Q: I’m heading down to Florida in a few days for the Rolex 24. Despite being a race fan for over 20 years, this will be my first IMSA race and my first time at Daytona, so as you can imagine, I’m quite excited.
That said, I do have a dumb question. I’ve heard a lot of race teams in IMSA and in other series referred to as “works,” “factory” and “factory-supported.” I’ve always assumed these terms were interchangeable. However, ever since I heard the news about the Corvette team switching from being a “factory” team to a “factory-supported” team, I’ve been wondering if there’s a bit more nuance to the terminology?
Could you explain the difference (if any) between these designations?
Garrick
MP: Great question, Garrick. In most instances, it’s just using variations on the same thing. A works team is just another word for factory. “Works” is a term I’ve seen more in European racing circles than in the U.S. They are indeed interchangeable.
Factory- or works-assisted is just as it implies — not a pure factory/works team, but one that receives technical or financial or staffing support (or all three) from a manufacturer. And to add another wrinkle, in some cases, that assistance is offered by the manufacturer to give them more cars and a stronger presence in a series, and sometimes that factory link comes via the wiring of a bunch of money to the manufacturer to get that support.
Q: Why do people go to the infield during a major sports car race like the Rolex 24?
Kurt Perleberg
MP: For the same reason they go to the infield during the Indy 500 and Daytona 500, I imagine: There’s a lot of great viewing spots and there tend to be some fun parties and camaraderie to enjoy. Also, it’s where you’ll find the best food and drink.
Q: At time of writing, there is about six and a half weeks until IndyCar’s opening round at St. Pete — and still no race start times released? Speaking of IndyCar TV coverage, how’s the new TV deal coming along?
Rob, Rochester, NY
MP: I’d put good money on NBC releasing the start times once we’re closer to St. Pete. I spoke to Mark Miles about the TV side not so long ago; I’ll spool that up for a post-Rolex 24 story.
Q: I have a couple of questions. First, this year will be the Indy Pro Series’ first season using Continental tires. Even though we’ll all miss the ol’ Cooper tires, I was wondering if you heard an opinions or feedback on the Continentals? Were they well-received or are the drivers wishing for the Cooper tires again?
Second, Portland’s last contract with IndyCar was supposed to end in 2023 but obviously Portland is back on the schedule for ’24. Do you know any info on this supposed new contract and how long Portland will be part of IndyCar’s schedule?
Ukyo Tachibana
MP: I haven’t gotten a proper download on the Continental NXT tires, but from the limited conversations I’ve had, the feedback was positive. Continental took a big leap in the quality of its racing slicks in the latter stages of its IMSA relationship, and I’ve heard similar notions about its open-wheel tires, which would explain why initial responses on the NXT side have been favorable.
As it was explained to me, Portland lost one year on its contract due to COVID, so the upcoming race is one that completes the deal and a new contract would be needed to stay for 2025 and beyond. Based on the incessant complaining I hear from drivers and team owners about racing in Portland — not about the track, but the city — I’m not sure how hard a decent portion of the paddock would fight to make future returns. I’ve loved the place since my first visit for an SCCA Regional race in 1988.
Q: I watched the NFL playoff game the other day on Peacock, and they ran ads for programs and sports that they show, but IndyCar was noticeably absent. I don’t understand it. Why wouldn’t they want to promote programming that they’re paying to air on their network and streaming?
Jim Hannon, Mount Sterling, KY
MP: Hate to beat an old drum, but NBC has a ton of sports to offer, and while IndyCar and IMSA and Indy NXT are important to us, they just aren’t high-level items to promote when positioned next to the NFL and the Olympics.
The only surprise for me is the IMSA side, knowing that the Rolex 24 At Daytona airs on NBC, among its other platforms, here in January. Promoting IndyCar in mid-January for its March 10 opener would seems strange, considering how far out it is and how NBC has something more timely to put its spotlight on. We’ll see if that changes this weekend (Jan. 20-21) with the NFL playoffs.
Q: While reading articles about the “private dinner” that IndyCar leaders held for some selected drivers, several questions immediately raised within my mind:
Why not invite all the full-time drivers, and not for dinner but for a legit meeting? What was the criteria for choosing drivers? Why are Rossi, Ericsson and Rahal more special than the others?
What could those chosen drivers have been told that left them so excited? The looming prospect of driving the old dog DW12 for another 10 years, but now with a spec Ilmor-badged hybrid engine? More gimmick contests at private club tracks?
And if there is really a reason for optimism and a lot of good things on the horizon, then why are Penske & Co. not willing to share it with the general fan base and calm us down? Instead of doing so, a couple of drivers are now preaching to us another “the future is bright” mantra and Mark Miles continues to tell us his typical Mark Miles things.
On the other hand, Pato O’Ward, who wasn’t at the dinner, continues to speak out about the lack of growth in the series. And his frustration is understandable! The series has a young Mexican superstar driver and there’s still not a single mention about possible race in Mexico, while the series openly plans non-points (that’s stupid, you don’t pay for points out of your own pocket) race in Argentina.
Nick S., from overseas
MP: The drivers have been asked to hype the series so they’re hyping the series. There’s nothing wrong with Penske Entertainment asking them to do so, nor is it wrong for the drivers who accept the request.
Everyone wants IndyCar to grow and become a bigger and better sports property, so as long as the series is working on some of the future-related items it needs to achieve those goals, I don’t mind the hard sell they’re pushing in the short term. I’m also probably not alone in wanting the sunshine and rhetoric to be backed up with real things, so we’ll stay tuned and wait to see what IndyCar comes up with to move the needle.