INDYCAR fans love to talk about the series and its talented drivers and teams, talking about anything from standard performance to “what if?” Sports.
The writers at INDYCAR.com are very different.
With that in mind, now is the time to introduce a new roundtable discussion for INDYCAR.com. The three panellists have differing views but share a passion for NTT INDYCAR SERIES and its events. They talk and explore topics throughout the year, hoping to stimulate thinking and conversation for readers and perhaps a little laughter.
Curt Cavin has been working all Indianapolis 500 since 1988 and has handled all of the Formula One and MotoGP events, as well as the first 23 NASCAR events, held at the famous track during his reporting days at Indianapolis Star.
Paul Kelly’s motorsports experience is even more diverse, having worked in editorial and public relations in Indy cars, sports cars and sleigh racing since 1993. He also covered NASCAR, short race and motorcycle racing as a newspaper reporter in New York in the late 80s and early 90s and MotoGP is a Speedway resident and freak TT Isle of Man.
Zach Horrall is clearly a newbie in this group, but his love for the sport is deeply rooted, growing from childhood commitment to college documentary work at Indianapolis Star, covering the Indianapolis 500, NASCAR and sled races before joining IMS in 2019.
Today’s Question: What are you looking forward to about the INDYCAR private team testing on January 18-19 at Sebring?
Curt Cavin: Jimmie Johnson’s involvement is the obvious answer, and Scott McLaughlin’s transition will be closely watched when Team Penske comes to Sebring in a week or two. But for me, it was a worthless move of the Alex Palou offseason to Chip Ganassi Racing. The Spaniard showed promise last year at Dale Coyne Racing, often racing stronger in the second race of the doubleheader. Can he take the next step? I also think it was worth paying special attention to Marcus Ericsson’s second year with Ganassi’s team.
Paul Kelly: Man, there are a lot of interesting angles to keep an eye on Monday and Tuesday at Sebring. Curt and Zach cite some good stories to follow among many. But my eyes will be on Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and Arrow McLaren SP at the old Florida airport racetrack. These teams made great strides in 2020 and are the most likely candidates to expand the Penske, Chip Ganassi Racing and Andretti Autosport ” Big Three ‘series to “Fantastic Four” or “Ferocious”. Five. ”RLL returns with its line-up of Indy 500 winners Takuma Sato and Graham Rahal, while AMSP welcomes Felix Rosenqvist of Ganassi to his full-season line-up, joining Pato O’Ward. The increased quality of RLL and AMSP is just another mirror of just how deep and competitive INDYCAR will be in 2021.
Zach Horrall: I will be keeping a close eye on the AJ Foyt Racing team. It’s no secret that the Foyt cars have been struggling lately, but with the addition of Sebastien Bourdais to the team and his elegant finish in fourth place in the final of the 2020 season at St Petersburg I wonder if the image team hit something. Can Bourds continue its pace in October, where it finished seventh? I also want to see how Dalton Kellett performs after a year of road courses under his belt. I have been anxiously waiting for these two to determine whether St. Pete was a false break or the beginning of a new era for the myth. Now, it’s time.