IndyCar Heads To Phoenix With Alex Palou, Will Power, Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin, Romain Grosjean And Ron Ruzewski

Roger Penske:

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

Bruce Martin:

IndyCar fans, it's time to start 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 forty years of experience covering IndyCar and NASCAR, working for such media brands as NBCSports.com, SI.com, ESPN SportsTicker, Sports Illustrated, AutoWeek, and SpeedSport. So let's drop the green flag on this episode of Pit Pass Indy. Welcome to Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental as we continue our sixth season of giving IndyCar fans an inside look at the most exciting form of racing on the planet, the NTT IndyCar Series. We welcome back our friends from Penske Truck Rental who return as the presenting sponsor of Pit Pass Indy. Penske Truck Rental helps Pit Pass Indy bring you the inside stories of IndyCar from the paddock to the racetrack to the highways and streets of America. And this season, Penske Truck Rental and Pit Pass Indy will help celebrate Team Penske's sixtieth anniversary. Team owner Roger Penske began the most successful racing team in history in nineteen sixty six out of a small garage in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, along with his driver, engineer and team partner, Mark Donohue. By nineteen seventy two, Donohue was the winning driver of the Indianapolis five hundred, the first of Penske Racing's record twenty Indy five hundred wins. After a successful time based out of Redding, Pennsylvania, since two thousand seven, Team Penske is operated out of a massive facility in Mooresville, North Carolina. That also includes championship winning teams in NASCAR, IMSA sports car racing and the World Endurance Championship. The twenty twenty six NTT IndyCar Series season is off and running as four time IndyCar Series champion Alex Pillow of Chip Ganassi Racing won the season opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March first. Different season, but same result as Pillow won the season opening race on Florida's Gulf Coast for the second straight year and continues to establish himself as the driver to beat in IndyCar. Pillow led fifty-nine laps in the one hundred lap race and defeated Team Penske's Scott McLaughlin by twelve point four nine four eight seconds. We have two exclusive interviews with Pillow on this edition of Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental. The first is an exclusive interview with the driver attempting to win his fourth straight NTT IndyCar Series Championship entering the weekend at St. Pete. Hello, Alex. Hey, Bruce. Hey, the season's started. How about that? So now it's a chance to get off and running for what you hope to be a fifth NTT IndyCar Series championship. When I say fifth NTT IndyCar Series championship, does that make you step back and go, wow, I'm that close to maybe getting a five championships?

Alex Palou:

Yeah, for sure. I mean, it's quite incredible that... I don't realize everything that I'm able to leave and to accomplish on track with the team. But yeah, when you look back and you say the numbers together, they seem amazing. But yeah, that's more motivation, more fuel to try and get that fifth, try and start the season out strong like we did last year here in St. Pete and try and get the first win of the season.

Bruce Martin:

We're doing this interview at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, but by the time it airs, we'll be off to Phoenix. You tested out at Phoenix a week ago or two weeks ago. How did you like it? What do you think of the track?

Alex Palou:

I like it. I was very happy with how the track felt, how the track looked as well. I think just like the track installations itself are top notch, I think it's going to be a great event for IndyCar. And honestly, I was surprised of how it races. I think it's going to be a great race. We're going to see a lot of battles. Hopefully, we can get that second and third lane.

Bruce Martin:

open up and and just get a good rating the short oval having one that early in the year a lot of people always say it's good to have an oval before the indianapolis five hundred i don't know whether that really matters considering phoenix is so much different than indianapolis plus you have so much practice time at the indianapolis motor speedway but to be able to add an oval and to go back to a heritage track like phoenix how important is that for the series

Alex Palou:

I think for the series is huge. I am very lucky that that I'm going to be able to experience that and also sharing it with NASCAR. Hopefully we can get a lot of people involved and new people excited within the car. I think getting it before the five hundred, it doesn't really like.

Bruce Martin:

Yeah.

Alex Palou:

It helps because it's another race and maybe especially with the mindset of strategies like, oh, like the yellows and stuff like that, it's quite equal to the five hundred and restarts. But a part of that, yeah, driving style set up and all that stuff, it doesn't really translate to the five hundred. But yeah, it's good. I'm excited to go to Phoenix and to get the short oval before.

Bruce Martin:

A track nobody's been to is the next week after Phoenix. That's the Grand Prix of Arlington. How do you prepare for that? Have they scaled a track yet on the simulators that you can run? And how is it?

Alex Palou:

I have not done it. I know that we have it already at Honda, and I believe that Chevy has it as well. I haven't driven yet. But how you prepare for that, it's a tough question because you need to prepare on all scenarios. Is it going to be a lot of grip, not grip, bumpy, no bumpy? We have scans, and it's a real scan, but you never know how the... car is gonna feel and it's such a different track to what we're used to with such a long straight line that I think it's gonna make the setups go on like very aggressive ways so I'm excited I'm excited to go there see how we do see if we can start with a good base setup but it's tough to prepare for a new event for sure

Bruce Martin:

A weekend off, then IndyCar goes to a March date at Barber Motorsports Park. Important track for you. That's where you got your first victory at IndyCar, your first race with Chip Ganassi Racing. You got to know George Barber. He passed away a few weeks ago. He built that beautiful facility. So what's the memory you have of George Barber and what that facility means to IndyCar?

Alex Palou:

yeah i i mean it was very sad when they uh told us i i believe we were in uh in phoenix uh for the test day um he he had done an amazing uh job at that facility like i remember the first time that i tested there before the first race that I did with Chip Ganassi. And I was blown away by just how well maintained that track was, how many details they had. And you could see that it was from a person and a family that really loved that place and racing. Like you could see that they were putting a lot of effort and love into that place. So it's very sad, but hopefully we can continue to make him happy and have great events and great shows at his place.

Bruce Martin:

How strange is it going to be having a couple of weekends off before going to Long Beach, and then I believe a couple of weekends off after Long Beach, then you go straight into the month of May in Indianapolis?

Alex Palou:

I know, it's coming up quick. And I'm also racing Sebring, twelve hours, which is the only gap we have right in front of Barber. So it's going to make it very intense, but at the same time very nice and enjoyable as a driver. But yeah, those gaps, I think they're actually going to be good to prepare for the team, to relax. I think the month of May is really... It's really intense for everybody, like media, mechanics, engineers, drivers. It's good to recover a little bit before making a big push for May, but I'm very excited. I think it's like eighty-seven days before the Indy-Five-hundred or eighty-something, and I can't wait to get started.

Bruce Martin:

Final question, with Alex Flo, Chip Ganassi Racing is winning the last three championships in a row, four overall. Do you feel like the end of twenty twenty six with a target on your back from your fellow competitors?

Alex Palou:

Yeah, I mean, of course, we last year was was such an amazing year that for sure there's a target, but I think there's a target on everybody's back at the same time. Everybody starts from zero, which is the very cool thing about sports in general, that everybody starts with zero points on the board and you need to do the job all over again. The good stuff, the stuff that didn't work as much and the stuff that you struggle a little bit more. But I'm very excited to get going, see if we can get the season close to twenty twenty five and just enjoy it.

Bruce Martin:

Well, Alex Blow, I know you're going to enjoy the season one way or another, but good luck in twenty twenty six. We'll catch up often during the season. And thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Alex Palou:

Thank you, Bruce.

Bruce Martin:

Here is another exclusive Pit Pass Indy interview with Pillow after he had another brilliant victory in IndyCar. The win to open the twenty twenty six season was Pillow's twentieth career IndyCar victory in his ninety ninth race. An incredible statistic. Hello, Alex. Hello, Bruce. Different season, but it's the same old story. Once again, you win another NTT IndyCar Series race, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg for the second straight year. You were pretty excited after you won the race, but was it ever really a matter of doubt that you were going to start off the season like it was twenty twenty five?

Alex Palou:

You never know, man. It's very tough. It's very tough to go out there and repeat what we've done last year. It's tough to go out there and just win one race. So yeah, there was many doubts, honestly. I knew I had the team, I knew I had the tools to make it, but still, many doubts that we were going to be able to do it again.

Bruce Martin:

Last year, you won eight races of the seventeen races on the schedule, including the one hundred and ninth Indianapolis five hundred. You said the key to your fourth NTT IndyCar Series championship was getting off to a fast start. This is another fast start for you in twenty twenty six. Schedule is going to be a little different. It's going to be a short oval next week at Phoenix Raceway. So do you see it's still possible to have a similar type start to twenty twenty five?

Alex Palou:

Pretty tough. I mean, last year was incredible with so much success on the first five, six races. But knowing that there's going to be two new venues, like the next two races are completely new. Phoenix, yeah, we tested. Arlington, we don't even know how bumpy it's going to be. So I think this helps us a ton to already secure our first win, have good momentum, and focus on races that we know can be really tough.

Bruce Martin:

Looking over the lap by lap, I believe you took the lead the first time on lap thirty seven. Then you pitted. The key to the race was getting out on lap thirty nine ahead of Marcus Ericsson, which was effectively for the race lead. How important was that pit stop and to be able to blend out ahead of Marcus Ericsson at that point in the race?

Alex Palou:

Yeah, that was huge. That was basically what, as you said, gave us the win. It gave us that free air of being upfront, being able to manage our tires, our fuel, and manage the pace that we wanted to run. So yeah, that was basically the crucial point.

Bruce Martin:

Twenty victories in ninety-nine IndyCar Series starts. It didn't even take you a hundred starts to get your twentieth victory. How impressed are you by that statistic?

Alex Palou:

It's crazy. I mean, it's incredible. I never thought that I would be able to have so much success. I never thought that I would be able to make it to a hundred IndyCar races. It's a lot. It's incredible to be on my sixth season already. So yeah, I'm super, super happy.

Bruce Martin:

You had a little bit of a stressful offseason in some ways. You had to take care of the court case over in London between yourself and McLaren. Maybe it didn't turn out the way you wanted it, but it could have been worse. To have all of that off your mind now and to be able to get this victory, how satisfying is this victory knowing what you went through in the offseason?

Alex Palou:

Yeah, I mean, for sure. It was a little bit busier than we wanted, than what we thought. But honestly, it's incredible. It's the best way to kick off a season after, as you said, struggling off track and maybe having the mind set aside a little bit for for uh for some time i'm glad that everything is is super uh settled resolved uh we can say that everybody's uh kind of happy so um yeah it's all about winning races now and just announced the joint settlement between yourself chip ganassi and zach brown the other day

Bruce Martin:

There's not going to be an appeal, so just how relieved are you that from here on out, all you can have to do is worry about racing and winning more races for Chip Ganassi?

Alex Palou:

It feels like, obviously, I don't have that weight over my shoulder that I've been having for the past two, two and a half years. So, yeah, man, I cannot wait to have more time with the baby for myself to prepare races and just focus on winning.

Bruce Martin:

And finally, there's going to be three races in a row to start the season off here. You already talked a little bit about Phoenix. The race after that is going to be a new race for everybody, the Grand Prix Arlington. It's going to have dual pit lanes. How... Pick up a wild card. Do you see that race being for the entire field?

Alex Palou:

I think it's going to be interesting to see what happens there. Honestly, we've seen the track, but we don't really know what that's going to be like. Is it going to be like crazy madness? Is it going to be just like a normal race? So I'm excited. The venue looks incredible. We need to see how the track feels, how the tires behave on that track, and see what we can do from there.

Bruce Martin:

Aerosmith had a song back in the seventies and the lyrics were same old story, same old song and dance, my friend. That perfectly describes what you were able to do here to start the twenty twenty six season. Alex Pillow, congratulations on the Firestone Grand Prix St. Petersburg victory. And thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Alex Palou:

Thank you so much, Bruce.

Bruce Martin:

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

Josef Newgarden:

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

Bruce Martin:

Welcome back to Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental. The twenty twenty six season is a big one for our next guest. It's team Penske star Joseph Newgarden, who is determined to rebound from a disappointing season in twenty twenty five. The two time NTT IndyCar Series champion and two time back to back Indianapolis five hundred winner entered the weekend determined to win on the streets of St. Pete. The goal was sidetracked in Saturday's qualifications when Newgarden's Chevrolet was mired in traffic, and that didn't allow him to get a clean lap in qualifying. Newgarden lined up twenty-third and was the biggest mover in the race, advancing all the way to a seventh-place finish in what may have been the drive of the day outside of Palou's big victory. Pit Pass Indy had an exclusive interview with Newgarden entering the weekend. Our next guest ended the season very well, but of course it was a season that didn't go well. It's Joseph Newgarden. The great thing about IndyCar racing is it's a new season. Turn the page, fresh start. You could be gangbusters in twenty twenty six. So is that really one of the great things about competitive sports is if things don't go well one season, you can start for fresh with a new year and make that another season that you win a championship.

Josef Newgarden:

I think what you have to have peace with in motorsports is there's a lot that's outside of your control. Even the men and women that are working on this team who are all excellent at what they do. I enjoy coming to work with the people that I work with, and they're all A-listers as far as talent within this profession. But there's a lot that's outside of our control. When you have a tough year and you can't pinpoint exactly – you know, what was causing certain things, then, you know, what are you going to do? I don't mull over that stuff. I just show back up and try and go again and do my best. That's what gives me satisfaction. That's what has to give you satisfaction, I think, in a sport like this is you've just got to focus on doing the best job possible. And if I've done that, then, you know, I'm going to leave the track and be happy about it.

Bruce Martin:

But how great and how much satisfaction did you feel when you won the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix in Nashville? Not only is it to overcome... a season of despair in twenty twenty five. But you live pretty close to that track. And it was a hometown victory for Joseph Newgarden.

Josef Newgarden:

Yeah, it was pretty mundane for me. I got to be honest with you. I was just ready to I was ready to leave the racetrack right right afterwards. So I didn't feel It didn't feel that great. I mean, in a small percentage way, it was nice to sort of tick the box because we were really close the year before. I mean, you know, speaking truthfully, we probably should have won it the year before. We just didn't get the sequence. We didn't make the right decisions in the twenty twenty four race. So to sort of mend that and tick the box, there was like a small percentage that's like, oh, that's good. But I mean, honestly, with you, I was more just happy to leave the track. It was sort of a weird position to be in, but Yeah, I mean, you know, for us, it was very anticlimactic, you know, in a lot of ways.

Bruce Martin:

Well, what about in the cockpit of the race car when you get the checkered flag? You had to really feel like, yeah.

Josef Newgarden:

Kind of. It was like, oh, yeah, we got one there, but... not like other victories not like other victories i would say so not like your two indianapolis five hundred wins where you were ready to go under the fence and celebrate with the fans oh my goodness not even not even close i mean those were those were a different deal entirely uh just the you know india's india is this unbelievable mountain uh i mean it's like the championship in its own way so yeah very different

Bruce Martin:

you're a determined driver to begin with, but how much determination do you enter twenty twenty six with the same as always?

Josef Newgarden:

I think you've got a you know, I'd like to tell you there's something different or, you know, I'm sure people want me to say a certain thing, but I feel, you know, the same determination that I always do. I'm ready to ready to go execute and do the job that I know I can do. And, you know, it's not been that long since I've been doing it. You know, I remember I remember what I was doing last year and I felt like I was executing in a lot of ways last year. And, you know, sometimes things didn't materialize, but I'm ready to go do the same process that I kind of put in every single weekend. And I know this team is very, you know, more than anything, I think the team is determined to, you know, put together a good program and have a good year that doesn't guarantee success. You know, there's a lot of things, again, that are outside of our control that could, you know, lead to maybe a less than stellar year. But I think as long as we're executing on all the items that are within our control, then we got to be pleased with that. And that's where the scorecard is internally going to be written up. I mean, You know, we sort of assess ourselves on the external scorecard, the one that you guys actually see. That's what we're going to get judged on. But, you know, I think for internal pride, we've got to know that for executing and the things we can control, that's good.

Bruce Martin:

This year, rather than start the season with a race and then have two weeks off, then another race, it's right off the bat, three straight races in a row, including one we haven't been to since twenty eighteen. Phoenix Raceway heading into Phoenix. You liked that track back in the day. How do you like it now?

Josef Newgarden:

Yeah, I still like it. I'm interested in how it's going to race. I think you can get a second lane going there. I really do. We just got to get people working it. And we didn't get the test. I was kind of disappointed we didn't run a highline session. I figured we probably would have, but maybe we just didn't have. what we needed to do it. But I think in the race weekend, when we get that opportunity, I hope people get up there and run it. You know, I think you can get the second lane going. If you can, then it should be a good race. Yeah, I'm excited to go back there. I'm really, really excited.

Bruce Martin:

But how much do you feel the history and heritage of IndyCar at Phoenix? Because that track was built for IndyCars. It wasn't built for NASCAR. NASCAR is pretty much taking it over since they arrived in the nineteen eighty eight. But in a lot of ways, that track still screams IndyCar. And how much do you feel that whenever you drive an IndyCar around that track?

Josef Newgarden:

Well, it does have the history, so it would be nice to show it off in a good way. I hope we can put on a good race first time back. There's no guarantee that's going to happen. If we don't put on a good race, and I think we'll figure out a way to fix it, it's just not an exact science. Sometimes you need a go first and everyone to figure out, okay, what works, what doesn't. But I hope we can put on a good show because it's our territory in a lot of ways. I mean, it's got the history of IndyCar racing. I think everybody is excited about that.

Bruce Martin:

And how excited are you to share the weekend with NASCAR? Because it really does showcase the best of both.

Josef Newgarden:

Yeah, I also think that's very exciting. We would love to do more of that. I think on the Cup side, it's the same deal. They would love to share more races as well. You might not get that answer from the upper management, but I think you go across the field. I think most... you know, most drivers in NASCAR would love to do more double headers and would love to have more crossover. I think you ask anybody that's a fan or that's a race car driver. They're all going to cheer for that. So I don't know. I hope we can get more of it in the future. Definitely going to be fun at Phoenix.

Bruce Martin:

What do you like the best about Phoenix? What do you like the best about that track? What's the most challenging aspect of it?

Josef Newgarden:

Well, it's a little trickier in ways than Gateway. It's similar to Gateway in that it's got this different architecture between the two ends of the track. One's more banked, one's flatter, one's more open, one's tighter. Very similar in those respects, the way the two ends are diverged, but... You have the dog leg, which is a difference to Gateway. And I also just find that the commitment level at Phoenix, it feels a little more truncated, if you will. It's a little smaller. And so it feels like you got to be a little bit more on the ball than Gateway. Gateway gives you a little more breathing time, if you will, both in the corners and on the straightaways. So I just find that the intensity is higher at Phoenix. And with that, it brings... little anxiety in the race i mean you got to make sure you're really on it and and so that pressure level just feels different because the tracks out in the desert it also gets dusty there's a lot of wind out there and a lot of sand gets blown on the track how much does that make the track a little slippery yeah it's not bad i honestly i i don't i don't know that it's been a big factor it wasn't a factor for us at the test i don't think it will be unless there's some crazy dust storm so it's that's really not been a problem for us

Bruce Martin:

The next weekend, three weeks in a row, the third weekend of the start of the season, will be the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington. It's a track nobody's raced on yet, so how exciting is it when you go into unknown territory?

Josef Newgarden:

It's fun. You know, you only get one opportunity to compete at a new track, and... Obviously, the commitment from Jerry Jones specifically and the Dallas Cowboys organization, they've been tremendous. I think that city is obviously a great place for us. I mean, Potto Award has a good fan base down there, but I think IndyCar in general has a good fan base. So it's fun to be in that area again. And yeah, I'm excited for the track. I know that there's so much that's gone into it. And to finally see what the event is going to be is, I think, something we're all looking forward to.

Bruce Martin:

How much time have you spent on the GM simulator on Arlington?

Josef Newgarden:

Not a lot yet. I think we'll get less time than you would imagine. I think there'll probably be three, four hours is what we're going to have. So it's going to be pretty quick, but that stuff still, you get three, four hours on a simulator, that's invaluable. It helps you tremendously.

Bruce Martin:

Our final two questions with Joseph Newgarden of Team Penske. Obviously, the Indianapolis five hundred is a big, big, big race for you. You're the last driver to win it back to back. You weren't able to do it in twenty twenty five. You would have been a three time winner, three straight. But yet how well prepared do you feel that in twenty twenty six you could win the hundred and tenth Indianapolis five hundred?

Josef Newgarden:

I think we can be in the fight. Look, I thought we were in the fight last year. We were in the fight until we weren't. And it was really no one's doing. It was something out of our control that really took us out of it three quarters away into the race. And I think we were prepared to fight for the victory that day. So I don't see why we can't show up and be in that position again with Team Penske. Sixteenth anniversary would be a cool one to get a win on. But we got to focus on showing up there being prepared and execute on the day. That's always what it turns into. And, you know, it's going to be a lot of fun, too. That's what I think of when I go to Indy now. It's the month of May. You're living there. You get to kind of enjoy that place for multiple weeks. So, you know, it's going to be great to be back with Shell and Team Penske and just to spend the time for two, three weeks in that facility.

Bruce Martin:

And you've got a new teammate in David Maloukas, a yet a longtime teammate of yours, Will Powers, driving for Brand X. Is it a little strange to see him in a different car driving a different engine with a different team?

Josef Newgarden:

Yeah, of course it is. We've spent a lot of time together. It's weird seeing other people in different places. Will himself, but also Ron and Kyle Moyer. Every time I see Kyle Moyer, it's so bizarre to me. I'm used to working hand-in-hand with these guys. We're just on the other side of the fence, but we're still competing, still comrades in a lot of ways, good friends. So, you know, it's it's fun to see those people in the ecosystem and competing together, even though we're not on the same team. But it is strange. It's a different landscape. And that's the way it goes. You know, you have these chapters, you have these sort of eras, I guess. And we've we had a really good chapter with with those guys.

Bruce Martin:

And Fox Sports once again nailed the commercials. Your commercial is great. How funny did you find Will's commercial, the many faces of Will Power? And what's your favorite face of Will Power in those commercials?

Josef Newgarden:

Well, it's hard to not like the double bird. I'm glad they put it in the commercial. I think everybody would have cheered for that. I loved it. I thought he certainly had one of the funniest, the funniest commercial by far. And I love they showed his personality a little bit. People get more familiar with him. We know Will well. We know his little intricacies. We know his humor, but maybe not everybody else does, so I was glad to see that well-positioned with Fox. They've done a great job. They're just showing off the personalities, which is tremendous.

Bruce Martin:

The one of them stuck in traffic with the glasses on looking all nervous.

Josef Newgarden:

I mean, he's kind of a good actor, too. People don't realize that. You know, Will, he's got a lot of, I mean, the guy's got a lot of charisma. And there's this funny quality to him that's very understated that people don't understand. It's a unique humor, but it's in there. So it was fun to see it.

Bruce Martin:

Well, it's always fun to see you on the racetrack, and I'm sure it's fun to see you get to victory lane, especially in the big races of the year. But Joseph Newgarden of Team Penske, good luck in twenty twenty six. And thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Josef Newgarden:

Thanks, Bruce.

Bruce Martin:

Team Penske's Scott McLaughlin is another driver hoping to rebound from a disappointing season in twenty twenty-five. He hit the track fast at St. Pete and won the NTT Data P-One Award as the pole winner in Saturday's qualifications. McLaughlin led the first thirty-four laps in the race, but once Alex Pillow's number ten DHL Honda got into clean air as the leader, he drove away from the field. At the checkered flag, McLaughlin's number three DEX Chevrolet was second, twelve point four nine four eight seconds behind Palou's race-winning Honda. McLaughlin joined me for this exclusive Pit Pass Indy interview entering the weekend at St. Petersburg. It's a new season, but there's also high hopes for our next guest. It's Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske. Scott, the NTT IndyCar Series season is off and running. We're going to be headed to Phoenix here later this week for the race out at Phoenix, the Good Ranchers, and I know how connected you are with Good Ranchers. They've sponsored your car before. How excited are you about the NTT IndyCar Series season, especially having an oval that quick?

Scott McLaughlin:

uh no awesome uh i think it's super exciting for the series to have an oval before uh before the indy five hundred but um you know to start this start the series with three races in a row good momentum and um you know it's what we've been crying for for a long time you know so uh i think three races in a row kick off the year with some really good racing uh it's gonna be really really nice You've tested it, Phoenix. What do you think of the track? I think it's cool. I mean, I'm quietly confident it's going to race really well. So I think the aero package and the tire that they came to IndyCar with, that everyone collaborated with, is going to be good. I think you won't, maybe the first stint, you might... might be a bit of follow the leader and very qualifying but once where the leaders catch the back of the pack like you're gonna have to use the second lane and that's gonna clean it off it's gonna be i think it's gonna really end up like a race like st louis

Bruce Martin:

So what do you think of this schedule? We started off the season last weekend. Streets of St. Petersburg, one of the highlights of the season. Very popular race with the drivers, with the fans, with the sponsors, with the partners. Then we go to Phoenix a week later for a Saturday race. It's not going to be seven days later. It's going to be six. And you're running with NASCAR. Then after that, a track nobody's ever been on before, the Grand Prix of Arlington. So how's that for a start of the season?

Scott McLaughlin:

That's great. It's going to... Going to sort the men from the boys, that's for sure. I think for us to hit the ground running and have three decent results, we've put a lot of work into trying to be as consistent as we can be and you just need to execute now and hopefully we turn up to Dallas. Obviously, like you said, no one's been there before and you're sort of guessing on what the setup's going to look like and hopefully you guess right. You're not just guessing like flying blind but... It's pretty close to flying blind in some ways. No one's been on the track. You don't know what it looks like. You know roughly what it looks like, but bumps and different things that happen on tracks. It was very similar to what the vibe was like when we went to Nashville for the first time not long ago. So hopefully we hit it like we did there.

Bruce Martin:

There's a weekend off and then IndyCar has a rare March date at Barber Motorsports Park. It's going to be a little different this year because the man who built that track, George Barber, passed away a couple of weeks ago and he was really a great figure. I don't know how much you got to know Mr. Barber, but he created that beautiful facility there that has become one of the highlights of the IndyCar season. So what's it going to be like going back to Barbara Motorsports Park a little bit earlier, but also a little bit with a heavy heart?

Scott McLaughlin:

Yeah, look, we've tested there before around March and it's traditionally a little bit cold. So it's going to be interesting. Hopefully we can you know, put on some really good racing and some good weather. But yeah, we want to put on a good result for Mr. Barber and, you know, yeah, winning there twice. I managed to meet him once or twice there and he's a really nice guy and yeah, big fan of IndyCar. So yeah, that was sad to see him go, but hopefully we can put on a good race in his honor for the first time since he's been gone.

Bruce Martin:

And just what do you think of that whole scenario there? It's a beautiful, picturesque setting. It lives up to the nickname, the Augusta National of IndyCar. The fans, it's proven that you can have an IndyCar race in the deep south, even though it's thirty five miles away from Talladega Super Speedway. It's a different crowd. It's a lot of people that come. There's a few crossover fans, but they really have shown that IndyCar can work in all parts of the United States.

Scott McLaughlin:

Yeah, for me, I look at it as quite a big family race. You know, you see a lot of families there. A lot of people camp out in the trees, which is pretty cool. And, you know, get really good views of a track that's so undulating and personally one of my favorites. So, yeah, look, it's exciting to have a race there and be, yeah, like you said, in the deep south and have a lot of support. I feel like every year we go there, it gets bigger and bigger and bigger. So, yeah. hopefully this year again it gets bigger. I think they've got a great team there that put on a great race and hopefully we can serve them well.

Bruce Martin:

Tim Sendrick is going to be calling your race strategy. I haven't had a chance to talk to you since then. I talked to Tim the day that it was announced. What's it like having Tim Sendrick back?

Scott McLaughlin:

That's awesome. I'm I've tried for many years to get him on my car just because I've got a good rapport with him. He's been a friend of mine. And honestly, if it wasn't for Tim, I wouldn't be here. So he was really the guy that put IndyCar racing in my ear. And then it was Roger and whatnot. But to have TC back, I played golf with him in October. And personally, I never thought I'd see the day that he'd come back to the team. So it's amazing to have him back. And yeah, I have so much respect for him and what he's done. And I'm sure I can learn a lot along with the whole team.

Bruce Martin:

When it comes to race strategy, Tim Sendrick is a bit of a wizard. So do you see a lot of different things that you may be able to do that maybe you didn't get a chance to do with previous race strategists?

Scott McLaughlin:

Look, unsure. I think TC brings his own flavor. And I think with him concentrating wholly on race strategy is pretty awesome and a feather in the cap for me. So, yeah, I've just got to just, you know, take, I respect every decision he makes. I'm normally not a driver that contradicts my race strategy, so I sort of go with the flow. It would just be interesting how it works out.

Bruce Martin:

Also, this will be the first year that Jonathan Duguid is the president. It seems like the team is moving on and fast forward, you know, onward, upward, all of that. What's it like now as he's settled into that role?

Scott McLaughlin:

Yeah, he's been phenomenal since he took it on board. But him and Travis Law are working together pretty hard. And, you know, I think they're doing a great job. They're perfect Penske guys. Yeah. I'm excited to work with Jonathan for a long time, he's a young guy and he's going to be in that role for a long time I'm sure. He's a great dude and obviously working directly with him back in the past as well as my race engineer in my first season, I know him pretty well and he's the perfect guy for that job.

Bruce Martin:

Sixtieth anniversary of Team Penske. Pressure on to get your team owner a couple of wins?

Scott McLaughlin:

I'd love that. I'd love to win it. I would love to win the . You know, get his twenty-first and then, you know, obviously win a championship. Those are big goals of mine, but I know big goals are his as well.

Bruce Martin:

Well, Scott McLaughlin, good luck at Indy this year. Good luck the whole season. Hopefully you're out there slugging it away for the championship at the end of the year. Congratulations on having Tim Sendrick back on the program. Good luck this year, and thank you for joining us on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Run. Thank you for having me, man. Romain Grosjean is back in IndyCar after missing the entire twenty twenty five season when he was without a ride. The former Formula One driver is back with the team that gave him his first IndyCar ride in twenty twenty one Dale Coyne Racing. Grosjean and his rookie teammate Dennis Hauger both made the Firestone Fast Six in qualifications on Saturday. Grosjean started sixth and finished eighth in the race, a pretty good start to the season for the driver from France, who has also lived in Switzerland. Grosjean and his family now live in South Florida, and the Fast Frenchman is happy to be back in IndyCar, as he tells me in this exclusive Pit Pass Indy interview. Let's welcome back to the NTT IndyCar Series, Ramon Grosjean. He's back with Dale Coyne Racing, the team you started your IndyCar career with when you came over from Formula One. That season looked like you and Dale were pretty happy all year. Do you expect to regain some of that happiness now that you're back?

Romain Grosjean:

I don't know if we expect it, we hope for it, certainly. It was a great season. Dale in Sebring says, welcome back home. That meant a lot. I really enjoyed twenty twenty one. Of course, you know, we are five years later as different people, but it's still Dale and I love working with him. So I'm very excited for the season and Let's see what we can do and get back in a single-seater. I missed it.

Bruce Martin:

Dale said he really enjoyed working with you that first season. I know that your career had a few little side turns here and there, but what was it about Dale Coyne Racing that Romain Grosjean really meshed well with that team?

Romain Grosjean:

I think it was just the atmosphere, Dale himself managing to get the best out of the driver. Of course, I had a very special relationship with Olivier Boisson that year, Todd, our crew chief, but there's a lot of people that are still there. And I think it's the mentality and the philosophy in the team that I've been enjoying. And, you know, I love working with Dale. He's a great character and I'm excited for what's to come.

Bruce Martin:

The thing that always strikes me about Dale Coyne Racing, there's a term in IndyCar and in all of racing, whether a guy is a racer. Dale Coyne puts together a team of guys who are racers. They're not getting paid the most money. There's other teams that pay a lot more money in the series, but Dale gets the guys who really love the sport and are committed. Do you see that as a driver?

Romain Grosjean:

Yeah, one hundred percent. If Dale could just do the racing part and nothing else, he would. But racing has got a lot of different phases, you know. But yes, definitely love racing that team straight to the point. And I got to meet my new engineer, Bill Pappas. I think he's got a lot of experience in IndyCar and he's a racer too. So Mitch Davis, a lot of people on my timing stand are great people with a lot of experience that with mine can work really well.

Bruce Martin:

Bill Pappas was a key to Justin Wilson's victories when he was with Dale Coyne Racing. What have you learned so far working with Bill Pappas?

Romain Grosjean:

I think we get to learn each other in Sebring, and then when we get to Phoenix Test, that's where I realize how valuable his input and his knowledge is on ovals. I'm still learning ovals. It's still kind of different from what I've done for twenty-plus years. But I was happy with the way we started. I was happy with the communication, the understanding. And yes, he's won many races, so I'm going to lean on him.

Bruce Martin:

Were you surprised that it took as long as it did for you to get back into IndyCar? Because you were fast. All the teams you were with, you were fast. But did it really surprise you how hard it took to get back in?

Romain Grosjean:

Well, I think we all know that racing is nowhere straightforward, and there's a lot of... things that need to fall in place for a driver to be committed. So yeah, it took some time, but I had hope, and I'm excited to be back. Doesn't really matter how long it took. What matters is what we're gonna do with it.

Bruce Martin:

What did you do during the interim while you were out of IndyCar to keep yourself sharp, keep yourself fast?

Romain Grosjean:

While I was racing for Lamborghini and IMSA endurance races, I really enjoyed doing GTP and IMSA. That was amazing. Great atmosphere, great races. I did a lot of cycling, but that was more for me. I love it. Racing-wise, it was more IMSA and Lamborghini development, which was a good challenge.

Bruce Martin:

You're working with a rookie driver, Dennis Hauger. He was the Indynext champion, dominated the series last year. What have you learned so far about Dennis Hauger?

Romain Grosjean:

Well, first of all, he's a very nice guy. Second of all, I think he's a very fast driver. So I'm excited to work with him. I think he's going to be fast. He's going to be quick. He knows most of the track. That helps a lot for a rookie. But I'm excited to work with him and create a good duo.

Bruce Martin:

There's a rookie driver, another rookie that's going to be in the series this year at Ray Hall Letterman Lanigan Racing, Mick Schumacher. Your paths have crossed with him before. What can we expect out of Mick Schumacher in IndyCar?

Romain Grosjean:

Yeah, I've known Mick for a while now, and I'm excited that he's racing here. You know, welcome in IndyCar. He has a lot to learn, that's for sure. You know, coming from Europe, very different type of racing, type of circuits. I think he's got a great team around him and he's got a great lot of support. Wish him the best and excited to race with him on track.

Bruce Martin:

And when you look at the schedule this year in IndyCar, there's a lot of new tracks that you haven't raced on, a lot of big events this year. Grand Prix Arlington, that's new. Going to race in Washington, D.C. on the streets of the nation's capital. What do you think of the schedule IndyCar has put together?

Romain Grosjean:

Well, I think we have some really good addition to the championship. Arlington, yeah. Washington, one hundred percent. It's great to get to new places, bigger cities, new audience. I'm excited for all those races. Schedule is going to be tough. You know, trying to put eighteen, nineteen races to finish before the start of September makes it a challenge. But I think everyone is well aware of that and we're going to do the best we can and make the most of it.

Bruce Martin:

Well, Ramon Grajan, welcome back to IndyCar. I'm sure we'll see you running at the front of the field several times this year. I expect you might even end up in victory lane. Well, I hope you're right. Good luck in twenty twenty six. And thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy.

Ron Ruzeweski:

Thank you.

Bruce Martin:

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

Scott McLaughlin:

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 Reynolds.

Bruce Martin:

Welcome back to Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental. We wrap up today's podcast by welcoming back an old friend who remains the winningest IndyCar Series driver in Team Penske history. It's former Team Penske star Will Power, who has moved on from the racing team he was part of from Power is now at Andretti Global, a team owned by Dan Taurus and Mark Walter, the owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Power's teammates are Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Erickson, and the trio of drivers at Andretti Global are another group looking to rebound in twenty twenty six. In the race at St. Pete, Power's number-twenty-six Honda brushed the wall and sustained damage to the rear of the car on lap twenty-one. His crew was able to repair the damage, and he returned to the race on lap fifty-six. He ultimately retired early, forty-five laps down, and finished twenty-second. It was not the start Power was hoping to have, but he remains fiercely focused on returning to glory, as he tells me in this exclusive interview for Pit Pass Indy. An old friend has returned to the show, but he's on a new team. It's my neighbor, Will Power, only now he's not at Team Penske anymore, he's at Andretti Global. Will, you told me earlier this week they keep you on the go on this new team and also with the Fox Sports commercial and everything you're doing for the team and for IndyCar. Just how busy have you been?

Will Power:

It's been incredibly busy this offseason, you know, starting January first, basically. You know, I got a place in Indy, some sort of between Indianapolis and Charlotte, where my primary home is in Charlotte. And... Obviously, I have to spend time at the team, at the shop, up in Indy to meet the people, work with them. I'm actually fitting in really well. I feel very comfortable. It's been pretty seamless, to be honest, so I'm really looking forward to the first race here in St. Pete.

Bruce Martin:

You got a little bit of a late start working with Andretti Global because the way the contract was set up, you remained at Team Penske through December. You got to arrive at Andretti Global on January first. How much do you think that set you back?

Will Power:

Oh, yeah, it would have been nice to start earlier. Not tremendously. I mean, you know, that's the way the contract was written, which is fair enough. You know, if I'm... If I'm Roger, I'm doing the same thing. You know, we are competing against each other. So, you know, now we're rolling along and, you know, not even a thought, to be honest.

Bruce Martin:

St. Pete has been the site of some of your great accomplishments as a driver. Can recall a couple of victories here around twenty ten, twenty eleven. Now you're back with a new team. Do you look at this as a fresh start for Will Power?

Will Power:

It's it's it's kind of been a lot of fun because you know everything's new it's uh new people different car to drive different engine manufacturer i'm i've i've really actually had a lot of fun doing it it has been busy but it's been very enjoyable so i'm uh uh yeah i i don't feel out of place i don't feel like i've got to get to know all the people it's just been very seamless actually how have you meshed so far with your new teammates kyle kirkwood and marcus erickson ah very good very good i mean you know they're both really quick and experienced i just think oh i feel like In every respect, this team will be better this year. Just seeing everything that's going on. I feel like we're going to improve on short ovals and they've already really got street courses. I think road courses are the ones that we've got to work on. But man, I feel like of all the teams in the paddock, we're going to make the biggest gain.

Bruce Martin:

Does Will Power feel like he has something to prove in twenty twenty six?

Will Power:

Oh, not really. I mean, man, I've I'm just having fun. I'm enjoying it, taking it very seriously, though. And I feel like I feel like I don't really have anything to prove. I mean, The mentality is exactly the same. It's always just been about winning for me, and that doesn't change. It's not like I have any extra motivation or anything. That was the case always, every year for me. It didn't matter what team I'm in, so that remains the same.

Bruce Martin:

How difficult is it going to be for anybody in IndyCar to replace Alex Pillow as the champion?

Will Power:

that is going to be very difficult alex pillow is is very uh it's very complete let's say very good in every aspect so to beat him you're really going to have to you're going to be on top of his game which is great i love the bar that has been set it's um it's right up my alley man i i mean i uh i love that stuff i love trying to close the gap obviously you know i've had to get to a new team and all that and and and sort of fit in there as well but um it will be an interesting year i'm really yeah really looking forward to the first race is there going to be any extra satisfaction if you beat any of the team penske drivers there's going to be extra satisfaction if you just win a race i mean yes i mean if You want to be beating guys like that fair and square. You don't want to be having bad days and beating them. That's the goal. It's the goal to beat them and Ganassi. They are basically the two teams that have won everything in the last decade. I think everyone's goal in the paddock that's not Penske or Ganassi.

Bruce Martin:

And Fox Sports knocked it out of the park with your commercial, how many wills there are in that commercial. I lost track how many wills there were in there, but the billboard, wills, wills, call the number, you get a special message, the traffic jam, all of that was great. What was your favorite part of doing that commercial?

Will Power:

Oh, I think it was all the different characters. So, you know, and to do a film at all in twelve hours, basically started at six, finished at six. And they certainly had it well organized. So, yeah, that was to me That was... I love that stuff. I love that sort of stuff. It was very fun. Do your facial expressions even amuse yourself? A little bit, yeah. Yeah, it was funny. The director was asking me to do with my face. But yeah, good stuff. Not as fun as racing though. Not as fun as driving.

Bruce Martin:

When the final product aired, did it surprise yourself just how well it turned out?

Will Power:

Oh, I knew it was going to turn out well. I was just interested to see how they put it all together. Obviously, twelve hours filming cut down to like, I don't know, a thirty second commercial or something, but phenomenal job is exactly what I expected it would be.

Bruce Martin:

I have to admit that the best Will out of that commercial was the one in the traffic jam with the glasses on where they zoom in to your face and you're looking all nervous as another Will's over there flipping somebody off. Which was your favorite Will of the commercial?

Will Power:

I think it was a guy in the pickup truck, you know, with the cut-off sleeve flannel. I did like that a lot.

Bruce Martin:

That channeled your inner willpower from New Hampshire in twenty eleven, I believe.

Will Power:

It did, yeah. That's what they wanted me to do.

Bruce Martin:

Let's hope that we can channel some willpower of twenty eleven, twenty twelve, twenty eighteen when you won the Indianapolis five hundred, twenty fourteen when you won the championship, twenty twenty two when you won another championship. You know, good luck this year, your first season with Andretti Global, and thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Will Power:

Thanks, Bruce. Appreciate it.

Bruce Martin:

Thank you. Ron Razuski is another former key figure at Team Penske, where he was the managing director of the team's IndyCar effort for many years. Razuski has returned to the IndyCar paddock as team principal at Andretti Global, overseeing the entire operation that includes Will Power, Kyle Kirkwood, and Marcus Erickson. Razuski explains his new role and how happy he is to be back in IndyCar in this exclusive Pit Pass Indy interview. I guess I should say welcome back to IndyCar, Ron Razuski. We used to do this quite often when you were at Team Penske because you were just down the road from me. But hey, your new role here at Andretti Global is the team principal. How's it been so far?

Ron Ruzeweski:

It's been good. I mean, it's been a lot of work just adapting. You know, the team has all the basics. So it's really just been about me trying to find where I fit in and how I can contribute. So, yeah. You know, I'd be understated to say it hasn't been a lot of work so far, but it's been good.

Bruce Martin:

Well, so you got a little bit of a late start being able to integrate Will Power into the program. You had to wait till after December thirty first when his contract ran out. But according to Will, it's been flat out ever since January first. So how has that been to get up to speed this quickly with Will?

Ron Ruzeweski:

Yeah, it's interesting. You say that, and we've done three tests together. We had the fortune to be able to do a tire test in Phoenix right like January third, I think it was. And then off to Sebring and off to Phoenix again. So it seems like we've done a lot of events, but on the other side, it seems like we haven't done anything. So there's just so much to take in. And I think our trajectory is really steep. So we're trying to soak it all in as much as we can.

Bruce Martin:

But with all your time working with Will Power at Team Penske, you know it doesn't take much to get him up to speed. He rolls out of bed and he's ready to get up to speed. So how valuable is that when you have a guy who's that focused and determined like Will Power?

Ron Ruzeweski:

Yeah, I think it's great. I mean, I think it's good that he's taken all this in and he's, you know, he is so focused and he is so determined. But that said, it's also, you know, he's had a routine for seventeen years with a particular group. He understands everything there. So he still has, you know, it's still a lot to do and a lot to take in. And I think it's going to take a little bit of time to really, really feel comfortable. But he's certainly motivated and driven to just personally succeed.

Bruce Martin:

Do you believe it's helped him that he has you as a familiar face on this team? Because you two did work together as long as you did.

Ron Ruzeweski:

Yeah, I think there's a certain comfort there. And, you know, even for myself, there's a certain familiarity with somebody as he's vocalizing what he feels from the car. And as I'm trying to learn, Kyle and Marcus talk about the car and what we need. So it's been good that I have somebody that I can relate with as well. And I'm sure vice versa.

Bruce Martin:

His teammates love him. Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Erickson have both said how great Will is to work with. I've always said it's better to work with Will Power than work against Will Power. So how would you describe how well the teammates have meshed together?

Ron Ruzeweski:

I think so far it's been great. I mean, that's one thing that's really been great is the open communication between all three of them and how they've been working together and, you know, I guess, really depicting what they need. And it's all been very common thread. So I think it's been a great relationship so far.

Bruce Martin:

Kyle Kirkwood comes in with a lot of expectations. He's had coming off of a really good year. So what do you forecast for Kyle Kirkwood in twenty twenty six? He's got to be another driver that has very high hopes of competing for the championship.

Ron Ruzeweski:

Yeah, no, I think our goal here is to put all three of the guys in the best position possible and to try and execute at the highest level. Absolutely, Kyle's a true talent, and he came off a great season. You know, we want to make sure that we're giving him everything possible to put himself in a position to win a championship and win an Indy five hundred. So I don't want to say that we need to do this or that for him. I just think we want to put him in a position to be able to capitalize on his talents.

Bruce Martin:

Marcus Erickson came to the team with some high hopes. So far, it hasn't really clicked like a lot of us thought it would. What do you see as being the reason what the team can do to help Marcus Erickson get back up to where he's winning Indianapolis Five Hundreds and contending for a championship like he did with Chip Ganassi Racing?

Ron Ruzeweski:

I think we've looked at that pretty close. We've restructured a few things around. And I think just having a fresh approach with Will and myself has energized Marcus and put him into a good spot. And I think we're already seeing at Phoenix and here that we've been giving him what he needs to go quick.

Bruce Martin:

Although this team's Andretti Global, it really is TWG, Dan Towers' influence on the team. It's like he's given you guys everything you need to be competitive and a winning team. How do you describe the effort that Dan Towers has put into this operation?

Ron Ruzeweski:

Yeah, for sure. Dan's got high expectations and he wants to win. He's, you know, he's trying to create a big motorsports presence. He's involved in a lot of things. So, you know, from what I see, you know, he's very committed to it. And, you know, he's showing that through changes that we're trying to make. And, you know, I'm proud to help move that program forward.

Bruce Martin:

How big of a relief was it when Honda and Chevrolet both signed the contract extensions that they're going to both be competing in the IndyCar series with a new contract beginning in twenty twenty seven?

Ron Ruzeweski:

It's super, super nice to see the commitment by both manufacturers. Certainly Honda is a partner of ours and we're proud to be associated with them. So really want to see this going forward. And I think it bodes well for the series success.

Bruce Martin:

And if you could describe how this opportunity came together for you. We all know what happened last May at the Indianapolis Five Hundred. How long did it take before you started to discuss this coming over to Andretti Global and taking over the role that you're in right now?

Ron Ruzeweski:

It took a while. I wasn't sure where I wanted to go or what I wanted to do. So I sat on the sidelines for a while, just kind of contemplating. That was a big move for me to try and figure out what my next steps were in life. So I just kind of took my time with it and looked at everything that was available.

Bruce Martin:

Did you make the move all the way from North Carolina, or do you still have a place there that you may keep? Kyle Moyer was going to keep his place and have two locations. What did you decide to do? Yeah, similar.

Ron Ruzeweski:

You know, really, my wife and I decided our focus was going to be on getting this program going and not be distracted with anything else. And at the end of the day, we have a great house in North Carolina. I really don't want to get rid of it. And, you know, as long as we can afford to have both opportunities, we're going to continue with that.

Bruce Martin:

And final question for Ron Razuski, team principal at Andretti Global. In racing, there's always another race ahead and another fresh start. And here we are in twenty twenty six. And you have to feel a little bit of a personal connection to that because you're getting a fresh start with a new season.

Ron Ruzeweski:

How important is that for you? It is. I mean, and as I've said before, you know, I want to I want to take this opportunity to prove to myself I can do it and try and help elevate this team. So, you know, today's a new opportunity, not for me, but not just for me, but other people on the team. And, you know, we'll hopefully have success in twenty twenty six.

Bruce Martin:

Ron Razuski, good luck in twenty twenty six. And thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy. All right. Thank you so much. That puts a checkered flag on this edition of Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental as we continue racing into twenty twenty six. We want to thank our guest, four time NTT IndyCar Series champion and the winner of the season opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Alex Pillow of Chip Ganassi Racing. Joseph Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske. Romain Grosjean of Dale Coyne Racing, two-time IndyCar Series champion and twenty eighteen Indianapolis five hundred winner Will Power of Andretti Global and Andretti Global team principal Ron Razewski for joining us on this edition of Pit Pass Indy. Along with loyal listeners like you, our guests help make Pit Pass Indy, presented by Penske Truck Rental, your path to victory lane and 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 BruceMartin, one word, uppercase B, uppercase M, underscore, five hundred. 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 Sean Rule Hoffman and Nathan Corson.