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Indianapolis Star
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Indianapolis Star
Doyel: IndyCar, Barstool's Dave Portnoy are an odd couple made with Roger Penske's blessing
IndyCar is joining the rest of the country, the rest of the world, by making a complete and craven heel turn – because let's be honest: The heels are flush with cash. Have you seen the latest? Here it is. Some of you will cheer this. For the rest of you – bless you – please find a barf bag. Because this is gross: Barstool Sports founder and far-right cretin Dave Portnoy will get the privilege of riding in the Fastest Seat in Sports for the last race of the 2025 IndyCar schedule, the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway on Aug. 31. Dave Portnoy has built a career on mean-spiritedness and misogyny, and when he's in a really playful mood, on mean-spirited misogyny. And this is who IndyCar – with its TV rankings in the tank – is giving a marquee spot in its final race? Trying to build a fan base that could use a boost from the female demographic? Brilliant. Portnoy is here because IndyCar jumped into bed with Fox, and FOX Sports jumped into Portnoy's misogynistic bed, and this is what happens when you lie down with pigs: You get muddy. In defense of IndyCar owner Roger Penske, it's possible – likely, even – that he's never heard of Dave Portnoy. Penske, age 88, isn't exactly in Portnoy's puerile demographic. Then again, Portnoy is a far-right cretin, and Penske seems to have embraced that movement, and before you go one step farther, understand something: The U.S. conservative party, at least the one I grew up with, is not the problem. I've voted for Republicans for president, in the past. Gov. Eric Holcomb was my governor here in Indiana from 2017-25, emphasis on my. Was he perfect? No. Neither am I. But he was terrific. Doyel in 2022: Shooting hoops with Gov. Holcomb on the Governor's mansion's outdoor court! Now then, back to that thing you read earlier: Penske seems to have embraced the far-right movement that has bastardized the party of Lincoln. Hey, he has. Trump awarded Penske a Presidential Medal of Freedom during Trump's first term and visited the White House with several members of Team Penske earlier this year, and Trump gives that sort of treatment only to folks who flatter him. You know it, I know it. Also this: Last month, Penske sold a 33% stake of IndyCar to FOX Corp., which, well. You know. Now, more facts in Penske's defense: His Penske Truck Rental company rebuked Department of Homeland Security agents for hiding without permission in Penske trucks during a raid of day laborers in Southern California earlier this month. "Penske strictly prohibits the transportation of people in the cargo area of its vehicles under any circumstances," Penske Truck Rental said in a statement posted on X. "The company was not made aware its trucks would be used in today's operation and did not authorize this. Penske will reach out to DHS and reinforce its policy to avoid improper use of its vehicles in the future." So Penske, or his company anyway, isn't in complete lockstep with Trump. As for Portnoy, he isn't the disease. He's merely a symptom, a sermon delivered to the IndyCar choir. The IndyCar fan base, I suspect, tilts his way. If I'm wrong – if you're an IndyCar fan who is horrified by the sport's hard lean to the far right – please forgive me. I'm basing that assumption on what I see and hear at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indianapolis 500, where the, um, patriotism runs high. If you know what I mean. Meanwhile, here's what the far right has done to IndyCar: Turned the city of Speedway – the home of our Indy 500 – into a joke. You've heard of the Speedway Slammer, yes? That was the idea conceived by the Department of Homeland Security to add another ICE Detention Center, after Alcatraz Alley in Florida, and put it here in Indiana. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem came up with the name, and DHS even came up with a design for the Speedway Slammer: a sporty automobile that looks almost exactly like an Indy car. No, it was an Indy car. It's an Artificial Intelligence-made picture of a No. 5 car. Know who drives the No. 5 car on the IndyCar series? Pato O'Ward. He's an immigrant from Monterrey, Mexico. You can't make it up, though I wish most of this stuff was fiction. More facts in Penske's defense: His people objected to the usage of Indy car imagery. 'We were unaware of plans to incorporate our imagery as part of (the Aug. 5) announcement,' Penske Entertainment said in a statement provided to IndyStar. 'Consistent with our approach to public policy and political issues, we are communicating our preference that our IP not be utilized moving forward in relation to this matter.' That's all well and good, Penske Entertainment, but I see your statement about 'political issues' and raise you that 33% stake you sold to FOX … and the presence of hateful Dave Portnoy in the Fastest Seat in Sports at Nashville. Would the Speedway Slammer in Indiana actually be built in Speedway, Indiana? Well, no. It's in Bunker Hill, Indiana – 71 miles north of Speedway. But Speedway Slammer has a ring to it, doesn't it? And since 2016 we're learned the power of a populist slogan in politics, have we not? Sorry, not sorry, because lots of you insist: Stick to sports! Well, tell politicians to stick to politics. Tell the Department of Homeland Security not to use the fine city of Speedway, Indiana, to money-wash MAGA's cruel immigration agenda. While you're at it, tell Dave Portnoy that the final race of the 2025 IndyCar season is held at the town of Nashville that's located in Illinois, or the Nashville in Arkansas. Maybe he'll fall for it. Geography, like compassion, isn't those folks' strong suit anyway. Find IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel on Threads, or on BlueSky and Twitter at @GreggDoyelStar, or at Subscribe to the free weekly Doyel on Demand newsletter.
Fox Sports
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Fox Sports
Packers' Star Josh Jacobs To Ride in Fastest Seat at Road America
INDYCAR Green Bay Packers superstar running back Josh Jacobs will ride in the Fastest Seat in Sports on Sunday, June 22, leading the NTT INDYCAR SERIES field to the start of the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America Presented by AMR in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Jacobs signed with the Packers in March 2024 and enjoyed a stellar first season in Green Bay, rushing for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns en route to being named to the Pro Bowl for the third time in his career. A national champion in 2017 at Alabama, Jacobs was drafted in the first round in 2019 by the Oakland Raiders. He finished his first season with 1,150 rushing yards, breaking the franchise rookie rushing record set by Hall of Famer Marcus Allen. Jacobs was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team and was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Pro Football Writers Association. Jacobs' best season came in 2022 for the Raiders. He led the NFL in rushing with 1,653 yards, was named a first-team NFL All-Pro and earned a Pro Bowl berth. He also received the inaugural Jim Brown Award as the league's best running back for his performance in the 2022 season. The Packers' Jacobs joins a long list of celebrated INDYCAR Fastest Seat in Sports passengers as he leads the field to green in a custom INDYCAR SERIES car with a special back passenger seat. This high-speed, high-octane, super-charged thrill ride already was taken this season by NFL legend Tom Brady and baseball legend Alex Rodriguez. Others who took the high-speed thrill ride last year included music superstars Diplo, Jon Bon Jovi and Riley Green, actors Judge Reinhold and Dylan Sprouse, reality TV star Mary Bonnet and American Olympic gold medalist Sam Watson. Coverage of the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America Presented by AMR begins at 1:30 p.m. ET Sunday, June 22 on FOX, FOX Deportes and the FOX Sports app. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is North America's premier open-wheel racing series with drivers competing at speeds of 200+ mph across a thrilling and demanding set of ovals and road and street circuits. The full schedule is available here. recommended
Toronto Sun
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Toronto Sun
Tom Brady to take the ride of his life at Indy 500 with Jimmie Johnson
Published May 14, 2025 • 2 minute read This photo combo shows Jimmie Johnson during a practice session at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. on Jan. 23, 2021 and former NFL quarterback Tom Brady on Jan 5, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. Photo by John Raoux/Peter Joneleit / AP Fox Sports will continue its crossover collaboration with IndyCar by placing current network NFL analyst Tom Brady in the 'Fastest Seat in Sports' for the Indianapolis 500. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account His driver? None other than NASCAR seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson, putting a total of 14 titles inside the car on May 25. The Fastest Seat in Sports is a custom two-seat Indy car that makes ceremonial laps before an IndyCar race. It will be the first time since 2019 the two-seater will be driven ahead of the Indianapolis 500. Johnson, who did a two-year stint in IndyCar following his retirement from NASCAR, was the Indy 500 top rookie in 2022. After he gives Brady his ride, Johnson will fly to North Carolina to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 in what will be his 700th career NASCAR start. Brady is scheduled to go to the 600 with Johnson. Fox Sports is in its first year as IndyCar's broadcast partner and has vowed to make the Indianapolis 500 its biggest televised event of the year. It kicked off the season with baseball analyst Alex Rodriguez in the Fastest Seat in Sports at the opener in St. Petersburg, Florida. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I love the Indy 500. There is an energy and excitement around the 500 that is unlike anything I have experienced before,' Johnson said. 'Certainly, pre-race ceremonies are the ultimate racing experience that I've had outside of the car. I'm thrilled to be a part of the program and to see the stands full one more time. 'I'm extremely honored to come back and do it and to be able to also share this experience with another seven-time champion.' Brady is the winningest quarterback in NFL history with seven Super Bowl championships. He is also a five-time Super Bowl MVP, three-time Associated Press Most Valuable Player, 15-time Pro Bowler and the 2007 Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. He was named to the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. Johnson, a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, drove the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports for 19 seasons. He's the current majority owner of NASCAR team Legacy Motor Club, which recently partnered with Knighthead Capital Management, a private equity firm in which Brady has a stake. Johnson is the only driver in NASCAR history to win five consecutive Cup titles and was the 2009 Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. He drove in IndyCar for Chip Ganassi Racing and qualified in the fourth row in 2022. Olympics Editorial Cartoons Columnists NHL Celebrity
14-05-2025
- Automotive
Tom Brady to take the ride of his life at Indy 500 with Jimmie Johnson as his chauffeur
INDIANAPOLIS -- Fox Sports will continue its crossover collaboration with IndyCar by placing current network NFL analyst Tom Brady in the 'Fastest Seat in Sports' for the Indianapolis 500. His driver? None other than NASCAR seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson, putting a total of 14 titles inside the car on May 25. The Fastest Seat in Sports is a custom two-seat Indy car that makes ceremonial laps before an IndyCar race. Johnson, who did a two-year stint in IndyCar following his retirement from NASCAR, was the Indy 500 top rookie in 2022. After he gives Brady his ride, Johnson will fly to North Carolina to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 in what will be his 700th career NASCAR start. Fox Sports is in its first year as IndyCar's broadcast partner and has vowed to make the Indianapolis 500 its biggest televised event of the year. It kicked off the season with baseball analyst Alex Rodriguez in the Fastest Seat in Sports at the opener in St. Petersburg, Florida. 'I love the Indy 500. There is an energy and excitement around the 500 that is unlike anything I have experienced before,' Johnson said. 'Certainly, pre-race ceremonies are the ultimate racing experience that I've had outside of the car. I'm thrilled to be a part of the program and to see the stands full one more time. "I'm extremely honored to come back and do it and to be able to also share this experience with another seven-time champion.' Brady is the winningest quarterback in NFL history with seven Super Bowl championships. He is also a five-time Super Bowl MVP, three-time Associated Press Most Valuable Player, 15-time Pro Bowler and the 2007 Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. He was named to the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. Johnson, a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, drove the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports for 19 seasons. He's the current majority owner of NASCAR team Legacy Motor Club, which recently partnered with Knighthead Capital Management, a private equity firm in which Brady has a stake. Johnson is the only driver in NASCAR history to win five consecutive Cup titles and was the 2009 Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. He drove in IndyCar for Chip Ganassi Racing and qualified in the fourth row in 2022.
San Francisco Chronicle
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- San Francisco Chronicle
Tom Brady to take the ride of his life at Indy 500 with Jimmie Johnson as his chauffeur
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Fox Sports will continue its crossover collaboration with IndyCar by placing current network NFL analyst Tom Brady in the 'Fastest Seat in Sports' for the Indianapolis 500. His driver? None other than NASCAR seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson, putting a total of 14 titles inside the car on May 25. The Fastest Seat in Sports is a custom two-seat Indy car that makes ceremonial laps before an IndyCar race. It will be the first time since 2019 the two-seater will be driven ahead of the Indianapolis 500. Johnson, who did a two-year stint in IndyCar following his retirement from NASCAR, was the Indy 500 top rookie in 2022. After he gives Brady his ride, Johnson will fly to North Carolina to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 in what will be his 700th career NASCAR start. Brady is scheduled to go to the 600 with Johnson. Fox Sports is in its first year as IndyCar's broadcast partner and has vowed to make the Indianapolis 500 its biggest televised event of the year. It kicked off the season with baseball analyst Alex Rodriguez in the Fastest Seat in Sports at the opener in St. Petersburg, Florida. 'I love the Indy 500. There is an energy and excitement around the 500 that is unlike anything I have experienced before,' Johnson said. 'Certainly, pre-race ceremonies are the ultimate racing experience that I've had outside of the car. I'm thrilled to be a part of the program and to see the stands full one more time. "I'm extremely honored to come back and do it and to be able to also share this experience with another seven-time champion.' Brady is the winningest quarterback in NFL history with seven Super Bowl championships. He is also a five-time Super Bowl MVP, three-time Associated Press Most Valuable Player, 15-time Pro Bowler and the 2007 Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. He was named to the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. Johnson, a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, drove the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports for 19 seasons. He's the current majority owner of NASCAR team Legacy Motor Club, which recently partnered with Knighthead Capital Management, a private equity firm in which Brady has a stake. Johnson is the only driver in NASCAR history to win five consecutive Cup titles and was the 2009 Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. He drove in IndyCar for Chip Ganassi Racing and qualified in the fourth row in 2022.
