Roger Penske:
This is Roger Penske and you're listening to Pit Pass Indie, sponsored by Penske Truck Rental.

Bruce Martin: IndyCar fans, it's time to skirt your engines. Welcome to Pit Pass Indy, a production of Evergreen Podcast. I'm your host, Bruce Martin, a journalist who regularly covers the NTT IndyCar Series. Our goal at Pit Pass Indy is to give racing fans an insider's view of the exciting world of the NTT IndyCar Series in a fast-paced podcast featuring interviews with the biggest names in the sport. I bring nearly 40 years of experience covering IndyCar and NASCAR, working for such media brands as NBCSports.com, SI.com, ESPN SportsTicker, Sports Illustrated, AutoWeek, and Speed Sport. So let's drop the green flag on this episode of Pit Pass Indy. Welcome to this bonus edition of Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental as we continue our fourth season of giving IndyCar fans a behind-the-scenes look at the NTT IndyCar Series and the drivers and teams that compete in the Indianapolis 500. Now that IndyCar is in its off-season, it gives us a chance to take a deeper look at some of the storylines heading into 2025. One of the biggest storylines will once again involve Kyle Larson, as the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion will make his second attempt at competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on the same day. Larson will once again attempt the Hendrick 1100 on May 25th, 2025, after announcing his return on September 10th at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Next year, however, the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race will take priority in the event of a rain delay, team owner Rick Hendrick revealed at the announcement. Back on May 26, 2024, rain delayed the start of the 108th Indianapolis 500 by four hours. That ruined Larson's attempt at starting and competing in both races on the same day as the Indy 500 started at 4.45 p.m. Eastern Time. Larson, Hendrick, and Errol McLaren decided to run the Indianapolis 500 and arrive at the Coca-Cola 600 as soon as they landed their private jet. Larson was among the lead contenders for the Indy 500 win before he was assessed a penalty for speeding on Pitt Road midway through the race. After serving a drive-through penalty, Larson finished 18th in the 33-car field. Because he started 5th in the race and had an otherwise stellar rookie campaign at the Indy 500, Larson was named the 2024 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year. Larson jetted off to Charlotte Motor Speedway and arrived at the track just past halfway of the Coca-Cola 600. Justin Allgaier had started the 600 in Larson's number five Chevrolet and was preparing to turn the car over to Larson, but the rain continued and NASCAR stopped the race with the red flag. After waiting it out, NASCAR ruled the race was official and Larson never got a chance to turn a lap in the 600 in 2024. He also did not secure any points for the 600 and he would go on to lose the NASCAR Cup Series regular season championship by one point to Tyler Reddick of 23-11 Racing. Ultimately, Larson was granted a waiver into the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs and scored a dominant win in the September 21st Bass Pro Shops night race at Bristol Motor Speedway. As Larson continues in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, he can look ahead to the 109th Indianapolis 500 in 2025. With the NASCAR race on Memorial Day weekend as the priority, 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner and Errol McLaren sporting director Tony Kanaan will serve as Larson's backup driver in case the Indy 500 is delayed by rain and Larson has to leave for the Coca-Cola 600. Per IndyCar rules that have been in place since 2016, Canaan is a backup driver, not the relief driver for Larson. If Larson starts the Indy 500, and it is later stopped by rain, and he cannot make it back in time for the 600, Canaan cannot finish the race in the car that Larson started. In that case, Larson's Indy 500 would be completed at that point in the race. Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental has all the angles covered regarding Kyle Larson's second attempt at the Indy 500. Let's start off by asking Larson why it is so important that he attempt to compete in both races on the same day in 2025 and his reflection on the weather situation in 2024.

Kyle Larson: Sure. I think it's worth doing because we didn't get to fully complete it, but also I think it was impactful for Hendrick Automotive Group. It was impactful for my brand, Hendrick Motorsports brand, all of that. Just racing in general, Aero McLaren, I'm sure, having us be a part of their team was a big uptick, I'm sure, to their organization. So just a lot of eyes on it, and I think it's great. Yeah, the on-track stuff or the weather or whatever didn't work out, but I think the impact that we all saw from attempting it was huge. Yeah, no, it wasn't fun. I didn't enjoy it. Yeah, I did enjoy what was going on for the couple hours leading into the race, just because I had my mind so set that the rain was going to get here and it was going to rain out Sunday, and I was fine with that. I was still going to get to run both races. And then when I started to realize that, man, we're going to get this track dry in time, and I'm going to not be able to run one or the other, that's just not a good feeling when you want to run both. That was the whole objective. Yeah, it just didn't work out, but you can't control the weather. You can't be in two places at one time. It's just the way things go. So, but like I said, we are, I hope everybody's done talking about the risks of the weather and it's going to be sunny and I'll take 90 degrees next year would be great.

Bruce Martin: Next, we asked Larson his expectation level entering next year's Indy 500.

Kyle Larson: Yeah, I don't know. I mean, we qualified fifth and ran, you know, around the top five all race. So, you know, sitting here right now in September or whatever we're in, like, I don't really have… a certain goal or an expectation or position that I want to qualify or position I want to finish and would be upset if I didn't meet, you know, meet that goal. But I just, yeah, I just want to be competitive. You know, I want to, I want to, you know, complete all laps, you know, do a good job. And then, yeah, whatever the result is, I think if you feel like you did a good job, then you're going to be happy.

Bruce Martin: How late in the negotiations with Mr. H did the Coca-Cola 600 take in the priority become the key moment?

Kyle Larson: For this time around? I don't know. I mean, I don't know. I mean, I think for me and for everybody involved, I think after living through it this time, I think we understood, you know, doing it again You know, the 600 was going to need to be the priority. But I'm done talking about that. We are gonna run both races next year. So weather's gonna be great.

Bruce Martin: Well, like you said, the odds of what we saw in 2024 happening twice is pretty slim.

Kyle Larson: Yeah, definitely. And that's what gives me confidence that the weather will be fine next year and we'll get to run, you know, complete both races from start to finish as scheduled.

Bruce Martin: And the other thing is you're returning as an Indianapolis 500 veteran, which means you do not have to milk the cow at the fastest rookie luncheon.

Kyle Larson: Yeah, that's a plus, I guess. No, I mean, but, but still, I mean, it's, it's funny to laugh about the milking of the cow and all that, but it was, it's something I'm, I'm never going to forget, you know, for, for as long as I live about my Indy 500 experience. So, I mean, yeah, it's, uh, it's weird and whatnot, but, uh, it's still really cool. You know, all the tradition and the pageantry that's behind the Indy 500 and, you know, what it means to be a rookie there. They make a big deal out of being a rookie there. So, um, Yeah, it was still neat to be a part of all that.

Bruce Martin: Reflecting back, did your first Indianapolis 500 exceed your expectations? In terms of just the event, the grandeur?

Kyle Larson: Yeah, I mean, I think in a lot of ways, you know, the practice days for sure exceeded my expectations. I didn't, I didn't, I mean, I knew like opening day and carb day would be big and what, you know, all that is, but every day was really big and it seemed, yeah, there was only one day. I can't remember what day of the week it is, but, I think it's like after qualifying, the first practice after qualifying. That was the only like slow day. But even that was cool because that was like the day that a lot of schools came out and there was a lot of kids there and all that. So, I don't know. I mean, it's just an awesome event from start to finish. They just do an amazing job. I mean, they have, obviously, the budget to make it huge. But yeah, it's just so cool. And I wish, too, that the weather wouldn't have upset things, because your driver intros was a little different than normal. Like, that would have been neat to walk out on the stage on the front stretch like what's typical. So yeah, but it was an awesome time.

Bruce Martin: Tony Kanaan retired from racing after competing in the 2023 Indianapolis 500 for Arrow McLaren. Since then, he has been named the team's sporting director. Kanaan will return to active duty at next year's Indy 500 only if the race is delayed by rain and Kyle Larson has to leave for the NASCAR race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. I caught up with Kanan for this exclusive interview for PitPass Indy as he explains his thoughts on the potential to return to the Indy 500 cockpit. Joining us now on Pit Pass Indy is Tony Kanaan. Tony, we're at the Kyle Larson announcement that he's going to do the double. Sounds to me like you're getting back in an Indy car. How did that all happen?

Tony Kanaan: Well, I mean, to be able to be eligible to be his backup driver, which, you know, they just stated that obviously this year the 600 is going to take It's going to take place. I have to do the refreshments. And that was one thing that last year was, this year actually, was a little bit of a miscommunication. Yeah, I'll get back in the new car in my favorite place. You know, I said, I don't mind. The thing that I actually mind the most is actually all my friends, Dario Scott Dixon, all these guys making fun of me that I can't stay away.

Bruce Martin: But it's a good problem to have. I've lost track of how many Tony Kanaan last laps that they've had at the Indianapolis 500. I believe that your career has gone into overtime, green, white, checkered.

Tony Kanaan: If this happens. Yeah, in a fashion way. But I mean, I have to say we are hopeful that that's not going to happen. I just need to be prepared because this is what happened, you know, this year. I think, you know, NASCAR is his priority. And I think they made the commitment to that this after this year's experience. So Mr. H and Jeff Gordon, which is one of my racing heroes, asked if I could just be on a standby. And I think It's a pretty cool experience, Bruce. I think, you know, if you love this sport, you want to be associated with people there that love the sport with you and think like you and are obsessed with wins. So, like I said, I'm pretty flattered. And if I have to come back in the car, I'll gladly do it, but hopefully I won't need it.

Bruce Martin: But could we see the two of you basically sharing the car during the refreshment? Yes, 100%. The refresher test. And then if he says the car is doing this, you can say, let me jump in and feel it for myself.

Tony Kanaan: Well, I mean, the refreshment is quite, you know, pretty structured with speed, so you don't really test, but I'm pretty sure we'll be able to feel it. It would be fun to do it on the same day. I think that's the plan for now, for the April test, so we'll see.

Bruce Martin: But also there's the open test, which you would probably take Lapsen, and he would take Lapsen.

Tony Kanaan: Yeah, we don't know if we're doing the open test in October with his car yet because of this playoff, so it's more guaranteed. I think I am in the car for sure in April, not this test. We'll probably let him do this test.

Bruce Martin: Well, IndyCar doesn't have an overtime rule, but once again, as I said, your career could go into overtime.

Tony Kanaan: You never know, but hopefully it won't.

Bruce Martin: But just the thrill of having one more opportunity. I know you'd like to see him do the whole race, end up in victory lane, then have to figure out how to get to the 600 in time, since Rick Hendrick said that's the priority, will be the 600 this year. But just what's it been like to work with this guy? He's so good.

Tony Kanaan: I mean, Bruce, it's been a magical moment as far as, you know, we pretty much, you know, worked pretty hard to feel the best car we could for him. I know how good he is. We won races together. We know his talent and the level of professionalism we have to have. It's been an awesome experience. Obviously, extremely flattered to be able to be part of it. Pretty flattered to be able to be called the backup driver or whatever they want to call it, but it's pretty awesome.

Bruce Martin: Plus, next year, you're going to have a couple of new drivers to work with. Christian Lungard is one of them. Nolan Siegel will be back for his first full season in IndyCar. And of course, you got Pato Award. We all know how good he is. But when you look at 2025 from an Aero McLaren standpoint, some exciting things happening.

Tony Kanaan: Sure. Looks promising. Obviously, a lot of pressure we're making, you know, every effort we can to feel the best cars again. I mean, Like Zach said in his interview, we set the level pretty high, so now we just need to go higher.

Bruce Martin: Well, Tony Kanaan, good luck when you get back in an Indy car. And who knows, we may see you in the Indianapolis 500 if there is rain and Kyle Larson has to leave. But good luck and thank you for joining us on Pit Pass Indy. Thank you. We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break.

Joseph Newgarden: Hey everyone, this is two-time Indy 500 winner, Joseph Newgarden, and you're listening to Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Bruce Martin: Welcome back to Pit Pass Indy. Two NASCAR Hall of Famers are heavily involved in this effort involving Hendrick Motorsports and Arrow McLaren. It's Hall of Fame team owner, Rick Hendrick and racing legend, Jeff Gordon, who is now the vice chairman at Hendrick Motorsports. I had a chance to speak to both at the announcement for Pit Pass Indy. First up is my interview with Gordon, a five-time Brickyard 400 winner, three-time Daytona 500 winner, and four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. Gordon was asked about Larson's expectation level returning to the Indianapolis 500.

Jeff Gordon: Yeah, don't give Kyle Larson a second shot at something that he already did well at. I mean, I think he's going to knock it out of the park. He already did. But I know what a perfectionist he is and the few things that he learned or a couple of things that didn't go well. I know he wants that second chance to clean that up. I was so impressed with what he did, but I was also impressed with what Errol McLaren did. So, you know, obviously that does raise expectations. So we'll just have to wait and see when we get back on the track, and I believe that'll be April, and, you know, see where the team, the car, power plant, you know, how he's feeling in the car, if there's any regulation changes or setup changes.

Bruce Martin: Next, Gordon gave his reflections on Larson's Indy 500 effort in 2024.

Jeff Gordon: The history and you're feeling, you know, what Kyle and the team are going through, especially as we saw throughout the month of May, how, how competitive they were. I mean, you weren't just going into it to ride around. You were going into it with potentially a shot to win.

Bruce Martin: Gordon is not surprised by the level of attention this effort has generated in both NASCAR and the Indianapolis 500.

Jeff Gordon: Well it's a big deal. I mean it doesn't happen every year. It's not easy to do. Obviously not easy to do logistically. You know it's And to do it well, too. I mean, I think what built up the hype as we got closer to the Indy 500 and the 600 was how well he was positioned in both of those races. Because one thing that's never been done is somebody to win both of those events. So I know that Kyle really prides himself on doing things that have never been done before. And this is not just about doing the double. This is about doing it at a really high level.

Bruce Martin: Gordon believes Larson's versatility of excelling in any type of race car is reminiscent of some of the greatest drivers in racing history.

Jeff Gordon: No, 100%. And I think him being able to jump into pretty much any kind of race car and get up to speed as fast as he does and win in so many different types of cars is just something that I've not seen since Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt and guys that used to do it years ago and do it well. If you remember some interviews we've done over the years, and if you were to ever ask me, why not go do India? I always thought, If I'm going to be a good cup driver, if I'm going to be the best cup driver, I need to be committed to that. Yet he's able to go get into all these late models and sprint cars and Indy cars and stock cars and be great at all of them.

Bruce Martin: Were you surprised at the struggles that Jimmy Johnson had when he ran the Indy 500?

Jeff Gordon: I mean, you know, it's all based on team. It's all based on power plant. I mean, there's a lot of things that go factor into it. I'm not, because that's what I expected was going to happen this year, you know, that there was just going to be some big learning curve moments. Now, you know, how much is wind a factor and weather a factor? But, you know, I was surprised when I talked to Kyle just how well the car was planted and balanced. I mean, it's different in traffic and, you know, when you're running around in other cars, but like when we went to qualify, those four laps are terrifying. Then he had to go do it again and again. And every time, you're just trying to trim the car out a little bit more, and you're just waiting for that moment where the car gets wide and has to snap or gets close to the wall. And I've watched Jimmy and I've watched others do that. And it's just those four laps are tough. And so that's more of what I expected to have happen this year.

Bruce Martin: The racer in you and the fact that you love the Indianapolis 500, you grew up in Pittsburgh, Indiana, raced USAC, Rick Mears was your favorite driver. Was there ever a point on race day where you thought, man, I wish that was me in there?

Jeff Gordon: I mean, I guess there's a part of me, if the right opportunity to come along. But, you know, again, I was very kind of focused on, I wanted to be the best I could be in that car, that discipline. I did it a little bit when I did the midgets in the Silver Crown cars, and I would do some Xfinity race. But once I got into Cup, I really just felt like this is where I need to put my energy. And I think it's because maybe I doubted myself of how good I could be at both. But Kyle doesn't have that.

Bruce Martin: All the Breakyard 400 wins you had, you didn't drink the milk because it wasn't one of their traditions. But yet, if Kyle would win the Indy 500, you'd get a chance to drink the milk. That would be a career first for you.

Jeff Gordon: Yeah, I don't know. That's not official. I mean, to me, he's the guy that should be drinking the milk and having the celebration, not anyone else. But this is a unique situation. We'll make do with it. I hope we have that problem to deal with.

Bruce Martin: to be drinking milk and coke in the same day.

Jeff Gordon: There you go. That sounds like a great combination. But not at once. If it needs to be, whatever it takes.

Bruce Martin: Rick Hendrick is the most successful team owner in NASCAR history and one of the most successful team owners in auto racing history. The list of Hendrick Motorsports accomplishments are many, but one relatively new goal is winning the Indianapolis 500. The 108th Indianapolis 500 in 2024 was a first for Hendrick. He gets a second chance in 2025. Here is an exclusive interview I had with Rick Hendrick for Pit Pass Indy. Joining us now on Pit Pass Indy is the legend, the Hall of Famer, Rick Hendrick. Rick, you're going to be back for another Indianapolis 500 in 2025. There was a time there where we wondered if that was going to happen the way it affected the Coca-Cola 600. But in 2025, you've said the Coca-Cola 600 is going to take the priority. But what's it going to be like going back to the Indy 500 and trying to do the double with Kyle Larson?

Rick Hendrick: Well, it's going to be exciting, but I think I've got more confidence going back. than I had the first time. So I felt like we ran really well. We should qualify really well and and race good. So I think having Kyle having laps there and all the experience so far is going to make for a better opportunity for all of us. So I'm I'm I'm excited about it.

Bruce Martin: And was the key that made you decide that you can come back this year was, we've got to run the 600. We can't miss that. Like what happened in 2024.

Rick Hendrick: Yeah, that was a condition that I said with the team and with Kyle, uh, NASCAR is our priority and, and we just, we can't go up. We can't enter this deal without the commitment that NASCAR is first. And we're going to be here no matter if he's leading the race, whatever it is, we're going to be here.

Bruce Martin: But on the flip side, you could bring Tony Kanaan out of retirement as the relief driver. And that's something that would probably get a lot of IndyCar fans very excited.

Rick Hendrick: That's a great opportunity. So to have a guy like that backing you up is, you couldn't do any better. So hopefully I have good weather and we'll have to deal with it.

Bruce Martin: When you first announced this deal with Errol McLaren, One of the things that you sought out into the future was doing additional business with McLaren. It's a world famous auto company. You've got to work with Zach Brown. Can this parlay into even bigger things in the business world for Hendrick Cars and your vast array of dealerships?

Rick Hendrick: Yeah, you never know. Opportunities come along and you never know what's going to happen. So you take advantage of things when it does happen.

Bruce Martin: Rick Hendrick, good luck next year doing the double and good luck returning to the Indianapolis 500. Thank you for joining us on Pit Pass Indy. Thank you. We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break.

Will Power: This is Will Power of Team Penske and you're listening to Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Bruce Martin: Welcome back to Pit Pass Indy. We wrap up this special bonus edition with Indianapolis Motor Speedway president, Doug Bowles. As the man in charge of the Indianapolis 500, Bowles explains why Larson's participation in the world's biggest race gives it added stature and allure. Here is my exclusive interview with Bowles for Pit Pass Indy. Doug Bowles, the president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, is back on pit pass ending. Doug, we got some great news on September 10th when it was officially announced that Kyle Larson is going to return for the 109th Indianapolis 500. He's going to do the double again. The priority this time is going to be to make sure he gets to do the full Coca-Cola 600 because he is an Ascar Cup Series driver running for the championship. But from your viewpoint, how big a news is that for the Indianapolis 500?

Doug Boles: Oh, I think it's great for motorsports in general. I'm pretty excited that he's coming back. I know how much Kyle wanted to be able to compete in both races, and the weather just didn't cooperate in Indianapolis. And then it further didn't cooperate in Charlotte, so it made it a challenge for him. But our fans clearly enjoy having Kyle there. He did a lot of short track racing in his early years there, so we're familiar with him. And obviously, picking up the Brickyard 400 win presented by PPG earlier this year, I think is going to be interesting. He's going to come to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway having been the most recent driver to win on the oval, even more recent than Joseph.

Bruce Martin: Well, that's the interesting thing is that what he set out to try to do in May, he got to celebrate seven weeks later only in the brickyard, not the Indy 500. But in a lot of ways, there was just some symmetry to the way that whole happened.

Doug Boles: Yeah, it was pretty cool the way that that happened for him. Obviously, he wanted to finish the 500 and then come down to Charlotte and finish the 600. But for him to pick up that win and the way he did it there at the end of the race, really kind of running through the field as folks were trying to figure out how to manage their fuel, and Kyle was on a mission to get to the front. And clearly, when he crossed the start finish line first, our crowd was pretty excited about that. And I think it was because, A, he's popular in NASCAR, but also Like I said, the Indy fans really know who Kyle Larson is from his days racing around the Midwest. And certainly from the month of May, he spent in Indianapolis in 2024.

Bruce Martin: In some ways, he was so popular with your fans at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indy 500 fans, the people who love that race so much. It was almost like you wish he could stay in IndyCar. But we know he's a multi-talented, diverse race driver. But what does it say about the kid's popularity?

Doug Boles: Well, certainly he's popular as a NASCAR driver. And again, his short track roots, I think, help build a lot of that. The other thing I think that Indianapolis 500 fans appreciated is he embraced the whole experience. He did all the practice sessions. He spent time with fans. He did the parade. And everything that came out of his mouth about the experience was just how much he appreciated an opportunity to go through the Indy 500, the Indy 500 that we love so much. our NTT IndyCar Series drivers who do it every year, they get it because it's what they do, it's what they're focused on. But for a driver who's just seen it from the outside and not really experienced it, to have him, you know, sort of verify for those of us that are fans that the Indianapolis 500 is an amazing event, it's amazing because of the fans. I think that makes it easier for someone that's a fan of the race to embrace Kyle Larson.

Bruce Martin: Now, Doug, you've been through all cycles of the Indianapolis 500. When you were a kid, it was the glory days, as they call it, the Hall of Famers, the greats of the greats. You saw it when it was unquestionably the biggest sporting event on earth. When you were a participant, it was during the IRL days where There was questions whether the best of the best were running in that race. The fans were vocal. The Indy 500 was still a huge deal, but some people wonder if a little bit of the luster had worn off. Now you're back to where it has been restored. The prestige, the pride, the glory of the Indianapolis 500, especially since fans have been allowed to return after COVID. This year's crowd was as big a crowd as we've seen since the 100th. So how proud are you to see it on the upswing to where it's at now and where you can take it next year?

Doug Boles: Well, certainly really proud of where the Indianapolis 500 has come over, especially over the last 10 years. And we've been completely focused on, let's make the fan experience better. Let's make sure that we are every single day of the year, not just the month of May, but every single day of the year, talking about how important the Indy 500 is and the drivers that compete in it are. So that's been a focus for all of us. The team is an amazing team that really works it, but It's really a credit to the fans. Our fans have embraced Indy 500 like never before. And our fans are bringing new people to the Speedway. And that's what allows us to have those attendance numbers that we've had. And our ticket sales for 2025 in the renewal period were better than the ticket sales for 2024 without knowing that Kyle Larson was going to run an Indianapolis 500 again. And I think this announcement about Kyle Larson running the double is just going to help us once again continue to get closer and closer to that sellout, which I honestly think we would have reached in 2024 had the weather forecast the last five days look like it might be sunny instead of rain every day and those last five days people are waiting to make a decision on what the weather is and and that we fell you know between three and four thousand seats short of selling out every single reserve seat in 2024 so I would I hope that we can sell it out for 2025.

Bruce Martin: And also, you've got the younger generation involved and engaged and interested in the Indy 500. When I was a kid growing up, we all wanted to go to the Indy 500 because it was like this huge party. It was like Woodstock. In some ways, we're now seeing that happen with younger fans.

Doug Boles: Yeah, definitely. I mean, we focused on the casual young fan who might not even care about motorsport through the snake pit that we have, which is 25,000 young adults under the age of 30 who come to the Indy 500 as much for the party as the race itself. But it allows us to go on college campuses and talk to kids about the NTT IndyCar Series and the drivers that compete in the Indianapolis 500. And I think as you start looking at some of these younger drivers that are coming up, you've got people like Nolan Siegel, you've got Pato Award, who's massively popular, who brings a younger generation with him. So as you start looking at the younger drivers who've come here, I think that also helps us reconnect to that younger generation. And we have to continue to stay focused on it because that's what you want. If we want it to be healthy beyond the next 10 years, it's gonna need to bring those young kids along.

Bruce Martin: You've also got a regular IndyCar Series driver who's proven to be quite popular, especially with the way he raced at the end of last year's race, Pat O'Ward. Brings a different element of fan, very popular with Hispanics. And we've started to see more and more of them show up at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. But to know that here's a guy, not only can you publicize in the Indianapolis 500, but on the IndyCar side, he's one of their stars. So that's very important for the health of the series.

Doug Boles: It's super important for the health of the Sears. It's great for the Indianapolis 500 and what I love about him is his passion for the sport and you saw it in his emotion at the end of the race when he fell just a few feet short of winning the Indianapolis 500 and that's what draws an Indianapolis 500 fan even further into loving a driver like Pato is really the way that he has experienced or the way his passion comes through. And we certainly love that and looking forward to that. And honestly, if you listen to the crowd, the crowd was pretty mixed. There was a big percentage of our crowd that was really hoping he'd pick up the win. And he and Joseph had that amazing battle there at the end. I can't imagine being strapped in the race car and unfortunately being the driver on the losing end of that because it was such an epic battle there at the end of the race.

Bruce Martin: When Kyle Larson runs at the Indianapolis 500, you not only get one of the great drivers in racing today, can wheel anything, a Parnelli Jones, a Dan Gurney, Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt type of driver, but you also get Hall of Famers like Rick Hendrick, Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports, You get that as part of the Indianapolis 500 from a prestige standpoint and maybe even from selling the race. How important is that?

Doug Boles: It's super important. And I think when you get an opportunity to have Rick Hendrick experience his first Indianapolis 500 in 2024 and just say amazing things about what an epic event it is. You know, Jeff Gordon, who spent much of his formative years in central Indiana and getting a chance to participate as an owner, you know, as a kid who wanted to run in the Indy 500 at some point in his life and to be able to do it that way and having him walk Pitt Lane in May, it is really special when you see drivers come through. I mean, even crazy stuff like Kenny Wallace and drivers who show up that have never been before that because Kyle's participating, they want to come see what it's like and be part of it during the month of May. And for me, that's great because generally when people leave the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. They leave with nothing but great things to say about the event, our fan base, and certainly the facility.

Bruce Martin: And let's not forget about some of the older drivers, the veterans in the series that are still just as capable of ending in victory lane at the Indianapolis 500, especially Scott Dixon and Will Power.

Doug Boles: Well, you know, Scott Dixon is, in a lot of ways, he could easily be a five-time Indianapolis 500 winner. The guy knows his way around. He's led more laps at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway than any other driver. You know, really, in our history, I think we've only had three drivers, four drivers, maybe they've been able to say that they've led the most laps in history at the Speedway. And Alan Sr. had that distinction for such a long time. And it's got eclipsing him there. I certainly can win anywhere he goes still. Will Powers' passion for Racing and his his just the emotion that he wears on his sleeve when he gets in and out of the car depending on what is he's really become maybe my favorite full-time IndyCar driver right now just because of that passion that he has and and The crazy eyes that he had when he won the Indianapolis 500 I can't imagine what they'd be like if he won it again So we definitely have a great mix of young drivers and and older drivers who? Who can you know who can win and and that's what makes it fun to show up to NTT IndyCar Series race or the Indianapolis 500

Bruce Martin: And next year, a first for the Indianapolis 500, it's going to be televised on Fox Sports. They're going to devote a lot of time into the programming around the Indianapolis 500. They're going to show every IndyCar Series race on Fox Sports, the big Fox Sports. How exciting is that going to be for you to welcome in a new TV partner to cover the Indianapolis 500 for the first time?

Doug Boles: Well, first, I just want to say that we've been blessed at the Indianapolis 500 to have amazing TV partners. The long run we had with ABC and the passion they had for the Indianapolis 500, and then most recently with NBC, you couldn't ask for partners that worked any harder or communicated any better than the folks at NBC. That said, I've been out to California to see the folks at Fox. I've met with them at a lot of the NTT IndyCar Series races this year, and they are as excited as we are. Eric Shanks, who runs Fox, is an absolute huge IndyCar fan and Indianapolis 500 fan and I think that filters down through the organization. They've been coming to the IndyCar races so they can begin to understand who their stars are on the storylines as they get ready. So I'm really excited about that and I think our fans will appreciate that and the fact that we're going to be on network television for the bulk of the season is a big thing for the NTT IndyCar series.

Bruce Martin: And also qualifying both days of qualifying is going to be on for the bulk of qualifying on Fox. How valuable is that?

Doug Boles: So, you know, really the Grand Prix weekend, the qualifying weekends are both super weekends to help promote tune in for the Indianapolis 500 on race day. So every day, I think you have an opportunity to be on network television from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway talking about events at the Speedway, especially qualifying when you've got all the high speeds there and the excitement and drama that does play out during qualifying, I think really helps. So having us on Big Fox leading in, you know, within a week of the Indianapolis 500, I think will help Indy 500 tune in as well.

Bruce Martin: Well, there'll be a lot of exciting things happening at the Indianapolis 500 in 2025. And of course, one of them is going to be Kyle Larson's return. But Doug Bowles, we'll be talking to you between now and then. I'm sure probably more than on several occasions here on Pit Pass Indy. But good luck. And thank you for joining us on Pit Pass Indy.

Doug Boles: Yeah, thank you for having me. And thanks for loving this place and racing like you do.

Bruce Martin: We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break.

Will Power: Hi, I'm Scott McLaughlin, driver of the number three team Penske Chevy, and you're listening to Pit Pass Indy, presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Bruce Martin: And that puts checkered flag on this edition of Pit Pass Indy. We want to thank our guests, 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2024 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Kyle Larson, four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, five-time Brickyard 400 winner, three-time Daytona 500 winner, and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon, NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner Rick Hendrick, 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner and 2004 IndyCar Series champion, Tony Kanaan, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway president, Doug Bowles, for joining us on today's podcast. Along with loyal listeners like you, our guests help make Pit Pass Indy, presented by Penske Truck Rental, your path to victory lane in IndyCar. On the highways, the raceways, and every pit stop in between, Penske Truck Rental keeps you moving forward. Gain ground with Penske. For more IndyCar coverage, follow me at X. previously known as Twitter, at Bruce Martin, one word, uppercase B, uppercase M, underscore 500. This has been a production of Evergreen Podcast. A special thanks to our production team, executive producers are Bridget Coyne and Gerardo Orlando. Recordings and edits were done by me, Bruce Martin, and final mixing was done by Dave Douglas. Learn more at evergreenpodcast.com. Until next time, be sure to keep it out of the wall.