Category: NTT Indy

ELKHART LAKE, Wis., January 17, 2023 – Road America is excited to share the news that Vintage Indy™ presented by Hagerty, will be featured at the NTT INDYCAR Sonsio Grand Prix presented by American Medical Response, June 15-18.

Vintage Indy will be showcasing a selection of vintage INDYCAR vehicles from the past century to celebrate the rich history of INDYCAR racing. From classic open-wheel racers to modern Indy cars, fans can see these historic vehicles up close and learn about the evolution of INDYCAR racing while witnessing parade laps on the track during the weekend.

In addition to the vintage vehicle display, Vintage Indy will also host several special events throughout the weekend. These events will include meet-and-greets with INDYCAR legends, panel discussions on the history of INDYCAR racing, and much more.

“Vintage Indy is honored to be a part of the NTT INDYCAR Sonsio Grand Prix presented by AMR and looks forward to sharing the rich history of INDYCAR racing with fans at Road America,” said founder Michael Lashmett. “This is a great opportunity to share our passion for vintage open-wheel racing with the INDYCAR community and fans.”

The NTT INDYCAR Sonsio Grand Prix, presented by American Medical Response at Road America, is one of the premier events on the INDYCAR calendar and is sure to be a thrilling weekend of racing. Be sure to stop by the Vintage Indy display in the paddock area and see some of the country’s most historic open-wheel race cars.

Celebrate Father’s Day weekend with the entire family at the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Sonsio Grand Prix presented by AMR. Kids 16 and under get free general admission to all Road America season racing events with a paying adult at the gate. For details and event tickets, check out www.roadamerica.com

About Road America: Established in 1955, Road America is conveniently located between Milwaukee and Green Bay in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The world’s best racers have competed at this legendary four-mile, 14-turn road circuit for over 65 years. Along with over 500 events held seasonally at the 640-acre facility, several major weekends are open to the public, which include the NTT INDYCAR Series, the MotoAmerica Series, three vintage racing events, numerous Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) events, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and NASCAR. Road America’s park-like grounds offer amazing viewing opportunities, numerous camping options, fantastic concessions, and high-speed excitement to hundreds of thousands of spectators each year. Fans can also stay and play in cabins conveniently on the grounds and find all sorts of souvenirs, collectibles, and apparel at the 7,500 sq. ft Paddock Shop. Affectionately known by many as America’s National Park of Speed, Road America can accommodate groups of all sizes, including weddings and corporate events in the Tufte Conference Center. In addition to public race weekends, Road America offers various group event programs, including geocaching, disc golf, and off-road adventure tours, karting, and the Road America Motorcycle and Driving Schools. For more information, visit www.roadamerica.com Follow Road America on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube or call 800-365-7223

Penske Entertainment, NTT INDYCAR SERIES Partner with VICE Media Group for New Documentary Series

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022) – Penske Entertainment and The CW Network announced Dec. 8 they are joining forces with VICE Media Group for “100 Days to Indy,” a first-of-its-kind broadcast series about the road to the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, the world’s premier motorsports competition.

Produced by Penske Entertainment and VICE Media Group, the six-part series will take fans behind the scenes to chronicle the bold and brash personalities of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as they begin the 2023 season and start their epic quest for racing’s greatest prize. “100 Days to Indy” will air on The CW Network in spring 2023.

“The Indy 500 is the most unique, exhilarating and engaging event on the planet,” Penske Entertainment President and CEO Mark Miles said. “It’s an unrivaled spectacle fueled by ambitious, fearless and captivating personalities. This series will give viewers an unprecedented front row seat as the racing season begins and the countdown to Indy accelerates. Ultimately, through the compelling creative lens and massive reach of both VICE and The CW, we will bring the world-class competition and drama of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES to a newer and more youthful audience.”

The 100-day window is benchmarked by drama, intrigue and fierce competition from the very first race of the season all the way to the checkered flag at the Indianapolis 500. For the winner, it is a life-changing experience, etching his or her name into the history books. This year, four-time Indy 500 winner and former “Dancing with the Stars” champion Helio Castroneves is eyeing a record fifth win but will face stiff competition from a rising generation of young talent all eyeing “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and its multimillion-dollar purse.

“100 Days to Indy” will showcase what it takes to compete at the highest levels and at the height of danger, while providing a window into the on- and off-track lives of some of the sport’s most engaging drivers.

“‘100 Days to Indy’ is a high-octane adventure grounded in emotional sports storytelling,” said Brad Schwartz, president, Entertainment, The CW Network. “Alongside our partners at VICE Media Group, Penske Entertainment and NTT INDYCAR SERIES, we have come together to deliver a series that will follow these champions of the racetrack and keep viewers on the edge of their seats.”

The compelling docuseries will be produced by multiple award-winning VICE World News, with Emmy Award-winning Patrick Dimon directing and Bryan Terry executive producing for VICE. The series will have a fast re-air on VICE TV and be supported across VICE’s global social media channels.

“VICE is honored to produce the first sports project with Nexstar and The CW since the acquisition and to bring this series through the checkered flag with everyone at the network,” said Morgan Hertzan, president, Global TV at VICE Media Group. “The team at the NTT INDYCAR SERIES has an incredible journey for the world to join, and VICE is looking forward to being in the driver’s seat with them.”

About VICE Media Group

VICE Media Group is a global multiplatform media company. Launched in 1994, VICE has offices in 25 countries across the globe with a focus on five key businesses: VICE.com, an award-winning international network of digital content; VICE STUDIOS, a feature film and television production studio; VICE TV, an Emmy-winning international television network; a Peabody award-winning NEWS division with the most Emmy-awarded nightly news broadcast; and VIRTUE, a global, full-service creative agency. VICE Media Group’s portfolio includes Refinery29, the leading global media and entertainment company focused on women; Pulse Films, a London-based next-generation production studio with outposts in Los Angeles, New York, Paris and Berlin; and i-D, a global digital and quarterly style bible defining fashion and contemporary culture and design.

About VICE World News

Building off the success of VICE News in the U.S, VICE World News is VICE Media Group international news network, producing hundreds of hours of television, digital and audio news programming for a global audience. The premium documentaries, docuseries and original podcasts will focus on the core issues that so define VICE’s content: extremism, climate, drugs, privacy, politics, inequality and race.

About The CW Network

The CW Network, LLC is America’s fifth major broadcast network, offering 14 hours of primetime programming, Monday through Sunday. The CW is 75%-owned by Nexstar Media Group, Inc. For more information about the network and its programming, visit www.cwtv.com.

Leading Online Meat Delivery Company to Sponsor No. 3 Chevrolet Beginning in 2023

MOORESVILLE, NC (November 17, 2022) – Team Penske and Good Ranchers today announced a new partnership that will feature the premium meat purveyor’s colors and branding on the No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet driven by Scott McLaughlin for multiple NTT INDYCAR SERIES races in 2023 and beyond. Good Ranchers will make its debut as the primary sponsor of the No. 3 Chevrolet during the April 28-30 race weekend at the picturesque Barber Motorsports Park road course, located just outside of Birmingham, Ala.

Good Ranchers will also join the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) partner lineup in 2023 and will feature activation throughout the month of May at IMS, when over 300,000 fans will visit the historic venue, culminating with the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 28.

“It’s always exciting to see new brands activate within our sport,” said Tim Cindric, Team Penske President. “Good Ranchers certainly fits that bill. They have a fresh and innovative approach that will be a terrific match for Scott McLaughlin’s outgoing personality. This combination should also prove to be a real benefit to the overall INDYCAR community and the fan experience.”

Since the company was founded in 2017, Good Ranchers has worked 100 percent with American cattle farms and ranches to reliably provide steakhouse quality sustainable meats at an affordable price. Additionally, the company’s motto of “Do Good While We Eat Good” has resulted in the donation of over 1,000,000 meals to local food banks in Good Ranchers’ ongoing effort to fight food insecurity and childhood hunger. For every box purchased, Good Ranchers donates 10 meals to families in need.

“We couldn’t be more excited to join Team Penske,” said Ben Spell, Good Ranchers Chief Executive Officer. “The rich history of this company is something we’re honored to be included in moving forward. Our mission is to bring everyone to the table to share in the best of what makes life good. We hope to play our part in helping each person enjoy the sweet taste of victory as well as a delicious American meal.”

Good Ranchers will partner with McLaughlin, one of the rising stars of the INDYCAR SERIES. After earning Rookie of the Year honors in 2021, the New Zealander produced impressive results in 2022, just as he did during his record-setting Australian Supercars career. McLaughlin’s three race wins and three NTT P1 Pole Awards in 2022 helped propel him to a fourth-place finish in the series championship standings.

“It is an honor to have a new partner like Good Ranchers as part of the No. 3 Chevy team,” said McLaughlin. “After our initial meeting, I knew they would be a great fit for the team. They share the same vision and focus as Team Penske, while also enjoying the excitement and competition of sports in America. We look forward to a successful partnership while we enjoy amazing meat together at the same time.”

The 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season will begin on Sunday, March 5 on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. McLaughlin is the defending polesitter and race winner at St. Petersburg.

About Team Penske
Team Penske is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Cars owned and prepared by Team Penske have produced more than 600 major race wins, over 670 pole positions and 43 championships across open-wheel, stock car and sports car racing competition. Over the course of its 56-year history, the team has also earned 18 Indianapolis 500 victories, three Daytona 500 Championships, a Formula 1 win, victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, along with a win in Australia’s legendary Bathurst 1000 race. In 2022, Team Penske competed in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, NASCAR Cup Series and the FIA World Endurance Championship. For more information about Team Penske, please visit www.teampenske.com.

About Good Ranchers

Good Ranchers has been changing the way people buy meat since 2018, making the meat aisle a thing of the past. Today, Good Ranchers is a sustainable and reliable bridge between real Americans farms and tens of thousands of customers. They’ve quickly become one of the fastest growing meat delivery companies in the country, being named to the INC5000 and winning “Best Food Subscription” in 2022. Operating completely online, Good Ranchers has removed the middleman and the difficulty of getting high-quality, affordable meat. Their selection has expanded to include USDA Prime beef, chicken, and seafood with even more options on the way for 2023. Good Ranchers mission is to bring everyone to the table to share in the best of what makes life good. If you’re looking for great American meat, Good Ranchers has a spot at the table for you.

2023 14-Race Schedule Unveiled, Streaming to Fans on Peacock

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022) – The pathway to North America’s premier open-wheel racing series has a fresh, more youthful and energetic final level: INDY NXT by Firestone. INDY NXT will feature a new generation of global racing talent, competing vigorously for podiums and the opportunity to join the elite ranks of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

The presenting sponsor and Official Tire of INDY NXT will be Firestone, also the Official Tire Supplier and longtime partner of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. INDY NXT by Firestone will emphasize talent development, while extending racing’s reach and impact to a younger and emerging consumer audience.

The rebranded racing series, formerly known as Indy Lights, will stage 14 races in 2023, starting March 5 on the Streets of St. Petersburg and competing on a diverse set of ovals, road courses and street circuits.

“We look forward to being part of the journey as INDY NXT enters a new era and expands our partnership with INDYCAR,” said Lisa Boggs, director of motorsports, Bridgestone Americas. “Having been in the series previously, we know how important it is for the development of the next generation of drivers, and we are proud to support them again. INDY NXT provides opportunities for Firestone to engage with new audiences and develop and showcase our technology.”

Said INDYCAR President Jay Frye: “INDY NXT by Firestone will continue to develop and graduate new generations of racers ready to engage in breathtaking, high-stakes competition. Firestone is the perfect partner in this endeavor, with its innovative technology and authentic appreciation for INDY NXT and its vast potential.”

Starting with the 2022 season, INDYCAR took over the management and operations of the developmental series. The launch of the new era included a vastly enhanced collaborative partnership with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, featuring integration in paddock spaces, marketing, digital assets and race officiating.

The 2023 season will provide an additional opportunity for a reset and a new mission to emerge, guided by an ethos that aims to inspire and relate to Generation Z and the young talent piloting race cars.

After an expansion of teams and car count in 2022, the 2023 season is expected to build on that momentum, with the highest entry list for the developmental series since 2009.

The 2023 INDY NXT by Firestone championship still will compete on the same tracks and on the same weekends as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES events, providing further exposure to the series. As in 2022, the schedule consists of three doubleheader weekends: the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, Streets of Detroit and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, where the 2023 INDY NXT champion will be crowned.

Additionally, coverage of all 14 races once again will be available in the United States via Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

Start times for the 2023 INDY NXT by Firestone season will be announced at a later date.

For more information about INDY NXT by Firestone, visit www.indynxt.com.

Date	Venue	Broadcast
Sunday, March 5	Streets of St. Petersburg	Peacock
Sunday, April 30	Barber Motorsports Park	Peacock
Friday, May 12	Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course Race 1	Peacock
Saturday, May 13	Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course Race 2	Peacock
Saturday, June 3	Streets of Detroit Race 1	Peacock
Sunday, June 4	Streets of Detroit Race 2	Peacock
Sunday, June 18	Road America	Peacock
Sunday, July 2	Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course	Peacock
Saturday, July 22	Iowa Speedway	Peacock
Sunday, Aug. 6	Streets of Nashville	Peacock
Sunday, Aug. 27	World Wide Technology Raceway	Peacock
Sunday, Sept. 3	Portland International Raceway	Peacock
Saturday, Sept. 9	WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Race 1	Peacock
Sunday, Sept. 10	WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Race 2	Peacock

Public sales will start for Pacific Office Automation 147 and Grand Prix of Portland on Nov. 29

PORTLAND, Ore. (Oct. 31, 2022) – The exclusive ticket renewal period opens tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. PT for two 2023 events at Portland International Raceway (PIR). Race fans who purchased 2-Day Grandstand seats for this year’s Pacific Office Automation 147, featuring the NASCAR Xfinity Series, or 3-Day Grandstand seats for the Grand Prix of Portland, headlined by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, get first access to do so again.

Renewal customers will have until Monday, Nov. 21 at 5 p.m. PT to renew or upgrade their Portland International Raceway (PIR) seats for these race weekends. After a thrilling debut in 2022, the NASCAR Xfinity Series returns for the second running of the Pacific Office Automation 147 on June 2-3, 2023, and the 2023 Grand Prix of Portland, the 29th professional open-wheel race at PIR, will take place over Labor Day weekend again on Sept. 1-3.

“We are thrilled to again host the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NTT INDYCAR SERIES, along with many exciting support series, at PIR in 2023. Even with the wet conditions, the inaugural Pacific Office Automation 147 saw a terrific spectator turnout, and the Grand Prix of Portland continues to be a compelling late-season, September tradition,” said Jerry Jensen, vice president and general manager of Green Savoree Portland, LLC, which owns and operates both events at PIR. “We look forward to seeing our passionate Pacific Northwest race fans back at PIR next year for these two great weekends!”

Fans purchasing Gold Grandstand seats positioned in Grandstand K for the Pacific Office Automation 147 event will receive a complimentary Infield Parking Pass. Renewal customers buying Gold Grandstand seats for the Grand Prix of Portland will receive complimentary INDYCAR Paddock Passes. Grand Prix of Portland customers will also have the opportunity to purchase Champions Club memberships and Pit, Paddock and Parking Passes before general public sales begin on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 10 a.m. PT for both events.

For an additional $80, Grand Prix of Portland renewal purchasers can upgrade to a Champions Club membership offering extra benefits and exclusive access which includes an INDYCAR Paddock Pass the opportunity to participate in Sunday’s pre-race grid walk, a chance to win a two-seater INDYCAR ride on the track, and more. Renewal customers can upgrade further to a Champions Club+ membership which includes all Champions Club benefits plus pit access. Grand Prix of Portland Pit and Paddock Passes allow fans to get up close to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES cars and drivers during the September race weekend.

Renewals will be available online at NASCARPortland.com and portlandgp.com or by phone at 503-400-6070 with pricing starting at $70 for reserved 2-Day Grandstand seats for the Pacific Office Automation 147 and $85 for reserved 3-Day Grandstand seats for the Grand Prix of Portland. For all ticket pricing and 2023 event information and news, visit NASCARPortland.com or portlandgp.com.

About Pacific Office Automation 147

Portland International Raceway (PIR) is the home of the Pacific Office Automation 147. PIR is a 1.97-mile, 12-turn permanent road course owned by the City of Portland and operated under the Portland Parks and Recreation. Opened in 1960 to host sports car and drag racing, the 268-acre property hosts over 550 events annually including automotive and motorcycle road racing, motocross, cruise-ins and other special events including the Rose Cup Races. The inaugural Pacific Office Automation 147 in 2022 featured the NASCAR Xfinity Series and was won by A.J. Allmendinger. The race marked the first visit to the Pacific Northwest by a NASCAR national racing series since 2000. The Pacific Office Automation 147 is owned and operated by Green Savoree Portland, LLC, which also promotes NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ Grand Prix of Portland event at PIR (Sept. 1-3, 2023) and whose affiliate owns and operates NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series’ O’Reilly Auto Parts 150 at Mid-Ohio (July 7-8, 2023).

For more information, visit NASCARPortland.com, ‘like’ its Facebook page @PortlandGP or follow updates on Twitter @Portland_GP and Instagram at @Portland_GP using #NASCARPortland.

About Grand Prix of Portland

Portland International Raceway (PIR) is the home of the Grand Prix of Portland. PIR is a 1.964-mile, 12-turn permanent road course owned by the City of Portland and operated under the Portland Parks and Recreation. Opened in 1960 to host sports car and drag racing, the 268-acre property hosts over 550 events annually including automotive and motorcycle road racing, motocross, cruise-ins and other special events including the Rose Cup Races. PIR has been the site of many memorable INDYCAR races. Al Unser Jr. won the inaugural one in 1984, and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES returned in 2018 after an 11-year absence with 2017 and 2020 Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato taking the checkered flag. The Father’s Day race of 1986 featured Mario Andretti victorious over his son Michael on the last lap by less than a second. The closest three-way road racing finish in INDYCAR SERIES history took place at PIR in 1997 when the top three were covered by just 0.055 of a second. The Grand Prix of Portland is owned and operated by Green Savoree Portland, LLC, which also promotes NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Pacific Office Automation 147 event at PIR (June 2-3, 2023) and whose affiliates own and operate three additional INDYCAR SERIES races: Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding (March 3-5, 2023), The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio (June 30-July 2, 2023) and Honda Indy Toronto (July 14-16, 2023).

For more information, visit portlandgp.com, ‘like’ its Facebook page @PortlandGP or follow updates on Twitter @Portland_GP and Instagram at @Portland_GP using #PortlandGP.

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022) – Marcus Ericsson unveiled his image on the Borg-Warner Trophy on Oct. 27 in Indianapolis, one of the most significant honors since he won the 106th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on May 29 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The bas-relief, sterling silver image of Ericsson is the 109th face to be affixed to the iconic trophy, awarded annually to the winner of the Indianapolis 500 since 1936.

Ericsson, a native of Kumla, Sweden, earned his first victory in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” in the No. 8 Huski Chocolate Chip Ganassi Racing Honda and is the second Swede to win the race, behind Kenny Brack in 1999. This was the fifth Indy 500 victory for Chip Ganassi Racing as a sole entrant and sixth overall.

Renowned sculptor Will Behrends created Ericsson’s image, as he has for every winner since 1990. The unveiling ceremony took place at Union 50 in downtown Indianapolis.

“I’m truly honored to have my face sculpted onto the historic Borg-Warner Trophy as an Indianapolis 500 winner,” Ericsson said. “It was an incredible experience to work with Will Behrends and see his dedication and artistry firsthand. Will has done a marvelous job. Today is a very special day for me, as well as everyone at Chip Ganassi Racing. Joining all the previous winners on the trophy is something I’ll always be very proud of and will never forget.”

Behrends begins his creative process by studying a series of 360-degree photos of the winner to get a baseline for sculpting. Winners are then invited to an in-person session where Behrends constructs a full-scale clay model of the driver’s face in his studio in Tryon, North Carolina.

This life-size clay version is used as reference for Behrends to construct the smaller model, a piece created out of a mixture of oil-based clay. The smaller clay model is turned into a mold and casted in wax before being sent to a jeweler to be transformed into sterling silver. Behrends completes his process by polishing and buffing the sculpture before adhering it to the trophy.

“Marcus is a great champion of the ‘500’ who truly understands and appreciates the many traditions of ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,’ such as today’s memorable ceremony,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “We are looking forward to continuing to celebrate his victory between now and when we see him on track next May for the 107th running of this iconic race.”

Originally designed in 1935, the sterling silver trophy measures over 5 feet, 4-3/4 inches tall and weighs more than 110 pounds as it carries the sculpted face of every victor since 1911. Following the unveiling in Indianapolis, the trophy will travel to Ericsson’s home country of Sweden to celebrate his victory on the racetrack.

Early next year, Ericsson will receive his BorgWarner Championships Driver’s Trophy, also known as the Baby Borg, a miniature replica of the large-scale Borg-Warner Trophy.

“The Borg-Warner Trophy represents much more than just a victory on the racetrack; it symbolizes the great tradition of the Indy 500 and honoring the driver for their triumph while paying homage to the champions of the past,” said Michelle Collins, global director, marketing and public relations for BorgWarner. “It is our honor to add Marcus’ image to the trophy and, together as a company, congratulate him on his countless hours of work and dedication to his craft.”

The 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 28. Visit IMS.com for tickets and event information.