Latest news with #CGR
San Francisco Chronicle
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- San Francisco Chronicle
Kirkwood confidently predicts Andretti Global is favorite to win Indianapolis 500 pole
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — There was zero hesitation from Kyle Kirkwood when he asked if he and his Andretti Global teammates are favorites to challenge for both the pole and the Indianapolis 500 victory. 'We're either the best, or we are very, very close to that,' Kirkwood said. 'We are very positive at this time and very confident.' Those who might disagree? Two-time defending Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden, who has been fast all week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and two-time reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou, winner of four of the first five races this season. The three-car Andretti team, though? Few had even uttered their names before Kirkwood's bold prediction ahead of Fast Friday, the day teams get a 100 horsepower boost to prepare for this weekend's two-day qualifying session. Guess people just weren't paying attention. Kirkwood is, after all, the only driver this season so far to beat Palou with his April victory on the downtown streets of Long Beach, California. 'I think they look very strong both speed-wise and traffic running,' said Arrow McLaren driver Pato O'Ward, who then cautioned 'don't count out the Penskes. They're going to have rockets just like they did last year.' Newgarden beat O'Ward on the final lap last year to win his second consecutive Indy 500, and Penske drivers Scott McLaughlin, Will Power and Newgarden swept the front row in qualifying last season. There are 34 drivers going for the 33 spots in the field in Saturday and Sunday qualifying, meaning one car will fail to make the 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.' Among them is NASCAR star Kyle Larson, who for the second year will attempt 'The Double' and try to complete 1,100-miles between the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in North Carolina. It's going to be a tough turnaround for Chip Ganassi Racing driver Kyffin Simpson, who nearly flipped his car when he crashed in Friday practice. He was uninjured but CGR will have a ton of work to do to get a backup car prepared for Saturday's first day of qualifying. Simpson isn't considered a pole contender, but his CGR teammates Palou and Scott Dixon are, according to other drivers. But Dixon was in the group that believe the trio of Penske drivers are going to be tough to beat this weekend. 'I will say that definitely the Penske cars look strong. There's no doubt about that,' Dixon said. 'They definitely are running some big laps. I don't know. There can always be a weird twist I think that kind of comes, so I would hope that that's true, but you know, right at the minute I don't know.' The Honda teams changed their engines Thursday night to prepare for qualifications, but Chevrolet is waiting until after qualifying to make their engine changes. 'Ganassi seems to have taken a step forward as well just from kind of playing around with them in traffic,' O'Ward said. 'It's hard to say right now. You don't know who is hiding what or are both manufacturers showing everything? Not sure, but they do look very strong.' Newgarden, meanwhile, is seeking a record third consecutive win in the Indy 500 but not yet comfortable to make any predictions. He's had a tough start to the season with just one podium finish, in the season-opener, and his 12th-place ranking in the IndyCar standings is the lowest of the three Penske drivers. But he's confident it makes little difference when it comes to the Indianapolis 500 and he's been pleased to be at the top of the speed charts each day this week. 'It's showing good signs to begin. It's a long process. You can have the quickest car in the field, and that doesn't mean you're going to win the race,' Newgarden said. "I think it takes a lot of ingredients, clearly, to win at this place. I think we have a few of them that are starting to show themselves in favorable conditions. 'Right now I think the car is in a really good place. We just have to continue to go through the motions. Qualifying is going to be its own thing. We're going to find out exactly where everybody else is at and hopefully we'll be in a good spot there. Then the race will be a whole other animal, and we'll figure that out next weekend.'
Fox Sports
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Fox Sports
Kirkwood confidently predicts Andretti Global is favorite to win Indianapolis 500 pole
Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — There was zero hesitation from Kyle Kirkwood when he asked if he and his Andretti Global teammates are favorites to challenge for both the pole and the Indianapolis 500 victory. 'We're either the best, or we are very, very close to that,' Kirkwood said. 'We are very positive at this time and very confident.' Those who might disagree? Two-time defending Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden, who has been fast all week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and two-time reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou, winner of four of the first five races this season. The three-car Andretti team, though? Few had even uttered their names before Kirkwood's bold prediction ahead of Fast Friday, the day teams get a 100 horsepower boost to prepare for this weekend's two-day qualifying session. Guess people just weren't paying attention. Kirkwood is, after all, the only driver this season so far to beat Palou with his April victory on the downtown streets of Long Beach, California. 'I think they look very strong both speed-wise and traffic running,' said Arrow McLaren driver Pato O'Ward, who then cautioned 'don't count out the Penskes. They're going to have rockets just like they did last year.' Newgarden beat O'Ward on the final lap last year to win his second consecutive Indy 500, and Penske drivers Scott McLaughlin, Will Power and Newgarden swept the front row in qualifying last season. There are 34 drivers going for the 33 spots in the field in Saturday and Sunday qualifying, meaning one car will fail to make the 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.' Among them is NASCAR star Kyle Larson, who for the second year will attempt 'The Double' and try to complete 1,100-miles between the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in North Carolina. It's going to be a tough turnaround for Chip Ganassi Racing driver Kyffin Simpson, who nearly flipped his car when he crashed in Friday practice. He was uninjured but CGR will have a ton of work to do to get a backup car prepared for Saturday's first day of qualifying. Simpson isn't considered a pole contender, but his CGR teammates Palou and Scott Dixon are, according to other drivers. But Dixon was in the group that believe the trio of Penske drivers are going to be tough to beat this weekend. 'I will say that definitely the Penske cars look strong. There's no doubt about that,' Dixon said. 'They definitely are running some big laps. I don't know. There can always be a weird twist I think that kind of comes, so I would hope that that's true, but you know, right at the minute I don't know.' The Honda teams changed their engines Thursday night to prepare for qualifications, but Chevrolet is waiting until after qualifying to make their engine changes. 'Ganassi seems to have taken a step forward as well just from kind of playing around with them in traffic,' O'Ward said. 'It's hard to say right now. You don't know who is hiding what or are both manufacturers showing everything? Not sure, but they do look very strong.' Newgarden, meanwhile, is seeking a record third consecutive win in the Indy 500 but not yet comfortable to make any predictions. He's had a tough start to the season with just one podium finish, in the season-opener, and his 12th-place ranking in the IndyCar standings is the lowest of the three Penske drivers. But he's confident it makes little difference when it comes to the Indianapolis 500 and he's been pleased to be at the top of the speed charts each day this week. 'It's showing good signs to begin. It's a long process. You can have the quickest car in the field, and that doesn't mean you're going to win the race,' Newgarden said. "I think it takes a lot of ingredients, clearly, to win at this place. I think we have a few of them that are starting to show themselves in favorable conditions. 'Right now I think the car is in a really good place. We just have to continue to go through the motions. Qualifying is going to be its own thing. We're going to find out exactly where everybody else is at and hopefully we'll be in a good spot there. Then the race will be a whole other animal, and we'll figure that out next weekend.' ___ AP auto racing: recommended
Winnipeg Free Press
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Winnipeg Free Press
Kirkwood confidently predicts Andretti Global is favorite to win Indianapolis 500 pole
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — There was zero hesitation from Kyle Kirkwood when he asked if he and his Andretti Global teammates are favorites to challenge for both the pole and the Indianapolis 500 victory. 'We're either the best, or we are very, very close to that,' Kirkwood said. 'We are very positive at this time and very confident.' Those who might disagree? Two-time defending Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden, who has been fast all week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and two-time reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou, winner of four of the first five races this season. The three-car Andretti team, though? Few had even uttered their names before Kirkwood's bold prediction ahead of Fast Friday, the day teams get a 100 horsepower boost to prepare for this weekend's two-day qualifying session. Guess people just weren't paying attention. Kirkwood is, after all, the only driver this season so far to beat Palou with his April victory on the downtown streets of Long Beach, California. 'I think they look very strong both speed-wise and traffic running,' said Arrow McLaren driver Pato O'Ward, who then cautioned 'don't count out the Penskes. They're going to have rockets just like they did last year.' Newgarden beat O'Ward on the final lap last year to win his second consecutive Indy 500, and Penske drivers Scott McLaughlin, Will Power and Newgarden swept the front row in qualifying last season. There are 34 drivers going for the 33 spots in the field in Saturday and Sunday qualifying, meaning one car will fail to make the 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.' Among them is NASCAR star Kyle Larson, who for the second year will attempt 'The Double' and try to complete 1,100-miles between the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in North Carolina. It's going to be a tough turnaround for Chip Ganassi Racing driver Kyffin Simpson, who nearly flipped his car when he crashed in Friday practice. He was uninjured but CGR will have a ton of work to do to get a backup car prepared for Saturday's first day of qualifying. Simpson isn't considered a pole contender, but his CGR teammates Palou and Scott Dixon are, according to other drivers. But Dixon was in the group that believe the trio of Penske drivers are going to be tough to beat this weekend. 'I will say that definitely the Penske cars look strong. There's no doubt about that,' Dixon said. 'They definitely are running some big laps. I don't know. There can always be a weird twist I think that kind of comes, so I would hope that that's true, but you know, right at the minute I don't know.' The Honda teams changed their engines Thursday night to prepare for qualifications, but Chevrolet is waiting until after qualifying to make their engine changes. 'Ganassi seems to have taken a step forward as well just from kind of playing around with them in traffic,' O'Ward said. 'It's hard to say right now. You don't know who is hiding what or are both manufacturers showing everything? Not sure, but they do look very strong.' Newgarden, meanwhile, is seeking a record third consecutive win in the Indy 500 but not yet comfortable to make any predictions. He's had a tough start to the season with just one podium finish, in the season-opener, and his 12th-place ranking in the IndyCar standings is the lowest of the three Penske drivers. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. But he's confident it makes little difference when it comes to the Indianapolis 500 and he's been pleased to be at the top of the speed charts each day this week. 'It's showing good signs to begin. It's a long process. You can have the quickest car in the field, and that doesn't mean you're going to win the race,' Newgarden said. 'I think it takes a lot of ingredients, clearly, to win at this place. I think we have a few of them that are starting to show themselves in favorable conditions. 'Right now I think the car is in a really good place. We just have to continue to go through the motions. Qualifying is going to be its own thing. We're going to find out exactly where everybody else is at and hopefully we'll be in a good spot there. Then the race will be a whole other animal, and we'll figure that out next weekend.' ___ AP auto racing:
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Violent crash sends Kyffin Simpson airborne in scary Indy 500 practice shunt
Only 50 minutes into Friday's Indy 500 practice, disaster struck for Kyffin Simpson and the No. 8 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Several drivers had already breached 230mph in lap averages with the boost turned up, including Scott McLaughlin, who nearly reached 234mph over the course of a lap. The 20-year-old Simpson was making his first run of the day when the car wobbled at the exit of Turn 4 before spinning. The car slammed the wall and immediately lifted up off the ground, going fully airborne before landing on its side. Simpson's car promptly returned to its wheels before crashing into the inside wall as well, coming to a rest at the entrance of pit road. "Yeah I'm okay," radioed Simpson. "But man, that was loose." Advertisement Moments after the incident, Alexander Rossi had a close call with an AMR safety truck that was arriving at the scene. Rossi was frustrated, gesturing at the safety truck and voicing his displeasure over the radio. Simpson: "It was a weird one" As for Simpson, the CGR driver was checked and released from the infield care center without issue. However, the team needs to go to a backup car as the damage to his primary was too severe. The stoppage was also extended as repairs needed to be made to the SAFER Barrier at the exit of Turn 4. "I'm all good," Simpson told IndyCar on FOX. "It's a tough way to start out Fast Friday. Just a weird crash. Everything about it was weird." Advertisement He explained further: "It was weird even from the outlap. Just something didn't really feel quite right. I kept going right on the weight jacker and tried to help the car out and it just never really felt the way I expected it to. It was just a weird one. We'll go back, look at some data, try to figure out what might have been wrong and try to make sure it doesn't happen again." The only other incident during the previous three days of practice was a rather innocent spin by Christian Rasmussen, who escaped with minimal damage after looping his car on Thursday. Read Also: How hybrid engines will impact the Indy 500, according to a two-time winner 50-year-old Tony Kanaan passes Indy 500 veteran test: 'It was awesome' Advertisement To read more articles visit our website.
The Print
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Print
CSR becomes first environmental NGO to launch issue on NSE's Social Stock Exchange
Speaking to PTI, G Narayan Rao, CEO of the Council for Green Revolution, said their NGO is the 14th to be listed on the SSE after undergoing rigorous verification. The issue, valued at Rs 85 lakh, aims to fund the second phase of its flagship project, the Young Earth Leadership Program–Phase 2 (YELP-2). Hyderabad, May 16 (PTI) The Council for Green Revolution (CGR), a Hyderabad-based environmental NGO, has become the first environmental organisation in India to launch an issue on the National Stock Exchange (NSE)'s Social Stock Exchange (SSE). 'This was introduced in 2019. There are about 3,300 registered NGOs in India, of which only about 100 have qualified so far to register on the SSE,' said Rao, former CMD of the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India, a Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Once an NGO is registered on the SSE, it must still undergo several procedures involving strict protocols before it can be listed on the NSE or Bombay Stock Exchange, Rao added. The first organisation to list on the SSE was Bengaluru-based not-for-profit SGBS Unnati Foundation, which raised slightly less than Rs 2 crore from high net-worth individuals (HNIs) in December 2022. According to Rao, who also served as General Manager at Bharat Dynamics Limited, a CPSU under the Ministry of Defence, CGR's fundraising issue opened on May 7 and will close on May 27. 'It uses a unique SEBI-approved instrument called Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) bonds. These bonds offer no interest or principal repayment, but donors can claim 80G income tax benefits,' said Rao. Initially, unlike traditional bonds or equities, ZCZP instruments were considered pure donations. However, Rao said that to encourage social sector spending, SEBI had recommended that the government allow tax benefits for companies investing in ZCZP bonds. CGR plans to use the Rs 85 lakh raised to fund its flagship environmental education and action initiative, YELP-2, aimed at empowering students to lead eco-conscious change in their communities. 'Specifically, the funds will help CGR carry out the following activities across government schools: plant 16,000 saplings, establish 60 kitchen gardens and compost pits for wet waste processing, install 80 water harvesting units, set up five dry waste collection centres, conduct 30 climate education training sessions with domain experts, and reach over 45,000 student Earth leaders,' Rao said. Noting that they had to 'literally jump through hoops' to get here, Rao expressed hope that the effort would be worthwhile. 'We will definitely be more visible, not just in India, but globally. But it's still too early to say how exactly this will translate. Only time will tell,' he added. Founded on Earth Day in April 2010, CGR is a pioneering non-profit working to advance environmental stewardship, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable practices across India. PTI JR SSK ROH This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
