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Indianapolis Star
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Indianapolis Star
Fewer cars, bigger cities, more risks part of McLaren Racing CEO's advice for IndyCar's future
DETROIT — If you see McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown walking around the IndyCar paddock during the tail end of the Detroit Grand Prix, and you notice he's not wearing a hard card, don't be alarmed. It's simply result of forgetting to pack it during a whirlwind couple weeks that culminated last weekend with his first Monaco Grand Prix win and bled into his first visit to the IndyCar paddock in 2025. He's not, as he joked with a small group of assembled media Saturday afternoon, run so far afoul of Roger Penske to have had his hard card pulled. But that doesn't mean Brown doesn't have bold ideas for the sport that expand far beyond Penske Entertainment's MO of prioritizing cost savings, balancing the books, making incremental steps toward growth and largely only looking toward partners in order to tackle big, bold projects, rather than stepping into the unknown and betting on the sport's brand, momentum and stars on its own. 'We need to play more offense. Sometimes, we're playing too much defense,' Brown said. ''Cost savings, cost savings, cost savings …' At some point, you've got to say, 'I want to spend more to make more.' 'I'm of the view that whatever (Roger Penske) bought (IndyCar, IMS and IMSP) for, it can (be worth) 10 (times) that, but the way to get there is to put in even more substantial investments into the sport. There's a difference between sustaining the spot and covering some losses, versus going and putting $100 million in. There's no reason why IndyCar as a series shouldn't be worth billions, but I think we need to put in more investments in key areas, and that's where the payback comes from.' Now, that's not to say Penske, Penske Corp. and Penske Entertainment haven't injected untold amounts of millions into the sport that weren't being spent before Tony George approached Penske on the grid at Laguna Seca in 2019 to gauge his interest in stewarding the sport's future. At last count in 2023, Penske had spent at least $50 million on refurbishing the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to bring it up to "Penske perfect" standards. Other sizable, notable investments in and around the sport include backstopping the ever-delayed hybrid launch that IndyCar and its manufacturers eventually had to take into their own hands to get to the finish line after a series of delays, purchasing the Long Beach Grand Prix, expanding staffing levels at key areas of IndyCar to help the sport in its attempts to seek growth and reach younger audiences in the ever-changing media landscape and taking on various levels of promoter roles at new events like Iowa, Milwaukee and Nashville. Undoubtedly, the sport is in a better place than it was before Penske took the reins, but after years of solidifying IndyCar's foundation — a process many in the paddock would privately say has lasted too long — teams outside those annually competing for championships are finding it increasingly difficult to stay afloat, with budgets that have risen as much as 30% or more in recent years and prospective partner interest not following the same trajectory. Many of the sport's biggest events have seen multiple years of attendance growth, and IndyCar, too, has experienced the occasional TV ratings win — most notably last weekend's Indy 500 that averaged more than 7 million viewers and saw a peak at 8.4 million, despite a rather lackluster closing stint. But even as series leadership parrots its off-track victories in ratings, attendance and merchandise sales, the implication around the paddock is that all isn't so swell for the teams who put their all on the line each weekend — without which the series wouldn't survive. And so, in Brown's eyes, in order for the entire ecosystem to experience a positive financial impact, the swings from series leadership need to be bigger — something ex-IndyCar team owner Michael Andretti famously said a year ago at St. Pete, only for Penske and his leadership to be up in arms privately, and public announce the creation of multiple small committees within the paddock to tackle the various issues at hand. That weekend, Penske Entertainment president and CEO Mark Miles told reporters that, among that project, Brown had been added to a new marketing committee, something which has turned into a running joke Brown brings up with any chance he gets. Because that 'committee' has never met. Brown said he was never formally invited to anything and only found out second hand of the nomination, and he quipped Saturday that perhaps he actually is the chairman of said committee, 'And maybe that's why there's been no meetings, because I'm supposed to call them.' Several of Brown's big-picture ideas aren't altogether new. After all, he's been known to release the occasional manifesto or open letter to fans and, for years, he's been the sport's loudest and most frequent voice that IndyCar should be pushing boundaries, leading instead of following, investing in more cutting edge technology in its cars and racing in bigger markets. But it was notable Saturday to hear that a meeting he had earlier in the day with Penske, Penske Corp. president Bud Denker, Penske Corp. executive VP of marketing and business development Jonathan Gibson, IMS and IndyCar president Doug Boles and Penske's son, Greg 'was one of the best meetings I've had with IndyCar,' according to Brown. 'I was very encouraged. I think they recognize the issues and opportunities. 'It was a good hour, and you could see a few raised eyebrows of, maybe everyone doesn't always say that to (Roger), but I was doing it in a productive (manner).' Brown later accused some of his rival team owners of 'when 'the captain' isn't around, they say one thing, but then when he is, they say another. When he's not around, the teams are like 'grrrr', and when he is, it's like, 'Hey, everything's great!' It's like, that's not what you said 20 minutes ago.' And I actually think that does a disservice when you don't give him real feedback.' On a positive note, Brown said the addition of Fox Sports as IndyCar's exclusive media rights partner, led by CEO Eric Shanks, has been 'mega,' noting that, 'When you look at the list of things we need, you need to get the right broadcaster, and I think we've done that. We still have the other 19 things to do, but that one has been done and done successfully.' Brown would, though, like to see IndyCar start its schedule even earlier — as early as the Saturday of the Daytona 500 race weekend, he boldly said, and if not at minimum the weekend immediately after NASCAR's Super Bowl-esque event, so as to expand IndyCar's season as much as possible and shorten the period during which it largely becomes irrelevant in the motor racing world. Like so many, he thinks IndyCar is sorely in need of a new car and an explicit road map for what that will look like. Though he understands current and prospective manufacturers are continuing to weight their options on whether to hop on board the proverbial IndyCar train for 2027 and beyond, 'but at some point, you've go to go.' As the team boss of the 2024 World Constructors' Championship in Formula 1, Brown intimately knows and has first-hand experience in the ways in which F1 commercial rightsowner Liberty Media has taken the sport to new heights, particularly in the U.S. Among the ways in which he thinks Penske should take a page out of Liberty's playbook are the ways in which F1 has twice now launched game-changing new races in the U.S. in the last five years and used those additions to supercharge the entire ecosystem with funding and revenue opportunities. 'Even though (the Las Vegas Grand Prix) isn't profitable today, it brought in a ton of new sponsors, and you've got a more lucrative TV contract. So if I look at the (IndyCar) schedule, I think we need to be in bigger cities,' Brown said of his not altogether new refrain. 'I know it's got to be fiscally difficult to say, 'I want to race in New York City,' but I think you've got to invest in a few more key markets where races may not be profitable, but you'd drive greater following of the sport, more sponsorship and bigger TV ratings. And then you'd get your money back in value creation and growth of the teams and the sport. 'The payback probably doesn't come on a race-by-race basis, but what it does is elevate the sport. You might not be making millions off of the New York Grand Prix, but you could have hundreds of millions off the value creation growth, which then drags up all the teams and gets more sponsorship.' And though Penske Entertainment launched a charter system last fall that gives full-time teams on the grid (outside newcomer Prema Racing) something tangible to be able to sell, should they wish to scale back or take advantage of tides rising within the paddock, that system comes with very little in terms of true revenue sharing that major American sports fans see across the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL, beyond rather miniscule Leaders Circle payments ($1.2 million in 2025) that make up somewhere around 10% of an individual car's budget. Brown would love to see what he calls 'a true franchise system' for IndyCar, where teams could ride the waves the sport's governing body and ownership group are said to be feeling while also benefitting from a truly exclusive club that can't be joined without purchasing an existing team's entry, or 'charter.' Last fall, Penske Entertainment doled out 25 charters, but still allowed for Prema Racing's two open cars to make for a 27-car grid. 'Then, that means as a team, my (profit and loss) is one thing, but the value of my IndyCar team has gone up," Brown said. "You have everyone rowing in the same direction, because everyone is sharing in the growth of the sport.' And it's in that vein where Brown holds perhaps his most controversial take: the McLaren Racing CEO sees multiple cars on the grid as anchors holding IndyCar back, or parachutes significantly slowing the sport's growth potential. In his 'quality over quantity' vision, he points to Ferrari road cars and Richard Mille watches, the ownership of which exude luxury and exclusivity. 'Is it 20, or 22, or 24 cars? It's probably in that range, and all a sudden, you've got three or four people looking, and they might want to buy a franchise, and you can't get in unless you buy your way in,' he said. 'I think like any sport, 75% of your fans are mostly interested in your top teams. I don't think the fans would miss three or four cars from the grid that aren't going to win races and don't add much value. And if you have scarcity, it'll help with fewer yellow flags. These tracks are congested, and you'd probably have a better on-track product.
NBC Sports
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- NBC Sports
How to watch 2025 IMSA Detroit on Peacock: Streaming info, start times and daily schedules
The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will return to the streets of Detroit for the second (and last) 100-minute race on a street course this season. Porsche Penske Motorsport won the Long Beach Grand Prix last month with its third consecutive victory by the No. 7 963. At Laguna Seca three weeks ago, the team's No. 6 963 made it four consecutive wins for PPM this year. Detroit will be an opportunity for Acura, BMW (which has started on the pole position in all four races this season) and Cadillac to end the Porsche Penske Motorsport streak to start the 2025 season. Last year, the Ricky Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque won at Detroit in an Acura but return with the same confidence in the No. 10 Cadillac V-Series.R for Wayne Taylor Racing. 'It's nice always to come to Detroit,' Taylor said. 'It's such an iconic event, especially when you come here with a GM product, and to be racing in Cadillac is always a little bit of pressure, but secondly, a big opportunity to win on home soil. It's a big weekend for GM and for the team. 'So, we're really excited. The track is challenging. We had a great race last year, but so many things can happen here in just 100 minutes. But we'll try to repeat the success we had last year.' Said team owner Wayne Taylor: 'We've had four races this year, which I can tell you have been absolutely terrible. And given the fact that I got the offer to come back to GM last year in October ... I was more excited about this year than I've been about any years. I'm not getting any younger, but the way it's gone so far has been out of our hands and just been extremely difficult to accept because we are not used to not being up front. However, we have to be positive and move forward, and I think we might see some changes and I think we might get our competitive edge back when we get to Detroit.' Acura Meyer Shank No. 93 ARX-06 driver Nick Yelloly, who raced in a BMW at Detroit last year, also is optimistic about ending Porsche's run in the second IMSA race on the downtown circuit. 'I tend to like street circuits,' Yelloly said. 'Last year, the first time for IMSA there and for the GTP class, it was very, very bumpy, difficult to pass. It's very, very narrow as well, so easy to make a mistake and clip a wall, particularly with the cars being relatively long for such a tight and twisty circuit.' Porsche also is on a two-race winning streak with AO Racing in the GTD Pro category. Here are the start times, daily schedules and streaming info for the 2025 IMSA Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix: 2025 IMSA Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix WHEN: Saturday, May 31 at 3:40 p.m. DISTANCE: A 100-minute race on the nine-turn, 1.654-mile street course in Detroit, Michigan. FORECAST: According to Weather Underground, it's expected to be 74 degrees with a 12% chance of rain at the green flag. ENTRY LIST: Click here to see the 22-car field in the GTP and GTD Pro categories for the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix. How to Watch IMSA at Detroit TV/STREAMING: The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix streamed on Peacock from flag to flag beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 31. The NBC Sports broadcast will feature announcers Leigh Diffey and Calvin Fish. Brian Till and Kevin Lee are the pit reporters. RADIO: All sessions live on SiriusXM live race coverage begins May 31 at 3:30 p.m. (SiriusXM channel 206, Web/App 996) IMSA Detroit Grand Prix schedule, start times Here's a rundown of the IMSA schedule this week on the streets of downtown Detroit (all times are ET): 8-9:30 a.m.: IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship practice 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship practice 4:50-5:30 p.m.: IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship qualifying 10:35-10:55 a.m.: IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship practice 3:40 p.m.: Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Classic 2025 SEASON RECAPS ROUND 1: Porsche Penske's Felipe Nasr closes Rolex 24 at Daytona win for second conseuctive year ROUND 2: Porsche Penske Motorsport sweeps top two spots at Twelve Hours of Sebring ROUND 3: Nasr, Tandy stay perfect with Porsche in victory at Long Beach ROUND 4: The other Porsche Penske 963 wins at Laguna Seca
Indianapolis Star
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Indianapolis Star
'Same goal' for Marco Andretti after father's resignation from Andretti Global
INDIANAPOLIS — Michael Andretti plans to attend the Indy 500 to support his son Marco. As of now, the elder Andretti is 'relaxing in Italy,' the younger Andretti said. Since stepping down from ownership at Andretti Global, Andretti has had more leisure time. Andretti founded the motorsport team in 2003 but transitioned to an adviser role when he gave control to TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss in September. His announcement shocked the racing world but it didn't surprise Marco. 'I knew it a year before,' Marco said. Marco said the atmosphere at Andretti Global has felt the same since his father's resignation because most team members from Michael's tenure are still present. Marco said he appreciates Towriss and TWG for not cutting corners as an ownership group. 'We want to do right by them': Andretti brand key part of TWG Motorsports moving forward The Andretti family name is established in motorsport history. Michael's father, Mario Andretti, won the 1969 Indianapolis 500 and four IndyCar Series championships. Michael won 42 races and a championship in his career. Marco came on the scene in 2006 and won the IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year Award. Andretti Global already has a win this season as Towriss celebrated Kyle Kirkwood's win at the Long Beach Grand Prix, the lone race not won by Alex Palou. And a second win for the team could be even sweeter for the Andretti family. Marco is hoping to win his first Indy 500 in his 20th attempt Sunday. The 38-year-old acknowledged that his father cheering him on as a supporter Memorial Day weekend excites him. Michael's decision to relinquish ownership duties doesn't affect Marco's desire to keep racing and build upon his family legacy. 'I don't think (him stepping down) really changed my approach,' Marco said. 'That's (racing) been the same goal all along for me.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Teen arrested in fatal shooting of homeless man in Long Beach, police say
A 15-year-old boy was arrested Thursday on suspicion of fatally shooting a homeless man at an encampment in Long Beach, authorities said. The Long Beach Police Department responded to a call in the 2600 block of East Ocean Boulevard shortly before 2 a.m. on Nov. 24. Upon arriving, they found two men near an encampment at a beach playground suffering from upper body gunshot wounds. The first man was taken to a hospital and recovered, while the second was pronounced dead at the scene. He was later identified as 51-year-old Frank Suggs, according to the L.A. County medical examiner's office. Read more: Seven injured in Long Beach shooting near nightclub Police said the teenager, whose identity has not been released, is responsible for both shootings. The motive behind and circumstances leading up to the shootings remain under investigation, police said. The teen was arrested in Long Beach and booked on suspicion of murder. He is being held without bail at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. Detectives intend to present the case to the L.A. County district attorney's office for filing consideration next week. In California, a 15-year-old charged with murder must be tried in juvenile court. This is because of Senate Bill 1391, which took effect in 2019 and prohibits minors age 14 and 15 from being prosecuted in adult court, regardless of the severity of the offense. Read more: Judge orders more than 100 youths moved out of troubled L.A. County juvenile hall If convicted of murder, a juvenile can be held in prison until age 25. The victim's brother, Anthony Suggs, told the Long Beach Post that he was grateful an arrest has been made, but sad to learn how young the suspect is. 'Now you have another family going to go through some stuff,' he told the outlet. Frank Suggs was from Indiana, where he lived with his wife and children until about eight years ago when he became homeless while grappling with mental health and substance use issues, his brother told the Post. He lived on the streets of Las Vegas and later Los Angeles, Anthony Suggs said. Another 15-year-old boy was arrested earlier this month in connection with a fatal shooting in Long Beach, according to the Long Beach Police Department. That teen is suspected of killing 21-year-old Brandon Villarreal after the pair got into an argument outside the Long Beach Grand Prix around 5:50 p.m. on April 12. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
24-05-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Teen arrested in fatal shooting of homeless man in Long Beach, police say
A 15-year-old boy was arrested Thursday on suspicion of fatally shooting a homeless man at an encampment in Long Beach, authorities said. The Long Beach Police Department responded to a call in the 2600 block of East Ocean Boulevard shortly before 2 a.m. on Nov. 24. Upon arriving, they found two men near an encampment at a beach playground suffering from upper body gunshot wounds. The first man was taken to a hospital and recovered, while the second was pronounced dead at the scene. He was later identified as 51-year-old Frank Suggs, according to the L.A. County medical examiner's office. Police said the teenager, whose identity has not been released, is responsible for both shootings. The motive behind and circumstances leading up to the shootings remain under investigation, police said. The teen was arrested in Long Beach and booked on suspicion of murder. He is being held without bail at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. Detectives intend to present the case to the L.A. County district attorney's office for filing consideration next week. In California, a 15-year-old charged with murder must be tried in juvenile court. This is because of Senate Bill 1391, which took effect in 2019 and prohibits minors age 14 and 15 from being prosecuted in adult court, regardless of the severity of the offense. If convicted of murder, a juvenile can be held in prison until age 25. The victim's brother, Anthony Suggs, told the Long Beach Post that he was grateful an arrest has been made, but sad to learn how young the suspect is. 'Now you have another family going to go through some stuff,' he told the outlet. Frank Suggs was from Indiana, where he lived with his wife and children until about eight years ago when he became homeless while grappling with mental health and substance use issues, his brother told the Post. He lived on the streets of Las Vegas and later Los Angeles, Anthony Suggs said. Another 15-year-old boy was arrested earlier this month in connection with a fatal shooting in Long Beach, according to the Long Beach Police Department. That teen is suspected of killing 21-year-old Brandon Villarreal after the pair got into an argument outside the Long Beach Grand Prix around 5:50 p.m. on April 12.
