Driver to wear Notre Dame-type helmet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Irish inspire an Irish driver.

Notre Dame football and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are two of the most beloved sports institutions in Indiana. It’s surprising that the two don’t come together more often. However, that will come to pass May 10 and 11 during the two races for the Sonsio Grand Prix for the Indy NXT series. James Roe, who appropriately hails from Ireland, will drive in a helmet that might as well have come direct from the Notre Dame campus:

https://www.instagram.com/jamesroe_ie/p/C56nNQdPI3x/?img_index=1

For the uninitiated, Indy NXT is the level directly below IndyCar, the governing body that puts on the Indianapolis 500 every year. Hopefully, Roe will get to be part of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing in the distant future and put this helmet in the real spotlight. For now though, this representation will do.

In Indy NXT’s lone race so far this season, the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 10, Roe, who drives for Andretti Global, finished 16th. He next will run in the Grand Prix of Alabama on April 28.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Arrow McLaren lands F2 champion to replace David Malukas in Long Beach

Arrow McLaren Racing has landed Formula 2 champion Théo Pourchaire to replace David Malukas at Long Beach as he recovers from his injury.

The NTT IndyCar Series is ready for the race weekend in Long Beach, California, and [autotag]Arrow McLaren Racing[/autotag] has announced a driver to replace the injured David Malukas. On Thursday morning, Arrow McLaren announced that 2023 Formula 2 champion [autotag]Théo Pourchaire[/autotag] will drive the No. 6 car at the Grand Prix of Long Beach this weekend,

Pourchaire is a 20-year-old driver is currently competing in the 2024 Super Formula Championship with Team Impul. This will be the 2023 Formula 2 champion’s debut in the IndyCar Series as Arrow McLaren patiently waits for Malukas to heal from his wrist surgery. Pourchaire has been wildly successful, as he represents the youngest winner in Formula 2 and Formula 3.

Pourchaire has also served as a test and reserve driver for the Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber in 2024. Arrow McLaren confirmed that Malukas’ recovery time has extended beyond the expected six weeks, so confirmation on the series’ next race in Alabama will come in “due course.” For now, Pouchaire will focus on his IndyCar debut and look to impress those in the sport.

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IndyCar team sets driver lineup for race weekend in Long Beach

One NTT IndyCar Series team has set its lineup for the race weekend in Long Beach. Find out which organization and drivers will compete!

The NTT IndyCar Series is ready for its second race weekend of the 2024 season. In the first race, Josef Newgarden started his year on the right note and claimed the victory in St. Petersburg. Now, one IndyCar Series team has made a few decisions with its driver lineup ahead of the race weekend in Long Beach, California.

[autotag]Dale Coyne Racing[/autotag] announced that Jack Harvey and Nolan Siegel will drive its entries in Long Beach this weekend. Harvey will drive the No. 18 Honda, an added start to his previously announced part-time schedule. Siegel will replace Colin Braun in the No. 51 Honda, as the latter was contracted to race for the team in the season’s first race.

The two drivers provide a good duo for Dale Coyne Racing, with Harvey serving as the group’s veteran. Meanwhile, Siegel is the Indy NXT points leader after leading all the laps in St. Petersburg en route to victory. IndyCar is ready for its return to points racing, and Dale Coyne Racing has a lineup that could raise some eyebrows in Long Beach.

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IndyCar cancels second day of Indianapolis 500 testing due to weather

The NTT IndyCar Series has cancelled the second day of Indianapolis 500 testing due to inclement weather in the forecast.

The NTT IndyCar Series arrived at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to start testing for The Greatest Spectacle in Racing on Wednesday but only got one full day. On Thursday morning, IndyCar announced that it has canceled the second day of Indianapolis 500 testing due to inclement weather in the forecast.

IndyCar’s second day of testing will not be made up at a later date, as the series now heads to the Streets of Long Beach for its next race on April 21. On the first day of testing, Josef Newgarden, the defending Indianapolis 500 winner, topped the board with Arrow McLaren Racing driver Kyle Larson in second place after an impressive lap.

The lap made its rounds on social media and the paddock, as Larson’s attempt of “The Double” on May 26 is off to a great start. However, due to the weather, the Hendrick Motorsports driver is losing out on critical track time. The Indianapolis 500 is the sport’s big event, but the Long Beach race weekend is next in roughly one week.

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Kyle Larson testing for 2024 Indianapolis 500, updates on his speed

Kyle Larson is testing for the 2024 Indianapolis 500 this week. Check out the updates on Larson’s speed during testing!

The NTT IndyCar Series has begun its open testing for the 2024 Indianapolis 500, and [autotag]Kyle Larson[/autotag] is involved. Larson will attempt “The Double” with Arrow McLaren Racing in the Indianapolis 500 and Hendrick Motorsports in the Coca-Cola 600. There is a lot of hype around the NASCAR champion’s attempt, and testing has already started well.

During Wednesday morning’s test, Larson ran the second fastest lap at 226.384 miles per hour, only trailing defending Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden. On his first morning of testing, he cleared the likes of Alex Palou, Scott Dixon, and others. Larson received a tow from Rinus VeeKay, but it is still really impressive that he has the confidence to put down a lap of that caliber.

Larson is one of the most talented race car drivers in America and should continue to impress as the Indianapolis 500 nears. The Hendrick Motorsports driver is also expected to run the 2025 Indianapolis 500, so the hope is that he can run well and gain more knowledge in 2024. Either way, tracking Larson’s progress as May comes into the picture will be fascinating.

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IndyCar reportedly makes bold decision for ending of Indianapolis 500

IndyCar has reportedly made a bold decision for the ending of the Indianapolis 500. Find out what IndyCar will push to accomplish!

The NTT IndyCar Series’ most significant race of the 2024 season will be the Indianapolis 500 in late May. Ahead of this year’s race, IndyCar has already banned a move that Josef Newgarden made at the end of last year’s event. Drivers won’t be allowed to dive into the lane used to slow down for pit road speed. Now, the sport has reportedly made another decision about the event.

According to Tony Donohue, IndyCar will do “everything in their power” to ensure the Indianapolis 500 ends under a green flag in 2024. Last year, three red flags were in the final 15 laps of the Indianapolis 500, which angered those who thought IndyCar was leaning toward the entertainment aspect. In reality, the sport just wanted to give drivers as many laps as possible.

It is good that IndyCar wants its biggest race to end under green flag conditions. Obviously, unsafe conditions are on the final lap would be a different story. The Indianapolis 500 is racing’s biggest event of the entire year, so it’s critical to make sure everything goes well. Some may not like it, but IndyCar seems open to several red flags to close out the race in 2024.

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Katherine Legge returns for second straight Indianapolis 500 in 2024

Katherine Legge will return for her second straight Indianapolis 500 driving the No. 51 car for Dale Coyne Racing in 2024.

[autotag]Katherine Legge[/autotag] is returning for her second straight Indianapolis 500 in 2024. On Tuesday morning, [autotag]Dale Coyne Racing[/autotag] announced that Legge will drive the No. 51 car as she attempts to make her fourth Indianapolis 500 in late May. The 43-year-old driver competed with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in last year’s event and finished in 33rd place after an accident.

Legge also competed in the 2013 Indianapolis 500 with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports for a 26th-place finish. However, her best finish in the event came with Dragon Racing in 2012 after a 22nd-place effort. Legge will now attempt to make her fourth Indianapolis 500 for a fourth different team. She has been successful on ovals during her IndyCar career outside of the Indianapolis 500, too.

The hope is that Legge can make the event and push for her first top-10 finish in The Greatest Spectacle in Racing. This is the first time in over a decade that Legge is going for back-to-back starts in the event. The expectations shouldn’t be too high since Legge doesn’t race in IndyCar much, but she has proven she can finish in the top 10 spots on an oval.

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New IndyCar Series team to field two full-time entries in 2025

A new NTT IndyCar Series team will field two full-time entries starting in 2025. Find out the details behind IndyCar’s newest organization!

The NTT IndyCar Series will have a new organization for the 2025 season. On Tuesday morning, [autotag]PREMA Racing[/autotag], a race team from Italy that focuses on levels below Formula 1, announced that it will make its IndyCar debut as a two-car operation in 2025. As part of its new efforts with IndyCar, PREMA Racing will be backed by Chevrolet and establish a home base in Indiana.

According to RACER, the organization is interested in pairing an IndyCar Series veteran with a young driver it has developed on the path to Formula 1. PREMA Racing will have several options available as it is expected to be a significant IndyCar silly season market for the 2025 season, including Alexander Rossi and Christian Lungaarrd.

For now, IndyCar has 27 full-time entries, with PREMA Racing expected to bump that up to 29. The sport is working on a charter system that could be in place before the 2024 Indianapolis 500, so it will be fascinating to see what happens. PREMA Racing may need to qualify for each event, but it is great to see the race team move over to IndyCar.

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IndyCar schedule: Start times, TV networks, and more in 2024

Check out the IndyCar schedule for the 2024 season, including start times, TV networks, and more. Updated every week!

The IndyCar schedule has undergone some significant changes heading into the 2024 season. The sport returns to the Milwaukee Mile, hosting a doubleheader weekend. Meanwhile, Texas Motor Speedway is off the calendar due to a scheduling conflict. Finally, IndyCar introduces a $1 Million Challenge weekend between the first and second races of the season.

Below, you can check out the full IndyCar schedule for the 2024 season, with start times and TV networks for each race.

IndyCar schedule: Race dates, TV start times for 2024

Sunday, April 21: Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, Streets of Long Beach (3:00 p.m. ET, USA Network)

Sunday, April 28: Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix, Barber Motorsports Park (12:30 p.m. ET, NBC)

Saturday, May 11: Sonsio Grand Prix, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course (3:00 p.m. ET, NBC)

Saturday, May 26: 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500, Indianapolis Motor Speedway (11:00 a.m. ET, NBC)

Sunday, June 2: Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, Detroit Street Circuit (Noon ET, USA Network)

Sunday, June 9: XPEL Grand Prix at Road America, Road America (3:30 p.m. ET, NBC)

Sunday, June 23: Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey, Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca (6:00 p.m. ET, USA Network)

Sunday, July 7: Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (1:30 p.m. ET, NBC)

Saturday, July 13: Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend Race 1, Iowa Speedway (8:00 p.m. ET, NBC)

Sunday, July 14: Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend Race 2, Iowa Speedway (Noon ET, NBC)

Sunday, July 21: Honda Indy Toronto, Streets of Toronto (1:00 p.m. ET, Peacock)

Saturday, August 17: Bommarito Automotive Group 500, World Wide Technology Raceway (6:00 p.m. ET, USA Network)

Sunday, August 25: BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland, Portland International Raceway (3:00 p.m. ET, USA Network)

Saturday, August 31: Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile 250 Race 1, The Milwaukee Mile (6:00 p.m. ET, Peacock)

Sunday, September 1: Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile 250 Race 2, The Milwaukee Mile (2:30 p.m. ET, USA Network)

Sunday, September 15: Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, Nashville Superspeedway (3:00 p.m. ET, NBC)

What time is the IndyCar race on today?

You can watch the IndyCar race today on the USA Network as the sport travels to Long Beach, California, for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, which will kick off at 3:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 21.

When is the 2024 Indianapolis 500?

The 2024 Indianapolis 500 will take place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 26. Live coverage of The Greatest Spectacle in Racing will be underway at 11:00 a.m. ET on NBC.

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NASCAR pursuing stake in Long Beach, IndyCar trying to ‘block’ pursuit

NASCAR is reportedly pursuing a 50 percent stake to race in Long Beach, but the NTT IndyCar Series is trying to block the acquisition.

NASCAR has one race, the Busch Light Clash, in the Southern California market, but that could end in 2025. The sport reportedly wants to move the Busch Light Clash, with Mexico being labeled as an option. So, could NASCAR’s presence in the Southern California market fade away? Not according to a recent report that could ruffle some feathers.

According to RACER.com’s Marshall Pruett, NASCAR is actively pursuing a 50 percent stake in the Long Beach Grand Prix, which takes place in downtown Long Beach, California. Last year, the estate of the late businessman Kevin Kalkhoven put the stake up for sale. However, the NTT IndyCar Series is looking to block NASCAR’s efforts.

Penske Entertainment, owners of the IndyCar Series, is trying to block NASCAR’s effort by bidding on Kalkhoven’s stake, per Pruett. If true, this would be a very interesting dynamic as NASCAR and the IndyCar Series bid against each other. NASCAR desires to race in Long Beach, and IndyCar doesn’t want that to happen.

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