All articles tagged with #sports motorsports
The Indianapolis 500 set a new all-time purse record of $30,906,400, with winner Felix Rosenqvist earning a record $4.34 million; the race also delivered the highest average driver payout to date (about $936,500) and capped a May with record crowds and the closest finish in Indy 500 history, with Detroit next on the schedule.
Felix Rosenqvist beat David Malukas by 0.0233 seconds to win the Indianapolis 500 in the closest finish in the race’s history, giving Meyer Shank Racing a second IndyCar win as 70 lead changes and a chaotic late race with red flags led to a one-lap shootout. The finish followed Caio Collet’s fiery crash and Mick Schumacher’s wall contact, and the event paid tribute to Kyle Busch while British driver Katherine Legge attempted a rare Double Duty in Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600, a feat only Tony Stewart has completed.
Texas hosts the Wurth 400 on a fast 1.5-mile track known for chaos; after Saturday practice and speed rankings, Denny Hamlin is the top fantasy favorite with high dominator potential, followed by Tyler Reddick and Christopher Bell who also posted strong numbers and Texas-specific performance history. The piece provides starting positions, projected finish ranges, and key speed metrics to guide lineup decisions.
Formula 1 and the FIA announced the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will not take place in April due to safety concerns linked to the Iran war and broader Middle East tensions, with no substitutions planned and a five-week gap before the next race in Miami.
Pipo Derani crashed out of the lead in the 12H Sebring race after making contact with another car, causing his Cadillac to flip and land on top of the tire barriers. Despite the dramatic crash, Derani walked away unharmed. Felipe Nasr now leads the race, followed by Wayne Taylor Racing and BMW M Team RLL. In other classes, Felipe Fraga leads LMP2, Michael Christensen leads GTLM, and the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo leads GTD.
Josef Newgarden secured the pole position for IndyCar's season opener, while criticism of Team Penske's management of the series loomed over the paddock. Reigning champion Alex Palou and others were eliminated in qualifying, leading to a showdown between Newgarden and Felix Rosenqvist. Off the track, dissatisfaction with Penske Entertainment's handling of IndyCar was voiced by team owners, with Michael Andretti calling for potential sale if more investment isn't made. Despite the discontent, Penske received support from Chip Ganassi, and IndyCar attempted damage control by highlighting promotional efforts and increased merchandise sales.
Dale Coyne Racing confirms Jack Harvey and rookie Colin Braun as its driver lineup for the NTT IndyCar Series season opener at St. Petersburg, with Harvey set to contest 14 races and share the No. 18 car with Nolan Siegel for select events. Braun, a 35-year-old newcomer with extensive experience in sports car racing, will make his IndyCar debut at St. Petersburg. The team is still finalizing its driver lineup for the rest of the 18-race season, with rumors suggesting Katherine Legge may join for the Indy 500 and other ovals.
IndyCar is considering the development of a new chassis for the sport, potentially ready by 2027, along with a new powertrain featuring a hybrid system. This move aims to attract additional OEMs by lowering cost barriers and making the sport more relevant to the auto industry. The potential 2027 debut would coincide with the expiration of current engine manufacturers' contracts, emphasizing the need for technological relevance and cost-effectiveness. The recent adoption of a hybrid system and its success will play a significant role in Honda's decision to continue in the sport. Teams are currently focused on containing costs, particularly with the introduction of the hybrid system, as they face significant expenses for component updates.
Christopher Bell wins Duel #2 at Daytona 500 after a massive crash marred the race, with Denny Hamlin finishing third and several drivers needing backup cars for the main event. Kaz Grala secured the final spot in the Daytona 500 field, while Brad Keselowski, William Byron, Chase Briscoe, and Justin Haley completed the top 10. The race was red-flagged for nearly nine minutes following a wild accident involving 11 cars, caused by contact between Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski.
IndyCar's season finale moves from Nashville's street circuit to the Nashville Speedway, offering a total of seven oval races in the 17-round season. The change presents an interesting twist in the championship battle, particularly for Team Penske, known for its oval dominance. The move also raises questions about the impact of introducing hybrid powertrains on the big oval and the challenge of replicating the downtown energy of the Music City Grand Prix at the speedway. Despite setbacks and changes, IndyCar's ability to keep the event alive is commendable, and the focus remains on delivering an exciting end to the season.
Ford Performance's new Mustang GT3 made its debut at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, with one car finishing sixth in the GTD Pro class while the other retired due to mechanical issues. Despite setbacks, Ford's global motorsports director Mark Rushbrook expressed optimism, stating that they learned a lot and are confident in addressing the issues. Driver Harry Tincknell praised the car's performance and reliability, expressing optimism for future races, particularly at Sebring.
Porsche clinches victory at the Daytona 24h after an intense battle with Cadillac, while Acura takes third place. In the LMP2 class, Era Motorsport emerges victorious after a fierce competition among five cars. Risi Competizione Ferrari secures the win in the GTD class, with the Pro category witnessing a close fight between Ferrari and BMW. Various teams faced major challenges and setbacks throughout the race, including mechanical issues and on-track incidents.
At the Daytona 24h, the #31 Action Express Racing Cadillac took the lead from the #6 Porsche Penske amid penalty drama, with Mathieu Jaminet serving a 10-second stop/go penalty for exceeding energy limits. In LMP2, the #03 CrowdStrike by APR Oreca 07 moved into the class lead after an on-track battle, while the #4 Corvette led in GTD Pro after the #1 Paul Miller BMW pitted.
At the Daytona 24h, Porsche leads Cadillac as both BMWs face trouble, with Porsche's #6 Penske team battling fiercely with Action Express Racing Cadillac. In LMP2, Era Motorsport leads, while Ferrari takes the lead in GTD Pro.
Acura takes the lead from Cadillac after a crash-filled opening at the Daytona 24h race, with Acura's Ricky Taylor leading the pack. In the LMP2 class, George Kurtz leads for Crowdstrike, while Lexus initially led in the GTD Pro class but lost its entry to a crash, allowing Aaron Telitz to take the lead.