Q: With the trouble that FOX has put forth for the reason that starting of the partnership with IndyCar, how significantly are Roger Penske, Mark Miles and the entire of Penske Leisure taking how crucial this yr is for the short- and long-term success of the sequence?
I’m not knocking the nice issues which have come previously years for the reason that sale to Penske, however there are going to be so many eyes on the sequence with the promotion that FOX has supplied already, and their dedication to the complete championship. Pondering again to controversial objects such because the pink flag within the 2023 Indy 500, the push to cross scandal final yr, and the danger of dropping Honda and having no public curiosity from new OEM’s, I actually am each cautiously optimistic that the errors of the previous have been realized from to make sure that this yr goes on with none points, however I’m additionally cautious that complacency nonetheless exists from how shut the sector usually is.
Like all of us, I wish to see the sequence taken to the extent it deserves to be held on outdoors of the fanbase, however I’m additionally fearful that this yr may very well be extra of the identical and find yourself stagnant amongst informal followers and racing followers that don’t usually comply with the sequence outdoors of the five hundred.
Alan Bandi, Sarver, PA
MARSHALL PRUETT: Roger is without doubt one of the biggest enterprise minds in racing, so I’m assured he’s absolutely conscious of how a lot is at stake together with his sequence in 2025.
Like every sporting league, IndyCar has its issues. Greater than I’d like, for certain, and greater than the folks within the paddock need, as nicely. However nothing that I do know of will forestall glorious racing from happening over the subsequent 17 occasions. Assuming the product stays at a excessive stage and new and present followers tune in a ton on FOX and switch as much as purchase a number of tickets to observe stay, what occurs in 2025 must be wonderful.
It’s within the stuff past 2025, with engine provide contracts ending after 2026, and getting a brand new automotive going, which looks as if it’s fallen from 2027 to 2028, and reducing prices with nice immediacy, the place the continuing issues do fall.
However if you happen to simply wish to watch the racing and revel in a distraction from actual life, I’m critical after I say to disregard all the inside-baseball stuff that’s worrying, delight within the wonderful abilities of the Patos and Newgardens and Palous and Hertas, and let time and nature deal with the remainder.
What number of extra sleeps till we’ve got IndyCars again on monitor once more? Joe Skibinski/IMS Picture
Q: I’m having some issue discovering the reply to this query. How will broadcast conflicts between IndyCar and NASCAR be dealt with by FOX? For instance, on March 2, IndyCar will go first on Sunday adopted by NASCAR later within the afternoon. If for some motive IndyCar runs late, will FOX end the IndyCar race after which transfer over to NASCAR, or would it not reduce to NASCAR earlier than the top of the IndyCar race? There are loads of permutations as to how any Sunday would possibly play out. What is going to the final coverage be at FOX?
Spencer
MP: Spoke to FOX Sports activities and so they instructed us there’s an hour-long buffer between Sunday’s IndyCar race and the beginning of the Cup race. In addition they stated it is going to be a case-by-case foundation on any future wants to modify from IndyCar to NASCAR, and if a swap is critical, it is going to be made plain by its announcers and on the ticker on the backside of the display with information on the place to go inside FOX’s myriad channels.
My very own enter can be that with NASCAR rating as FOX’s prime racing sequence by a large margin, and with a deep want to transform as many NASCAR viewers into IndyCar viewers, the one method to kill that idea is by making Cup followers miss what they tuned in to see on FOX. So if there’s a time crunch, I’d anticipate FOX to serve its bigger Cup-loving viewers and transfer IndyCar to a different vacation spot.
Additionally, we’re solely speaking about March, April and Might earlier than streamers and NBC take the NASCAR baton from FOX, so there’s a smaller variety of alternatives for this running-late state of affairs to play out.
Q: What’s your opinion on what influence the newly cancelled Honda-Nissan merger could have on Honda’s resolution to both depart or keep after its IndyCar contract expires in 2026?
Let’s face it, Nissan is a large number, having the final quarter’s earnings fall from $2.1 billion to solely $33 million and a inventory worth lack of 25% within the final yr. However Honda just isn’t a lot better off, struggling a inventory worth lack of 15% within the final yr. For my part it not going to be a couple of new automotive, IndyCar’s worth or enlargement plans, however about what Honda has to do to financially survive. It wanted this merger, and it appears like me that leaving IndyCar is the odds-on favourite.
So, the follow-up query stays. What’s your tackle Penske’s contingency plan if this probably scenario happens?
Glenn, Palos Verdes Property, CA
MP: Zero influence. I’ve by no means heard the Nissan factor talked about in any of the numerous conversations I’ve had with Honda Racing US folks for the reason that begin of the yr. Not as soon as.
If Honda leaves, Roger Penske’s engine firm Ilmor Engineering, the place he’s co-founder and co-owner, is the apparent alternative to provide engines to the complete discipline. Or, if there’s a want, he can search bids from Cosworth and some other specialist racing engine builders to do a spec motor, however since Ilmor makes the motor for Chevy that’s received the previous few producers’ championships, it looks as if there’s a straightforward answer to pursue.
