Wickens Wait to race in IMSA finally ends

As it will be good to have thee plucky Kuhnuck’ back in a major racing series…

 

This weekend sees the long awaited debut of thee Young Wicky’, aka Robert Wickens in IMSA’s Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) competition, behind the keyboard of the No. 36 DXDT Corvette Z06 GT3.R.

 

Wickens alongside General Motors “Hired Gun” Tommy Milner tested the custom DXDT Vette’ at Sebring over two days back in March at Sebring International Raceway. With Wickens noting He was leaning heavily on Milner to learn the nuances of the Corvette, and wasn’t sure how long Milner would put up with His onslaught of questions? Saying He’d be using Milner as a sponge…

 

Arse-suming by now everybody knows of Wickens horrendous and life altering IndyCar crash at Pocono in August, 2018, leaving Him paralyzed from the waist-down.

 

As Wickens credits DXDT team owner David Askew for taking a risk upon Him and making the project happen. Along with General Motors getting onboard. As well as Pratt & Miller who fabricate the Z06 GT3.R racecars and Bosch who make His custom hand control driving ring work with it’s electronic ‘fly-by-Wire” braking system.

 

Robby said He’s been having to learn to readapt His driving style after racing the front wheel drive Hyundai Elantra in the Michelin Pilot Challenge Touring Car championship. Having won the TCR (Touring Car) title with co-driver Harry Gottsacker for Brian Herta Autosport (BHA) in 2023. The first major championship win for a Hand Controls adapted vehicle.

 

Wickens hasn’t competed at Long Beach since His rookie IndyCar season for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports in 2018. And hasn’t contested an IMSA race since driving in the LMP2 category during the 2017 rolex 24…

 

Back to driving a rear wheel drive Saloons’ vehicle for the first time in awhile, which naturally is a different Beast vs. the Dallara DW12 IndyCar He once piloted. Robby notes He was having to learn how to utilize traction control, which He’s never used before. As Wickens partnered with Bosch a year ago to design a bespoke hand control steering wheel system that can be adopted to multiple racing series and different racing makes. Allowing for Wickens and others, to not constantly have to relearn hand control systems every time they race a different vehicle.

 

Wasn’t aware that Milner, who most recently made waves by infamously giving BMW’s Agusto Farfus the universal “You’re No. 1” salute at Daytona, had raced for DXDT before. Winning an impressive eight races in the GT World Challenge America championship in 2024. Finishing “Vice Champion” George! Err runner-up in the Pro category with co-driver Alec Udell.

 

Robby and co-driver Milner are part of IMSA’s “Twin bill” with IndyCar this weekend at “the Beach”, nee Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach which is celebrating it’s 50th Anniversary.

 

The Long Beach weekend is covered on a menagerie ‘O TV Networks beginning this afternoon at 3PM Pacific on (Fox Sports) FS1, with IndyCar’s first practice.

 

Saturday sees IndyCa’s second practice on FS1 at 8:30AM. With Qualifying at 11:30AM on FS2. While IMSA’s 140mins race featuring just IMSA GTP and GTD competitors airs on USA Network at 2PM.

 

Sunday’s IndyCar’s morning warm-up is at 9:00AM on FS1, with the  race airing on the Flagship network FOX beginning at 1:30PM. While the command for Drivers, Start your Engines! Is listed for 1:15PM, according to the LBGPA schedule.

 

All times Pacific and subject to change; as Y’all try looking up this dearth ‘O information on your sometimes not updated Zap-2-It TV Guide! 

IndyCar 2025 season Changes

but will they Spice up the Show?

 

Yeah, this is old news, especially if you’ve been following IndyCar since the March 2nd St Pete kickoff. But once again, your Humble, but Haggard Head Scribe Tomaso simply cannot adequately Back-time’ everything to scribble about here upon No Fenders. Nor keep up with thoust Wurld de Motorsporten, Ja Volt!

 

Hey, Y’all try managing keeping track ‘O multiple racing series single handily on your ancient Selectric typewriter. Not to mention IndyCar tweaking it’s tyre allocation rules following St Pete for the Thermal Club’s cheese grader event! Due to the track’s super abrasive surface.

 

As here’s the major rule and regulation changes for this season.

 

Long Beach is the first of six races having their race distances altered. As this weekend’s event at The Beach adds five laps for a new total of 90-laps. With Mid-Ohio adding ten laps for a total of also 90-laps. While both of Iowa’s races add 25-laps for a total of 275. Toronto increases five laps for 90 total. And Nashville adds 19 for a total of 226-laps, in an effort to increase full “rich” race running. Taking away Scott Dixon’s fuel saving strategy He employed to win at Long Beach last year.

 

Firestone has changed it’s tyre allocation for Twisties’ race weekends, now seeing five sets of “Hard” primary and “Soft” alternates for road course and street circuits. With the exception of the previously mentioned Thermal club event, along with the Indianapolis road course event. Both reverting to last year’s allocation of six primary and four alternates.

 

Drivers will be allowed to run one set of alternates during Friday’s first practice, along with continuing the addition of one extra set of primary tyres for rookies. While Firestone was asked to provide a wider performance separation gap between the primary and alternate rubber compounds.

 

The 45mins “All Skate” session followed by the field split into two groups for 10min apiece sessions will continue this year at all road course and street circuit events.

 

A new, spec fuel meter has been mandated for this year’s competition, at the behest of engine manufacturers. As the mandatory fuel flow meter is produced by Sentronics, and is Slowsonic fuel flow meters are used in Formula 1, IMSA and World Endurance Championship competition.

 

In addition to the electronic LED race corner panels and safety workers local waving yellow flag. The in-cockpit yellow caution flag warning light will now be activated for these local caution flags to immediately warn drivers of an on-track yellow flag. Hoping to eliminate nasty (and costly) pile-ups like last year’s multi-car incident at Toronto’s Turn-1, caused by Pato O’Ward.

 

In the advent of a crash of 65G’s or higher, drivers custom molded seats and seat belts will be confiscated by IndyCar. As seat belts can stretch in such accidents, which the series already confiscated and destroyed these belts previously. While the driver seat confiscation adds a higher safety measure. The foam cockpit head-rest surround will also be inspected in such accidents, and then either deemed returnable or needing replacement.

 

Meanwhile, the Drivers Eye miniature helmet camera system will now only be utilized at four races this season. Possibly being tested at Long Beach during practice? In preparation for four drivers carrying the system in future races, i.e.; Barbers or Indy’s road course prior to the Indianapolis 500.

 

Yet with All of the on-screen graphics problems and Thermal Clubs Brownout, perhaps FOX will further delay this new wrinkle to its IndyCar TV coverage? 

F1: The Sting of Max

Ah, to “Float like A Butterfly”. Uhm, where’s’ Good ‘Ol George Foremen to Knock Yuhs Out!

 

After wading thru the pandemonium Ye Bloody Daily Mail rag was frothing about over thoust Axing of Liam Lawson. I have to say I mused to Thyself how la Scuderia must be most content to have the pressure taken off of them regarding their first ever double disqualification from a Grand Prix, eh? Although Ferrari will need to drastically improve at Suzuka, results-wise. Seriously, lagging behind Williams in the Constructors standings, Yikes!

 

Whilst I doubt I’ll ever be a fan of Max Blunderhead’s, nee Naximilian Verstappen. You cannot underestimate His driving prowess. As last year’s Sao Paolo Grand Prix still clearly stands out as His best drive to me.

 

Not to mention the immense amount ‘O pressure the Dutchman relieved for Red Bull by winning from pole on Sunday…

 

No, what peeves me off is the Free pass the Hierarchy at Red Bull Racing seemingly is getting somewhat, with it’s Mega’ Damage control spin job. Touting how this is being done to save Lawson’s future and for the good of the team, Bully!

 

Since I can no longer recall how long I’ve been scribbling here on No Fenders about der Helmut tossing out drivers like luke warm bathwater, Ja Volt! As how far back do we wish to go?

 

While the Pied Piper of F1 Chris Horner serenely states that they’re looking forward to Yuki Tsunoda’s vast wealth of experience to help sort out the troublesome RB21, Seriously? Hmm, why didn’t Horner and Dr. Helmut Marco see fit to put the Japanese driver in straight away? Or does the reported increase of Honda money have something to do with this change of heart?

 

As the names Scott Speed, Vitantonio Liuzzi and Sebastien Bourdais immediately spring to mind. While being reminded of Jaime Alguersuari, Jean-eric Vergne, Sebastian Buemi, etc.

 

Not to mention the harshness Nyck de Vries suffered during His ten race outing at Alphatauri. Before somebody named DannyRic’, aka Daniel Ricciardo replaced Him, and so it goes…

 

While it’s also been well documented over the fortunes of Maximus’ Hothead’s past Red Bull F1 teammates Pierre Gasly who was swapped mid-season for Alexander Albon. And then Albon being demoted to test and reserve driver in favour of Sergio Perez. All suffering crushing blows to their F1 careers as Verstappen’s teammate at the Big Bulls’ outfit since the Dutchman’s arrival in 2016.

 

Going back even further, it was also pointed out how Daniil Kvyat suffered a similar fate accompli as Lawson has. Although the Russian driver was at least given a full season before being demoted to Scuderia Toro Rosso in order to make way for Formula 1 Wunderkind Max Verstappen. While Gasly also suffered the same demotion before ultimately moving onto Alpine…

 

The saddest statement or indictment of Red Bull’s driver blunder is the fact that Lawson lasted only half as long as Japanese driver Yuji Ide did for Super aguri in 2006, Youza! Especially since I’d rate the 23yr old Kiwi’ Lawson as a far superior talent vs. Ide!

 

While to underscore the brilliance of Verstappen, to date Max has won 64 of Red Bull’s 123 victories, which I believe equates to over 50%! Not to mention His 41 pole positions equals more than one third of the team’s 104 to date. As Red Bull quickly approaches it’s 400th Grand Prix, a mere pittance vs. Ferrari’s All-time ledger of 1,100 and counting! Although Red Bull is only celebrating it’s 20th Anniversary in Formula 1 vs. Ferrari having raced since 1950.

 

While at least Marco’s willing to admit that Red Bull is missing the genious of Adrian Newey, as even Max says this year’s RB21 is a handful to drive!

 

Yet Tsunoda’s placement at Red Bull can surely only be seen as a stop-gap measure with Honda becoming Aston Martin’s Werks’ Power Unit (PU) supplier beginning next year. While Honda Racing Company president Koji Watanabe  has already confirmed that Honda’s funding of drivers at Red Bull will cease at year’s end. Thus presumably leaving the door open for either Lawson to return, or Isack Hadjar to join the roiling Hot driver barbeque at Red Bull.

 

But I’d say that Red Bull’s bigger problem is keeping Verstappen, since inevitably the Dutchman will either move to another F1 team or retire from the sport, leaving Red Bull in a vacuum! As Red Bull seemingly has nobody in it’s vaunted Junior Academy to emulate Max’s impressive winning tally for the Energy Drinks company…

 

As Grizzled F1 Journo’ Joe Saward notes, only two Red Bull Junior Academy drivers have won Grands Prix for Red Bull, i.e.; Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo. With Pierre Gasly winning once for Scuderia AlphaTauri, whilst Vettel made history winning both Toro Rosso and Red Bull’s maiden Grand Prix victory, if I remember correctly?

 

Meanwhile one of Red Bull’s two Blowhard, as ironically Joe Saward noted being somewhere in Hornerwald prior to the latest Red Bull Messopotamia. Noted that it wouldn’t be surprising for Lawson to outqualify Tsunoda in the Racing bull, which is noted for being quick in Qualie’.

 

And talk about pressure, as Yuki will be under immense scrutiny by His Home Nation’s Fans…

 

As this gives Alpine’s rookie Jack Doohan a slight reprieve, making me think of the following scenario. Imagine that Williams had justdumpedCarlos Sainz Jr. who’s reportedly been struggling for pace in the FW47 after just two races in favour of Alpine/Williams reserve driver Franco Colapinto…

 

As the Box score will show that Tsunoda finished P12 at Suzuka, with Lawson P17. Although one race doesn’t make a very large sample size. And in fairness to Lawson, Yuki’s in His fifth full season having just made His 90th start in Japan. While Lawson has only raced two partial seasons as a replacement driver, having just capped His 14th start

 

 As Formula 1 is a brutal sport, perhaps even Blood Sport, Eh? As the $64k question now is how well does Lawson progress from this setback? Or will the Red Bull Hierarchy see fit to replace Lawson at season’s end?

 

While “Wouldn’t It be Ironic”, (Alanis) if Verstappen and Tsunoda became future teammates at Aston Martin… 

Raging Bulls Showdown in Suzuka

But Don’t forget about Monsieur Hadjar, Wee-Wee!

 

Even though it was Alpine’s Jack Doohan’s Mega’ crash which arguably was thee Talking Point of Friday’s two practice sessions at Suzuka. Much Attenzione was being paid to the intra-squad Scrum of Red Bull’s “Junior” drivers, i.e.; Yuki Tsunoda v Liam Lawson. For which I decided to follow along…

 

Tsunoda wowed the Home crowd straight out of the box during (Free Practice) FP1, finishing an electrifying sixth for Red Bull, with newly demoted Liam Lawson P13 back at Racing Bulls. Yet Lawson flipped the script in FP2, with an impressive fifth, whilst Tsunoda was a lowly P18, the first driver in the 1:30’s.

 

Yet even more impressive was Lawson’s Racing Bulls teammate Isack Hadjar, who finished third in FP2, while the Wunderkind they’re all chasing, i.e.; Max Verstappen was eighth in FP2. With Max fifth and Hadjar eight inFP1.

 

Saturday’s FP3 saw the Red Bull quartet led by Max Blunderhead in fifth. Followed by Tsunoda ninth, Hadjar tenth and Lawson 12th.

 

Qualifying saw the two drivers not on our “Watch list”, i.e.; Verstappen and Hadjar once again outperforming the two Red Bull protagonists. With Hadjar getting much made over His apparent discomfort during Qualie’s Q1 session, when apparently His lap belt(s) were too tight!

 

Sky sports lead “Punter” Kroftie’, aka David Kroft deftly let Theodorre, not Lenny Kravitz due the heavy lifting on this subject. With Kravitz musing over how apparently Hadjar was in immense pain from His belts being too tight upon His lower extremity. Saying He wasn’t sure if His boxers or briefs were balling up underneath His Firesuit. Before saying that guest Pundit Jacques Villeneuve had more experience on the matter, before brief banter about fireproof boxers…

 

Whilst Kravitz prattled on about non-ferrous materials in regards to the F1 chassis titanium skid blocks sending sparks into the overly dry grass and igniting multiple grass fires! For which there inturn caused multiple Red Flags to be thrown in order for workers to dose each fire…

 

Reportedly the rookie Frenchman got the matter straightened out between Qualie’ sessions, feeling much better during Q2 and once again outperforming, by qualifying a fine seventh!

 

Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson were in lockstep with each other. Ultimately Lawson qualified one place ahead of a dejected Tsunoda. With Lawson P13 and Tsunoda P14 after Williams Carlos Sainz Jr. was demoted three places for blocking Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton on a “Hot” lap, and would start P15.

 

Verstappen put in what Frederico Suave, nee Fred Alonso called a magical lap, as nobody, including MaxiMillions’ saw Him pulling a Wabbit’ from His Nomex underwear, HaHa!

 

Pipping McLaren’s Lando Norris by one hundredth second for pole on His final “Flyer” qualifying lap! Being Blunderhead’s 41st pole position, for which Verstappen was obviously overjoyed.

 

And then the “Money” round, nee Sunday’s race certainly wasn’t worth staying up until thoust wee hours of the morning! As I opted for the Sunday morning encore presentation Chock-Oh-Block Full of the Mothers Shoe Polish lady Nicole Briscoe cooing in our ears…

 

As I found it to be a very  dull race, dare I say another F1 Snoozefest? As Verstappen led wire-to-wire from pole. With the only time Lando Norris got close to overtaking Max was during the duo’s lone pitstop, where they came out virtually wheel-to-wheel, with Norris going onto the grass in order to kee from hitting Max. Before it was Game over!

 

Isack Hadjar dropped one position to Lewis Hamilton, finish eighth. While Tsunoda trundled home P12. Obviously not what Yuki or His adoring Japanese fans wished for.

 

While Liam Lawson went backwards during the race, finishing two positions behind another under fire driver, Alpine’s Jack Doohan. With Lawson finishing a rather lackluster P17… 

Tornado Hits John force Racing, Brownsburg and Indiana

Aerial view of EF-2 category Twister that left it’s indelible mark upon locals in Indiana.

 

No Fenders Offical’ Photographer Carpets’ alerted me to the news regarding the tornado that struck Brownsburg, Indiana and other nearby areas of Fishers, Carmel, etc.

 

Many homes and businesses were damaged, and some presumably destroyed during the tornado that struck around 9:40PM Wednesday night. With winds reportedly reaching a peak velocity of 120mph!

 

An Industrial Park along I-74 in Brownsburg was in the path of the tornado, knocking down a Sur La Table warehouse, along with damaging a nearby O’Reilly’s warehouse. Including tossing semi-truck trailers around like rag dolls at the O’Reillys Distribution Center!

 

Brownsburg is home to many NHRA teams, where unfortunately John force Racing’s (JHR) facility wasn’t spared in the destructive wake of the tornado. For which the following image supposedly shows damage to their shop’s roof.

 

Ironically, when awaiting for the United States Grand Prix MotoGP race from Austin, Texas to finally be shown on FS1 last Sunday evening. I had Thy Telie’ turned on and happened to catch “Fast Jack” Beckman win the NHRA Winter Nationals at Pomona, CA. Before hearing Beckman triumphantly noting how He was part of nine drivers who’d won 143 times and the “boss” John force had won 157 times to give JFR it’s 300th Funny Car win, Staggering!

 

As it sounds like it will take a long time for Brownsburg and the rest of those impacted in Indiana to rebuild and restore their premises…

 

Image C/O No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’ 

Disappointment abounds over Airwaves, at Racetrack

Can you Hear me now Fox and IndyCar Radio? As I just remembered that ‘Ol Internet  Error code 404…

 

Jumping ahead of myself here. But as David Land recently used the word “Optics” in His discussion regarding the Thermal Club IndyCar race. I’d have to say that MotoGP has a Ginormous optics issue Stateside!

 

As seriously, the lone United States Grand Prix isn’t even aired live, WTF! And dually treated like the proverbial Red Headed Step Seester’ by being aired at 6:30PM Pacific on FS1. Although that’s only if the NASCAR race at Martinsville doesn’t run long, or the NHRA experience any problems…

 

As how many people will either know about where the MotoGP race is being broadcasted or care about tuning in?

 

“It’s A Shame, such A Shame

No one was able to ease the pain

A Red-Headed Wild Flower

Growing in the wrong garden”

 

Sing it Little River Band…

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAe7ARwDYzU

 

Yet this No Fenders post is supposed to be about the Thermal Club IndyCar race, along with the Chinese Grand Prix Formula 1 held in Shanghai, which for Mwah, were both fairly processional races. Whilst I’ll leave the debate over whether or not IndyCar should return to the Thermal Club for others to pontificate over.

 

Surely Y’all have read, heard or witnessed FOX’s “Brownout” during the Thermal Club IndyCar race. Which according to the IndyStar’s Nathan Browne lasted for 20 mins from approximately lap 28 to 42, when a circuit breaker “tripped” itself in one of the two IMS Productions Broadcast Trucks. As the root cause seems to have been the Heat, with the Fahrenheit nudging up against 90 degrees ambient.

 

Yet one must say it’s a sad state of affairs when your default is to switch to the NASCAR race in progress whilst trying to fix this failure…

 

Being ensconced once again on the tranquil Vashon Island for the St Pete IndyCar season opener. I grew very annoyed with the multiple Dumping's the IndyCar Radio Broadcast had during the race. Even totally losing the broadcast twice, for which I just had to wonder if it was our internet service on Ye Island? Although as far as I know, no Washington Sate ferry’s have “accidently” cut any telecommunications cables from the Mainland, but I digress…

 

Yet the Thermal Club’s IndyCar Radio broadcast mimicked St Pete’s, Urgh! As perhaps the new IMS Production trucks have a new Bark ‘O Meter installed? Since it seems that whenever Mark Gravelly’ James goes into full-stop manufactured frothing, Screaming excitement, the Intrawoods’ drops the broadcast! Thus again, the programme went “Dark” on the opening lap of the race, as I frantically refreshed the page to try finding out what I’d missed? When apparently Sparky’, aka Devlin DeFrancesco tried His Bestest Paul Tracy Chrome Horn treatment on ScottyMac’, ergo Scott McLaughlin. With Sparky’ chirping at McLaughlin after the race…

 

Then again, the Internets’ feed Dumped when James went into a lather over Alex Palou chasing down the race’s leader Pato O’Ward, WTF! Actually it was All of the excitement over Palou going wheel-to-wheel with Christian Lundgaard which I had to frantically refresh. And then again at the finish of the race!

 

Hmm, perhaps the new, waxed string used for IndyCar Radio events melted in the Coachella Valley Heat, Eh?

 

And this doesn’t include when the broadcast was dropped momentarily before resuming broadcasting. With James noting how they’d lost timing and scoring during the race, presumably when FOX had gone Dark for those twenty minutes.

 

Although there was less dropping of the broadcast for this second race of the season. Nonetheless, when Dumping at the race’s crucial points, it just makes the whole event feel overly disjointed and somewhat hard to enjoy! Since after all I’d Arse-sume that most of us loyal, diehard racing Aficionados tune-in for entertainments sake, Eh? And I’d guess that the touted Youth Generation Demographic IndyCar is so desperately chasing doesn’t put up with such continuing nonsense!

 

Meanwhile,you’d have to say that the Chinese Grand Prix was even duller than the IndyCar race, for which I was happy with the outcome of Oscar Piastri, my Numero doce F1 driver leading wire-to-wire. As the only real excitement during the Sunday morning’s 9AM Pacific replay,Err Encore presentation with copious amounts of the Mothers shoe Polish lady Nicole Briscoe’s insessant interuptions was the Ferrari Boyz’ playing Argie-Bargie. As what front wing endplate Ma? As Leclerc is Faster than you Louis, please confirm…

 

Nope, the real Shanghai fireworks occurred some three hours after the race, when both Suderiea cars were DQ’ed, the first time in Ferrari’s 75yr history to have both racecars disqualified from an event! Although Pierre Gasly’s Alpine was also disqualified.

 

Both Gasly and Leclerc’s cars were disqualified due to being underneath the minimum weight, presumably due to running ultra-long stints on the Hard Pirelli tyre compound, having both been one kilo underweight, i.e.; 2.2lbs.

 

As recall that George Russell was stripped of His victory at Spa-Francorchamps last year when suffering a similar fate, having run an extra-long stint on the hard rubber compound, albeit several other drivers at Shanghai also ran long stints to no detriment. Meaning that Ferrari and Alpine simply cut the margins too close.

 

Hamilton’s Ferrari SF25 was disqualified for excessive plank wear, with the minimum allowance being 9mm after race’s end. WithLouis’s Ferrari measuring 8.6mm on both the RHS and Centerline, and 8.5mm on the LHS, or visa-versa, since I don’t remember now. Other than the “Jabarock” glass infused “plank” to prevent teams from running their chassis too low was worn below the minimum ground clearance, and so it goes…

 

And that’s before we even get to Red Bull’s latest round of Driver Whackamole! Whilst hopefully IndyCar can sort out it’s media transmissions issues before Long Beach, which presumably will be another Hot race? 

Andretti to Back new Racing venture

This just received from IndyCar…

 

CONCORD, NC

For Immediate Release

 

Michael Andretti, former owner of Andretti Global, in conjunction with Jay Frye, former NTT IndyCar Series President and Gavin Ward, former Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team Principal, will partner to race fulltime in the 2026 NASCAR Cup series

 

The team to be known as Phoenix Racing, will also run a limited schedule this summer, beginning with the inaugural Mexico City NASCAR race. Followed by Chicago’s Street race, Sonoma, Indianapolis, Watkins glen and Daytona.

 

Andretti will serve as Chairman of Phoenix Racing, which has received permission from James Finch to use it’s namesake, who previously operated Phoenix Racing between 1990 and 2013 with multiple drivers such as2004 NASCAR Cup champion Curt Busch, Brad Keselowski, Scott Pruett, Ron Fellows, A.J. Allmendinger, Jacques Villeneuve, Mike Wallace, Geoffry Bodine and others.

 

As the team wished to run with Finch’s traditional No. 51, but that number is currently utilized by Cody Ware of Rick Ware Racing. And thus the team’s single car entry will sport the No. 44, also synonymous with Phoenix Racing, which Brad Keselowski won the team’s lone NASCAR race at Talladega’s Super Speedway’s 2009 Aaron’s 499 Sprint cup event.

 

The team will include all of Phoenix Racing’s past Sprint Cup history as part of it’s newly created heritage.

 

Jay Frye, well known in IndyCar circles, has a wealth of former NASCAR and World of Outlaws experience. Dating back to the early 1990’s as then Valvoline’s motorsports sponsorship director , working with Roush Racing and driver Mark Martin. Along with establishing Valvoline’s relationship with NASCAR’s preeminent team Hendrick Motorsports.

 

Frye was instrumental in setting up the MB2 Motorsports NASCAR Cup team in 1997 when the Mars Corporation was seeking to start a new NASCAR race team with Rick Hendrick. As MB2 saw Ernie Irvan score three pole positions the following season, including that year’s Brickyard 400.

 

MB2 Motorsports expanded to a two car operation in 2000, with driver Johnny Benson Jr. winning the team’s first NASCAR race at Rockingham in 2002. MB2 Motorsports sold the majority of it’s ownership to Bobby Ginn in 2006, with Frye retaining an 20% ownership stake. Renamed as Ginn Racing, the team then merged with Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 2007.

 

Frye then went to work for Red Bull Racing’s NASCAR operation, helping drivers A.J. Allmendinger and Bryan Vickers improve dramatically. As Frye was named Executive of the Year by both ESPN and the Kansas city Star in 2008 after Vickers finished 19th overall.

 

Vickers would score the team’s first of two wins at Michigan International Speedway the following year, while Kasey Kahne would claim the second and final Red bull Racing NASCAR victory at Phoenix International Raceway in 2011, before Red Bull shuttered it’s NASCAR operation. For 2012, Frye joined Hendrick Motorsports as an Executive for Business development.

 

In November, 2013, Frye became the Chief revenue Officer of Hulman Motorsports, overseeing both it’s IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway operations. Frye then next served as President of IndyCar Competition before being named the President of the NTT IndyCar Series in 2018, before leaving the organization after ten years in February, 2025.

 

We felt that Jay Frye with His wealth of NASCAR expertise and vast network of both IndyCar and NASCAR participants, along with seeing the introduction of technical innovations such as the Aeroscreen and hybrid Energy Recovery System, (ERS) make Him the perfect fit to serve as team principal.

 

Gavin Ward, new to NASCAR, will serve as the team’s Technical Director, reporting directly to Frye. As Ward who studied Automotive Engineering at Oxford Brookes University, held various roles with Red bull Racing in formula 1.

 

Ward worked with the likes of David Coulthard, Mark Webber, Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo during His Red Bull tenure as a Race Engineer and Aerodynamicist before moving onto Indy Cars.

 

In 2018, Ward joined Team Penske as Josef Newgarden’s race engineer, amassing 13 wins along with winning the 2019 NTT IndyCar Series Championship before moving to Arrow McLaren where He served as the team’s Director of Trackside Engineering initially in 2022.

 

Ward then rose to become Arrow McLaren’s Team Principal before departing at the end of 2024, and is known for His “People first” mentality and plans to build another strong racing organization with Phoenix Racing.

 

Andretti is planning to run former Spire Motorsports driver Cory Lajoe at the team’s two Oval races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Daytona International Speedway later this summer. As Lajoe has a wealth of experience on Super Speedways. And will make His racing debut for Phoenix Racing at the Brickyard 400.

 

Andretti claims the team is looking at a possible Open Exemption Provisional )OEP entry for World Class International drivers for next year’s Daytona 500, with the driver to be named later. Although Andretti did mention the possibility of the likes of Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, or even Helio Castroneves whom Andretti knows well from His IndyCar days.

 

Phoenix Racing will campaign a single Ford Mustang out of the former Money Team premises in Mooresville, North Carolina, in a technical alliance with Gene Haas’s Haas Factory Team entry, utilizing former Stewart Haas Racing Ford Mustang chassis.

 

Andretti plans to become a two car operation next season. As Andretti is confident that at least one NASCAR Charter can be acquired for the 2026 season, but wouldn’t comment further. Saying more information would be provided later this year.

 

While also noting that the team had a further two exciting drivers in the pipeline for its 2025 road courses and street circuit NASCAR events, who would also be named shortly, along with their various sponsors. Noting how fans would be very excited over their Mexico City driver. 

Wood Brothers Honour Jimmy Clark

As almost makes me wanna “Tune-in” to this NASCAR race…

 

Ran across the following article when scurrying thru Racer.com to “See” what has happened in Ye Wurld de Motorsporten whilst away from Thy Gory keyboard…

 

Very cool to read that the Wood Brothers of NASCAR fame are honouring Jimmy Clark’s 1965 Indianapolis 500 victory with a Throwback theme Ford Mustang at Darlington over April 5-6.

 

The No. 21 Wood Brothers entry of Josh Berry will be resplendent in the iconic Lotus colours of Colin Chapman’s British racing green and yellow. Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Clark’s Indianapolis 500 victory. The first for Ford and the first for a rear engine racecar.

 

While this year also commemorates the 75th Anniversary of the legendous’ Wood Brothers racing team. With Glen, Leonard, Delano and Ray Lee Wood amongst Clark’s Pit crew at Mother Speedway that May sixty years ago. Having been brought aboard the Lotus Indianapolis effort to speed up the team’s pit stops, which saw Clark lead 190 of 200 laps that day!

 

The Wood Brothers tribute car was presented at the Henry Ford museum in Dearborn with Clark’s Lotus alongside. And the Wood Brothers received the full blessing of Clive Chapman, son of Colin for the Throwback livery… 

MotoGP’s 2025 Season gets off to Rough Start

Even though The Boyz’ are Back on the Championship Trail now…

 

Yeah, it’s old news over the spate ‘O crashes during the Sepang Pre-season test prior to going racing at Thailand on March 2nd. As MotoGP seems to be the hardest of the major racing categories for me to follow, other than “Watching”, Err listening via TruTV, even if my Gory Freakin’ Cable TV bill just increased again, seriously Spectrum? Right, I keep forgetting Spectrum’s motto, We Care, chuh-Ching!

 

Thus we know that thee Martinator’, nee Jorge Martin crashed heavily and broke His hand and fractured a foot during testing, reportedly also shattering His helmet’s visor upon landing violently! Requiring surgery to His right hand to place a screw in a metacarpal. While supposedly His left foot wasn’t operated on.

 

As I’d have to say that Moto Matter’s David Emmett gave the most “clear” observation of what really happened at Sepang during Martin’s “High-side” crash on Day-1 of testing. Noting how Aprilia Boss Massimo Rivola’s “Job” is to shield His star rider from media  criticism. Blaming Michelin for Jorge’s crash, while the tyre supplier’s infra-red tyre casing sensor noted Martin’s inside tyre temperature being lower than prescribed.

 

Thus I’d agree that Martin simply pushed to hard too soon on a “cold” Michelin tyre and paid the price for His normal aggressiveness just an hour into testing…

 

Meanwhile Aprilia satellite Trackhouse Racing rider Raul Fernandez also crashed at Sepang on Day-1, breaking a meta carpel in His hand a la Martin; with no word if both Aprilia crashes were tyre related?

 

Whilst sadly, one of my many favourite MotoGP riders, Fabio di Giannantonio broke His collarbone at Sepang when doing a “Wheelie” that went wrong, Butterfingers!

 

All three riders underwent immediate surgery in Europe. With both Martin and di Giannantonio skipping the final Pre-season test on February 10-12 at the Chang International Circuit in order to be fit for the season opener. While Trackhouse confirmed that Fernandez would attempt to take part in the final test at Buriran, in order to get more valuable “Saddle”, Err Seat-time.

 

Whilst I’ve no idea how long di Giannantonio’s injury recovery time will be? Although Arse-sume He’ll be racing with a titanium plate or hardware attached to His damaged collarbone in order to resume racing…

 

Then on the Monday preceding the season opener Thailand MotoGP race, Martin injured Himself again in a training accident. This time suffering multiple fractures to His left hand, including the thumb carpal!

 

Thus Jorge needed further surgery to repair His broken wrist. And was set to miss at least the Thailand race with test rider Lorenzo Savadori replacing Him. Although I don’t see how Martin will be suitably recovered for the Argentina round a Fortnight later.

 

Having been away on Holiday once again, Groan! During both the Thai and Argentine Grands Prix, obviously I don’t know the current health status of these three riders, albeit Martin seems the most doubtful to have raced yet?

 

Whilst naturally, I Arse-sume that di Giannantonio and Fernandez have been competing, and that Ducati as typical has won the first two rounds at Thailand and Argentina. Presumably an intra-team scrum between Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia and Marc Marquez. For which are Emmett’s choice for who’ll win this year’s MotoGP title. As talk about going out on a limb with that prediction…

 

And will this weekend’s U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit Of The Americas (COTA) see Ye Pinball Wizard’, nee Marc Marquez return to His throne as King of COTA, now that He’s once again on a fully competitive Scooter’, having crushed the competition so far!

 

Whilst in my absence, Jorge Martin divulged the Thursday prior to the Argentine GP that His recovery was taking longer then expected. And that not only would He not compete in Argentina, but would also definitely miss the COTA round. Along with prossibly the following Qatar Grand Prix. Which I’m guessing He’ll miss. Meaning theMartinator’ will presumably miss at least the first four rounds of this year’s MotoGP Championship, scuttling His title defense… 

RETRO: More Fallen Racing Drivers from The “friendly Skies”

When it’s not always best to be traveling by Small plane…

 

Of my short list of drivers to fall into this ghoulish category, obviously the most famous is Graham Hill. For which I’d forgotten that this November will be the 50th Anniversary of His death. As Hill and five others perished on November 29, 1975.

 

Hill was a two-times Formula 1 World champion, (1962, 1968)  winner of the 1966 Indianapolis 500 as a rookie. And won  the 1972 24 Heurs du Mans along with five Monaco Grands Prix. And is still the only winner of the mythical Triple Crown, i.e.; Indianapolis 500, 24 Hours of Le Mans and Monaco Grand Prix, that surely Frederico Suave has now given up upon, ci?

 

Hill won 14 races and 13 poles between 1958 and 1975, then setting the endurance mark for most Grands Prix starts at 176, before Jacques Laffite tied Him eleven years, two months and two days later at the 1986 British Grand Prix. While Fernando Alonso made His momentous 400th Grands Prix start last December at Qatar, and has longs since doubled Hill and Laffite’s accomplishment…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2024/12/f1-alonso-officially-starts-his-400th.html

 

I’ll freely admit that I’d forgotten the name of the other Formula 1 driver on that fateful flight. As 23yr old Tony Brise was onboard, along with four other team members.

 

Briese was Hill’s protégé, having effectively replaced Hill at His namesake’s F1 team Embassy Hill Racing, following Graham’s retirement from Formula 1 after failing to qualify for the 1975 Monaco Grand Prix. Making a total of ten Grands Prix starts over His short F1 career.

 

Brise had impressed in the unheard of MCB International Formula Antlantic Championship in 1975. Winning six consecutive races enroute to the title and thus catching the eye of sir Frank Williams. Deputizing for the injured Jacques Laffite, Brise made His Formula 1 debut at that year’s Spanish Grand Prix, finishing seventh. Yet perhaps it was an omen? As the race saw the deaths of four spectators…

 

Returning from testing their 1976 F1 challenger, the Hill GH2 racecar at Circuit Paul Ricard. With 46yr old Hill at the controls of His six seater Aeroplane on a night flight in rapidly diminishing skies, as the London Fog got thicker ‘n thicker. Hill most likely misjudged the Elstree Airfield in the fog. First grazing a tall tree at the nearby Golf course upon approach with the Aztec’s landing gear and flaps deployed. Before hitting further trees. With the plane then rolling right before it’s wingtip dug int the ground and the plane erupted into fire, killing all six persons immediately!

 

As Hill, Brise, Embassy Hill team manager Ray Brimble, Designer Andy Smallman and mechanics Tony Alcock and Terry Richards perished aboard the twin engine Piper PA-23 Aztec on a night when Hill should have diverted to His secondary airfield for landing. As a previous airplane had aborted three attempts of landing at Elstree Three hours earlier, when unable to either see the field’s lights or spotting them too late upon approach due to the thick fog…

 

The only driver on this short list to have a racing circuit named in His honour is the unheralded Jose Carlos Pace, a “One Hit” wonder. Having won His Home Grand Prix in 1975 in Sao Paolo at Interlagos, better known today as Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace. Formerly known as the Autodromo de Interlagos, site of the Brazilian Grand Prix, beginning in 1972. And known as the Sao Paolo Grand Prix since 2021.

 

Carlos began His F1 career driving for Frank Williams, making His debut at the 1972 South African Grand Prix. Then switched to Surtees between 1973, to Mid-season 1974, before falling out with John Surtees.

 

After driving a privateer Goldie Hexagon Racing Brabham entry in France, Carlos switched to the Brabham team for the remainder of His F1 career. Winning the Brazilian Grand Prix in ’75, when He and teammate Carlos Reutemann regularly featured up front. Leading Brabham to second in the Formula 1 constructors Championship behind the wheel of the BT44 Ford-Cosworth DFV V-8.

 

Yet the following season, Brabham’s fortunes dipped when switching to the heavier Alfa Romeo Flat 12 lumps’ that team owner Bernie Ecclestone had secured. Before improvement shone with the new V-12 units, along with Carlos new teammate John Watson before catastrophe struck.

 

A native of Sao Paolo, Pace died in a light plane accident in March, 1977 at Age 32, leaving behind a wife and two children…

 

Like most drivers of the day, Pace also raced in Sports Cars. Most notably finishing runner-up in the 1973 24 Heurs du Mans driving a Werks’ Scuderia Ferrari 312PB with Arturo Merzario.

 

The final two members of my short list hail from IndyCar’s Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) era. And Diehard IndyCar Aficionados will know who they are…

 

 

Al Holbert is seemingly more synonymous with His Sports Car career vs. Open wheel Racing. Having won five IMSA GT Championships along with being one of nine Triple Crown Endurance race winners, i.e.; Daytona, Sebring and Le Mans.

 

Having previously scribbled about Messer Holbert’s exploits in my No Fenders five-part Le Mans Triple Crown saga…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2023/10/le-mans-triple-crown-winners-part-3.html

 

Yet I tend to forget that Holbert ran a single season in CART during 1984 for Alex Morales Motorsports in an March/Cosworth chassis. Claiming three top tens, and two top fives; including a career best fourth place finish at that year’s Indianapolis 500, finishing ahead of fellow rookie Michael Andretti…

 

In September, 1988, sadly upon takeoff from nearby Columbus, Ohio, a clamshell door that wasn’t closed caused Holbert’s Piper PA-60 Aerostar to crash. Fatally killing Al Holbert then just age 41.

 

Tony Bettenhausen Jr. surely lived under the shadow of His Father, like All Bettenhausen’s did, Righto? Especially with Pops’ or Senior being a two-times National Champion and winner of 21 races.

 

Thought that Tony Lee Bettenhausen Jr. had contested far more than the 103 IndyCar races over His driving career between 1979 to 1993. Capping His driving career at that year’s Indianapolis 500, finishing P22 in a Penske PC22/Chevrolet.

 

And like I’ve typed before, Tony’s remembered more to Mwah as a CART team owner with those sharp looking Alumax year old Penske chassis…

 

Sadly, on Valentines Day 2000, Tony, with wife Shirley and businessmen Russ Roberts and Larry Rangel died in a small plane crash in Harrison County, Kentucky, enroute to Indianapolis after attending CART Spring Training at Homestead, Florida.

 

As here’s a long ago No Fenders yarn I scribbled’ about the Bettenhausen’s and Vukovich’s…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2011/05/retro-bettenhausens-n-vukovichs-unsung.html 

RETRO: The Not so “Friendly Skies”

As Buckle-up Y’all, we’re in for another Bumpy ride…

 

Yeah, I suppose this story is a Wee’ bytamite Ghoulish, Err maudlin. But I came across some “new” old Formula 1 characters I simply wanted to scribble about. As it was the totally unknown Jose Dolhem that sparked this story’s topic…

 

Following the Washington D.C. Midair Crash involving a American Eagle TSA Airlines bombardier BRJ701ER passenger jet and U.s. Army Blackhawk Helicopter, killing all 67 persons involved, I learned the following from a recent article in the New York Times.

 

“More than 90 percent of the country’s 313 air traffic control facilities operate below the Federal Aviation Administration’s recommended staffing levels. (According to an analysis of staffing data from the union representing controllers obtained by The New York Times)

As of earlier this month, (January)  285 facilities — which include traffic control towers and other locations — were below staffing thresholds set by the F.A.A. and the union. At 73 of those facilities, staffing is so low that at least a quarter of the work force is missing. Even though the U.S. air travel system remains among the safest in the world.

 

Efforts already underway to hire and train new controllers are expected to fall short of staffing demands, according to F.A.A. projections. Nearly three-quarters of facilities will still remain below recommended staffing levels after a long training process.

Improving the ranks may not happen quickly. It can take over four years to train a new air traffic controller at a certain facilities. At Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the site of the crash this week, (January 29^th) training takes nearly 16 months, the data shows.”

 

Perhaps it’s just Mwah? But has anybody realized the irony of this deadly crash at Reagan National Airport, and that wasn’t it ‘Ol ronnie’ (Reagan) Himself who famously Fired Air Traffic Controllers for striking? Or something to that effect Wayback’ in the 1980’s, Righto

 

Hmm, perhaps El Presidente Fired All of those career service Federal Employees in order to free up “staff” for the woefully understaffed Air Traffic Control facilities, Eh?

 

Nah, as the Emperor was modeling His latest duds’ at the Day-Toner’ 500, His administration was busy firing thousands of Air Traffic Controllers!

 

Oh yeah, I keep forgetting, we’re gonna do More with less now, Oh Never Mind!

 

Yep indeedy’, Ronald Reagan Fired 11,000 of the 13,000 striking Air Traffic Controllers in 1981, for which arguably, we’re still feeling the effects of today!

 

But back to the totally unknown Jose Dolhem that sparked this No Fenders story, as Y’all know who that is, Righto? Nope, I’d never heard of Him previously either…

 

Louis Jose Lucien Dolhem was born on April 26, 1944 in Paris, France. Making His debut in the 1971 European formula 2 Championship, driving for the Siffert Racing Team. Finishing P14 at the Autodromo di Vallelunga aboard a Chevron B18 Ford Cosworth.

 

Jose’s F2 career was mediocre, before He attempted qualifying for three Formula 1 races in 1974. Failing to qualify (DNQ) upon His debut at the French Grand Prix for the Surtees Racing Organisation F1 Team, aboard a Surtees TS16 naturally aspirated 3.0-litre Ford-Cosworth DFV V-8 entry.

 

Dolhem then again failed to qualify (DNQ) at Monza, before finally qualifying for the season finale U.S. Grand Prix at Watkins Glen.

 

Unfortunately on lap-10, fellow Surtees teammate Helmut Koinigg suffered suspension failure at Turn-2, shooting Him into the nearby Armco. Yet this Armco had been improperly secured, killing the Austrian instantly upon being Decapitated! Thus Surtees immediately withdrew Dolhem from the race.

 

Jose would have passed into obscurity again, exceptfor one personal fact I found quite interesting. As He was the Half brother &And first cousin) of future Formula 1 racer Didier Pironi.

 

Dolhem was killed in a light plane accident at Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert Loire Saint-Etienne on April 16, 1988 at Age 43. Ironically dying just eight months after Pironi (Age 35) succumbed during an Offshore Powerboat race near the Isle of Wight. While both Dolhem and Pironi are buried together in the same plot in Southern France.

 

David Charles Purley, born on January 26, 1945 in Bognor Regis, Sussex, England, led a most colourful life. From surviving a British Army  parachute training exercise when His parachute didn’t open! No Lucas Electric Jokes Here, Yall! To surviving a massive “G” loading crash, to ultimately dying in a small plane accident.

 

David’s father was the proprietor of LEC Refrigeration in Jolly ‘Ol England, which Purley would run under the banner of during His brief Formula 1 career.

 

David made His Formula 1 debut in the 1973 Monaco Grand Prix, making eleven entries between 1973 to 1977. With a best finish of ninth in the 1973 Italian Grand Prix during His seven starts.

 

Purley is most renown for His gallant but fruitless attempt to rescue countryman and F1 competitor Roger Williamson at the ‘73 Dutch Grand Prix. For which He was subsequently awarded the George medal for His bravery and valour.

 

Whilst Purley also survived a Mega’ high G-Force accident at Silverstone in 1977. Incurring an estimated G-Force deceleration of 180 G’s, when going from 108mph to 0mph in just over one foot (26-inches) due to a stuck throttle!

 

Following retirement from F1, He took up acrobatic flying and unfortunately, was killed in His Pitts Special Acrobatic Biplane in July, 1985. Crashing into the English Channel at Age 40.

 

Austrian Harald Ertl is another of the countless unknown F1 drivers that litter the History books. Born in 1948, Ertl went to the same school that fellow Austrian racers Jochen Rindt, Niki “The Rat” Lauda and Der Helmut’, aka Dr. Helmut Marco attended…

 

Ertl was most definitely an F1 Journeyman driver, plying His trade between 1975 to 1980. Making a total of 19 starts from 38 entries – a 50% “strike” rate.

 

Arguably, Ertl’s claim to fame is being one of the four drivers who pulled Lauda from His Ferrari at the Nurburgring in 1976. When Ertl, Brett Lunger, who was collected by Lauda’s careening racecar. Guy Edwards and Arturo Merzario rescued Lauda from the inferno His Ferrari was engulfed in!

 

Ertl, a motorsports Journalist did find success in Touring Cars before dying at Age 33 on April 7, 1982. When the small plane He was traveling in experienced engine problems…