Category: NTT Indy

FORT WORTH, Texas (Saturday, April 1, 2023) – Felix Rosenqvist once again is the master of pure speed at Texas Motor Speedway, winning his second consecutive NTT P1 Award for the PPG 375 on Saturday at Texas Motor Speedway.

Rosenqvist, from Sweden, turned a two-lap average speed of 220.264 mph on the 1.5-mile oval to earn his fourth career NTT INDYCAR SERIES pole and first top spot this season in the No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. His pole speed last year was 221.110.

With air and track temperatures climbing as the session progressed, Rosenqvist admitted that being the 10th of 28 drivers on track in the qualifying order helped him find more speed.

“I think we just built on last year,” Rosenqvist said. “Maybe it was a good thing to start early. The track kind of warmed up. We’ll take it. We’ve always been good here, but this is a whole different confidence level compared to last year. Let’s try to wrap it up tomorrow.”

The 250-lap race – the first oval event of the season – starts at noon (ET) Sunday. NBC, Peacock and the INDYCAR Radio Network will provide live coverage.

Six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Scott Dixon will join Rosenqvist on the front row after a run of 219.972 mph in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Dixon has five career victories at Texas, including winning four of the last nine races on the high-banked, high-speed oval. He also earned his 10th career front-row start at Texas.

Alexander Rossi continued his strong start to the season with his new team, Arrow McLaren, by qualifying third at 219.960 in the team’s No. 7 Chevrolet. Reigning PPG 375 winner Josef Newgarden qualified fourth at 219.801 in the No. 2 PPG Chevrolet.

Pato O’Ward qualified fifth at 219.619 in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet to complete a power play for Arrow McLaren, which put all three of its cars in the first three rows of the starting grid. Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato qualified sixth at 219.508 in his first start of the season in the No. 11 Niterra Honda.

Benjamin Pedersen was the fastest rookie in qualifying, earning the 13th spot at 219.100 in the No. 55 AJ Foyt Racing/Sexton Properties Chevrolet owned by four-time Indianapolis 500 winner and Lone Star legend A.J. Foyt.

Scott McLaughlin led practice this morning at 223.747 mph but dropped to 15th in qualifying at 218.765 in the No. 3 XPEL Team Penske Chevrolet. Series points leader Marcus Ericsson qualified 16th at 218.698 in the No. 8 Huski Chocolate Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

Rank Car Driver Name C/E/T Lap 1 Lap 2 Total Time Avg Speed Comment
1 6 Rosenqvist, Felix D/C/F 23.5123 23.5585 00:47.0708 220.264
2 9 Dixon, Scott D/H/F 23.5364 23.5968 00:47.1332 219.972
3 7 Rossi, Alexander D/C/F 23.5450 23.5908 00:47.1358 219.960
4 2 Newgarden, Josef D/C/F 23.5617 23.6083 00:47.1700 219.801
5 5 O’Ward, Pato D/C/F 23.5778 23.6312 00:47.2090 219.619
6 11 Sato, Takuma D/H/F 23.6004 23.6324 00:47.2328 219.508
7 10 Palou, Alex D/H/F 23.5950 23.6439 00:47.2389 219.480
8 12 Power, Will D/C/F 23.5341 23.7318 00:47.2659 219.355
9 18 Malukas, David D/H/F 23.6111 23.6761 00:47.2872 219.256
10 26 Herta, Colton D/H/F 23.6196 23.6831 00:47.3027 219.184
11 28 Grosjean, Romain D/H/F 23.6208 23.6861 00:47.3069 219.165
12 29 DeFrancesco, Devlin D/H/F 23.6322 23.6787 00:47.3109 219.146
13 55 Pedersen, Benjamin (R) D/C/F 23.6182 23.7027 00:47.3209 219.100
14 14 Ferrucci, Santino D/C/F 23.6500 23.7158 00:47.3658 218.892
15 3 McLaughlin, Scott D/C/F 23.6761 23.7172 00:47.3933 218.765
16 8 Ericsson, Marcus D/H/F 23.6718 23.7361 00:47.4079 218.698
17 77 Ilott, Callum D/C/F 23.7364 23.7303 00:47.4667 218.427
18 33 Carpenter, Ed D/C/F 23.6818 23.7962 00:47.4780 218.375
19 78 Canapino, Agustin (R) D/C/F 23.7378 23.7419 00:47.4797 218.367
20 27 Kirkwood, Kyle D/H/F 23.7173 23.7929 00:47.5102 218.227
21 06 Castroneves, Helio D/H/F 23.7827 23.7342 00:47.5169 218.196
22 60 Pagenaud, Simon D/H/F 23.7495 23.7876 00:47.5371 218.103
23 51 Robb, Sting Ray (R) D/H/F 23.8019 23.8286 00:47.6305 217.676
24 15 Rahal, Graham D/H/F 23.8244 23.8202 00:47.6446 217.611
25 20 Daly, Conor D/C/F 23.7971 23.8813 00:47.6784 217.457
26 21 VeeKay, Rinus D/C/F 23.8705 23.9347 00:47.8052 216.880
27 45 Lundgaard, Christian D/H/F 23.9945 23.9589 00:47.9534 216.210
28 30 Harvey, Jack D/H/F 23.8894 24.0877 00:47.9771 216.103

• Six-time series champ Scott Dixon looking to break tie with legend Mario Andretti for most top-five finishes in INDYCAR history while adding to his TMS legacy.
• Two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato making season debut with Chip Ganassi Racing.
• Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin continues to thrive at Texas Motor Speedway.

FORT WORTH, Texas (MARCH 30, 2023) – The NTT INDYCAR SERIES heads to Texas Motor Speedway for the second race of the season and the first of five ovals on the 17-race schedule with Sunday’s PPG 375.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES returns from nearly a month break since Chip Ganassi Racing’s Marcus Ericsson won the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 5. Texas Motor Speedway’s 1.5-mile layout will be the only oval event prior to the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 28. The other oval races are a doubleheader at Iowa Speedway on July 22-23 and at World Wide Technology Raceway on Aug. 27.

The two-day show opens Saturday with NTT INDYCAR SERIES pole qualifying and four practice sessions. Practice sessions will be held at 8 a.m. CT, 12:45 p.m. (split field), 1 p.m. (split field) and 1:30 p.m. CT with the action being highlighted by qualifying at 11:15 a.m. The day’s activities also include the SPEEDYCASH.COM 250 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race beginning at 3:30 p.m.

The race weekend culminates with Sunday’s running of the PPG 375 (11:15 a.m., TV: NBC & Peacock. Radio: SiriusXM, INDYCAR Radio Network, 95.9 The Ranch-local).

Here’s a look at the “Fast Five” storylines for the PPG 375 NTT INDYCAR SERIES race:

1. Six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Scott Dixon, who passed Mario Andretti for second on the all-time victory list (53) last season, is looking to gain sole possession of another of the legend’s long-standing career records.

Dixon’s third-place finish in the season opener in St. Petersburg, Fla., moved him into a tie with Andretti for the most career top-five finishes (193) in INDYCAR history.

Given Dixon’s history of success at Texas Motor Speedway, that record could become just his by the checkered flag of Sunday’s PPG 375. He owns the track records for most INDYCAR wins (5), top-five finishes (14), top-10 finishes (17) and laps led (1,043).

He also has won three of the last six races at TMS, the last coming in 2021, and has finished fifth or better in his last four starts, including fifth last season.

Dixon also is looking to make his 307th consecutive start in the PPG 375 as he pursues Tony Kanaan’s “Ironman” INDYCAR record of 318 starts in a row.

2. Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato will be making his season debut with his new organization – Chip Ganassi Racing – in the PPG 375.

Sato, who competed for Dale Coyne Racing with RWR last season, moves over to the No. 11 Honda entry that he shares with rookie Marcus Armstrong. Sato is scheduled to handle the oval events while Armstrong will compete in the road and street course events, which included an 11th-place finish in the season opener at St. Petersburg.

Sato owns a pole position (2019) and a best finish of fifth (2011) at Texas Motor Speedway.

3. Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin arrived at the NTT INDYCAR SERIES with no oval racing experience, but the former three-time Australian Supercars champion sure has taken a liking to Texas Motor Speedway since he first set eyes on the challenging high-banked, 1.5-mile oval.

McLaughlin’s first-ever oval start came at TMS in his 2021 rookie campaign, and he quickly impressed with a runner-up finish. He followed that performance with an eighth-place finish in the second race of that doubleheader weekend.

Last season, McLaughlin dominated – leading 186 of the 248 laps – but finished runner-up to teammate Josef Newgarden, who made a dramatic pass in the final turn of the final lap to win by .0669 of a second. The race was the closest of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. He has an average starting position of 8.0, including a best of second last season, and finishing position of 4.0, with podiums in two of the three starts.

4. Texas Motor Speedway was a two-horse race last season as Team Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing combined to secure the top seven finishing positions in the PPG 375.

Newgarden led Team Penske to three of the top four positions, with McLaughlin finishing second and Will Power fourth. Chip Ganassi Racing’s Marcus Ericsson grabbed the other podium spot while Dixon, Jimmie Johnson and Alex Palou finished fifth through seventh, respectively.

The race also was an early indicator of Newgarden’s oval success on the season as he won three of the five races. His other wins came at Iowa and WWT Raceway. The other oval winners were Ericsson in the prized Indy 500 and Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward in the second race of the Iowa doubleheader.

Keep an eye on O’Ward, who also finished fourth or better in three of the other four oval races. The highlights were the win at Iowa and runner-up finish in the Indy 500. He also has enjoyed success at TMS, which was the site of his first career NTT INDYCAR SERIES victory in 2021 doubleheader and a pair of podiums in four starts.

5. Andretti Autosport didn’t place any of its four drivers better than 15th in the season opener, but there is plenty of cause for optimism moving forward.

The Honda-powered organization swept the front row with polesitter Romain Grosjean and Colton Herta, and added a third driver in the top five with Kyle Kirkwood qualifying fifth. Herta and Kirkwood were strong in every practice session, finishing among the top four in each and Herta was the fastest in the second practice and warmup. Then chaos arrived on race day.

Herta went out after 49 laps due to a single-car accident. Kirkwood was keeping pace but sustained damage during a multi-car incident on Lap 41 that caused him to go three laps down and finish 15th.

Grosjean was in prime position for his first NTT INDYCAR SERIES victory before McLaughlin initiated contact with him after coming out of the pits and fighting for the lead. Grosjean’s day ended due to the incident after 71 of the 100 laps and resulted in a disappointing 18th-place finish. He led 31 laps, which was second only to McLaughlin’s 38.

Devlin DeFrancesco, the team’s fourth driver, never had a chance to show what he could do as he was collected in a multi-car incident on the opening lap and forced to retire in 25th.

Texas Motor Speedway’s 2023 events schedule consists of everything from the April 1-2 NTT INDYCAR SERIES/NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series doubleheader and the Sept. 23-24 NASCAR Playoffs weekend, car shows and competitions and the Ducks Unlimited Expo, the four-day Hwy 30 Music Fest and Bandas y Trocas Hispanic concert and truck show, and then wrapping up the year with the family-favorite and speedway tradition Gift of Lights holiday light show.

Season tickets and camping for Texas Motor Speedway’s 2023 major event season are on sale now. Save up to 33 percent versus buying individual tickets, take advantage of interest-free monthly payments, get the best seat selection and more. All-new reduced rates are available for the GEICO Infield, GEICO VIP and WinStar World Casino & Resort Lone Star Circle camping areas. Click HERE for more information and to purchase season tickets.

MORE INFO:
Keep track of all of Texas Motor Speedway’s busy schedule by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Keep up with all the latest news and information on the speedway website and TMS mobile app.

CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES
PPG 375 AT TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
FT. WORTH, TEXAS
TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
MARCH 29, 2023

TEAM CHEVY LOOKS TO SHOWCASE STRENGTH DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS FOR ROUND 2 IN 2023

Heading to the Lone Star state for the second event of the 2023 NTT INDYCAR Series season, Chevrolet looks to continue their strong streak of performance at Texas Motor Speedway in this weekend’s PPG 375. As the defending winner with a strong 1-2 finish by Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin, respectively, Chevrolet also looks to add to their seven victories on the 1.5-mile oval since 2012.

With 250 laps separating the green flag from winning glory, Newgarden said of Texas, “It’s a very demanding, difficult track on the teams and the drivers. I love the challenge of going there. Last year was a fantastic ending for the No. 2 car and was really a great event for Team Penske as a whole. Team Chevy has really done a tremendous job for us both at this event last year, but I think to start the 2023 season.”

Reflecting on his 2022 finish while looking ahead to this weekend, Newgarden’s Team Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin noted he’s looking forward to getting back to Texas for the PPG 375. “Obviously, pretty awesome for our team last year of first, second, and fourth. Unfortunately, I just lost it on the line there against Josef (Newgarden), but if you want to lose to anyone, your teammate is the guy to lose to. Hopefully, we’ll go one better this year. Maybe protect that highline, and if we’ve got the same fast Chevys as we normally have, and the fuel mileage, we’ll be perfect. Really looking forward to seeing what we’ve got.”

Unloading at the track known as No Limits, Texas, Sunday’s event becomes the 183rd race for the Bowtie brand in the 2.2L V6 Twin Turbo Direct Injection era, capturing seven driver championships, seven manufacturer championships, 106 total victories, 120 total earned pole awards, and 285 podiums.

Ed Carpenter, who steps into his double-duty role this weekend of both driver and team owner for the first time this season, exudes excitement getting back behind the wheel of his No. 33 Chevrolet looking to add to his 2014 win on the oval. “Texas is a track where I have had some decent runs in the past and we, as a team, are strong on superspeedways,” said Carpenter. “We understand our issue from last year that kept us from a good result and it will be resolved for this year, which is nice. I am excited to get back to it and back up to the high speeds of Texas.”

The closest event to his home country of Mexico, and also one he’s seen strength and victory at, Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward talks of the exciting support he will have this weekend. “I’m going to have over 200 guests in the suites and over 500 guests in the grandstands cheering on papaya,” said O’Ward. “We love racing at Texas! I got my first NTT INDYCAR SERIES win there, so I have great memories every time I go back.”

A true test of performance by driver, team, and power, Rob Buckner, IndyCar Program Manager at General Motors noted, “Texas Motor Speedway has set the stage for some exciting INDYCAR races since the Chevrolet V6 program began in 2012, and we expect a similar scenario this weekend. The track surface is worn which drivers tend to enjoy as it puts the race in their hands but poses a challenge to our Chevrolet and team engineers to arrive at the correct balance to handle the high banks and the speed. Chevrolet has had great success at Texas with our 2.2 liter V6, and we are well prepared for this weekend. With Texas being the only oval race before the Indianapolis 500, we have an opportunity to sharpen those skills specific to an oval, and hopefully bring home another big Texas win.”

Chevrolet will also once again lead the PPG 375 field to the green at Texas Motor Speedway, pacing the field pre-race in the white 2022 Chevrolet Corvette C8.

The PPG 375 kicks off with Practice 1 on Saturday, April 1, at 9 a.m. ET. Qualifications then start at 12:15 p.m. ET Saturday, with Practice 2 at 1:45 p.m. ET. Final Practice will then wrap up Saturday for the field at 2:30 p.m. ET. All practice and qualifying will be live on Peacock, INDYCAR Radio and SiriusXM Channel 160. The 250-lap race Sunday, April 2 will take the green flag at 12 p.m. ET live on NBC.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING (QUOTES)

Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Chevrolet at Team Penske:

“Always excited to get back to Texas. It’s a very demanding, difficult track on the teams and the drivers. I love the challenge of going there. Last year was a fantastic ending for the No. 2 car and was really a great event for Team Penske as a whole. Team Chevy has really done a tremendous job for us both at this event last year, but I think to start the 2023 season. I’m excited to put all of the hard work from the offseason to use at the race this year and can’t wait to see all of the fans back in Texas.”

Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 Chevrolet at Team Penske:

“Looking forward to getting back to Texas for the PPG 375. Obviously, a pretty awesome for our team last year of first, second, and fourth. Unfortunately, I just lost it on the line there against Josef (Newgarden), but if you want to lose to anyone, your teammate is the guy to lose to. Hopefully, we’ll go one better this year. Maybe protect that highline, and if we’ve got the same fast Chevys as we normally have, and the fuel mileage, we’ll be perfect. Really looking forward to seeing what we’ve got.”

Conor Daly, No. 20 Chevrolet at Ed Carpenter Racing:

“I can’t wait to head to Texas Motor Speedway and get back to work! Texas is a track where I have had some decent runs in the past and we, as a team, are strong on superspeedways. We understand our issue from last year that kept us from a good result and it will be resolved for this year, which is nice. I am excited to get back to it and back up to the high speeds of Texas. Hopefully, all three of our BITNILE.COM cars will bring home a great result!”

Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Chevrolet at Ed Carpenter Racing:

“Cowboy hat and boots are ready! I am very excited for Texas and I think it’s going to be a really good weekend for us. We showed really good speed last year and thought we had tamed Texas, but things did not really go our way at the end. We looked at everything, learned from it as a team and now I feel we are more prepared than ever. It’s going to be tough and it’s going to be hard, but it’s also going to be exciting. I am confident we are going to contend for a top-five!”

Ed Carpenter, No. 33 Chevrolet at Ed Carpenter Racing:

“I am extremely motivated to get back to Texas Motor Speedway and get my season started! Texas has always been a track that I have enjoyed racing at. While the past few years haven’t gone to plan, as a team we feel like we have a good strategy this year to get our three cars back to the front and in contention for the win. It is the only oval before we get to the Indianapolis 500, so it will be a big boost to leave there with confidence in our oval off-season development!”

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

“Texas is the closest I have to a home grand prix. I’m going to have over 200 guests in the suites and over 500 guests in the grandstands cheering on papaya. We love racing at Texas! I got my first NTT INDYCAR SERIES win there, so I have great memories every time I go back. We’re ready to keep building on the momentum we started with in St. Pete.”

Felix Rosenqvist, No. 6 Chevrolet at Arrow McLaren INDYCAR:

”I’m really looking forward to Texas. It’s one of the tracks where I have a lot of great memories, personally and as a team. In general, it’s one of the ovals that I’m strongest at historically and the one I probably enjoy the most. We’ve had a good track record there, but obviously the competition is super tough. We have some new ideas to continue being strong, and even though our baseline is pretty good, we’re not taking anything for granted. It’s an awesome track, quick with a lot of adrenaline – it’ll be good to get the first oval of the year going.”

Alexander Rossi, No. 7 Chevrolet at Arrow McLaren INDYCAR:

”Texas always provides a unique challenge, and I’m really looking forward to hitting the track. Our team has been working incredibly hard to fine-tune the car, and we’re confident in our ability to perform well this weekend. The high-speed corners and intense competition make the Texas race a thrilling experience for both drivers and fans alike. We’ll be pushing hard to secure a great result and deliver an exciting race for everyone watching.”

Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 Chevrolet at AJ Foyt Racing:

“Super excited to head into the Texas Motor Speedway race this coming weekend. Hopefully a lot to look forward for us as a team. Obviously, we didn’t start the season off super strong, so a little bit of redemption here. Will be nice to get back on the ovals. The last start at Texas was really good and I already have a top-five there, so it’ll be pretty cool to win that race. We’ll see what we can do.”

Benjamin Pedersen, No. 55 Chevrolet at AJ Foyt Racing:

“Really looking forward to this upcoming race weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Had the rookie test last week which went very well. Very comfortable around there and looking forward to coming back to the race weekend. It’ll be exciting. It’ll be a great atmosphere, a tough race. Really looking forward to getting back on track.”

Callum Ilott, No. 77 Chevrolet at Juncos Hollinger Racing:

“Pretty excited to head to Texas this week. It was where I made my oval debut in INDYCAR, and definitely looking forward to it. I think this year we’ve definitely stepped it up a bit, and as it was my first time last year, I’m sure I’ve stepped it up a bit as well. It should be a good challenge. I think we definitely have some good speed with Chevy helping us a bit on the straight line as well with extra power. Looking forward to it, and that it will also be our first oval with two cars. That will be exciting to get to compare bit and hopefully learn a bit. It will be a compact weekend, and that never makes it easy but also on the challenging side, we can hopefully capitalize on it.”

Agustin Canapino, No. 78 Chevrolet at Juncos Hollinger Racing:

“I am very excited to have my first weekend in an oval with all that means. I have prepared myself as much as possible for this opportunity and we are looking forward to having a good weekend together with the whole team. Although obviously my main objective is finishing the race in any position regardless of the final result. Our big challenge is to see the checkered flag and be able to gather experience and continue on this learning way.”

CHEVROLET AT TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Wins at Texas (since 2012): 7

2013 – Helio Castroneves

2014 – Ed Carpenter

2015 – Scott Dixon

2017 – Will Power

2019 – Josef Newgarden

2021 – Pato O’Ward

2022 – Josef Newgarden

Number of Team Chevy Pole Awards at Texas (since 2012): 6 (2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2022)

Chevrolet Driver with the Most Texas Pole Awards (since 2012): Will Power, 3 (2013, 2014, 2014)

Number of Team Chevy Podiums at Texas (since 2012): 22

Number of laps led by Team Chevy at Texas (since 2012): 1,436

2023 CHEVROLET BY THE NUMBERS

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

106: Wins in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012.

120: Earned poles since 2012.

7: Manufacturer Championships since 2012.

7: Driver/entrant champions since 2012.

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

14: Consecutive seasons with at least one win by Will Power, including past 11 with Chevrolet power.

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

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

*Will Power’s career total of 68 poles makes him the all-time pole winner in INDYCAR.

Team Chevy high-resolution racing photos are available for editorial use.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 79 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. 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 (29 March 2023) – Meyer Shank Racing’s (MSR) INDYCAR program is looking for a Texas-sized helping of redemption this weekend, as the team looks to put a tough season opener in the rear-view mirror with Sunday afternoon’s PPG 375 at Texas Motor Speedway (Noon ET, NBC, SiriusXM Ch. 160).

The 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opener lasted about four turns for both Simon Pagenaud and Helio Castroneves as they were involved in race-ending crashes on the opening lap at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Now the Ohio-based team looks to press the reset button on the 2023 campaign as it heads to the high-speed 1.5-mile TMS oval for 250 laps of four-wheel warfare in the team’s signature AutoNation / SiriusXM Hondas.

Castroneves returns to a track where his name is etched four times in Victory Lane, second among IndyCar winners at the Texas venue. The Brazilian has wins in 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2013 to his credit and he has led in 12 different races for a total of 503 laps at the front. His stablemate Pagenaud has a pair of second-place finishes in Texas and will look to take that final step up the podium this weekend.

MSR has five starts on the TMS oval and has a history of qualifying well, earning three top-six starts in its five attempts, with a best race-day finish of seventh coming in 2021.

Aside from the racing action, MSR will be looking forward to a big weekend of activation from its long-time sponsor, AutoNation. Castroneves and Pagenaud will kick off the weekend with an AutoNation Dallas dealership appearance, paired with a private fundraiser for DRVPNK, in support of Wipe Out Kids Cancer. Explore ways to contribute here.

“AutoNation’s mission is to drive out cancer. Having partners like Meyer Shank Racing joining us in the fight is outstanding,” said Marc Cannon, AutoNation’s Executive Vice President and CXO. “As one of America’s most admired companies, our Associates, Customers and brand partners are the reason why we have made DRVPNK our singular philanthropic mission.”

The 250-lap PPG 375 will air on NBC on Sunday starting at Noon ET. Saturday’s qualifying will be shown live on Peacock beginning at Noon ET. SiriusXM will also host live IndyCar Radio coverage of both sessions on XM Ch. 160.

Driver Quotes:

Helio Castroneves:

“I’m super excited to go to Texas, and that place brings me a lot of good memories and I’ve won there many times. Unfortunately, last year wasn’t a great race for us, however we know what we can do better and we’re really betting all of out chips on this one.”

Simon Pagenaud:

“Texas is a great track for our cars and we had a fantastic showing last year. It’s a track that I have had great results at, but I’m still chasing a win there. Tire degradation is going to be a massive game and last year it was quite important. This year we have a new aero package from IndyCar with a bit more downforce which should help the tires hold on longer and also keep the pack a bit more together. For me, this race is the beginning of my year. St. Pete unfortunately did not meet our expectations with the crash at the start of our race, so now it’s time to get some momentum going.”

• Mexican native Pato O’Ward’s ties to San Antonio make the PPG 375 his home-away-from-home NTT INDYCAR SERIES race of the season.
• Texas Motor Speedway the site of his first career NTT INDYCAR SERIES win in 2021.

FORT WORTH, Texas (MARCH 23, 2023) – Arrow McLaren driver Pato O’Ward would love to see an NTT INDYCAR SERIES race in his native Mexico, but for the time being Texas will suit him just fine as his home race.

O’Ward was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico, before his family moved to San Antonio, Texas, when he was 11. He would spend his early teen years attending the TMI-Episcopal prep school on the outskirts of the city before departing to pursue his motorsports dream.

When O’Ward returns for Sunday’s PPG 375 (11:15 a.m. CT, TV: NBC & Peacock, Radio: INDYCAR Radio Network, SiriusXM, 95.9 The Ranch-local), he definitely considers Texas Motor Speedway as his “home-away-from-home” race on the 17-race schedule. He already has three suites reserved for family and friends, and also created a grandstand ticket promotion to entice his fan to come and watch him compete in Fort Worth.

“Texas is very close to home,” said O’Ward, who drives the No. 5 Chevrolet for the three-car Arrow McLaren team. “It’s the closest I have to home, and I would love to have a race in Mexico hopefully in the future, but for now this is what I have as a home Grand Prix kind of way. I’ve got a bunch of people coming out, which is really, really cool to see. I can’t wait.”

It was apropos that the 23-year-old emerging superstar’s first career NTT INDYCAR SERIES victory came at Texas Motor Speedway. After securing a third-place finish in the first race of the 2021 doubleheader weekend, he earned his first victory the following day. O’Ward became the first Mexican driver to win an INDYCAR race since Adrian Fernandez in 2004.

“My win here is actually where I really saw a really big spike in, I guess, my presence and people just knew the name quite a bit more,” O’Ward said. “From there it has gradually grown, grown, grown, grown, grown. Obviously, it grows most when I win.

“It’s great to see their support. I’ve always said I think I have the most amazing group of fans. It doesn’t matter if I’m in Portland or if I’m in Long Beach, they go. It’s really, really cool to see. … This is the closest we have to Mexico now, so I’m pumped to see all the Mexican flags and have all the people come out to support me.”

O’Ward progressed through the open-wheel racing ranks with a road and street course background, but has become quite adept on the ovals. Of the five oval races last season, O’Ward finished fourth or better in all but one (15th at Texas). The oval success was highlighted by a win at Iowa and runner-up finish in the Indy 500.

“I have really grown to love what it is like to race at superspeedways,” he said. “It is definitely a different skill to what it is on road courses and, obviously, street courses. The way you have to approach it is different as well because the risk is that much more and the speeds, like I said, are very quick. So, it’s just a very different way to what I grew up racing to get to INDYCAR.”

In the midst of his fourth full season, O’Ward has recorded four wins, 14 podiums and five poles in just 56 career starts. He also has finished seventh or better in the series championship the last three seasons, including a best of third in 2021.

He nearly had his fifth career win in the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, but an engine mishap while holding the lead late in the race doused his chances. O’Ward would have to settle for a runner-up finish to Chip Ganassi Racing’s Marcus Ericsson.

Two-time and defending NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Will Power, an 18-year veteran of the sport, has been quite impressed from what he already has seen from O’Ward.

“Pato is an amazing talent, one of the quickest guys I’ve seen come into the series,” Power said. “I’m sure he’s going to be a (series) champion, Indy 500 champion in the future which is really good for the series. … It’s great to have people like Pato in the series. He brings a huge fan base from Mexico.”

O’Ward and his fellow NTT INDYCAR SERIES competitors will take to the track Saturday for practice and qualifying. The opening one-hour practice will begin at 8 a.m. and be followed by qualifying at 11:15 a.m. Split-field practices will run from 12:45-1:15 p.m. and then a final one-hour full-field session will begin at 1:30 p.m. The weekend culminates with the PPG 375, the second race of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.

The season-opening race weekend at Texas Motor Speedway also will feature the SPEEDYCASH.COM 250 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race Saturday beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Ticket information and online purchases are available at www.texasmotorspeedway.com.

Texas Motor Speedway’s 2023 events schedule consists of everything from the April 1-2 NTT INDYCAR SERIES/NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series doubleheader and the Sept. 23-24 NASCAR Playoffs weekend, car shows and competitions and the Ducks Unlimited Expo, the four-day Hwy 30 Music Fest and Bandas y Trocas Hispanic concert and truck show, and then wrapping up the year with the family-favorite and speedway tradition Gift of Lights holiday light show.

Season tickets and camping for Texas Motor Speedway’s 2023 major event season are on sale now. Save up to 33 percent versus buying individual tickets, get the best seat selection and more. All-new reduced rates are available for the GEICO Infield, GEICO VIP and WinStar World Casino & Resort Lone Star Circle camping areas. Click HERE for more information and to purchase season tickets.

MORE INFO:
Keep track of all of Texas Motor Speedway’s busy schedule by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Keep up with all the latest news and information on the speedway website and TMS mobile app.

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, March 16, 2023) – NTT INDYCAR SERIES owner-driver and three-time Indianapolis 500 pole winner Ed Carpenter unveiled the design of the 2023 Bronze Badge on March 16 at Stout Field in Indianapolis, the Joint Forces Headquarters of the Indiana National Guard.

The Indianapolis 500 is steeped in military traditions, from the playing of “Taps” and singing of the national anthem to the signature flyover as part of the pre-race ceremonies. The 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 28 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

This year’s Bronze Badge design features the historic Pagoda during the flyover, which has been performed by the United States Air Force Thunderbirds in recent years. In addition to celebrating an epic Race Day tradition, the badge honors the 110th anniversary of the Pagoda.

SEE: Bronze Badge Video

“The Bronze Badge, which has represented pit and garage access at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for decades, is one of the most treasured keepsakes for our fans,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “The ‘500’ doesn’t happen without the men and women who serve our country and keep us free, and we honor their service by featuring the flyover on this year’s design.”

Cardboard or laminate badges were used from the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911 through 1937, assigned only to event participants. Beginning in 1938, more durable metal badges were used before IMS Bronze Badges made their debut in 1947 and were initially sold to the general public in the early 1990s, immediately becoming a coveted motorsports collectible.

Fans can purchase a Bronze Badge, which allows them access to Gasoline Alley on selected dates during the Month of May. Bronze Badges will be honored for gate admission and garage access May 12, May 16-22 and May 26-27 during public gate hours and as directed by IMS personnel (Race Day tickets are required on May 13 for the GMR Grand Prix and May 28 for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge).

Bronze Badges can be purchased at IMS.com/BronzeBadge for $150 each through March 31. The price increases to $160 on April 1, so order today while supplies last. Each Bronze Badge holder must be 18 or older and is required to sign a release.

A limited number of Silver Badges also are available for $500 each. Silver Badges add pit lane access to the same perks as the Bronze Badge. Pre-race (cold) pit passes for GMR Grand Prix and Indianapolis 500 Race Day can be added to Silver Badges for an additional $1,000.

For more information on Bronze Badges and Silver Badges, call the IMS Credential Office at 317-492-6500.

St. Petersburg, Fla., (23 March 2023) – Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) drivers Helio Castroneves (No. 06 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda) and Simon Pagenaud (No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda) saw their 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opener end after a single lap when a crash on the tight street course claimed both cars.

Both Castroneves and Pagenaud were eliminated in a six-car crash just after the start of Sunday’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, leaving them unable to continue. Castroneves, who started 15th, made it through the first corner and was picking through the tight opening complex of curves when cars started to slow in response to a competitors’ wall contact ahead.

The three-time St. Petersburg winner started to slow just before he was hit from behind, spinning him into the wall and leaving the Brazilian unable to continue due to the damage.

Pagenaud, who started 25th after contact left him unable to post a qualifying time Saturday, found himself without an escape route in the melee, as an available opening to his right closed quickly when a competitor bounced from his left and took off the left side of his MSR machine.

The resulting damage also ended Pagenaud’s day, leaving the Frenchman to finish 26th while Castroneves placed 23rd. The team will have almost a full month to rebuild the cars and prepare for the next round of the series, which will take place on the 1.5-mile Texas Motor Speedway oval on April 2.

Driver Quotes:

Helio Castroneves (No. 06 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda) – Started 15th, Finished 23rd (Lap 1 Contact):

“Great work by the AMR Safety Group, it is a shame that I had to try them out so early in the year. I have no idea what happened, I got hit from behind and then I saw a lot of cars flying around. It shows how the safety in these cars has improved, because that was a big crash and to see everybody come out of it OK is great.”

Simon Pagenaud (No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda) – Started 25th, Finished 26th (Lap 1 Contact):

“I kind of expected (the crash) to be honest. It has been a tricky area all weekend. I had no room to go. I thought I was going to get through. I thought I had made it. Unfortunately, I am paying a high price for yesterday’s mistake in qualifying. But we will regroup, we have fast cars at Meyer Shank Racing and we’ll be alright.”