On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
The IndyCar Grand Prix of St. Petersburg showed IndyCar’s strength and weaknesses. Despite the race not being a classic the on-track action still provided entertainment. Several drivers highlighted their class, but IndyCar still faces big challenges in 2024.
While Josef Newgarden dominated the opening round of the 2024 NTT IndyCar Series in the streets of St. Petersburg, some big questions still remain about IndyCar this season. The delayed introduction of new regulations keeps being a pain for the American open wheel series. Originally the new hybrid engine was slated to be used in 2023. Various issues during development pushed it back to 2024 and then last December IndyCar announced a further delay. The planned launch of the new engine unit will now be after the Indy 500.
Not only does this create confusion, but also creates a strange dynamic for the latter half of the 2024 NTT IndyCar Series. Only a limited number of drivers from Honda and Chevrolet tested the new hybrid engine. This creates an uneven playing field. Team Penske, Chip Ganassi Racing, Arrow McLaren and Andretti now have over 3000 miles of data to analyze. While the other teams and drivers are left to guess what the new components will do. Surely Honda and Chevrolet will help the rest of their customers. In a series as close as IndyCar the lack of track time will severely impact the other teams.
“It’s going to be good.”
Why @12WillPower gave this week’s latest test of the hybrid system at @HomesteadMiami a resounding thumbs-up
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) February 2, 2024
An IndyCar charter system… really?
The engines are not the only thing to worry about. Ever since Penske Entertainment bought IndyCar decisions have been marked by confusion and criticism. The latest chapter in this saga started when Penske Entertainment proposed a charter system for IndyCar. The proposal suggested car owners pay $1m per car to participate in the series. Unsurprisingly many team owners are unhappy with this idea. Michael Andretti even called for Roger Penske to sell IndyCar if he’s not willing to invest in the championship. IndyCar fans echoed this sentiment.
Man. Absolutely everything @michaelandretti is saying here is absolutely dead on. Especially adopting the IMSA formula and approach.
IndyCar: Michael Andretti questions Roger Penske’s willingness to invest https://t.co/EyuAylgb4p
— Champweb (@champwebdotnet) March 8, 2024
Everything about this proposal goes against IndyCar culture. In fact, this charter proposal has hallmarks of the infamous 25 & 8 rule. Obviously, this causes a lot of controversy. The NTT IndyCar Series has taken 20 years to get positive momentum. The US TV Ratings are the highest in many years. The field is arguably the most talented IndyCar has ever seen. Yet it doesn’t feel like Penske Entertainment is making the most of it. IndyCar doesn’t need a charter, it needs strong and competent leadership. Despite world economics not being great, plenty of manufacturers are lining up to join WEC and IMSA. IndyCar needs to find a way to attract more interest.
IndyCar Marketing hello?
Penske Entertainment must realize the unique opportunity IndyCar has to offer. The on-track action is exciting, the drivers are exciting. Where is the exciting marketing? On social media metrics alone IndyCar falls behind on its competitors. Currently, the official NTT IndyCar Series X page has under 500k followers. While the official NASCAR account has 3.6 million followers. Formula 1 sits at 10 million followers. On Instagram, it’s a similar story near 600k for the official IndyCar account. 2.6 million for the NASCAR account. Formula 1 is in a completely different stratosphere on Instagram with 26 million followers.
This problem doesn’t just contain itself to Social Media. Whenever Formula 1 visits Miami, Austin or Las Vegas it completely takes over the city. Multiple big events surround the race weekends. IndyCar always does a terrific job promoting the Indianapolis 500, but it fails to capture that spirit during the rest of the season. Not every race can be an Indy 500, in fact, there isn’t a race like it. However, much more must be done to promote and make the rest of the season must watch.
The NTT IndyCar Series has all the ingredients to be something special, but it needs a chef who can mix it into a delicious meal. This upcoming season will tell us if Penske Entertainment can be that chef.
More must-reads:
- Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski continues to set radar gun on fire at unprecedented rate
- WNBA All-Star Game ratings paint a troubling picture
- The 'NBA all-time 50-point game leaders' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
Maple Leafs are reportedly looking to make a splash trade
With the Toronto Maple Leafs losing star Mitch Marner this offseason, the team has had to fill a massive hole in the lineup. The Toronto front office has done a decent job so far, and the roster looks a little more well-rounded. But it seems that the Maple Leafs may not be done making moves this summer. According to NHL insider Nick Kypreos of SportsNet, Toronto could trade away defensemen Morgan Rielly or Brandon Carlo in an attempt to add more offense. "While we do also have Morgan Rielly on this list, if the Leafs move a defenseman it'll likely only be one of them. But while Rielly comes with the complication of a no-movement clause, Brandon Carlo has just an eight-team no-trade list and so is also worth putting on the trade board. "Making $3.485M against the cap for another two years, Carlo was a welcome addition to the Leafs' defense corps, averaging 19:13 of ice time per game and nearly two minutes on the PK. In the playoffs, he was among the team's shot-blocking leaders," Kypreos wrote. Marner accounted for 27 goals and 75 assists last season, which will be very tough for the Maple Leafs to replace. But the team does have a limited number of tradable assets to work with, which could potentially be why they are thinking of trading a defender. The Toronto front office remains very active on the trade front and it could lead to a deal taking place. There is still plenty of time left between now and the start of the regular season, giving the Maple Leafs some needed optionality before the new year.
Chicago Blackhawks reportedly set to trade 25-year-old goaltender to Stars rival, Edmonton Oilers
Is Giants' Joe Schoen already having second thoughts about Jaxson Dart, Shedeur Sanders decision?
Kelsey Plum takes shot at Caitlin Clark after WNBA All-Star Game
On Saturday night, Kelsey Plum was part of Team Collier's 151-131 win over Team Clark in the WNBA All-Star Game, scoring 16 points, grabbing five rebounds and dishing out three assists. Following the game, the Los Angeles Sparks star was asked about WNBA All-Stars wearing shirts before the game that read, "Pay Us What You Owe Us." Specifically, Plum was asked about how that idea came together. "The T-shirt — just a united front," she said. "That was determined this morning, that we had a meeting for. Not to tattletale, but zero members of Team Clark were very present for that." Plum said it with a chuckle. However, she was sitting next to New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu, who rolled her eyes and said, "Didn't really need to be mentioned" before laughing. It was awkward, especially because Caitlin Clark, as well as all of the members of Team Clark, wore the shirts. If Clark didn't wear the shirt, you could understand some backlash. But she did. It should also be noted that Team Collier featured the president of the WNBA Players Association, Nneka Ogwumike, as well as the first vice president, Plum, and two vice presidents, Napheesa Collier and Brenna Stewart. It makes sense if they took on greater leadership roles in a statement like this against the league. Whether Plum likes it or not, the reason the WNBA has any sort of leverage heading into these negotiations with the league is Clark. She would do well to remember that the next time she wants to take an unnecessary shot at Clark, who is responsible for the greatest surge in fan attention the WNBA has ever seen.
Caitlin Clark drops mic on Kelsey Plum's Instagram post
Caitlin Clark might be the most popular figure in women's basketball right now, but she continues to draw shots left and right, both on and off the court. The Iowa product has stayed even keeled and mostly unrattled, but that doesn't mean she won't fight back. That's why, in the light of Kelsey Plum's recent comments, she decided to take matters into her own hands and clapped back at her with a simple, six-word message. Plum shared a picture of her during the WNBA's All-Star Weekend, which showed half of a Nike logo in the background. Clark was quick to spot it and just wrote "Thank u for the Nike ad." This happened just hours after Plum seemingly took a shot at Clark and her Team Clark teammates for reportedly not getting involved in their pre-game protest. “The T-shirt was determined this morning. Not to tattletale, but zero members of Team Clark were very present for that,” Plum revealed. “That really needed to be mentioned,” Sabrina Ionescu added while both laughed. WNBA All-Stars warmed up with a T-Shirt that read 'Pay us what you owe us,' ahead of their new CBA agreement, which is expected to be signed in the offseason. WNBA players get around 9 percent of the league's revenue, and they're asking for a bigger share since most of them also have to play overseas during the offseason because of the salary disparity. Plum is the vice president of the WNBPA, so it's not surprising to see her so involved in the protest and the demands. Then again, it's hard to understand the reasoning behind the tattle telling, as not only does it show that there might not be a united front ahead of these negotiations, but it also drives attention away from where it should be.
NBA Legend Shaquille O'Neal Makes Personal Announcement
NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal is widely considered one of the greatest players in basketball history. Helping lead the Los Angeles Lakers to three straight NBA titles alongside Kobe Bryant, O'Neal finished his career with four championships, three Finals MVP awards, 15 All-Star appearances, a league MVP award, and four scoring titles. While he is well-known for his dominance on the court, O'Neal has been a steady presence in the media since his retirement. One member of the Inside the NBA crew, which just completed its final season on TNT, O'Neal has stayed in the spotlight after his playing days. The 7-foot-1 Hall of Famer has also been very active in the community. On Monday, O'Neal made a personal announcement via his foundation about a new community effort they just completed. The former Lakers center has opened a sixth "Comebaq Court" for kids to play on. The official Instagram page for O'Neal's foundation shared the following: "Last Monday, we officially opened our 6th Comebaq Court! In partnership with @IcyHot and the Boys Girls Clubs of Northeast Texas at Gloria Williams Park, we unveiled a state-of-the-art space where kids can dream big and play hard—right in the heart of a park named for a true community hero. Because every kid deserves a safe place to play!" O'Neal is known for being very philanthropic. According to Spotrac, he made over $286 million in NBA career earnings, and has added to that significantly off the court. Using his resources for good, O'Neal and his foundation are doing impactful work in the community.
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
