Indycar 2026

[rfuerst911sc]

Probably not the way Alex Palou wanted to start the season

Source: AP News
https://search.app/Ug51k

[WSH]

Alex isn't going to pay anything
The human bulldog, Chip Ganassi, will lean on the sponsors for the $$$

Palou just stomped everyone out last year, including the Indy 500; sponsors will pick up the tab

[rfuerst911sc]

^^^ you are probably right .

[Por_sha911]

Ganassi won't mind paying because he has a 'winning at any cost' attitude. In private, he would probably admit that Palou is "high maintenance but worth it". I wouldn't doubt if Ganassi promised Palou that if push came to shove, he would help cover the cost.

Chip will get lots of air time when the season begins and will love it like rich people that buy stupidly expensive stuff so they have bragging rights at the country club. There is a guy locally who loves to brag about how he paid "way too much" for his latest acquisition at Barrett-Jackson or Mecum auctions.

[CurtEgerer]

[greglepore]

Its hysterical.

[rfuerst911sc]

I didn't expect this ever happening , Tim Cindric coming back to Penske to be Scott McLaughlin's race strategist .

https://racer.com/2026/01/29/cindric-returns-to-penske-as-mclaughlin-s-race-strategist

[herr_oberst]

That's very interesting. I've been a big fan of Penske for a long, long time, (after they finally got rid of Bobby Unser) but the last few years have tested my resolve.

[greglepore]

DC race is for real, looks like at the end of August.

[Reg]

Originally Posted by greglepore

DC race is for real, looks like at the end of August.

Surely there’s enough time to make this a proper race!!!

[herr_oberst]

A race through the streets of DC. Woot, I guess? Is this a step up from the race at The Thermal Club last year?

[Skytrooper]

It should be exciting. They won’t have to leave the pit, just sit there lined up like traffic on the beltway.

In all seriousness though, I find these inner downtown races to be the ultimate in boredom. I won’t watch them.

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by Skytrooper

It should be exciting. They won’t have to leave the pit, just sit there lined up like traffic on the beltway.

In all seriousness though, I find these inner downtown races to be the ultimate in boredom. I won’t watch them.

Yeah, maybe on tv, but live they're a hoot. I really miss Baltimore.

The backdrop in DC will be epic, although the logistics of closing the mall will be daunting.

We've needed an east coast venue, I"ll take what I can get. Although a friend reminded me of DC's heat and humidity in August...

[Por_sha911]

In all seriousness though, I find these inner downtown races to be the ultimate in boredom. I won’t watch them.

I know this is considered heresy to Indy fans but I consider the Long Beach race to be so boring it is the only one I normally won't watch.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

In all seriousness though, I find these inner downtown races to be the ultimate in boredom. I won’t watch them.
I know this is considered heresy to Indy fans but I consider the Long Beach race to be so boring it is the only one I normally won't watch.

TV makes Long Beach much better. IDK why you don't like it. It's a pretty fast circuit. There are essentially 2 passing zones but most road race tracks don't have much more than that.

In person it's only good if you can move around. Sitting in one corner is not good. Friday and Saturday are better days to be there and sit home on Sunday and watch it from some 20 cameras.

[Por_sha911]

Long Beach: virtually NO passing opportunities & showing driver skill is keeping it off the wall and wait until pitstop to take the lead. IMO boring.

[greglepore]

So Penske's announcement is that most of the course will be free for spectators. Sounds great but probably means I'll watch on tv...

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by greglepore

So Penske's announcement is that most of the course will be free for spectators.

The top level of American open-wheel car racing has fallen very, very far from it's heyday.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

The top level of American open-wheel car racing has fallen very, very far from it's heyday.

So, what should they do about it?

[greglepore]

I agree, but that's not why its free...its part of the 250th celebration in DC, so a "public" event. I actually like the idea, just don't want to fight the crowds.