NO. 7 ARROW MCLAREN CHEVROLET – Qualifying End of Day Press Conference:

THE MODERATOR: Also joined by Theo Pourchaire. Welcome back.

THEO POURCHAIRE: That was crazy. I want one thing right now, a bed with air conditioner and sleep (laughter).

THE MODERATOR: Obviously preparing for his sixth career start in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Nine total laps in the qualifying session. Tell us about the last 24 hours you’ve been through.

THEO POURCHAIRE: Sure, I would say the last 15 or 18 hours maybe is crazy. It was about midnight in France when Tony Kanaan called me. Of course, I saw practice one. I’m watching INDYCAR every session. I saw the crash of Alex. I didn’t know he was injured. I was like, yeah, he was getting out of the car. I was at the restaurant. I told my girlfriend, Maybe McLaren is going to call me if he’s injured. Half an hour later, Tony is calling me. This is strange.

Theo, can you come as quick as possible? We need you right now in Toronto.

It’s midnight in France, Tony. I’m not sure I can find a flight and come quick.

But yeah, I’m here. Nine laps in quali. I wish Alex a speedy recovery. I know he broke a thumb. It’s not easy to come here straight in quali, but it’s fine. I’m happy.

THE MODERATOR: We’ll take a couple more questions.

Q. Theo, can you take us through your flight over here. Were you watching video, onboard cameras? First time at this track.

THEO POURCHAIRE: It’s a very difficult track, very bumpy. Tony called me and I told him, I’m fine, I want to race, of course. I told him, If the race engineers can send me as quick as possible onboards, data, that would be good. That’s what they did.

In the plane — actually not in the plane. I just didn’t sleep in France. I went at 5 in the morning at the airport, was watching all night the onboard data. In the plane I decided to sleep a little bit. That was not easy. Still, I could sleep maybe like four hours, five hours.

Yeah, I mean, that’s crazy because I was still in Indianapolis three days ago. Decided to come back to France because it’s summer in France and I was not racing in Indy any more.

But then, yeah, it’s unfortunate what happened to Alex (Rossi). As I said, I wish him a speedy recovery. I think his broken thumb is painful, but it’s not a big, big injury. Maybe he will be back soon, so it’s good.

Q. You’re feeling when you left pit lane, what’s going through your mind at that moment?

THEO POURCHAIRE: I mean, I just tried to learn again a bit everything. I know there’s now the hybrid system, which I could try in Milwaukee, but it’s an oval. The steering wheel layout is a bit different on the No. 7 car from Alex. I had to learn a bit the new steering wheel.

It was fine. I think I adapted pretty quickly. Tomorrow the warm-up will be very important for me to do again as much laps as possible, and in the race try to learn, try to come back and gain some positions.

I don’t expect much. I just want to race and bring the car home.

Q. Looking ahead, you had a test on an oval. Would you welcome the idea if it was needed to replace Rossi at the Gateway race?

THEO POURCHAIRE: Of course, of course. I mean, I’m here for the team. They gave me the opportunity to show myself in INDYCAR. Of course, I was disappointed when I learned that they were replacing me. But it’s part of the game, part of the sport.

I know them very well. When I came back today, everybody was happy. It was good also to see all the people in the team, the mechanics, the engineers, everybody. So it’s a bit like my family in INDYCAR. I know them very well.

In case Alex is not ready, will be still here waiting. If the team calls me, of course. I’m not going to refuse racing. I love INDYCAR. It’s a great championship. I was home waiting for more than probably four, five weeks. So right now I’m just super happy to drive. It feels like a dream.

Q. Did you get any chance to use the hybrid at all in the nine laps you did?

THEO POURCHAIRE: Sure, sure, I used it. I mean, it gives more power, for sure. It can change a little bit the balance of the car. I had so much to learn from the track, especially the track is very tough. It’s quite warm. Physically it’s not going to be easy for me tomorrow. I will give my best.

The hybrid system, it’s fun. It’s fun to play with. I think in the race it’s going to be important to be smart with it, with the push to pass as well. Yeah, let’s see. Really can’t wait to be tomorrow starting the race. I just love INDYCAR, I love racing.

Q. You’ve only had the hybrid assist in testing a very limited time. Now you’re expected to go out there tomorrow and use it in a race. How big a challenge is that? There’s still a lot of veteran drivers that haven’t figured out the right way to use it yet.

THEO POURCHAIRE: Yeah, it’s going to be tough to be able to use it properly, yeah, to be consistent during the race. But I think Arrow McLaren did a great job on that side. We have a pretty strong procedure. I think the team will help me a lot on that side.

I will just have to follow what they are telling me to do. I think the most important from my side is also the driving, to drive well, do a good strategy and it will be fine.

Q. What was the most challenging part of the all-night trip?

THEO POURCHAIRE: The most challenging part is the stress first. It’s very stressful. I didn’t drive a race car since before Laguna Seca. I knew it was going to be tight to drive in quali. It’s quali. quali, you have 10 minutes and you have to do the job. You have to be really quick, learn the track. I knew there was a hybrid system in the car I had to manage.

It was very stressful. The jet lag. I just came back from Indy to France, and now France to Toronto. I don’t really know where I am actually. I mean, it’s part of the life of a racing driver. I enjoy it. I’m super happy to be here. Even if I’m tired, I’m super happy.

About Chevrolet

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TORONTO (Saturday, July 20, 2024) – All Colton Herta needs to do now is complete the weekend sweep of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto.

Herta has been the fastest NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver in each of this weekend’s sessions so far at Exhibition Place, capping Saturday with a pole-winning run in the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda of Andretti Global with Curb-Agajanian.

Herta bested Andretti Global teammate Kyle Kirkwood by just over a tenth of a second to take the 14th NTT P1 Award of his career. Herta’s lap of 59.5431 seconds earned him his second pole in this event, the other coming in 2022. He finished second in that race.

This was Herta’s third pole of the season, but he has yet to convert one into a race win. In fact, the last time Herta went to victory lane was on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course race in May 2022. For a driver of his caliber, that’s too long of a drought.

“We just need to (do) the same,” Herta said of maintaining his advantage on the 11-turn, 1.786-mile temporary street circuit. “This (car) has been a rocket ship all weekend (and) really has (been) the past few races. Luck hasn’t turned our way for a win yet, and I’m hoping it’s here tomorrow.”

The 85-lap race is set for 1 p.m. ET (Peacock (United States, TSN4/TSN+ (Canada), INDYCAR Radio Network). Herta has finished second and third in the past two Toronto races and finished seventh as a rookie in 2019.

Kirkwood gave Andretti Global a sweep of the front row with a lap of 59.6735 seconds in the No. 27 AutoNation Honda. Meyer Shank Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist earned the third starting position to give Honda a 1-2-3 look at the green flag. Given the technical alliance between Andretti Global and Meyer Shank Racing, that’s also a top-three sweep for that group.

MSR’s David Malukas also earned a spot in the Firestone Fast Six, and he will start sixth in the No. 66 AutoNation/Arctic Wolf Honda.

Theo Pourchaire had an even more dramatic day, replacing the injured Alexander Rossi (broken right thumb) despite having never competed on the track being used this weekend. Pourchaire was in his native France when Rossi’s car hit the tire barrier in Turn 8 in Friday’s practice, and he had to make a quick trans-Atlantic trip. He boarded the first of two flights shortly after midnight ET and arrived in the paddock about an hour before qualifying. Remarkably, his best lap (of nine) was less than 1.1 seconds from transferring to the second round.

Another happy driver was Agustin Canapino, who qualified the No. 78 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet in the highest position – 10th – of his two-year career. Canapino had never reached the second round of qualifying.

Series leader Alex Palou (No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda) will start 18th in the 27-car field after being penalized in qualifying for impeding Pato O’Ward and his No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet in the second group. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver disagreed with the penalty, insisting there were “three cars in front of me – I couldn’t really go anywhere.”

Palou won’t be the only championship contender starting the race in deep in the pack. O’Ward stands third in the standings, and he will start 14th. Scott Dixon, a four-time winner of this event who is fourth in points, will line up 15th in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. That makes three of the top four in the standings starting in the back half of the field. Will Power, who trails Palou by 35 points, will start ninth in the No. 12 Verizon Business Team Penske Chevrolet. He is a three-time Toronto winner.

Hunter McElrea’s first series qualifying effort ended just minutes into the session when his No. 18 Courtesy Corporation Honda of Dale Coyne Racing went into the Turn 8 tire barrier. Last year’s runner-up in INDY NXT by Firestone will start Sunday’s race from the 25th position – he had been 16th in the morning practice.

This is the last of the series’ four street circuit races this season. O’Ward won the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding while Dixon won the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach and the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear. After this weekend, five races remain to determine the series champion, and four of them will be on oval tracks.

For the first time this weekend, drivers are allowed to regenerate and deploy stored energy after INDYCAR updated hybrid unit procedures. The energy recovery system that adds up to 60 additional horsepower in spurts was introduced earlier in the month and has been used on a road course at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and on an oval at Iowa Speedway. This is the first time the hybrid technology has been used on a street circuit.

Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto Qualifying Results

TORONTO – Qualifying Saturday for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto NTT INDYCAR SERIES event on the 1.786-mile Streets of Toronto’s Exhibition Place, with qualifying position, car number in parentheses, driver, engine, time and speed in parentheses:

1. (26) Colton Herta, Honda, 59.5431 (107.982 mph)
2. (27) Kyle Kirkwood, Honda, 59.6735 (107.746)
3. (60) Felix Rosenqvist, Honda, 59.8252 (107.473)
4. (3) Scott McLaughlin, Chevrolet, 59.9082 (107.324)
5. (77) Romain Grosjean, Chevrolet, 01:00.0012 (107.158)
6. (66) David Malukas, Honda, 01:00.2109 (106.785)
7. (2) Josef Newgarden, Chevrolet, 59.8796 (107.375)
8. (15) Graham Rahal, Honda, 01:00.0323 (107.102)
9. (12) Will Power, Chevrolet, 01:00.1310 (106.927)
10. (78) Agustin Canapino, Chevrolet, 01:00.2873 (106.649)
11. (28) Marcus Ericsson, Honda, 01:00.3364 (106.563)
12. (20) Christian Rasmussen, Chevrolet, 01:00.4336 (106.391)
13. (11) Marcus Armstrong, Honda, 01:00.5732 (106.146)
14. (5) Pato O’Ward, Chevrolet, 01:00.6435 (106.023)
15. (9) Scott Dixon, Honda, 01:00.7389 (105.856)
16. (45) Christian Lundgaard, Honda, 01:00.7510 (105.835)
17. (14) Santino Ferrucci, Chevrolet, 01:01.0072 (105.391)
18. (10) Alex Palou, Honda, 01:00.8337 (105.691)
19. (6) Nolan Siegel, Chevrolet, 01:01.2409 (104.989)
20. (4) Kyffin Simpson, Honda, 01:00.9502 (105.489)
21. (51) Toby Sowery, Honda, 01:01.3367 (104.825)
22. (21) Rinus VeeKay, Chevrolet, 01:01.0846 (105.257)
23. (30) Pietro Fittipaldi, Honda, 01:01.3791 (104.752)
24. (8) Linus Lundqvist, Honda, 01:01.2099 (105.042)
25. (18) Hunter McElrea, Honda, No Time (No Speed)
26. (7) Theo Pourchaire, Chevrolet, 01:01.6071 (104.365)
27. (41) Sting Ray Robb, Chevrolet, 01:01.7355 (104.148)

CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES
ONTARIO HONDA DEALERS INDY TORONTO
STREETS OF TORONTO
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA
TEAM CHEVY PRACTICE REPORT
JULY 19, 2024

SANTINO FERRUCCI AND AJ FOYT RACING LED TEAM CHEVY IN FIRST PRACTICE ON THE STREETS OF TORONTO

• Santino Ferrucci, driver of the No. 14 Sexton Properties Chevrolet for AJ Foyt Racing, set the pace for Team Chevy and finished sixth in the first practice on the Streets of Toronto.
• Chevrolet finished the session with four in the top-10, including Ferrucci in sixth, Arrow McLaren’s Alexander Rossi in eighth, and Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden in ninth and 10th, respectively.
• Rossi, driver of the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, made contact with the Turn 8 wall late in first practice resulting in a broken right thumb. Rossi will be unable to compete in Sunday’s Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto. A substitute driver will be announced by Arrow McLaren.
• Saturday sees a second practice session at 10:30 a.m. ET, as well as qualifying and the Firestone Fast Six at 2:45 p.m. ET. Both sessions are broadcast via Peacock, INDYCAR Radio, and SiriusXM Channel 218.

TEAM CHEVY TOP-10 PRACTICE RESULT:
Pos. Driver
6th Santino Ferrucci (01:02.0519)
8th Alexander Rossi (01:02.2747)
9th Scott McLaughlin (01:02.3324)
10th Josef Newgarden (01:02.3361)

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING (Quotes):

Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“First off, I’m thinking about my teammate right now and am just gutted for him. As for the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, it was a tough day. We had a hybrid water coolant issue that we’re still investigating, which meant that we didn’t get to run on the Firestone Alternate tires. It was a tough session; not just for us, but others as well, so we’ll see what tomorrow brings.”

Nolan Siegel, No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“It was a bit of a hectic session. The grip was very low at the start, and the track changed quite a bit throughout the session. I think it will continue to evolve through the rest of the weekend. We don’t really know where we’re at, but we will continue to work to get better. Of course, I am thinking about my teammate Alex and am crushed to hear about the injury.”

Alexander Rossi, No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“First of all, I’m very thankful for all the men and women on the INDYCAR medical team and for all the great work they do. I do have a broken right thumb. It’s unfortunate because the injury occurred when I almost made it around the corner and I didn’t want to give up on it, so I didn’t quite get my hands off the wheel in time. However, everyone seems optimistic about the kind of injury it is. We’re going to take the next steps here and get ready for Gateway.”

Gavin Ward, Team Principal at Arrow McLaren:

“We are just gutted for Alex and the entire 7 crew. We’ll do everything we can to support him, and that is really what matters today. We had an issue on Pato’s (O’Ward) car that was related to the hybrid coolant pump. We don’t know the exact details yet, but we’re looking into it. We will focus on getting the most that we can out of the weekend. We continue to race for Bob (Jeffrey), and we will do what we do and carry on.”

Agustin Canapino, No. 78 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet:

“We finished today P17. It was a difficult session for our team because we tried some new things, but it was a good lesson. We are going to try and do some changes for tomorrow to improve on how we have the car.”

SANTINO FERRUCCI, NO. 14 SEXTON PROPERTIES AJ FOYT RACING CHEVROLET – End of Day Press Conference:

THE MODERATOR: Currently joined by the sixth-place driver in the practice session, Santino Ferrucci. This will be his third start on the streets of Toronto. Best finish came his rookie year.

Nice start to the weekend for you. Your thoughts.

SANTINO FERRUCCI: Yeah, it’s definitely a solid start. Obviously want to keep that top 10 momentum going for us and the team. It’s very important. Really do love this place. I think I can do quite well here. I’ve had some really good street racing success this year. It’s good to roll out of the trailer and be somewhat competitive.

THE MODERATOR: What is about this place you like so much?

SANTINO FERRUCCI: Very flowy. Has the Detroit Belle Isle feel with the chicanes, high-speed corners, some massive brake zones. Track has a lot of character. It’s a lot of fun.

THE MODERATOR: We’ll open it up for questions.

Q. What’s better for AJ Foyt Racing right now than it’s been? What is going the right direction?

SANTINO FERRUCCI: Honestly, it’s everything. Continuity as a driver. Engineering, staffing, mechanics. Just talent across the board has been really good. The guys have been real fired up. The mentality is in another place it’s never been before.

Working with Larry (Foyt), he’s really wanted to make a difference in this team. The Team Penske alliance is another big thing. It’s everything that is making a difference. It’s not like all of a sudden we have the Penske alliance and it’s plug-and-play and it’s done.

Like I’ve been telling everybody, if you look at the start of the year, it was really rough. We were nowhere in pre-season testing, terrible in Thermal, not great in Long Beach. All of our testing was abysmal. We found more things that we hated about the car than we actually liked.

Now we’ve put all our minds to it, it’s starting to actually come together. We’re trying to minimize mistakes on every weekend because we have a chance for fighting for top fives. In Iowa last weekend we probably could have fought for the win in race one.

It’s a complete team effort. It’s everybody and everything that’s starting to gel together now.

Q. This circuit was under water just a few days ago. Does it feel, the grip level, dramatically different?

SANTINO FERRUCCI: It’s the cleanest it’s been, to be honest with you. It looks like they came through and scrubbed the place. It’s awesome.

Even walking the track yesterday, most street circuits have time to build, with the traffic in Toronto, the city trying to make it as good for people that live here as possible. Honestly, it’s in great shape.

Happy they repaved the brake zone into eight as well and fixed the bump in the middle of nine or 10. Some really big changes that needed to be done. You don’t often see that in street courses. Happy that the track and the promoters managed to make that happen.

Q. With the hybrid, does it feel like you have to attack the track differently?

SANTINO FERRUCCI: Hybrid, we were so scary last year that the car feels amazing right now. I can definitely feel the weight of it moving comparatively to last year.

I mean, going back to 2019, the aeroscreen and all that, all the weight tacked on, is a better reference for me. You can tell the brake zones are a little bit more difficult.

Our car, we’re really struggling with rotation. Actually the first street course where I haven’t had that issue.

No, it’s been great. Honestly the hybrid is changing every weekend for us. You’re learning more with it. I really love the system. I do like the regen for my driving style because I like the nose to be planted off a brake.

I’m always at max regen, always trying to get more out of it.

It’s been fun a lot of fun. There is a lot of tune-ability around it. Indy I was in manual. Here, so busy with your hands on a street course, you’re trying to get the most out of it. It’s obviously a tough thing.

You see struggles on the short oval obviously from qualifying. There’s obviously a lot of unknowns, series trying to overcome a hurdle.

Yeah, what we’re doing, I feel like it’s pretty good.

Q. Obviously group two doesn’t get much running, if any, on the alternates. Group one got all the running. Is there any perfect formula to figure out something with practice so it’s more equal for everyone?

SANTINO FERRUCCI: I think it’s a good job they did with groups. As drivers it’s something we came up with on the off-season. It’s going to work or not. I think it’s way better now than it was. When you have 27 of us 1.9 miles all running green at the same time.

Even though group didn’t get a run in, it’s not great for them. I mean, it’s up to every driver to keep everything in one piece to get the run in, so…

Q. Both drivers had the same incident in turn eight, Rossi and Lundqvist. What is the difficult there? On entry? Under the braking for that?

SANTINO FERRUCCI: Braking for me.

Yeah, it’s a bump the wrong way, doesn’t matter, hybrid, no hybrid, new tires, old tires, if you lose it, you lose it, so…

Q. Santino, you gave us more fireworks than anyone last weekend. How did you make that high line work?

SANTINO FERRUCCI: As all of us want to do that high line practice, that’s super important, not just for revving on the track, but getting confidence in your car to go up top.

I tend to run a looser car on the ovals. It benefits more on the top line. I feel like every time, if anyone ever went up there, they understeer and push off, versus for me, I was able to have room on the tools, enough front wing to just kind of go up there and hang it around the fence.

Yeah, I feel like I got a really good feeling around the short oval on the outside lane, and I’m comfortable sliding the car at those speeds. Obviously it will bite you when it bites you.

The scary part about going up there, you have to know who you’re racing. Like (Rinus) VeeKay, for example, trying to fight for the top five. I lifted out of it because I watched him get a wiggle. If I kept pushing the air off of his floor, he probably would have lost it, hit me, took us both off in the wall.

It was a lot of fun. I feel like it’s cool. Also I have never come back from a lap back in race one and finished as well as I’ve done. That’s honestly a big thing of the team, crew, big stops, good balance adjustments.

The first stint in race one, I don’t know if anyone has onboard, I think I crashed three or four times in that stint, and somehow just was praying to pit. Got lucky with the yellows. Pulled three turns of front wing out of it.

No, it was fun. I hope that Iowa either repaves the rest of the track, or like Graham said earlier today, we run more high line practice, because that is one of the best tracks on the calendar. We made it unfortunately one of the most boring races I feel like we’ve had all year.

The track deserves a lot more than that. Hy-Vee deserves a lot more than that. All the fans that come out to bake in the 100-degree sun deserve more than that.

Q. (Question about the difference in time compared to last year.)

SANTINO FERRUCCI: Part of it is due to the repave. The track is quicker. We’re not going to go faster everywhere. There’s no way.

It’s a good car. What’s nice about the series, everyone calls for a new car, right? Our racing is good. With the hybrid, it has changed a little bit. Hasn’t been as great. It’s all about finding the happy medium. Once we get another boost in power or maybe a bigger tire, then I think we’d be fine.

We need all the weight for the safety of the car. Look at Sting Ray’s crash. The dude literally walked away. That’s about as big as it gets nowadays.

THE MODERATOR: Great start to the weekend. Good luck tomorrow.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

TORONTO (Friday, July 19, 2024) – Five Honda-powered drivers topped the overall time sheet in Friday’s first practice for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto at Exhibition Place, although it likely doesn’t reflect the competitiveness of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES field at the final street race of the season.

The final minutes of Friday’s practice saw two drivers – Alexander Rossi and rookie Linus Lundqvist – hit tire barriers on the 11-turn, 1.786-mile temporary street circuit, reducing the amount of time left for half of the field to complete a final timed lap.

Rossi was seen and released from INDYCAR Medical Unit, but the incident resulted in a broken right thumb, knocking the 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner out of the weekend’s race.

Andretti Global w/Curb-Agajanian driver Colton Herta finished with the day’s fastest lap at 1 minute, 1.0399 seconds, but he knows others will be coming for the top spot the rest of the weekend.

“Overall, the car was really nice,” said Herta, who has a pair of top-three finishes on street circuits this season and won the pole for last month’s Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear. “(It) feels like the same car that we brought last two years, which we’ve had podium results. And so hopefully that bodes well for us.”

Herta finished third in last year’s race and was second in 2022.

Meyer Shank Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist (No. 60 AutoNation/SiriusXM Honda) had Friday’s second-quickest time at 1:01.3323 and Chip Ganassi Racing’s Marcus Armstrong (No. 11 Ridgeline Lubricants Chip Ganassi Racing Honda) was third at 1:01.7791.

Rounding out the top five was Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon (No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda) at 1:01.8717 and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Graham Rahal (No. 15 United Rentals Honda) at 1:02.0162.

AJ Foyt Racing’s Santino Ferrucci (No. 14 AJ FOYT RACING/SEXTON PROPERTIES Chevrolet) had the day’s fastest lap by a Chevrolet driver at 1:02.0519.

Qualifying for the NTT P1 Award is Saturday at 2:45 p.m. ET, and recent history suggests it will be important for drivers to perform well in the session. The past four Toronto race winners have started on the front row — two from the pole, two from the No. 2 starting position. This race is the last of four on street circuits this season. Dixon has won the past two.

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Christian Lundgaard (No. 45 Hy-Vee Honda) won last year’s Toronto race from the pole, and he led 54 of the 85 laps. While his margin at the finish line was 11.7893 seconds – the third-largest of the season – Alex Palou and Herta drove from the 15th and 14th starting positions to finish on the podium. Lundgaard’s best lap Friday ranked 12th on the speed chart.

Three-time Toronto race winner Will Power had the first incident of Friday’s practice. He spun his No. 12 Verizon Business Team Penske Chevrolet without contact in Turn 9, then was able to use the series’ new hybrid until to restart the car and continue without requiring a caution flag. Agustin Canapino spun his No. 77 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet harmlessly minutes later in Turn 8, and he kept the car running.

Later, Rossi and Lundqvist hit the tire barrier in nearly the same fashion.

Series points leader Palou (No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda), who was seventh Friday, has a 35-point lead over Power in the standings as both drivers try to score their third series championship. Sunday’s race is one of six remaining events on the calendar. Pato O’Ward (No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet) has climbed from sixth in points to third in recent weeks. He is 52 points behind Palou as he chases his first series title. O’Ward’s best lap Friday was good for 16th place.

This field includes Hunter McElrea, who finished second last season in the INDY NXT by Firestone standings. Driving the No. 18 Courtesy Corporation Honda, the 24-year-old New Zealander became the 44th driver to make their series debut with Dale Coyne Racing, including four this season. That group includes Toby Sowery, who is making his second series start this weekend in the team’s No. 51 Global Karting League/Vuzix Honda. They finished 18th and 25th, respectively, in Friday’s practice.

Saturday’s action begins with the weekend’s second practice at 10:30 a.m. ET. The final practice is Sunday at 10 a.m. ET. All sessions will air live on Peacock and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES
ONTARIO HONDA DEALERS INDY TORONTO
STREETS OF TORONTO
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA
TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE
JULY 19-21, 2024

CHEVROLET HEADS TO TORONTO CARRYING MOMENTUM WITH SEASONAL SUCCESS AND PAST TRACK TRIUMPH

• Chevrolet holds seven wins in 12 events on the 11-turn, 1.786-mile temporary street course in the heart of downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
• Team Chevy additionally holds seven earned NTT P1 pole awards on the Streets of Toronto.
• Chevrolet has 627 laps led and 19 podium finishes at Exhibition Place in Toronto.
• Chevrolet looks to go four-for-four in 2.2-liter twin-turbo V6 with hybrid technology victories at Toronto after winning the debut in Mid-Ohio, Iowa 1, and Iowa 2.

DETROIT (July 18, 2024) – After a stellar weekend in America’s heartland that saw a sweep of the doubleheader and a podium lockout in Race One and a double podium in Race Two, Chevrolet and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES head north of the border for the 13th event of the season as well as the 13th event on the Streets of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

“Chevrolet is three-for-three on victories in the new NTT INDYCAR SERIES hybrid technology era with the 2.2-liter V6 engine, and this is certainly a testament to the hard work and dedication by our engineers, teams, and drivers, as well as collaboration by the series and manufacturers,” said Mark Stielow, Director of Motorsports Competition Programs at General Motors. “The Streets of Toronto give a tight and tricky track that will be a challenge for all competing this weekend. We’re looking forward to adding to our winning ways both this season as well as in Toronto.”

The fourth race of the 2.2-liter twin-turbo V6 era with hybrid technology after its debut at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course two weeks ago, this will be the first test of the new technology on a temporary street circuit. Chevrolet is three-for-three with victories at Mid-Ohio with Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward, and Iowa with Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin and Will Power, respectively.

On the 11-turn, 1.786-mile temporary street course, Chevrolet holds seven wins in the 12 events held during the V6 era since 2012, in addition to seven NTT P1 pole awards, 19 podium finishes, and 627 laps led. Additionally, Chevrolet swept the podium three races in a row at Toronto, during 2014’s Race 1, 2014’s Race 2, and 2015.

Overall, Chevrolet holds seven NTT INDYCAR SERIES victories in the 12 events held so far this season including the prestigious Indianapolis 500, in addition to four earned NTT P1 pole awards. Team Chevy looks to Toronto to continue their streak of momentum.

The Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto kicks off with its first practice on Friday, July 19 at 3 p.m. ET. Saturday sees the second practice at 10:30 a.m. ET, followed by qualifying and the Firestone Fast Six at 2:45 p.m. ET. The 85-lap, 151.81-mile main event Sunday takes the green flag live on Peacock at 1 p.m. ET. All practice and qualifying sessions are broadcast with Peacock, INDYCAR Radio, and SiriusXM Channel 218.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING (Quotes):

Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet:

“I would say having a good short oval weekend is just a confidence booster for the championship. I’d think Toronto you’re basing off of how good we did in Detroit, which we qualified in the top 10 and finished inside the top 10 as well. So, from that perspective, I’m very confident about Toronto. As far as Iowa goes, it gives you confidence because there’s four more short oval races before the season’s over. I think what is important (on street courses) is being consistent, staying out of trouble, running all the practice laps and getting a good balance on the car. Trying to minimize our mistakes. I think all of that’s really important.”

Sting Ray Robb, No. 41 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet:

“We’ve been building this momentum the last few races and have been progressively getting better in the racing scenarios. Getting back in the car for Toronto, I think is the best thing for me just because when you get kicked off the saddle that hard, you want to jump back on as soon as you can — just to get back in the swing of things and keep that momentum going. I’m very excited that I get to do that this weekend.”

Larry Foyt, Team President of AJ Foyt Racing:

“It’s been a very positive season thus far. While we haven’t had any podiums or victories to solidify the overall feeling, our week-to-week competitiveness on all the different types of circuits INDYCAR offers has been a great step forward for the team. Understanding the competitiveness of Indy car racing currently, we still felt Santino and the 14 group could finish the season in the top 10 in the Championship. We have just moved into that spot, so it is still a possibility and one we are striving towards. As well, we thought it possible for the 41 group and Sting Ray to put that entry back inside the INDYCAR Leaders Circle (where they currently are). They are fighting hard for this, and it looks like it will come down to the last few races.”

Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“Toronto historically hasn’t been our best weekend, so I’m determined to create some good memories there. The last time I feel like I had a good race there was in 2018 in INDY NXT. It’s just a matter of time before we have a strong weekend in Toronto, so I’m looking forward to getting out there in this wonderful city.”

Nolan Siegel, No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“I’m feeling good going into this weekend in Toronto. It’s one of my favorite tracks and weekends of the year. I’ve been racing here since my days in the junior series and know the track well, so it’s always nice to go to somewhere familiar. Iowa was a really good weekend, so we’re going to keep building on that and see if we can get a new best result with the No. 6 SmartStop Arrow McLaren Chevrolet team.”

Alexander Rossi, No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“I’m really excited to get up to Toronto for our final street course race of the year. We’ve had a lot of pace the past few events, but have struggled to get things to go our way. This weekend will be all about execution as we compete for the last round before the summer break.”

Gavin Ward, Team Principal at Arrow McLaren:

“We close out this stretch of four races in three weekends with our last street race of the season in Toronto, a place I love coming back to. It’s always special getting to race in the place you grew up in, and we’re excited that we’ll have such a strong partner presence with us this weekend. We’ve strung together some strong results as of late, but as always, there’s more to find. Our aim is to continue improving each and every race weekend. As long as we do that, we’ll continue to find ourselves fighting for the top spot on the podium.”

Christian Rasmussen, No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:

“First of all, I am excited to be back in the No. 20 GuyCare Chevrolet for Toronto! We will work to build on the momentum we have had going for the past few weekends on the road courses, we are definitely heading in a good direction. I am looking forward to going back to Toronto, it will be my first time driving there since 2019. I have good memories from there, I won my first pole position and earned my first ever Road to Indy win. A place that I am excited to go back to!”

Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:

“I am very excited to go to Toronto! I like the city a lot, it’s so nice to be up there. I love the atmosphere surround the race and the track itself, there’s so much to look forward to this weekend! It feels very good to be getting back in the car so soon after we had such a such a strong weekend in Iowa. We are ready to continue the good results in Toronto!”

Romain Grosjean, No. 77 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet:

“Toronto is a great city, and the fans are always outstanding. It’s also going to be our first hybrid experience on a street course and not an easy street course. A lot to learn and to work on but so far, we have done well on street course in 2024.”

Agustin Canapino, No. 78 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet:

“Toronto is the last street course of the season and the first time that we will be with the hybrid system on a track of this nature. Last year was a great race for us where we finished very close to the top-10, so we are going to Canada with confidence.”

Chevrolet in Toronto (since 2012, V6 era, pre-hybrid):

Wins at Toronto: 7

2012: Ryan Hunter-Reay

2014 Race 1: Sebastian Bourdais

2014 Race 2: Mike Conway

2015: Josef Newgarden

2016: Will Power

2017: Josef Newgarden

2019: Simon Pagenaud

Earned Pole Awards at Toronto: 7

2014 Race 1: Scott Dixon

2014 Race 2: Helio Castroneves

2015: Will Power

2016: Scott Dixon

2017: Simon Pagenaud

2018: Josef Newgarden

2019: Simon Pagenaud

Number of Team Chevy Podiums at Toronto (V6 era since 2012, pre-hybrid): 19

*Chevrolet has swept the podium three times – 2014 Race 1, 2014 Race 2, and 2015

Number of laps led by Team Chevy at Toronto (V6 era since 2012, pre-hybrid): 627

2024 CHEVROLET BY THE NUMBERS:

3: NTT INDYCAR SERIES race as V6 engine supplier with hybrid technology integration.

3: Wins in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as V6 engine supplier with hybrid technology integration since mid-2024.

207: NTT INDYCAR SERIES races as V6 engine supplier since 2012 return to INDYCAR.

115: Wins in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012.

130: Earned poles since 2012. Chevrolet holds 135 pole awards in total, with five recorded based on points for weather.

1: Earned pole in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as V6 engine supplier with hybrid technology integration.

8: Manufacturer Championships since 2012.

7: Driver/entrant champions since 2012.

13: Indianapolis 500 victories by Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

6: Indianapolis 500 wins by Chevrolet since 2012 in the V6 2.2-liter twin turbo direct injected era.

34: Number of times Chevrolet has swept the podium in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012 in the V6 2.2-liter twin turbo direct injected era. In total, a manufacturer has swept the podium 54 times since 2012.

28: Wins by Will Power since 2012 – all with Chevrolet power – most of any driver with the same manufacturer.

9: Wins from the pole by Will Power with Chevrolet power since 2012, most by any driver.

46: Pole starts by Will Power since 2012 in a Chevrolet-powered car, most of any driver.

*Will Power’s career total of 70 poles makes him the all-time pole winner in INDYCAR.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Pataskala, Ohio (17 July 2024) – The summer stretch that features four NTT INDYCAR SERIES races in a three-week stretch will wrap up this weekend in Toronto and Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) is looking to reclaim some momentum after a pair of hard-luck weekends.

Both MSR machines will enter the Toronto race weekend with new looks as the No. 60 and No. 66 MSR cars will adorn SiriusXM Canada branding with the series set to race across the border. David Malukas’ No. 66 SiriusXM Honda will feature a special livery in collaboration with SiriusXM Canada to showcase Canadian rock band, The Tragically Hip (SiriusXM channel 757).

After starting the season with four consecutive top-10 results, MSR has been in the top half of the 27-car field in most races since, but has struggled to card a top-10 result in the last five events. The team has made solid progress since putting Malukas (No. 66 SiriusXM Honda) in the cockpit of the No. 66 car as the young driver has taken that mount to its best finishes of the 2024 season including a season-best 12th-place run at Mid-Ohio after starting third.

Felix Rosenqvist (No. 60 SiriusXM Honda) has maintained his solid qualifying form with top-five starting positions at Laguna Seca and the second Iowa Speedway race, but has suffered some unforeseen problems such as the mechanical failure last Sunday that scuttled a potential top-five run in Iowa.

Rosenqvist has led the team’s efforts thus far in 2024, scoring seven top-10 qualifying results through the year’s 11 points-paying races. He brought MSR its first-ever NTT INDYCAR SERIES pole when he led Long Beach qualifying and is just seven points out of the top-10 in the championship standings.

Toronto would seem to be a proper launching point for a Rosenqvist turnaround as the Swedish driver has always shown an affinity for the 11-turn, 1.786-mile street course that weaves throughout the city’s Exhibition Place. Rosenqvist has three previous Toronto starts and has started eighth or better in all of them and has top-10 results in all three starts – capped by a third-place run in 2022. Malukas has two starts, highlighted by a fifth-place qualifying results in his 2022 debut.

MSR will wrap up a three-weekend streak of racing with the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto, which takes place on the streets of the Canadian city. Qualifying takes place on Saturday 2:45 p.m. E.T., with the race broadcast set for Sunday July 21st at 1p.m. on Peacock. The races, along with all other INDYCAR action can be heard live on Sirius XM Radio, Channel 218.

Meyer Shank Racing Driver Quotes:

Felix Rosenqvist: “We had a rough weekend in Iowa and the last few rounds have been a little but disappointing for different reasons, especially with the pace that we started out the season with. Toronto is certainly a track that I have been good at in the past and I have enjoyed racing there. Normally our street course car is pretty good. We’re excited because we have a new chance to bounce back from Iowa.”

David Malukas: “I’m looking forward to switch things up at my first street course this season at the Honda Indy Toronto! Although our recent race results haven’t been what we hoped for, we’re focused on turning things around and are optimistic about what this weekend holds. The Meyer Shank Racing team has been working hard, and I have full confidence in our abilities. Together we’re ready to rise to the occasion and show what we can do on track.”