Latest news with #PREMA
Indianapolis Star
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Indianapolis Star
One sentence on each driver from the 2025 Indy 500
Here are 33 sentences -- one for each driver -- to sum up the 2025 Indianapolis 500. 1. Alex Palou: So much for not having an oval win. 2. Marcus Ericsson: Opening the door ever so slightly leads to heartbreak. 3. David Malukas: A strong race ends a strong month for one of Chicago's finest. 4. Pato O'Ward: Another top-five for one of IndyCar's brightest stars. 5. Felix Rosenqvist: Speedy Swede gets his third top-five of 2025. 6. Kyle Kirkwood: The race's biggest mover climbed 17 positions. 7. Santino Ferrucci: Seven top-10 finishes in seven Indianapolis 500s. 8. Christian Rasmussen: The Danish sophomore records his best IndyCar finish. 9. Christian Lundgaard: Another top 10 finish for one of IndyCar's young chargers. 10. Conor Daly: A strong run ends in frustration after leading several laps. 11. Takuma Sato: Sliding in his pit box put Sato behind after leading early. 12. Callum Ilott: The other PREMA driver kept himself in it the whole way. 13. Helio Castroneves: The drive for five remains alive. Again. 14. Devlin DeFrancesco: A lead lap finisher, but at what cost? 15. Louis Foster: Top finishing rookie had a couple of pit road speeding penalties. 16. Nolan Siegel: While his month ended in an accident like 2024, this year it was during the race. 17. Colton Herta: An early pit stop issue put Herta way behind. 18. Ed Carpenter: He led one lap. 19. Will Power: Team Penske's best finisher wasn't on the lead lap. 20. Graham Rahal: Fell like a rock on an early restart, nothing really went right after that. 21. Marcus Armstrong: After an early close call, Armstrong made it to the finish. 22. Jack Harvey: An anonymous race for a one-off entry. 23. Scott Dixon: Early issues never really got any better for the Iceman. 24. Ryan Hunter-Reay: After leading late, running out of fuel took him out of contention. 2025 Indy 500 winner: Alex Palou holds off Marcus Ericsson to win Indianapolis 500 25. Josef Newgarden: The Speedway says no to three wins in a row. 26. Sting Ray Robb: Ran out of room, nowhere he could really go. 27. Kyle Larson: An unforced error ends Larson's race and Double attempt early. 28. Kyffin Simpson: His race ended early through no fault of his own after a good qualifying effort after a crash in practice. 29. Robert Shwartzman: A collision with the pit wall and multiple crew members was not how the rookie wanted his race to end. 30. Rinus VeeKay: A spin and crash on pit road mercifully ended with little damage for Dale Coyne Racing. 31. Alexander Rossi: A mechanical issue and a pit fire ended Rossi's race early. 32. Marco Andretti: A month where nothing went right ends the only way it could have.
Fox Sports
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox Sports
Indy 500 polesitter Robert Shwartzman flows on and off the track
Robert Shwartzman made headlines this past Sunday after becoming the first rookie to win the pole for the Indianapolis 500 since Teo Fabi did so in 1983. The 25-year-old Russian-Israeli driver had never competed in an oval race, outran and then outlasted a host of INDYCAR veterans en route to achieving the feat. But Schwartzman doesn't just excel on the track. A well-documented music lover, the INYDCAR rookie is a published songwriter — most notably dropping his rap song "ACTIVE" in 2023 under the name "Shwartzy." According to a previous interview he did with "Autoweek," he developed his love of music from his father. "The music thing came a long time ago from my dad," Shwartzman said in the interview. "My dad was educating me quite a lot in music, mainly classic. Nowadays, it's rare you can see any teenager or a youngster listening to classic music, where at some stage I also was like, 'Dad, what is this?' It's boring.' But at some point I got my ear into that. I realized how the melody is structured, how everything is structured, that that's where it all comes from. Then I started listening to some different artists like from when I was a kid. I liked rock, heavy metal, some pop songs and stuff, but like a mix." While Shwartzman is new to the INDYCAR, he has been on Formula One's radar for years. He has driven at nearly every level of the European single-seaters, winning the FIA Formula 3 Championship for PREMA in 2019. Two years later, he was the runner-up to current Formula One points leader Oscar Piastri in Formula 2 (also for PREMA). He has been an F1 reserve driver for Ferrari in recent years, tested a Formula E car for DS Penske and co-drove with Robert Kubica in the World Endurance Championship. While he's the only driver in this year's field to have released a song, he's not the only athlete to have a rap career on the side. Below is a list of several familiar names that have stepped into the booth: Shaquille O'Neal Damian Lillard Deion Sanders Kobe Bryant Dana Barros LiAngelo Ball Roy Jones Jr. BEST OF FOX SPORTS' INDY 500 COVERAGE: Pato O'Ward pens letter to Indy 500: 'Had my heart broken here … but it also fuels me' No oval experience, no problem: Rookie Robert Shwartzman captures Indy 500 pole Rash of Crash: Inside a wild weekend of wrecks during Indy 500 prep Marcus Ericsson calls winning 2022 Indy 500 'a dream come true' in letter to fans From 'magical' to 'legendary': Drivers describe the Indy 500 in one word 2025 Indy 500 liveries: See the designs of all 34 cars on the track at The Brickyard Counting down the 25 most memorable moments in Indy 500 history recommended Get more from NTT INDYCAR SERIES Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox Sports
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Fox Sports
Rookie Robert Shwartzman Shocks Field To Win Indy 500 Pole
INDYCAR The fairy tale became reality for Robert Shwartzman and PREMA Racing, as the rookie driver in his first-ever oval race and the first-year NTT INDYCAR SERIES team shocked the field to win the NTT P1 Award for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. Shwartzman, from Tel Aviv, Israel, became the first rookie driver to win the pole since Teo Fabi in 1983. He is just the third rookie to win the pole on track and will be the sixth first-year starter to lead the field to green in 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.' SEE: Qualifying Results | Starting Lineup The impossible dream came true when Shwartzman ripped off a four-lap average speed of 232.790 mph in the No. 83 PREMA Racing Chevrolet during the Firestone Fast Six. PREMA, which joined the NTT INDYCAR SERIES this season after years of success in European racing, became the first team to claim the '500' pole in its first attempt since Mayer Motor Racing put Tom Sneva on the pole in 1984. 'I was like, 'This is a dream; it can't be true,' Shwartzman said. 'I don't know what even to say. The car felt amazing. I can't thank PREMA and Chevy. Coming here for my first oval race, I would never even expect it to be in this position. It's unbelievable.' Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato and Pato O'Ward will join Shwartzman on the front row for the race Sunday, May 25 (10 a.m. ET, FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network). Sato qualified second at 232.478 in the No. 75 AMADA Honda of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. O'Ward will start third after his Firestone Fast Six run of 232.098 in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. The remainder of the Firestone Fast Six participants will comprise the second row. 2008 '500' winner Scott Dixon will start fourth after his run of 232.052 in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Felix Rosenqvist qualified fifth at 231.987 in the No. 60 SiriusXM Honda of Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb-Agajanian. Three-time series champion and current points leader Alex Palou, who has won four of the first five races this season, qualified sixth at 231.378 in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. This pole was as much incredible as it was improbable. The PREMA team, consisting of Shwartzman and teammate Callum Ilott, completed just 22 laps combined on the opening day of practice Tuesday, May 13 because they were behind on preparations for their first '500' and first oval race. Shwartzman was 33rd fastest out of the 34 drivers on opening day, improving to only 28th Wednesday and falling to 32nd Thursday. But his car came alive on Fast Friday presented by Turtle Wax after engine boost levels and horsepower were increased, as he ended up 13th. Then on the first day of PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying on Saturday, Shwartzman drove into the Top 12 Qualifying session by ending up sixth. He improved to third at 232.008 in the Top 12 Qualifying session earlier today before his stunning run to the pole. 'I have to say big thanks to my engineers,' Shwartzman said. 'They did an amazing job, step by step, by improving the car, trying new things. All of these steps that we did were just better, better, better. And then got to a point where the car was really good.' Marco Andretti, Marcus Armstrong and Rinus VeeKay earned the final three spots in the field in Last Chance Qualifying. Andretti, grandson of 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner Mario Andretti, will start 31st in the No. 98 MAPEI/Curb Honda of Andretti Herta w/Marco & Curb-Agajanian. Armstrong rebounded from a vicious crash Saturday to qualify 32nd at 229.091 in the No. 66 SiriusXM/Root Insurance Honda of Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb-Agajanian. VeeKay was the last driver to earn a spot in the 33-car lineup, qualifying 33rd at 226.913 in the No. 18 askROI Honda of Dale Coyne Racing and hanging on to hope while his rookie teammate, Jacob Abel, fell short of making the field in the last run of the Last Chance Qualifying session. Abel's last-ditch attempt reached 226.394 in the No. 75 Miller High Life Honda. 'Unfortunately, starting yesterday I've been kind of preparing for this a little bit,' Abel said. 'Super, super weird situation. We were happy all week long. The No. 51 Miller High Life car was fast. It just seemed like something happened overnight Friday to Saturday, and we just immediately lost speed. And it's just been getting slower and slower every run.' There was unexpected drama at the start of the Top 12 Qualifying session when the cars of two remaining Team Penske drivers in the session, Josef Newgarden and Will Power, didn't make their respective one attempt after a violation of INDYCAR Rule 14.7.8.16, an unapproved body fit on the rear attenuator of the car. Team Penske's Scott McLaughlin already was relegated to start on the fourth row for 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing' after he crashed heavily in Turn 2 during pre-qualifying practice this morning in the No. 3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet. McLaughlin was unhurt, but the car suffered heavy damage, and the team elected to focus its efforts on getting a car prepared for McLaughlin for practice Monday afternoon. The three Team Penske drivers will occupy Row 4 on the starting grid based on their four-lap average speeds from the first day of PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying on Saturday. McLaughlin will start 10th in the No. 3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet, two-time reigning '500' winner Newgarden 11th in the No. 2 Shell V-Power NiTRO Team Penske Chevrolet and Power 12th in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet. Up next is a practice session from 1-3 p.m. ET Monday (FS1, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network). recommended
Fox Sports
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Fox Sports
Robert Shwartzman Joins Galaxy of Indy Stars with Improbable Pole
INDYCAR A star was born Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Robert Shwartzman, a 25-year-old Russian-reared Israeli driver who has never competed in an oval race, outran and then outlasted a host of NTT INDYCAR SERIES veterans to become the first rookie to win the pole for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge since Teo Fabi in 1983. Prior to Fabi, Walt Faulkner was the last rookie pole winner in 1950. Before that, the rookie to top qualifying was Jean Chassagne in 1914, but he got the top spot in a blind draw. The rare occurrence had the crowd at IMS roaring with approval as Shwartzman secured this stunning upset. 'Honestly, it's unbelievable,' said Shwartman, the first driver from his country to compete in this event. 'I was just processing it, and I still can't believe it. It's just a dream. 'I was just thinking in my dreams, fantasizing about how it would feel to take pole position in Indy 500. How is the vibe? Then I was like: 'Yeah, Robert, get back to reality. You have a new car, new team, you are a rookie. How can you expect to be in this position? It's just in your dreams.' 'But still I was keeping that tiny dream deep inside like, 'Maybe, maybe.'' Shwartzman said he couldn't even remember that last time a crowd cheered for him. After five races this season, he stands 24th among 27 drivers in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES standings. Entering qualifying, Shwartzman wasn't even thought to be a contender for the top half of the 33-car field. He turned only six laps in Tuesday's practice, had the 28th-fastest lap Wednesday and ranked 32nd after Thursday's practice before jumping up to 13th on Fast Friday presented by Turtle Wax. He said his lap times weren't 'good looking' because the group behind the No. 83 PREMA Racing Chevrolet was simulating the most consistent qualifying laps it could rather than toiling in the draft, as others often do. Perhaps it shouldn't have been a surprise that Shwartzman had the sixth-fastest lap Saturday in Day 1 of PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying. But winning the pole? No one called that. Adding to the story is that Shwartzman drives for PREMA Racing, which is competing in this event for the first time. PREMA became the first new team to win Indy's pole since Mayer Motor Racing, which took the honor with Tom Sneva in 1984. Here's irony: PREMA, like Fabi, is Italian, and it was founded in 1983, the year Fabi bested his field at IMS. Shwartzman also drives car No. 83. Pato O'Ward, last year's '500' runner-up who qualified in the third position, called it 'an amazing storyline' for the 109th Running. 'They are the rookies of rookies on ovals,' he said. 'It is phenomenal what they did. 'Obviously, they do look surprised, but Indy is full of surprises.' While Shwartzman is new to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, he has been on Formula One's radar for years. He has driven at nearly every level of the European single-seaters, winning the FIA Formula 3 Championship for PREMA in 2019. Two years later, he was the runner-up to current Formula One points leader Oscar Piastri in Formula 2 (also for PREMA). He has been an F1 reserve driver for Ferrari in recent years, tested a Formula E car for DS Penske and co-drove with Robert Kubica in the World Endurance Championship. Chip Ganassi Racing was the first to consider Shwartzman in the U.S., offering him a test at Sebring International Raceway in fall 2023. Shwartzman said his first memory of Indy came as a young driver attending F1's Monaco Grand Prix. 'It was so much more exciting (than F1),' he said. 'I was just, like, 'Damn, until the last turn you don't know who is going to win.' I was being like: 'OK, this guy is fast, he's going to win, and then all of a sudden, no, he's getting overtaken and then another guy and another guy. The rotation is always changing.'' He called those races 'proper battles.' Now, he is here, getting cheered by people who had never heard his name just a few months ago. Next week, an IMS crowd of more than 300,000 and a worldwide television audience will watch him take the green flag in a historic moment. For what it's worth, Shwartzman is the only driver in this field to have released a song. Under the name of Shwartzy, 'ACTIVE' debuted in July 2023. Many of those working on Shwartzman's No. 83 PREMA Racing Chevrolet are new to the INDYCAR SERIES, but many have considerable experience. Shwartzman's driver coach is Ryan Briscoe, who won the pole for the 2012 race among his 10 career starts. It was Briscoe who stressed to the newcomer this weekend that it's natural to be nervous in such a big moment, advice Shwartzman appreciated and thought helped. Shwartzman's lead engineer is Robert Gue, who has now helped engineer two other '500' pole winners (Alex Tagliani in 2011 and James Hinchcliffe in 2016). 'This is going to be the most special,' Gue said. '(Shwartzman) has a natural feel for the car, and he has the ability to feel changes. He has incredible talent. For the first time qualifying, this is mega awesome.' That's how stars are made. recommended
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
PREMA starts strong in first IndyCar test
PREMA Racing fired the Chevrolet engines in the back of its new and untested cars just days before sending its trucks to California for Tuesday's test at The Thermal Club and Thursday's upcoming visit to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The late start to the new IndyCar Series team's on-track program was far from optimal, but the extra time spent preparing itself was worth it as the European team's first foray into American open-wheel racing was relatively smooth, and significant pace was shown. PREMA's Robert Shwartzman, an early frontrunner for Rookie of The Year honors, visited the top of Thermal's running order on two occasions and ended the day third-fastest, just 0.175s behind Andretti Global's Marcus Ericsson, who led the six drivers in attendance. Callum Ilott dealt with new-car gremlins for most of the morning, but rallied in the afternoon to run fourth, 0.247s shy of Ericsson. It was Ilott's second first-day in IndyCar, having welcomed the renamed Juncos Hollinger Racing back to the series in 2021 and now PREMA on its maiden outing in 2025. 'For a first day, it's probably one of the best first days you can get, even with that stuff in the morning,' the Briton told RACER. 'The team's happy, and we've got a lot of things to work on and improve, but that's that part of the checklist. But you know, the first thing being car speed; you don't normally unlock that very, very quickly. And being out first test, there's areas that we should work on and can improve pretty easily. It was pretty impressive to be close like that.' PREMA encountered the expected gremlins that come with a first shakedown, but wasted little time in unlocking some decent speed. Image by PREMA Ilott returns to PREMA after finding great success with the team on the ladder to Formula 1. The blend of team veterans from Europe and IndyCar veterans who joined during the ramp-up process, including Ilott's former and now current race engineer Steve Barker from Juncos Hollinger, has given the program a head start on its new American adventure. 'We've got some people from all different backgrounds, and we've obviously got the core PREMA people helping to direct things,' Ilott said. 'And there's a lot of different voices and different ideas, but at the same time, that's great when you can put it together. Obviously, Steve was my race engineer before, so there's a lot of familiarity there. And I think that that that helps massively just to get working together, and there's less new stuff that you need to establish, right? 'But this team has such a pedigree in Europe, and it's also an adventure for them, because it's probably one of the more technologically advanced cars – even though it's an older chassis, there's more development that you can do compared to what they've run. And PREMA have a great history of rocking up with new equipment (to them) and doing a good job. 'But like I said, there's still a lot of work to do. This was a good first day. We've got a very good core engineering group. The only thing we're missing is time.' Story originally appeared on Racer
