Category Archives: racing

Indianapolis 500 Purse at Record $30,906,400

Posted on 26 May 2026 by Ken Zino

The purse for the 110th Indianapolis 500 totaled a record $30,906,400. First-time winner Felix Rosenqvist of Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian earned a record-high $4.34 million. That translates to $21,700 per lap for the 200 lap race presented by Gainbridge. The announcement came at the Victory Celebration, held this year at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis on Monday night. [The Indianapolis 500 purse consists of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and NTT IndyCar Series awards, plus other designated and special awards. – AutoCrat]* Continue reading →

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Indianapolis 500 in 2026 – Closet Finish in 110 Years!

Posted on 25 May 2026 by Ken Zino

The final lap of wheel-to-wheel racing to take the checkered flag at the Indianapolis 500 culminated in the closest finish in the 110-year history at the Brickyard. However, it was only one of the “500” or more heart-throbbing moments that inarguably supports the claim that the 500 is the “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Felix Rosenqvist drove the high line against the concrete wall exiting Turn 4 on Lap 200 in the No. 60 SiriusXM Honda of Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian and powered past the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet of David Malukas to triumph by .0233 of a second. The previous closest finish in “500” history came in 1992, when Al Unser Jr. held off a charging Scott Goodyear by .043 of a second. Continue reading →

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Push to Pass Rules Changed For IndyCar Racing

Posted on 5 May 2026 by Ken Zino

IndyCar announced today an update for “Push to Pass” use for the NTT IndyCar Series and Indy NXT by Firestone. Beginning with this week’s events on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and for all subsequent road and street circuit races, Push to Pass – a driver-controlled system that provides roughly 60 extra horsepower via increased turbocharger boost – will be available and allowed for use at all times once the car passes the alternate start-finish line following the start and once the green flag has been displayed. Push to Pass timing parameters, including time and maximum time per push, remain unchanged. Continue reading →

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Racing Return! McLaren MCL-HY 2027 WEC Hypercar Shown

Posted on 4 May 2026 by Ken Zino

“Years and months in the making and here we are, revealing the MCL-HY to the world. McLaren Racing now has three race cars ready to contest the biggest motorsport series in the world; Formula 1, IndyCar and WEC. This means McLaren, its partners and fans can challenge for the Triple Crown of Monaco GP, INDY500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans together – a unique cross-series story that sets us apart,” said Zak Brown, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Racing. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X To Pace 110th Indianapolis 500

Posted on 30 April 2026 by Ken Zino

A 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X will lead the field to the green flag for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday 24 May 24 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.* “Having America’s sports car, the Corvette, pacing the field feels … Continue reading →

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McLaren to Run in 2027 World Endurance Championship

Posted on 24 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“The MCL‑HY GTR proudly continues a lineage that began with the McLaren F1 GTR’s outright Le Mans victory in 1995 and then continued with the McLaren P1 GTR™ and McLaren Senna GTR track cars. This badge stands for moments that define McLaren. With the MCL‑HY GTR, we are writing the next chapter for our most focused, authentic, and uncompromising track cars,” said Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer, Chief Commercial Officer, McLaren Automotive. Continue reading →

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Acura to Enter IndyCar. “Pause” IMSA GTP

Posted on 22 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Well, the paddock rumors were accurate – or should AutoInformed say Acura-it? Marcus Armstrong’s Honda-powered IndyCar will carry Acura branding in the 2026 Indianapolis 500, the Acura’s first appearance on the Indy 500 grid. Moreover, Acura will “pause” the IMSA GTP program following 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. This move to the NTT IndyCar Series keeps the Acura name in motorsports of course. It also, perhaps, adds a complication to the viability of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, if other brands do likewise. Continue reading →

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IMSA and IndyCar – Acura Wins 2026 Long Beach Grand Prix!

Posted on 20 April 2026 by Ken Zino

On the 1.968-mile, 11 turn Long Beach street circuit, it was a great double-header weekend for Honda Racing. Alex Palou completed a sweep of the weekend for Honda in the 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, as Honda and Acura powered vehicles scored pole position and the victory Sunday in both the NTT IndyCar Series (Palou) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The first game went to Renger van der Zande on Saturday who drove the No. 93 Acura Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian Acura ARX-06 to the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) first-place trophy in the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. They controlled the 100-minute sprint race from green to checkered flags. Continue reading →

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IMSA Street Fight – 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach

Posted on 17 April 2026 by Ken Zino

The Long Beach street course will showcase Acura versus Aston-Martin versus Cadillac versus Corvette for the 100-minute race that is considered Honda Racing’s home event in the U.S. It’s exciting racing on the 1.968-mile Long Beach street circuit. That’s because teams and drivers start “cold” and have to work through significant track condition changes over three sessions Friday while four other classes add rubber to the circuit. Continue reading →

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IndyCar Makes Single Car Qualifying Permanent with Tweaks

Posted on 13 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“The debut of single-car Firestone Fast Six qualifying in Arlington was extremely popular and well received,” claimed IndyCar President J. Douglas Boles. [Not with some driver’s and teams at the Good Ranchers 250-AutoCrat.]* “Following the event, we reached out to stakeholders to help evaluate the format and look into ways to improve an already exciting session. This slight update will provide the fastest from the Top 12 an earned advantage of choosing when they would like their run in the Fast Six, while tire selection before lining up at pit out will save time and more closely equalize the session.” [Precisely – changing track conditions and allowed tire changes for late qualifiers made a mockery of the pole position -AutoCrat.] Continue reading →

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Penske Truck Rental – New Indy 500 VIP Contest

Posted on 7 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“Penske Truck Rental has always been about moving lives and businesses forward—and for true racing fans, the Indianapolis 500 is the ultimate fan destination,” said Kevin Malloy, senior vice president of rental at Penske. “This new contest celebrates the stories that move us all, and we’re honored to help two passionate fan’s dreams come true of attending this legendary race and enjoying a VIP experience.” Continue reading →

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Ford GT Mk IV Runs Nordschleife at 6m15.977s

Posted on 2 April 2026 by Ken Zino

The Ford GT Mk IV (NYSE: F) has set the record as the fastest American OEM around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, Ford Racing said today. It is at the moment the third fastest overall car to ever lap the Nordschleife. The 6:15.977 ET also means that the GT Mk IV, as a track-only vehicle classified in the prototype category, is the fastest car currently available for purchase to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Just bring money –  stacks of it – starting price of ~$1.7 million. Continue reading →

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Sebring 2026 – Porsche Takes 20th Complete Victory

Posted on 23 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“We had the right packages with the Porsche 963 in the top GTP class and the 911 GT3 R in the leading GT category. We were fast, the drivers kept their cool, and the teams worked flawlessly. We couldn’t have asked for more. Congratulations to our customer teams, the works squad, and all our partners. We’re delighted with this successful start to the season and these major achievements as we celebrate 75 years of Porsche Motorsport,” said Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport. Continue reading →

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Chevy Teases 2027 Corvette Grand Sport at Sebring

Posted on 22 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“It is an incredible opportunity to be reunited with the Corvette Grand Sport C2 here at the Twelve Hours of Sebring – an event and a track that has always carried special meaning for me and for our race teams over the years,” Penske said. “Congratulations to Chevrolet on launching the new era of the Grand Sport program. It is truly special to see the C2 and the other generations of the Corvette Grand Sport, including the new C8, here at Sebring.” Continue reading →

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Andretti Global Rules Inaugural Java House Grand Prix

Posted on 16 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“What an absolutely phenomenal day for our #27 JM Bullion Andretti Global Honda. And hats off to Honda really for a 1-2-3-4 today,” Kirkwood said. “Man, did we have some pace. This JM Bullion Honda, Andretti, all these guys right here, they gave me the tools today. It’s because of this race car we won today, because of teamwork….“One-three-four (finish) for Andretti; we’re just so stacked here. I’m so stoked.” Continue reading →

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