Latest news with #LagunaSeca
Fox News
2 days ago
- Sport
- Fox News
INDYCAR Power Rankings: Pato O'Ward Dethrones Alex Palou, Moves To No. 1
Print Close Published July 21, 2025 Yes, Alex Palou is expected to win the championship. A couple of wins by Pato O'Ward isn't going to change that. But O'Ward winning two of the last three races? Yes, Palou won the race between, but that's enough to lift O'Ward to the top of the rankings. And that's because Pato's other finish was a fifth, while Palou has a fifth and a 12th in the two races he didn't win. How long will he stay there? Both drivers are strong at Laguna Seca Raceway, the site of the race this weekend. Here are this week's power rankings after Toronto: Dropped out: Josef Newgarden (Last Week: 8), Santino Ferrucci (Last Week: 10) On the verge: Conor Daly, Josef Newgarden, Will Power 10. Rinus VeeKay (Last Week: Not Ranked) VeeKay enjoyed his first podium finish in three years with a second at Toronto. But it also was his seventh top 10 of the season. Few would expect that from a Dale Coyne driver. 9. Colton Herta (Last Week: Not Ranked) A fourth-place finish might have been mildly disappointing for the Andretti driver, considering he won from the pole last year. But it still was a more than respectable finish and his fourth top five of the season. 8. David Malukas (Last Week: 9) Malukas finished ninth at Toronto for his fourth top 10 in his last eight starts. Maybe the most impressive thing about his ninth-place finish was that he started 15th. 7. Christian Lundgaard (Last Week: 7) Lundgaard finished 13th in a little bit of an off-day in a race where an Arrow McLaren teammate won. He's still fifth in the season point standings. 6. Felix Rosenqvist (Last Week: 5) Rosenqvist battled an ill-handling car after suffering damage early and ended up hitting the wall with a few laps remaining. The Meyer Shank driver is sixth in the season standings. 5. Marcus Armstrong (Last Week: 4) Armstrong got an early penalty for avoidable contact and never could dig himself out of the hole with the strategy, as he finished 14th. A frustrating day for the Meyer Shank driver after starting third. He is seventh in the season standings. 4. Kyle Kirkwood (Last Week: 6) Kirkwood started sixth and finished sixth at Toronto and moved up a spot to third in the standings. It wasn't the great street-course race he has had at times earlier this year, but the Andretti driver just needed a good day after a horrible Iowa. 3. Scott Dixon (Last Week: 3) Dixon finished 10th in a race where the Ganassi drivers didn't come out on the right end of the strategy. He now sits ninth in the series standings. 2. Alex Palou (Last Week: 1) No one will cry for Palou. His strategy to start on primary tires ended up not being the right one, and he finished 12th. He still has a comfortable points lead at 99 over O'Ward with four races remaining. The Ganassi driver doesn't have much to worry about. 1. Pato O'Ward (Last Week: 2) O'Ward should enjoy having won two of the last three races and that hey came on two different tracks — a short oval (Iowa) and a street course (Toronto). That win on Sunday was a big one and shouldn't be underestimated on what it could do for him and his future. Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass. Print Close URL
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Time And Tide, Knotty Blush, Whirlwind and Laguna Seca impress
Time And Tide, Knotty Blush, Whirlwind and Laguna Seca impressed when the horses were exercised here on Wednesday morning (July 16). Inner sand: 600m: Rieko (rb) 39. Pleased. Outer sand: 600m: Empress Bella (C. Umesh) 45.5. Moved freely. Circle Of Dreams (Shreyas) 45.5. Easy. Mighty Hero (Ritesh G) 44. In fine trim. My Solitaire (Chetan K) 44. Worked well. 1000m: Forest Fragrance (Hindu S) 1-16, 600/42. Pleased. War Trail (Chetan K) 1-14.5, 600/45. Moved on the bit. Mega Success (Jagadeesh) 1-14.5, 600/42.5. Moved attractively. Knotty Blush (R. Pradeep) 1-14, 600/40. Catch the eye. Acantha (R. Pradeep) 1-13, 600/43. Strode out well. Tolkien (Antony) 1-15, 600/45.5. Easy. 1200m: Time And Tide (Akram) 1-27.5, 1,000/1-9.5, 600/39.5. In fine nick. Augusto (rb) 1-30, 1,000/1-14, 600/43.5. Shaped well. Whirlwind (Hindu S) 1-24, 1,000/1-9, 600/41.5. A fine display. Divine Right (Hindu S) 1-27, 1,000/1-12, 600/43. Impressed. 1400m: Sanya (rb) 1-45.5, (1,400-600) 58. Eased up. Laguna Seca (Hindu S) 1-41, 1,200/1-26.5, 1,000/1-12.5, 600/44. In fine condition. Continues (Sai Kiran), The Golden Dreams (R. Pradeep) 1-43.5, 1,200/1-27, 1,000/1-12, 600/42.5. A notable pair.
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Agrador, Big Bay, Flaming Sword, Laguna Seca and Vibrant Bliss shine
Agrador, Big Bay, Flaming Sword, Laguna Seca and Vibrant Bliss shone when the horses were exercised here on Wednesday morning (July 20 Inner sand: 1200m: Mountain Jewel (Akshay) 1-21, 1,000/1-6.5, 600/39. A fine display. Master Way (Shinde) 1-21, 1,000/1-7, 600/40. Stretched. Outer sand: 600m: Romping Home (Suraj) 42. Impressed. Charismatic (Srinath) 45. Moved on the bit. The Grey Geranium (R. Pradeep) 43.5. Easy. Prince Of Wales (Darshan N) 44. In fine trim. Sira (Vishal) 44. Moved freely. War Enyo (Afsar), Triple Star (Vishwa) 44. They finished level. 1000m: Agrador (Asirvatham) 1-10, 600/42. Moved attractively. Vibrant Bliss (Tousif) 1-11, 600/42. Pleased. Final Call (Neeraj) 1-13.5, 600/44.5. Easy. Flaming Sword (rb) 1-11.5, 600/42. Moved fluently. 1200m: Edmonton (rb) 1-27.5, 1,000/1-13.5, 600/44. In fine condition. Exuma (N.S. Parmar), Fortunate Son (Dhebe) 1-30, 1,000/1-14, 600/42.5. Former finished two lengths ahead. Ksepiman (G. Vivek) 1-26, 1,000/1-13, 600/44.5. Shaped well. Frederika (Sai Kiran) 1-24, 1,000/1-11, 600/44. Strode out well. Big Bay (Suraj), Golden Warrior (Vikrant) 1-24, 1,000/1-9, 600/41. Former finished six lengths ahead. Multi Success (Darshan N), Imperial Star (Prabhakaran) 1-31, 1,000/1-14.5, 600/43.5. Former started four lengths behind and finished six lengths ahead. 1400m: Amazing Stride (Neeraj) 1-43.5, 1,200/1-27, 1,000/1-11.5, 600/42.5. Moved impressively. Carter (Rayan), Thrill Of Brazil (Qureshi) 1-42.5, 1,200/1-26, 1,000/1-11, 600/43.5. Former finished three lengths ahead. Schoenberg (Hasib) 1-39, (1,400-600) 55. Eased up. Laguna Seca (Hindu S) 1-39, 1,200/1-24, 1,000/1-10.5, 600/43.5. A good display. 1600m: Mandarino (Arvind) 1-59, (1,600-600) 1-11.5. Eased up. Eaton Square (Vikrant), Gunsmoke (Suraj) 1-54.5, 1,400/1-39.5, 1,200/1-26.5, 1,000/1-13, 600/44.5. Latter started three lengths behind and finished level.
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Alfonsine, Prokofiev, Charismatic, Sovereign King, Laguna Seca and Amazing Stride shine
Alfonsine, Prokofiev, Charismatic, Sovereign King, Laguna Seca and Amazing Stride shone when the horses were exercised here on Thursday morning (May 29). Inner sand: 600m: Walking Thunder (I. Chisty) 40. Moved well. Del Aviz (Shreyas) 40.5. Easy. Outer sand: 600m: Exclusive Black (C.A. Brisson) 41.5. Impressed. Striking Viking (Vishal) 43. Strode out well. Double Your Money (Laxman S), Smooth Ranger (Vaibhav) 44. Former finished four lengths ahead. Joondalup (C. Umesh) 41.5. Impressed. 1000m: Angel Raphael (C. Umesh) 1-16, 600/43. Shaped well. Continues (Sai Kiran) 1-15, 600/45.5. Moved freely. Darrion (N. Darshan) 1-15, 600/42.5. Strode out well. 1200m: Cigar Galaxy (P. Trevor) 1-31, 1,000/1-15.5, 600/44. In fine trim. Charismatic (Shinde) 1-25, 1,000/1-10, 600/42.5. A good display. Mystic Charm (Akram) 1-25.5, 1,000/1-11, 600/41.5. Strode out well. Indian Blues (Rajesh K) 1-28, 1,000/1-14, 600/45. Moved freely. Laguna Seca (Hasib), Shine (Hindu S) 1-28, 1,000/1-11, 600/40.5. Former started four lengths behind and finished two lengths ahead. Mindful (Yash), Golden Warrior (Peter) 1-26, 1,000/1-12, 600/43. Former finished four lengths ahead. Grenoble (Hindu S), Roxxane (Hasib) 1-28.5, 1,000/1-11.5, 600/41.5. Former showed out. Amazing Stride (C. Umesh) 1-30, 1,000/1-11.5, 600/42. Moved fluently. 1400m: Alfonsine (G. Vivek) 1-34.5, 1,200/1-20.5, 1,000/1-7.5, 600/41.5. An excellent display. Refreshment (Mustakim) 1-38.5, 1,200/1-23.5, 1,000/1-9.5, 600/41.5. A fine display. Prokofiev (P. Trevor) 1-36, 1,200/1-21, 1,000/1-9.5, 600/41. Responded well to the urgings. Matisse (G. Vivek) 1-43.5, 1,200/1-27.5, 1,000/1-13.5, 600/44. Shaped well. Sovereign King (Antony) 1-37.5, 1,200/1-24, 1,000/1-10.5, 600/43. Moved fluently. Gate practice — inner sand: 1400m: Mystical Air (Darshan) 1-37.5, (1,400-600) 57. Jumped out well. Zorawar (Rozario), Zeppelin (Arvind) 1-43.5, (1,400-600) 55.5. Former finished three lengths ahead. My Visionary (Salman K), Dr. Colchester (Chetan K) 1-41, (1,400-600) 57. They jumped out well. Supernal (Ajinkya), Royal Whisper (rb), Lucero (Vivek) 1-38, (1,400-600) 52.5. Supernal impressed. Inicio (Shareef), Fiery Lexi (Shinde) 1-40.5, (1,400-600) 55.5. Former finished five lengths ahead. Southern Dynasty (Bhawani) 1-38.5, (1,400-600) 53.5. Jumped out well. Divine Secret (Neeraj), Catch The Worm (Shreyas), Hermod (I. Chisty) 1-38.5, (1,400-600) 51.5. First two named were the pick.
Forbes
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Test-Driving A Classic 1997 BMW M3 On Track
The E36 BMW M3 Coupe. Peter Nelson We're undoubtedly living through an era of peak high-performance vehicle technology. Precision engine and chassis tuning make for a phenomenal driving experience right off the showroom floor in many new cars, with a top example being the current, G80-generation BMW M3. But as much as new technology elevates this beast's performance driving experience—to the tune of around 500 horsepower—so does old technology in BMW M3 generations of yore. Like the E36-generation of the mid-to-late '90s, which produced a far lower 240 horsepower in the US market when new. Recently, a friend threw me the keys to his E36-generation 1997 BMW M3 at a track day at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca outside of Monterey, California. After driving countless modern performance cars during my stint as an automotive journalist, including the latest BMW M2, M3, and M4, I was smitten with how this minimally modified old sports car took on this track's storied tarmac. It wasn't just a palate cleanser, but an excellent history lesson, too. The E36 BMW M3's S52 inline-six engine. Peter Nelson Reaching American shores for the 1995 model year, the E36 has always been a bit of black sheep amongst other M3 generations. We barely got it to begin with—enthusiasts had to band together and work hard to convince BMW USA to bring it over after slow sales of the previous E30 generation. And even then, we didn't get the lively 280-horsepower S50 engine that the rest of the world got. Instead, USA models got the S52, which is a lot closer to the non-M M52 than many enthusiasts would prefer. For all intents and purposes, it's a bored-and-stroked M52 with slightly hotter camshafts, mildly revised ECU tuning, and not much else. Regardless, the S52 is still quite entertaining, it responds well to modification, and everything else about the E36 M3 is quite appealing. It received sportier suspension and chassis tuning over the standard 3 series, plus some slick exterior upgrades, a limited-slip differential, bigger and wider wheels, better brakes, and some chic interior equipment. Existing between the rare E30 and more substantially souped-up E46, E36 prices are generally regarded as low for M car fare—music to any track enthusiast's ears, though clean examples definitely fetch a premium. When it comes to the example I drove, its level of prep is fairly minimal: Lightweight Kosei K1 wheels with 200-treadwear Hankook RS4 tires, KW V3 coilover suspension, some minor intake and exhaust modifications, a somewhat stripped interior with a roll bar, Sparco racing seat, six-point harness, upgraded shifter, more track-ready brake pads… and not much else besides attentive maintenance. I assume he's replaced chassis and suspension bushings here and there, but on the whole, it's a mild track build. Which I'm so glad was the case. Donning a HANS and strapping into the six-point Sparco harness, this M3 felt focused but in no way intimidating. Once underway on track, bringing the tires, brakes, and fluids up to temperature, it instantly became easy to get into a rhythm with. Even at a modest warm-up pace, Feeling the chassis turn-in to corners, modulating the brakes, and letting the mighty S52 pull me out of corner-exit with assured low-end torque was quite smile-inducing. When the tires and brakes were ready, it became downright therapeutic to rip through corners at much higher speed. Turn-in was much sharper than I'm used to in my own more modern BMW 128i, so I had to re-train my brain to turn harder—front-end grip was always there, especially through Laguna Seca's tricky Turns 2 and 9. Despite wearing tires with more than a few heat cycles on them, cornering grip was consistent and allowed me to really feel out weight transfer through the track's more high-commitment corners, and I couldn't get over how refreshingly light the car felt. Grippy, light, playful, consistent; I could've ripped laps in this thing all-day-long, especially with its ferocious baritone growl emitting from under the hood and out the tailpipe. The E36 BMW M3 Coupe. Peter Nelson The reason why old school technology is just as fascinating as the latest and greatest all boils down to what it's working with. At around 3,200 pounds—less in this track-prepared example's case—the E36 is athletic, communicative, and just simple. You feel like the only thing between your hands and the apex is a little bit of rubber, metal, and hydraulic fluid. New cars, especially the G80 M3, are far heavier, and the difference in how each takes on a corner is night and day. Don't get me wrong, they're still quite capable and fun to drive, but you feel far less connected, and, no matter how good its factory suspension tuning is, you feel its portliness shift around on each corner. The E36 BMW M3 Coupe. Peter Nelson Not only that, but the E36 I drove didn't have any form of traction control; just my right foot to feather the brake or gas pedal as needed. Because it's so light and communicative, and not too powerful, this wasn't an issue as you easily pick up on when the tires start to give out, or brakes are at their limit, and adjust as necessary. Or, catch a fun bout of oversteer. Like dealing with far less curb weight, less is more when it comes to power and electronics, and both aspects are a real palate cleanser in this old Bavarian brute compared to bigger and far more powerful modern hardware. At the end of the day, newer stuff may turn a quicker lap time, but it's a less-fulfilling experience. Another friend of mine—who's driven this particular example far more than me—noted that the E36-generation BMW M3 feels like a big NA-generation Mazda Miata (the original generation, for those unfamiliar) with more power. I can't think of a more apt description, and it's a testament to BMW M engineers' efforts in designing something meant for fun, engagement, and helping you become a better driver. For anyone who ever has the chance to drive one on the road or track, I highly recommend it. It's a very refreshing and smile-inducing antidote to modern-car complexity.
