By John Sturbin, Raceday San Antonio Team Penske’s Will Power and Josef Newgarden officially closed INDYCAR’s extended offseason in familiar territory _ atop the overall speed chart after Day 2 of an NTT IndyCar Series Group Test at Sebring International Raceway. Power and Newgarden _ both series and Indianapolis 500 champions _ placed 1-2 overall Tuesday in the test on Sebring’s historic and notoriously bumpy 1.67-mile “short-course.” The two-day test in Central Florida served as final preparation for all 27 fulltime series drivers and teams heading into the 2025 season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP…
Author: John Sturbin
John Sturbin
John Sturbin is a Fort Worth-based journalist specializing in motorsports. During a near 30-year career with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, he won the Bloys Britt Award for top motorsports story of the year (1991) as judged by The Associated Press; received the National Hot Rod Association’s Media Award (1995) and several in-house Star-Telegram honors. He also was inaugural recipient of the Texas Motor Speedway Excellence in Journalism Award (2009). Email John Sturbin at jsturbin@hotmail.com.
By John Sturbin, Raceday San Antonio Arrow McLaren ace Pato O’Ward returned to his INDYCAR office Monday with gusto. O’Ward topped the overall time chart at 52.3470-seconds/114.849 mph Monday morning on Sebring International Raceway’s historic and notoriously bumpy 1.67-mile “short course” layout. Monday’s session in Central Florida was the first of two days of an NTT IndyCar Series Group Test heading into next month’s 2025 season-opener on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. Twenty-six drivers turning hot laps were separated into morning and afternoon groups, with each receiving four hours of track time. O’Ward, who finished fifth in the 2024…
By John Sturbin, Raceday San Antonio Chevrolet’s next NASCAR race car could be an electric SUV. Chevy will unveil its Blazer EV.R NASCAR Prototype during a media presentation scheduled for Thursday afternoon at Daytona International Speedway, site of Sunday’s 2025 Cup Series season-opening 67th Daytona 500. According to a news release issued Monday morning, the prototype represents a “joint effort between NASCAR and OEM partners,” with the intent of exploring new and emerging automotive technologies. “Our Chevrolet V8 engines continue to be an important part of NASCAR,” Jim Campbell, U.S. Vice President/GM Performance & Motorsports, said in the release. “Racing…
By John Sturbin, Raceday San Antonio Three-time/reigning INDYCAR champion Alex Palou figures to be easy to locate during the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series season. In addition to typically racing in the lead pack, Palou’s No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda again will feature its familiar Postyellow and DHL Red livery during the 17-race schedule. Postyellow is a spot color used by DHL in its design and printing. Postyellow also is an element in DHL’s “Gradient Module” design, used to highlight the logo and draw attention to key messages. Developers of the DHL logo associated the yellow color with…
By John Sturbin, Raceday San Antonio Native Ohioan Mike Shank, whose “small-town” work ethic shaped his successful IMSA and INDYCAR teams, is the 2024 recipient of the Phil Hill Award presented by the Road Racing Drivers Club. Shank was honored by RRDC President Bobby Rahal, the 2019 Hill Award-winner, during the organization’s annual members’ dinner in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Jan. 22. The ceremony was a prelude to the 63rd running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, season-opener of the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The Phil Hill Award has been presented annually since 1993 to the person the…
By John Sturbin, Raceday San Antonio FORT WORTH – Anchored by NASCAR’s tripleheader weekend May 2-4, Texas Motor Speedway’s 2025 events calendar lists 22 events showcasing a variety of motorsports and non-sporting activities encompassing 44 days. “Texas Motor Speedway is proud to once again provide our fans with a wide array of ‘can’t-miss’ events during our 29th season of operation,” TMS Executive Vice President/General Manager Mark Faber said in a news release. “From the May 2-4 NASCAR tripleheader weekend to Goodguys Rod & Custom shows and new events like FoodieLand, there’s something for longtime racing fans and first-time visitors to…
By John Sturbin, Raceday San Antonio Four-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves will attempt to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut in next month’s 2025 season-opening Daytona 500. Castroneves has been assigned the No. 91 Chevrolet as part of Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 for “The Great American Race” at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 16. A three-time winner of the Rolex 24 at Daytona on the DIS “Roval,” Castroneves has assembled a lengthy and successful career in open-wheel and sports car racing. A native of Brazil living in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Castroneves is a 30-time INDYCAR race-winner _ 24…
By John Sturbin, Raceday San Antonio Colton Herta’s INDYCAR career could be heading into its final, lifestyle-altering season in 2025. Herta has emerged as the first American driver likely to be signed by Cadillac Formula One for the team’s debut season in 2026, when General Motors’ flagship brand will enter the FIA’s globe-trotting series as its 11th fulltime team. Herta’s name was dropped by motorsports icon Mario Andretti, one of only two American F1 World Driving Champions, during a recent interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH. Dpa international is a German-based news agency. “I think the focus is to have at…
By John Sturbin, Raceday San Antonio Extended pre-race coverage of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 is among several features included in FOX Sports’ 2025 NTT IndyCar Series broadcast schedule. INDYCAR’s new broadcast partner and the Indianapolis-based sanctioning body confirmed race broadcast start times on Wednesday. Announced in June as part of the media rights deal between FOX Sports and INDYCAR, an NTT IndyCar Series record 17 races will be available on broadcast television _ offering a massive increase in exposure. The NTT IndyCar Series is poised to become the only premier motorsport series in North America with all…
By John Sturbin, Raceday San Antonio Joseph Newgarden’s back-to-back Indianapolis 500 victories officially have been immortalized side-by-side on the Borg-Warner Trophy. Newgarden unveiled his likeness on the Borg-Warner recently during a ceremony in Indianapolis, one of the most significant perks since the Team Penske ace won his second Indy 500 on May 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A 33-year-old native of Nashville, Tenn., Newgarden earned his second victory in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” wheeling the No. 2 Shell Powering Progress Team Penske Chevrolet. Newgarden delivered a record-extending 20th Indy 500 victory to team-owner Roger S. Penske. In addition,…