Larson to the 500!!! (Never thought I'd see the day...)
 

https://racer.com/2023/01/12/larson-...arrow-mclaren/

The bump Indycar needed...???

Thanks Rick Hendrick!

Re: Larson to the 500!!! (Never thought I'd see the day...)
 

I shoulda said he is going to attempt it...I hate that every headline writer just says every car announced is goin to run it...I know there is not really any bumps, but a lot can happen...

Re: Larson to the 500!!! (Never thought I'd see the day...)
 

I think it's a great thing for Indycar as I probably wouldn't watch if he wasn't in it. I got no connection to any of the racers there whereas I've seen Larson and other USACers run several times at smaller venues.

There's one thing, If you win indy you are required to be available for a few hours after the race, the next morning for GMA, Today etc. The pretty much ruins chances for the 600. Didn't Stewart get put to the rear because he missed pre race drivers meeting at the 600 and that's just being able to leave soon after the Indy 500

I just caught this, It's for 2024 not this year.

Why are they waiting until 2024 race?

Re: Larson to the 500!!! (Never thought I'd see the day...)
 

I think this is great for all of open wheel racing. I love the Indy 500. It is still the biggest race in the world. I have a friend that works in promotions for a track that hosts IndyCar and NASCAR. He says the Indy drivers are easier to work with, and go out of their way to connect with the fans. Charles, if you have never been to Indy, it is worth trying at least once. Indy cars on an oval are about as good as it gets. Even if you don't go on race day.

Re: Larson to the 500!!! (Never thought I'd see the day...)
 

Originally Posted by mscs20:
Why are they waiting until 2024 race?

Ideally to get him laps in the car...I imagine they have a plan with indycar to get him licensed...(thats one of the problems...you can't just jump in these anymore...but it happens to their own...Colton Herta can't get licensed for F-1...)

Re: Larson to the 500!!! (Never thought I'd see the day...)
 

Originally Posted by Charles Nungester:
I think it's a great thing for Indycar as I probably wouldn't watch if he wasn't in it. I got no connection to any of the racers there whereas I've seen Larson and other USACers run several times at smaller venues.

There's one thing, If you win indy you are required to be available for a few hours after the race, the next morning for GMA, Today etc. The pretty much ruins chances for the 600. Didn't Stewart get put to the rear because he missed pre race drivers meeting at the 600 and that's just being able to leave soon after the Indy 500

I just caught this, It's for 2024 not this year.

What about Ed??? & Santino is racing at Tulsa this week..

& yes, I'm certain all of the drivers had to go to the back in the 600. NASCAR didn't seem to encourage this much at 1st, but it should raise interest in both series, and maybe Kyle can attend the drivers meeting on the airplane ride via zoom or smthn now...

Re: Larson to the 500!!! (Never thought I'd see the day...)
 

Originally Posted by BrentTFunk:
I think this is great for all of open wheel racing. I love the Indy 500. It is still the biggest race in the world. I have a friend that works in promotions for a track that hosts IndyCar and NASCAR. He says the Indy drivers are easier to work with, and go out of their way to connect with the fans. Charles, if you have never been to Indy, it is worth trying at least once. Indy cars on an oval are about as good as it gets. Even if you don't go on race day.

I went up there several times in the 90s for practice and even one pole day. Every time I walked pit road the only driver greeting people and chatting was Gary B. The rest only accessible thru sponsor parties and several Riggs with catering and a sign that said if you don't have a million in your pocket, DO NOT ENTER. (Sarcasm)

That's my take on it. I could be completely wrong.

Re: Larson to the 500!!! (Never thought I'd see the day...)
 

No Charles your not wrong, but its still some of the finest racecars ever concieved and a sight to behold for a race fan. Single seater, open wheel. Setting the standard of what a race car should be for over 110 years. The only thing missing is a mile dirt track :deadhorse:

Strange to announce this for 2024. A lot could happen between now and then.

Re: Larson to the 500!!! (Never thought I'd see the day...)
 

Originally Posted by Charles Nungester:
I think it's a great thing for Indycar as I probably wouldn't watch if he wasn't in it. I got no connection to any of the racers there whereas I've seen Larson and other USACers run several times at smaller venues,

Thats a Catch 22 because if you watch IndyCar , then you WOULD have a connection to those drivers like you do with the USACer's... Lots of cool personalities . Who cares where they're from? If you don't understand that these guy's are REAL RACERS but don't like them because they never ran Kokomo, well you are just showing your ignorance....

Originally Posted by BrentTFunk:
I think this is great for all of open wheel racing. I love the Indy 500. It is still the biggest race in the world. I have a friend that works in promotions for a track that hosts IndyCar and NASCAR. He says the Indy drivers are easier to work with, and go out of their way to connect with the fans. Charles, if you have never been to Indy, it is worth trying at least once. Indy cars on an oval are about as good as it gets. Even if you don't go on race day.

Yes, Indycar on an oval is as good as it gets, but unfortunately they've had very few ovals the last several years, trying to emulate F1.

Originally Posted by jdull99:
What about Ed??? & Santino is racing at Tulsa this week..

& yes, I'm certain all of the drivers had to go to the back in the 600. NASCAR didn't seem to encourage this much at 1st, but it should raise interest in both series, and maybe Kyle can attend the drivers meeting on the airplane ride via zoom or smthn now...

I'm pretty sure NASCAR has still required drivers to start from the back for not being at the meeting, even if they appeared by videocall.

Re: Larson to the 500!!! (Never thought I'd see the day...)
 

Originally Posted by Puppy:
Thats a Catch 22 because if you watch IndyCar , then you WOULD have a connection to those drivers like you do with the USACer's... Lots of cool personalities . Who cares where they're from? If you don't understand that these guy's are REAL RACERS but don't like them because they never ran Kokomo, well you are just showing your ignorance....

Can I clarify something? I used to watch the Indy 500 Milwaukee Mile, Michigan and most of the ovals from the 70s-90s Because Bettenhausen, Foyt, Andrettis, Unsers etc. etc. ran them and I seen them as kids running local and on Wide World of Sports. Hell they might even rent out the top five rows at the Burg on a off weekend to just come watch (Like AJ Did)

Last year, I think there were two that really raced dirt and asphalt short track around Indy and nearby. I just looked up at the screen from time to time, Not really caring who was where. Sage Karam is fun to watch.

Sorry, They lost me, Not the other way around. Now they don't run many ovals at all. They're all running clone cars. Used to be innovation and test of endurance and equipment. . Ignorance? Maybe just a loss of interest is more like it.

Originally Posted by MassiveRaceFan:
Yes, Indycar on an oval is as good as it gets, but unfortunately, they've had very few ovals the last several years, trying to emulate F1.

I wouldn't necessarily say Indy Car is trying to emulate F1. Real Indy Car fans want more ovals. But think about it - What ovals haven't been tried? Phoenix, Kansas, Joliet, Kentucky, Pocono, Atlanta, Charlotte, Richmond, Nashville Superspeedway, Fontana? Which of those tracks had great attendance? NONE, or the promoters would still be having Indy Car races at them. Seen the attendance at Texas the last few years? Seems to get lower every year. We're lucky that St. Louis has firm dates, and that Roger used his power to get Iowa back open. Until fans support any new ovals, get used to the road and street courses.

Re: Larson to the 500!!! (Never thought I'd see the day...)
 

Originally Posted by Grocery Guy:
I wouldn't necessarily say Indy Car is trying to emulate F1. Real Indy Car fans want more ovals. But think about it - What ovals haven't been tried? Phoenix, Kansas, Joliet, Kentucky, Pocono, Atlanta, Charlotte, Richmond, Nashville Superspeedway, Fontana? Which of those tracks had great attendance? NONE, or the promoters would still be having Indy Car races at them. Seen the attendance at Texas the last few years? Seems to get lower every year. We're lucky that St. Louis has firm dates, and that Roger used his power to get Iowa back open. Until fans support any new ovals, get used to the road and street courses.

Mega dittos! You took the words out of my mouth. It certainly would be nice if there were more ovals to TRY to go to, but promoters do not want to lose money. I like McLaren's commitment to Indycar, while meanwhile it appears all Andretti cares about is getting to F1 somehow; but I'd wish one of them would get in to promoting oval Indycar races (again for Andretti - he did at least Milwaukee before, but if he had the passion he has for going f1 racing, maybe he could make more of an effort on an Indycar oval race; OR hiring a driver that connected with American fans...). Sadly, this Iowa wknd comes with a steep tix prices to support 4 big name (modern) music acts...I'd rather they had some county fair lower priced ticket talent and even out the pricing on the tickets, but we will see how it works...you get to see four bands and two indycar races for cheaper than an f1 USGP seat or a Taylor Swift concert...

Re: Larson to the 500!!! (Never thought I'd see the day...)
 

Originally Posted by MassiveRaceFan:
I'm pretty sure NASCAR has still required drivers to start from the back for not being at the meeting, even if they appeared by videocall.

I imagine so. My emphasis was they could make an exception. NASCAR is making a LOT of changes...espcly about inclusivity and all that; so they should offer nothing but compassion; but they would need to get over certain issues...(with Larson & Indycar).

Originally Posted by Grocery Guy:
I wouldn't necessarily say Indy Car is trying to emulate F1. Real Indy Car fans want more ovals. But think about it - What ovals haven't been tried? Phoenix, Kansas, Joliet, Kentucky, Pocono, Atlanta, Charlotte, Richmond, Nashville Superspeedway, Fontana? Which of those tracks had great attendance? NONE, or the promoters would still be having Indy Car races at them. Seen the attendance at Texas the last few years? Seems to get lower every year. We're lucky that St. Louis has firm dates, and that Roger used his power to get Iowa back open. Until fans support any new ovals, get used to the road and street courses.

There were plenty of ovals until around 2009-2011 Indycar voluntarily removed like half of them from the schedule. Gateway and Iowa have lots of fans, and I don't buy the attendance claims when some of the road races on the schedule don't do well yet still are on the schedule. And my interest in Indycar is rapidly declining, I was considering not bothering to watch this year, but decided to. If the next year or two doesn't bring big changes, I will quit watching Indycar.

Originally Posted by jdull99:
Mega dittos! You took the words out of my mouth. It certainly would be nice if there were more ovals to TRY to go to, but promoters do not want to lose money. I like McLaren's commitment to Indycar, while meanwhile it appears all Andretti cares about is getting to F1 somehow; but I'd wish one of them would get in to promoting oval Indycar races (again for Andretti - he did at least Milwaukee before, but if he had the passion he has for going f1 racing, maybe he could make more of an effort on an Indycar oval race; OR hiring a driver that connected with American fans...). Sadly, this Iowa wknd comes with a steep tix prices to support 4 big name (modern) music acts...I'd rather they had some county fair lower priced ticket talent and even out the pricing on the tickets, but we will see how it works...you get to see four bands and two indycar races for cheaper than an f1 USGP seat or a Taylor Swift concert...

Totally agree with you. Be nice if the Indy Car owners could try to figure out how to make more ovals profitable. Milwaukee seems to be off the table because of Road America. Michigan won't work because of the Detroit street race. What's left? As you say and according to some friends, the Iowa Indy Car ticket prices have drastically gone up in price for 2023. Seem the concerts are a bigger deal than the races. Sadly, it should be the other way around.

Re: Larson to the 500!!! (Never thought I'd see the day...)
 

Glad to see Im not alone. Never said they weren't real racers or race cars. But the direction went the opposite way of my taste. Always was about half the field or more drivers from around the world. But that also included cars from around the world.

Originally Posted by jdull99:
Ideally to get him laps in the car...I imagine they have a plan with indycar to get him licensed...(thats one of the problems...you can't just jump in these anymore...but it happens to their own...Colton Herta can't get licensed for F-1...)

All he has to do is pass rookie orientation for the 500, which is a test that has existed for a long time. The issue with F1 is the super license which is set up to protectnl that ladder. IIRC, had it not been for the covid period that wreaked havoc on the IC ladder, Herta would have had enough super license points. Not going this year has much more to do with no open seats. Kanaan is already filling that 4th ride, I don't think there is anything open among McLaren, Penske, CGR, and Penske. He could come over right now an run a full season with no problem if he had a seat and funding.

Originally Posted by Grocery Guy:
Totally agree with you. Be nice if the Indy Car owners could try to figure out how to make more ovals profitable. Milwaukee seems to be off the table because of Road America. Michigan won't work because of the Detroit street race. What's left? As you say and according to some friends, the Iowa Indy Car ticket prices have drastically gone up in price for 2023. Seem the concerts are a bigger deal than the races. Sadly, it should be the other way around.

Take NASCAR out of the track owning part of it and half the battle has been won. That puts a long uphill battle for IC to climb from the promotion side of the equation before an event has even started, never mind the fact that thy screwed up a number of those track on both the SMI and ISC side by reconfiguring tracks and slathering that PJ1 goop on them. If you need a perfectly good oval screwed up there is no better partner than those two at the moment.

Re: Larson to the 500!!! (Never thought I'd see the day...)
 

Originally Posted by MassiveRaceFan:
There were plenty of ovals until around 2009-2011 Indycar voluntarily removed like half of them from the schedule. Gateway and Iowa have lots of fans, and I don't buy the attendance claims when some of the road races on the schedule don't do well yet still are on the schedule. And my interest in Indycar is rapidly declining, I was considering not bothering to watch this year, but decided to. If the next year or two doesn't bring big changes, I will quit watching Indycar.

NOBODY races (much at all) at two of those 2009 tracks...(Chicago & KY)...and Milwaukee is on a comeback (lets hope a promoter takes on an Indycar race again...). Richmond was close before the response to the virus; so maybe there will be something there eventually (paging Roger, Andretti or heck maybe Zach Brown...) - so thats four of them idt Indycar voluntarily removed...that leaves Japan (I did like that one, as it ran later at night over here) and Homestead...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_IndyCar_Series

Re: Larson to the 500!!! (Never thought I'd see the day...)
 

Originally Posted by USACMan:
All he has to do is pass rookie orientation for the 500, which is a test that has existed for a long time. The issue with F1 is the super license which is set up to protectnl that ladder. IIRC, had it not been for the covid period that wreaked havoc on the IC ladder, Herta would have had enough super license points. Not going this year has much more to do with no open seats. Kanaan is already filling that 4th ride, I don't think there is anything open among McLaren, Penske, CGR, and Penske. He could come over right now an run a full season with no problem if he had a seat and funding.

Older article (posted below), so perhaps there are some updates (imagine they did not do anything easier for anyone to get in tho); but, yes, you were right, as a full-time NASCAR driver he does get a license...(I woulda hoped, but nothing racing series do surprise me...). I would certainly think he would have to have that license BEFORE the rookie test though...its kind of the whole point of the License right? But ya, the sad part about this system is there seems to be nothing for front engine open-wheel race winners and champions...

https://www.autoweek.com/racing/indy...ensing-system/

I do still think/hope they will get him as many tests in the car as they can under the current testing rules (I'm not researching those...) before spring of 2024. I really wished there was an oval race in 2023 that he could run OR if there was ONE added in before the 500 next year ; that would be great in every manner...


The way I read this article (much more current than one posted above), Herta coulda got the 40 points he needed to get an f1 license if he won the indycar champ either last year or once in that time period? -

https://apnews.com/article/sports-au...031e33fe3cbdc6

...Indycar still ran during the response to the virus, so I do not exactly understand how that effected him though? (just asking, I may be missing smthn).


PS - I think the whole License deal is stupid, so I'm not defending it, it just is what it is. I would like it better if a guy could just show up, pass the Rookie test and qualifying...

Originally Posted by jdull99:
...Indycar still ran during the response to the virus, so I do not exactly understand how that effected him though? (just asking, I may be missing smthn).

That's right, he ran his first race in 2018. It wasn't COVID. For some reason there was a discussion in field sizes in Lights impacting those SL points and I got that mixed uo. I think I remember now what it is. IC doesn't pay out the SL points that F2 does which is dumb. If they did, he would have the need 40 points based on his 3rd and 5th place finish in point in 2020 and 2021.

Re: Larson to the 500!!! (Never thought I'd see the day...)
 

I have a gut feeling that Larson won't be the only NASCAR to come to Indy in 24

Re: Larson to the 500!!! (Never thought I'd see the day...)
 

Originally Posted by MassiveRaceFan:
Yes, Indycar on an oval is as good as it gets, but unfortunately they've had very few ovals the last several years, trying to emulate F1.

If you look at who owns most of the ovals, it makes sense why they don't run more. I saw IndyCar races at Chicagoland and Kentucky that were as good as any racing I have ever seen. Not a lot of fans were there either. When the IRL first started there were several short trackers that had chances, and no one showed up to watch.
I actually don't mind road racing. I will take that over fenders on a dirt track any day.

Originally Posted by BrentTFunk:
If you look at who owns most of the ovals, it makes sense why they don't run more. I saw IndyCar races at Chicagoland and Kentucky that were as good as any racing I have ever seen. Not a lot of fans were there either. When the IRL first started there were several short trackers that had chances, and no one showed up to watch.
I actually don't mind road racing. I will take that over fenders on a dirt track any day.

Indycar had plenty of tracks owned by them in the past, no reason they can't now. If attendance is really an issue, then Indycar should drop tracks like Laguna Seca and Portland which are also poorly attended.

Don't know why you hate fendered cars on dirt.

I like road racing as well, but Indycar's road racing is often very boring compared to the road racing in other series.

Re: Larson to the 500!!! (Never thought I'd see the day...)
 

Originally Posted by BrentTFunk:
If you look at who owns most of the ovals, it makes sense why they don't run more. I saw IndyCar races at Chicagoland and Kentucky that were as good as any racing I have ever seen. Not a lot of fans were there either. When the IRL first started there were several short trackers that had chances, and no one showed up to watch.
I actually don't mind road racing. I will take that over fenders on a dirt track any day.

If ovals were profitable, they would race at them more. It does not matter who owns them. I guarantee that all tracks are looking for more inventory to sell. It is hard to make a business run if you only have 1 or 2 profit making days on the entire calendar.

I lived in DFW during Eddie Gossage' hey day and I am convinced that there was not an idea, he did not at least consider. Concerts, Football games, pig races, he was for anything that put buts in seats.

Re: Larson to the 500!!! (Never thought I'd see the day...)
 

IndyCar is very good racing, better than NASCAR. I don’t mind road racing at all, just don’t like street races where passing is hard to do. As to the drivers, they are much more available now than in the past. At St Louis a couple of years ago the drivers were at tables for autographs. Assume this happens elsewhere.

Indycar isn't even close to being as good as NASCAR these days.

Indycar and NASCAR ain't even remotely enjoyable when compared to front engine openwheel racing.