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Indianapolis Star
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Indianapolis Star
Thermal Club owner says IndyCar won't return to the track in 2026
IndyCar will not return to The Thermal Club in 2026, according to Tim Rogers, the owner and founder of the exclusive private neighborhood in southern California that houses miles and miles of natural-terrain road course. In a video posted to X on Wednesday, Rogers told Blake Arthur, a reporter for local TV station KESQ, that the major American open-wheel racing series would be absent from the track next year, but he held out hope for a 2027 return. "Their schedule is pretty well set (for 2026)," Rogers told KESQ. "And also, I need to make sure we get a title sponsor and be prepared ahead of time." When reached for comment and asked to confirm the news, a spokesperson for Penske Entertainment told IndyStar, "We don't have any new updates to share on our 2026 schedule at the moment." The loss of the The Thermal Club, which hosted a points-paying IndyCar race for the first time in March of this year and in 2024 hosted IndyCar's $1 Million Challenge exhibition event, is the latest signal of an announcement of the series' plans to add Mexico City to the 2026 schedule. In March, Penske Entertainment president and CEO Mark Miles told IndyStar that he "continues to be very bullish" regarding the opportunity for IndyCar to race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez -- the permanent Mexico City racetrack that has hosted annual stops for Formula 1 and Formula E, and which just a couple weeks ago hosted the NASCAR Cup series for the first time. The Penske Entertainment executive added that he believed "we'll get it done and can be racing there in 2026," in the wake of the fallout of IndyCar's perceived lack of momentum to capitalize on the fandom of its young Mexican superstar driver, Pato O'Ward, and the fallout within and outside the IndyCar paddock last August after the news of NASCAR beating IndyCar to the punch for a Mexico City race. According to the Associated Press, Miles wrote a letter last summer to the promoters of the track with proposed race dates for IndyCar at Mexico City for 2026-28, with April 12 listed as the primary choice for next year's potential race date. With the first couple stops on the IndyCar calendar in 2026 already ironed out -- St. Pete will kick off the season March 1, followed by the brand-new Arlington Grand Prix March 15, with the Grand Prix of Long Beach landing April 19 -- Mexico City's proposed landing spot would make for a four-week gap between the new race around the stadiums of the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers and IndyCar's first international race not held in Toronto in more than a decade. But paddock sources have told IndyStar it would be untenable for IndyCar to host a race either the weekend of Easter (April 5) or Palm Sunday (March 29), due to the country's widespread, devoted Catholic culture. Holding the new Mexico City race March 22 not only would butt it right up against Arlington -- not ideal for two new additions to the schedule the series would theoretically want to give space around in order to properly promote them -- but it would also overlap with IMSA's 12 Hours of Sebring, an endurance event several top IndyCar drivers typically target. Insider: 4 questions about 2026 IndyCar schedule begging for answers Without Thermal, the addition of Mexico City would likely be the only race between Arlington and Long Beach, which currently has four consecutive off weekends. Even with Mexico City, IndyCar would face three consecutive off weekends, barring the unforeseen addition of a spring track in 2026 -- a lengthy gap for a sport that for years has had a momentum-killing lack of spring races on the calendar in the lead-up to the Month of May. With the loss of Thermal, the planned addition of Arlington and expected one in Mexico City, IndyCar stands to drop another race or two among those with contracts expiring after this year, or host at least 18 races in 2026 -- a number the series hasn't seen since 2014 (18 races). Among races thought to be on the chopping block include one of the two on the Iowa Speedway weekend -- and event that since last year has lost its hook of multiple big-ticket concerts and still appears to be struggling to sell tickets -- as well as races at Portland International Raceway and Laguna Seca, both of which draw some of the smaller road course crowds on the calendar. Penske Entertainment executives have long held that teams prefer a 17-race schedule, but that an 18-race one could be set if the right opportunity for an additional race were to present itself.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Automotive
- USA Today
IndyCar Series 2025 drivers championship, Rookie of the Year, Leaders Circle standings after Road America
The 2025 IndyCar Series season is past the halfway point. Alex Palou has won six races, most notably the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Kyle Kirkwood has won three. Here's where the drivers and teams stand in the season-long points, Rookie of the Year and Leaders Circle races. Alex Palou wins: IndyCar Xpel Grand Prix at Road America complete results, highlights IndyCar Series championship points 2025 (Through nine of 17 races) IndyCar Series rookie points Foster won pole position at Road America and took 11th in the race. Abel finished 23rd and Shwartzman 27th. IndyCar Series Leaders Circle standings 2025 IndyCar's Leaders Circle program pays eligible teams just over $1 million the following season in guarantees. To qualify for one of the 22 spots, the entry must be associated with one of IndyCar's 25 charters — teams are allowed to have a maximum of three. Only Prema Racing's two cars remain unchartered. The 25 chartered cars are then ranked by entrant points and, at the end of this season, the top 22 eligible entries will be paid $1.2 million or more by Penske Entertainment throughout the 2026 season. Here are the cars around the bubble after IndyCar's race at Road America: 20. Arrow McLaren No. 6, 128 points 21. Andretti Global No. 8, 123 points 22. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing No. 45, 102 points ------------------------------------------------------------- 23. Juncos Hollinger Racing No. 77, 93 points 24. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing No. 30, 89 points 25. Dale Coyne Racing No. 51, 56 points
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
What changes will IndyCar make to new car? Weight reduction, engine formula, more
ELKHART LAKE, Wis. – Penske Entertainment executives rolled out its plan for IndyCar's next-generation chassis and engine formula in a private meeting of its team owners midway Saturday at Road America, the series announced in a release. The car, which earlier this month the series confirmed to be on track for the start of the 2028 season, will include between 85 to 100 pounds of weight reduction, house a 2.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 internal combustion engine — the engine originally planned to be rolled out in tandem with the debut of IndyCar's bespoke hybrid unit — and a low-voltage hybrid unit that will continue to evolve off of the current model in use to eventually include 'longer deployment, more horsepower gain and overall improved performance.' Advertisement On-track testing for the car will begin in 2026, with Dallara producing the chassis that, according to the series, will 'feature a look designed to appeal to a new generation of fans while keeping styling cues recognized by all as an IndyCar series car." 'The time has come for a new IndyCar series chassis,' IndyCar president Doug Boles said. 'The DW12 served the series so well, as it provided a combination of phenomenal, wheel-to-wheel racing and critical enhancements to safety. But recent significant updates to the car — from the aero screen to the hybrid power unit — have helped advanced the need for a completely new car. 'We are pleased by what our engineers and Dallara have collaboratively designed and believe it will appeal to the fans and paddock, while also upholding our standards of safety and enhancing IndyCar's on-track competition well into the future." Insider: IndyCar shifts timeline for new car further back, creating complicated future. Here's why Advertisement Also noted in the release, Xtrac, an exclusive supplier for IndyCar since 2000, will continue to provide transmissions for the new chassis. The new car will feature a new gearbox that will shed 25 pounds and that will share components with the future Indy NXT gearbox. Performance Friction Corporation will again be the exclusive supplier of brake system components for the series, as it has since 2017. The new car will also include an ergonomic driver cockpit to improve seating position, as well as an integrated aero screen and a new roll hoop. Renderings of the new car as well as information on its test schedule and additional partners will be announced at a later date. This story will be updated. Get IndyStar's motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IndyCar new car changes: weight reduction, engine formula, hybrid
Indianapolis Star
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Indianapolis Star
What changes will IndyCar make to new car? Weight reduction, engine formula, more
ELKHART LAKE, Wis. – Penske Entertainment executives rolled out its plan for IndyCar's next-generation chassis and engine formula in a private meeting of its team owners midway Saturday at Road America, the series announced in a release. The car, which earlier this month the series confirmed to be on track for the start of the 2028 season, will include between 85 to 100 pounds of weight reduction, house a 2.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 internal combustion engine — the engine originally planned to be rolled out in tandem with the debut of IndyCar's bespoke hybrid unit — and a low-voltage hybrid unit that will continue to evolve off of the current model in use to eventually include 'longer deployment, more horsepower gain and overall improved performance.' On-track testing for the car will begin in 2026, with Dallara producing the chassis that, according to the series, will 'feature a look designed to appeal to a new generation of fans while keeping styling cues recognized by all as an IndyCar series car." 'The time has come for a new IndyCar series chassis,' IndyCar president Doug Boles said. 'The DW12 served the series so well, as it provided a combination of phenomenal, wheel-to-wheel racing and critical enhancements to safety. But recent significant updates to the car — from the aero screen to the hybrid power unit — have helped advanced the need for a completely new car. 'We are pleased by what our engineers and Dallara have collaboratively designed and believe it will appeal to the fans and paddock, while also upholding our standards of safety and enhancing IndyCar's on-track competition well into the future." Also noted in the release, Xtrac, an exclusive supplier for IndyCar since 2000, will continue to provide transmissions for the new chassis. The new car will feature a new gearbox that will shed 25 pounds and that will share components with the future Indy NXT gearbox. Performance Friction Corporation will again be the exclusive supplier of brake system components for the series, as it has since 2017. The new car will also include an ergonomic driver cockpit to improve seating position, as well as an integrated aero screen and a new roll hoop. Renderings of the new car as well as information on its test schedule and additional partners will be announced at a later date. This story will be updated.
Indianapolis Star
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Indianapolis Star
IndyCar Series 2025 drivers championship, Rookie of the Year, Leaders Circle standings after Bommarito 500
The 2025 IndyCar Series season nearing its halfway point. Alex Palou has won five races, most notably the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Kyle Kirkwood has won three. Here's where the drivers and teams stand in the season-long points, Rookie of the Year and Leaders Circle races. Wild night in St. Louis: IndyCar results: Kyle Kirkwood earns third win of the season at St. Louis (Through eight of 17 races) Robert Shwartzman finished 10th at World Wide Technology Raceway, while Jacob Abel finished 21st and Louis Foster 26th after contact. IndyCar's Leaders Circle program pays eligible teams just over $1 million the following season in guarantees. To qualify for one of the 22 spots, the entry must be associated with one of IndyCar's 25 charters — teams are allowed to have a maximum of three. Only Prema Racing's two cars remain unchartered. The 25 chartered cars are then ranked by entrant points and, at the end of this season, the top 22 eligible entries will be paid $1.2 million or more by Penske Entertainment throughout the 2026 season. Here are the cars around the bubble after IndyCar's race at World Wide Technology Raceway: 19. Andretti Global No. 28, 114 points 20. Chip Ganassi Racing No. 8, 112 points 21. Arrow McLaren No. 6, 104 points 22. Juncos Hollinger Racing No. 77, 88 points ------------------------------------------------------------- 23. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing No. 45, 81 points 24. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing No. 30, 78 points
