Marcus Ericsson's Indy 500 car has primary sponsor 'a lot of people are going to recognize'
INDIANAPOLIS — Throughout the bulk of his career, 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson sported primary sponsorship from Huski Chocolate, a Swedish company that did very little business in the U.S. Ericsson is energized that his race fans and supporters of Andretti Global may very well use his sponsor this Month of May, especially in spring in Indiana.
Andretti Global announced Tuesday it landed Allegra, a leading non-drowsy over-the-counter allergy relief brand, as the primary sponsor for Ericsson's No. 28 Honda for the Indianapolis 500, coming with a flashy pink, purple and orange livery that will be hard to miss on-track.
"This is all pretty organic, because I have seasonal allergies that I suffer from, and with Allegra coming onto the team, it was a very good connection. They're about 0% brain interference and being able to stay sharp, and that's why it makes a lot of sense and something that's not only important for me but my pit crew," Ericsson told IndyStar. "This is for them as well as the whole team.
"There's a lot of that going around, and it was just an organic sponsorship that made a lot of sense with a big brand and a car that looks amazing. I think it's going to stand out, and a lot of people are going to recognize it."
Indianapolis 500: 2025 practice, qualifying, Carb Day, Legends Day, race schedule, start time, tickets
With consumer-facing brands ever so slowly making their way into IndyCar and the 500 as the series starts to gain some traction, Ericsson said he's particularly proud of being able to represent something for the biggest couple months of the year that fans may very well have a direct connection with.
"We obviously have Honda, and I drive Honda cars and represent them, so I think this is something where the fans can get connected to this, but I think there will also be a ton of people who struggle with (allergies) on a daily basis, and they may already have the connection with the brand, so that's really cool," he said. "We shouldn't compare too much with NASCAR, but this is what they do really well. Of all the cars out on track, probably 90% of them are brands that people in the stands not only know, but are also huge brands.'
Allegra plans to turn Ericsson's pit stops during the race into an activation opportunity for fans following on TV with the creation of the "Allegra pit shop" — a "real-time reaction-based challenge that will invite fans to scan QR codes on the backs of Ericsson's pit crew suits to claim prizes, including two tickets to an upcoming race.
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Miami Herald
2 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Best and Worst Gear Shift Knobs in 2025
The automotive world is in a perpetual state of transformation, and while innovations in electrification, infotainment, and autonomous driving seem to get the most attention, it's the once lowly shift knob that deserves its time in the sun. In 2025, the shift knob remains a tactile link between driver and machine for those who favor engagement over automation. Whether it's the engagement of a traditional manual shift knob or the action and ease of a fancy automatic version, the design, feel, and function of a shift knob can significantly enhance or sully the driving experience. We considered ergonomics, materials, intuitiveness, and aesthetics to determine the standouts and the disappointments and rounded up the best and worst shift knobs currently found in new vehicles across the market, manual or automatic. 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T (manual) Porsche is pulling back on electrification (again), so this is a good time to focus on what the automaker does best: perfecting its analog driving experience. The 911 Carrera T features a 6-speed manual shift knob that is nothing short of a masterpiece. Crafted from real walnut, the knob is beautiful, rounded, properly short, and precisely weighted to maximize performance driving. Its simplicity contrasts with the high-tech nature of the rest of the cockpit, making it a purist's delight. Porsche knows its audience, and it delivers. 2025 Honda Civic Type R (manual) Honda continues to prove that affordable performance doesn't mean sacrificing driving enjoyment. The 2025 Civic Type R features a beautifully machined, teardrop-shaped 6-speed manual aluminum shift knob that's cool to the touch and satisfies with every snikt-snikt shift. The throw is short and mechanical, while the red-stitched leather shift boot and manual gear diagram etched on the top add a layer of visual flair. Sure, the metal knob gets cold in winter, but that's what gloves are for. 2025BMW M2 (manual) BMW may be going electric in a big way, but the M2 continues to cater to enthusiasts with a fantastic 6-speed manual. The shift knob is traditionally shaped and great in the hand, topped with the classic M logo. It strikes the perfect balance between comfort and sportiness, and the mechanical feel of the shifts is among the best in the business. 2025 Volvo XC90 (automatic) The XC90 is a beautiful premium SUV that was recently refreshed with a new grille and a bigger and better infotainment screen. We're just happy that the Orrefors Crystal shift knob is still available because it's a stunner. The angled crystal shifter plays with sunlight and feels wonderful in the hand. Simple pushes forward and back engage the proper gear, and you'll find that your hand (and your eyes) will return to it over and over again, even when you're not shifting. 2025 Audi Q8 (automatic) Audi interiors are in need of an update, especially when it comes to infotainment, but its automatic shift knobs are excellent. The one in the Q8 (as well as other models) is wide, low, flat, and wonderful to both look at and hold. The aluminum and leather materials are second-to-none, and the action tilts and clicks with authority. We hope the brand keeps this shifter as it moves towards more updated cabins. 2025 Honda CR-V (automatic) Less of a shift knob and more a row of awkward buttons, the shifting setup in the Honda CR-V isn't great to use. Whoever thought buttons would be intuitive and quick to operate never actually had to live with them on a regular basis. Yes, the drive button is recessed and angled, so it's more difficult to press it accidentally, but more often than not, you find yourself having to look at what you're doing. It's not just in the CR-V, but also in the Odyssey, Pilot, and the new Passport. It somehow seems to have escaped the Civic, Accord, and HR-V. 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV (single-speed direct drive) The 2025 Blazer EV is impressive in its styling, efficiency, and power. The problem is that it features a steering column-mounted stalk gear selector that's easy to mistake for a wiper stalk. While this might seem like a logical solution, it takes a lot of getting used to. It's not like the old school column shifters that required a significant pull forward to move it up or down. 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It's not that it doesn't work well, but it's just a couple of inches aft of the infotainment control knob and directly in line with it, making the rotary shift knob too easy to grab while trying to operate the wrong function. In an effort to rethink the humble shift knob, automakers have devised some truly novel approaches to changing gears, but not all of them are well-executed. The ones on this list that rise to the top are more traditional, while the worst ones feel either overwrought or half-baked. Whether you're a purist who relishes the feel of a well-weighted manual gear lever or a daily commuter who just wants a functional and ergonomic solution, it's clear that not all shift knobs are created equal. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Forbes
4 hours ago
- Forbes
Ride Review: Honda Grom 125 Minimoto With A Belt Drive Upgrade
The Honda Grom is the little motorbike that can... get you anywhere in a city and quickly. It's a ... More real-deal motorcycle with a clutch and gears, but fun-sized and affordable. In 2014, Honda debuted an oddly named, somewhat unusual but instantly popular new motorcycle: a half-sized street bike called the Honda Grom 125. What's a 'grom?' It's slang for a young or newbie action sports participant, which is probably a good description for many Honda Grom owners. Back in the day, we called Honda's half-pint motorcycles 'minibikes,' but those were 50cc buzzers more at home in the dirt than on the street, even though they were street legal. The Grom somehow has adult-sized ergonomics, and Honda sells these affordable urban fun machines - now called 'minimotos' - by the shipload for $3,599 each. To be clear, Groms are not scooters or mopeds and require clutch and shifter skills to operate a five-speed gearbox. They are actual motorcycles and require an endorsement on the rider's license in most U.S. states. The Grom has some style points with its gold forks, angular bodywork and exposed mechanicals. Too small and slow to ride on freeways but absolutely aces in town, the Grom (and a growing roster of other 125cc retro-terrific siblings from Honda and others) have become a gateway to motorcycle fun for thousands of first-time riders and returning veterans alike. Urban Grom riding groups are popular, and customizing Groms is an industry unto itself, as evidenced by the numerous custom Groms on display at the most recent edition of the popular One Motorcycle Show in Portland. While enjoying the One Moto Show in my hometown, I connected with some folks from Gates Corporation, specialists in carbon belt drives, and rode a Grom customized with a Gates belt drive conversion kit, which is still in development but nearing production. For comparison, I rode both a stock chain-driven Grom and the belt drive conversion bike seen in these photos. This Grom is converted to belt drive from chain, but it's hard to spot the change and that's ... More intended. All motorcycles use one of three different final drive systems to transfer engine power to the rear wheel: chains, shafts, or belts. Chain drive systems remain the most common because of their reliability and high strength. However, chains require near-constant maintenance, including regular lubrication and adjustments to tension and sag. In contrast, shaft drive systems need less maintenance but present issues with drivetrain behavior, which typically restricts them to cruisers and adventure machines, such as BMW's popular GS models. Electric motorcycle manufacturer Zero exclusively uses Gates belts, while Harley-Davidson transitioned from chain drive to Gates belt drives in the mid-1980s. BMW utilizes shaft drive on nearly every bike it produces. Italian brands like Ducati and Aprilia, along with all Japanese manufacturers, primarily employ chain drives on most bikes, especially high-performance models; some cruiser models feature shaft drive. Currently, none use belt drive on any models. More recently, many e-bike makers are offering models with belt drive to reduce maintenance needs, weight, and simplify drive systems. A Gates carbon belt is a complex product with multiple layers of materials designed for long life ... More and quiet operation. Ironically, early 20th-century motorcycles all used belt drive systems—except that back then, the belts were made of leather and tended to break, which led to the eventual widespread use of chain and shaft final drives. Modern belt drive systems, such as those from Gates, are made of a complex mixture of materials (above) that provide a service life far longer than a chain, operate in near silence, and require little to no maintenance, apart from periodic tension adjustments. A close-up view of the Grom's belt drive. New Gates belts are skinnier and work with smaller ... More sprockets. With a motorcycle like the Grom, which Honda designed for a life of minimal maintenance and heavy use, it seems a belt drive system would be an excellent fit, both literally (above) and figuratively. With a 50,000-mile service life and infrequent adjustment needs, you'd think Honda would be eager to eliminate 'chain maintenance' from the Grom's already short upkeep list and implement a belt drive. But so far, no luck. The upcoming Gates refit kit should bring those benefits to bear for Grom owners. On city streets, the Grom has no problem keeping up with traffic, but you do feel... a bit small and ... More exposed. Best to ride in packs. That all said, is there a difference in the riding experience between a chain and the Gates belt conversion on a Honda Grom? We took to the streets of Portland's hilly West Side to find out. Full disclosure: This was my first time at the controls of a Grom. I'm not sure how Honda made a motorcycle that looks like it could fit in the back of most hatchbacks actually fit a large human like me, but it does. The fuel-injected 125cc air-cooled motor is peppy and fun, and the Grom even includes a shift light for those low-speed stoplight races. Flat out in 5th gear, the Grom can just top 50 mph. Freeways are a no-no for the Grom and its 125cc friends, but on city streets, the light weight, small wheels and zippy motor are highly entertaining, and the Grom is easy to ride. It can change direction quickly, you put both feet flat on the ground at stops, clutch engagement is highly forgiving, and the Grom feels well-made and solid underway. I can see the appeal! I rode the chain-driven Grom first, and the experience was pretty much as expected, which is to say, normal regarding drivetrain feel and action. Switching to the Grom with the belt drive kit, the riding experience is… pretty much the same as with a chain, which is not a demerit. However, there are some small differences. Since the belt drive has more elasticity than a chain, transitions on and off the throttle have a bit more smoothness as the belt absorbs some of the transitional energy. Other than that, the experience is identical to a chain, which is the point, to a large degree. Clean, light and quiet, the Gates belt drive conversion kit should be a popular item for Grom ... More customizers. The real advantage of the Gates belt drive conversion over the stock chain drive lies in all the benefits mentioned earlier: lighter weight, a much longer service life, and minimal maintenance aside from a periodic tension adjustment (it should be checked annually). Forget about the need to remember to oil a chain, constantly check for chain sag, look for wear, and replace sprockets when changing the chain. Weight, time, and money are saved by opting for a belt (which includes a belt-specific sprocket replacement kit that retains stock gearing ratios). A Gates representative told me that new advances in belt construction allow for tighter rotation around sprockets, allowing for smaller, thinner, more 'normal' looking belt drive systems that previously required large, wide sprockets for proper tension and operation. Without those advancements, an install on a small bike like the Grom might not be possible. As noted, the Gates Grom belt drive conversion kit (and possibly additional kits for other motorcycles) is still being finalized for production specifications and pricing. If Honda were smart, they'd either offer it as a kit, a factory option, or simply make the Gates belt drive standard equipment on their popular minomotos. Because simpler is always better. Let's hear your feedback! Subscribing to enables you to leave comments and supports contributors like me. Subscribe and follow me for notifications on new articles. You can also connect with me on Facebook and LinkedIn. All of my content is human-generated.
Fox News
8 hours ago
- Fox News
FOX Sports, Purple Heart Homes help repair homes of 4 vets during Indy 500 week
Sunday's 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 was an eventful day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as Álex Palou won his sixth race of the INDYCAR season, but there was something just as important happening off the track in the days leading up to the race. FOX Sports teamed up with Purple Heart Homes to help renovate and restore the homes of four veterans in the Indianapolis community ahead of the 2025 Indy 500. The work, which included roof and floor replacements, bathroom renovations and more, was commended by Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, who declared the week prior to race week "Purple Heart Homes & Partners Veteran Impact Week." "This collaboration between FOX Sports, Purple Heart Homes and Home Repairs for Good is exactly the type of public-private partnership that Indianapolis is known for," Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said of FOX Sports and Purple Heart Homes' efforts. "To see this partnership project result in life-changing home improvements for some of our city's bravest heroes is truly inspiring. The City of Indianapolis and our Office of Veteran's Affairs are grateful to all those who helped make this dream a reality." Gary Dean, a U.S. Army veteran, was one of the four people who had their homes renovated through FOX Sports and Purple Heart Homes' efforts. Dean has faced homelessness and battled congestive heart failure in recent years, with his health issues and financial difficulties preventing him from repairing the leaking roof of the home he's lived in over the last five years. He is also the primary caregiver for his best friend, who is battling Stage 4 cancer. "With her, I just can't see what she was going through without somebody stepping up and not helping out," Dean said. "I've just gotta help." Thanks to FOX Sports and Purple Heart Homes, Dean's home got the roof repair he's long needed. "Purple Heart Homes and FOX Sports stepped up, put a new roof on my home for me and took a huge weight off my shoulders," Dean said. It will keep me in my home for many more years and keep me out of assisted living in the future. They just stepped up big time. … I can't appreciate them enough." Kevin Smith, who is also a U.S. Army and National Guard veteran with a total of 10 years of service, needed his kitchen flooring replaced. He also needed major bathroom renovations as the room was inoperable for over five years. A lifelong resident of Indianapolis, Smith's family is of great importance to him. He met his wife 50 years ago through his neighbors, and the couple has seven children, with six of them still living in Indiana. So, when FOX Sports and Purple Heart Homes were able to do the necessary renovations to Smith's home, he couldn't help but think about the future functions he could finally have at his house again. "I don't want to complain," Smith said. "You want to row the boat instead of trying to rock it. We have not been able to have family over for Christmas for five years and we can't wait to spend time with them in our home." Donald Covington, a U.S. Marine veteran, was injured during his time in combat, but has persevered. He was stabbed 13 times during his line of duty. Unfortunately, Covington has still had to fight in the years since he was deployed. He suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and is battling prostate cancer. Covington's 22-year-old daughter, Lilly, still lives with him. However, the two needed renovations done to the roof of their home with water intrusion threatening its structural safety. Luckily, they were able to get the help they needed thanks to the initiative from FOX Sports and Purple Heart Homes. "All I can say is, everything was great!" Covington said. "I knew I wasn't able to make the repairs. I didn't know where help would come from, but it showed up with you showing up [Purple Heart Homes]. I'm just so thankful. Thank you just so, so much." The fourth veteran, who served in the U.S. Army, opted to remain anonymous. FOX Sports and Purple Heart Homes both felt it was vital to help those who served the country in the lead-up to the Indy 500, which is annually held on Memorial Day weekend. "It's an honor to work alongside Purple Heart Homes to improve the quality of life for veterans in Indianapolis by providing the housing solutions they need to thrive in their communities," FOX Sports CEO Eric Shanks said in a statement. "The partnership between FOX Sports and Purple Heart Homes is central to our efforts to serve the military heroes who selflessly served us." "This work is about restoring dignity, independence and peace of mind to the people who have given so much to our country," Purple Heart Homes Board chair Dave Sternberg added. "We are honored by the continued partnership of FOX Sports and look forward to what lies ahead in our growing collaboration with Home Repairs for Good." Dean's story was featured during FOX's broadcast coverage of the Indy 500, and the veterans got to spend time at Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the weekend of the race thanks to FOX Sports and INDYCAR, touring the track and FOX Sports' set at the track. Now, the four veterans can watch all INDYCAR races from the comfort of their own homes without worry. They can also take in the Indiana Pacers' playoff run, too. Smith was wearing a Pacers t-shirt when Purple Heart Homes made the proper repairs to his home. Above all, these veterans are thankful that they've been recognized for their service to their country. "You get a lot of tip of the hats and thank yous when people recognize you as a veteran," Dean said. "I think that's as much appreciation as I need." Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
