Month: June 2024

By David G. Firestone

Starting next week, I will be on sabbatical for all of July. This is my summer vacation I take every year. But before I go, I will discuss my thoughts on the 2024 Chicago Street Races.

I liked the idea of a street race, but I was always trepidacious about it being in Chicago. I was of the opinion that if this was to work, it should be done in a city with a much bigger NASCAR fan base, like Charlotte, or Daytona Beach. That said, it did work in 2023, with minimal issues, unlike The Las Vegas Grand Prix.

That said, this year, I think this is a do or die moment for Chicago and NASCAR. If the Chicago Street Race deal is to be renewed, this year’s race has to go perfectly, in terms of stuff the organizers can control. Weather is out of the control of anyone. If the race goes well, this could get the Chicago Street Race renewed. Key word here: Could.

Given how good the TV ratings last year’s races did, NBC and NASCAR want the street races to continue. It was one of the highest rated races for both NASCAR, and NBC. However, the local population is still not happy that the race is happening, given all the disruptions downtown. Many city leaders do NOT want this to happen, let alone renewed. Even with the millions of dollars this generated for Chicago, Cook County, and Illinois, many don’t like the Street Races.

In the event that the Street Races don’t get renewed, what happens with NASCAR and Chicago? In my mind, probably nothing. Chicago has never been a big racing city. Chicagoland Speedway is more than likely out, since the racing there was mediocre at best. Maybe a suburb would try and host, but there are other options on NASCAR’s table.

Other cities have expressed interest in holding a NASCAR street race. If this deal falls through, the other cities would be willing to hold a street race. Realistically, Chicago doesn’t really need NASCAR, and NASCAR doesn’t really need Chicago. Again, Chicago isn’t a major racing market, not for a lack of trying. Between the temporary loss of the Route 66 NHRA Nationals, and the lack of events at Chicagoland, the Chicago area has proven to be a lukewarm racing market.

The addition of a series of concerts is a smart move. Formula 1 did this at Circuit of The Americas, and it has proven effective. This will bring in fans, but could it keep the Street Race in Chicago? Maybe it could. But realistically, Chicago already has Lollapalooza, so it might not.

I would like to see the Chicago Street Race renewed, but I’m not holding my breath.

By David G. Firestone

So for week two of the new blog format, I’m going to discuss some news stories that happened in the world of racing over the last few weeks. The blog was short last week, as I had a few issues last week. So let’s get started.

First, let’s discuss the new IndyCar TV deal. Last week, it was announced that IndyCar will be moving to FOX from NBC starting in 2025. In their statement, IndyCar said the following, link below:

“All 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Races To Air on FOX

Agreement Includes Extensive, Multiplatform Coverage of Indy 500 across FOX Sports Family of Networks

INDYCAR and FOX Sports announced June 13 the new exclusive home of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the iconic Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge beginning in 2025. The new media rights deal provides a massive and unprecedented increase in exposure for North America’s premier open-wheel racing series, with every 2025 race airing on FOX and available on the FOX Sports app. FOX Deportes will carry exclusive Spanish-language television coverage, with a schedule to be announced at a later date.

FOX will also provide coverage of Indy 500 qualifications on both Saturday and Sunday, bringing the total number of broadcast network windows to 19, a record for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. INDYCAR will become the only premier motorsport in the United States with exclusive major broadcast network coverage for all its races.

“This represents unrivaled exposure and provides an unparalleled growth opportunity for the most competitive and entertaining motorsport on the planet,” INDYCAR CEO Mark Miles said. “FOX Sports is a fully committed partner, ready to bring engaging and technically innovative coverage to millions of fans across the country while also promoting INDYCAR thoroughly across all its platforms.”

“Adding the iconic Indianapolis 500 and delivering the entire NTT INDYCAR SERIES to the FOX Sports roster fits perfectly within our model of teaming with sports’ largest events and best-in-class brands,” FOX Sports CEO and Executive Producer Eric Shanks said. “We’re honored to be the new broadcast home to ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,’ an incredibly special event to everyone at FOX Sports.”

The 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season kicks off with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 2 and concludes with the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on Sunday, Aug. 31. The 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge takes place on Sunday, May 25. The full schedule for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES was released today and can be viewed here.

Indianapolis 500 Race Day coverage will be extensive for fans across the country, with a five-hour window on FOX set aside for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” The Indy 500 is annually the world’s largest single-day spectator sporting event, attracting a crowd of more than 300,000 people to the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The immersive collaboration will see all practice and qualifying sessions for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES telecast on cable on FS1 and FS2. The majority of INDY NXT by Firestone races will also air on FS1, with FS2 providing supplemental coverage of additional races.

This news comes on the heels of continued growth and momentum for INDYCAR, which has seen rising attendance across its schedule, significant growth in commercial partnerships and record metrics across its digital platforms.

Additional announcements, including on-air talent, will be announced at a later date.”

This is a net positive for IndyCar. NBC is not a sports powerhouse anymore. Fans are increasingly hating their coverage, regardless of the sport. Never mind the fact that Comcast decided to kill off NBCSN, which was doing well, in favor of Peacock, which has lost close to $8 billion dollars and has failed to generate any revenue. I see nothing but good things for IndyCar and FOX, as long as Jamie Little stays out of the booth.

Now we have to discuss this story from By Marshall Pruett on Racer.com. Link below.

“The Arrow McLaren NTT IndyCar Series team has severed its business relationship with Juncos Hollinger Racing.

The move comes after an on-track incident on Sunday at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix caused by Arrow McLaren’s Theo Pourchaire and involving Juncos Hollinger’s Agustin Canapino led to a select group of Canapino’s fans to attack Pourchaire on social media, including death threats that were sent through direct messages.

Both teams worked together and filed a joint statement on Monday that rebuked the behavior, but in the days that followed, Arrow McLaren took the time to assess its ties to the team owned by Ricardo Juncos and Brad Hollinger and chose to conclude the arrangement.

“Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team has terminated its commercial alliance with Juncos Hollinger Racing, effective immediately,” the team said in a statement published Thursday morning.

“This decision follows actions that occurred earlier this week on social media in regards to an on-track incident at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix. As reflected in the team’s social media community code, Arrow McLaren will not tolerate any form of abuse or discrimination and totally condemns the online abuse directed toward our team and driver.”

Under the deal, struck during the offseason, Arrow McLaren engaged Juncos Hollinger to make use of available space on the rear tire ramps of JHR’s two Chevy-powered cars to place extra sponsor inventory it could not accommodate on its trio of Chevy-powered cars.

The relationship, which was inspired by the overabundance of sponsors and partners involved with Arrow McLaren, was meant to provide financial benefit for Juncos Hollinger while helping Arrow McLaren to add extra value for a handful of backers. With the tire ramp space having gone unused to far this season, the choice to bring an end to the program in the wake of this week’s issues was taken.

The JHR team is also expected to remove the flourishes of McLaren’s papaya orange from its cars.

“As of today, our strategic partnership with Arrow McLaren has come to a conclusion. We appreciate the time spent with McLaren over past months,” read a statement issued by Juncos Hollinger.

“They are a world class organization which we enjoy competing against week in and week out. While the results of the partnership did not mature, we have the upmost respect for them and are confident in the future of Juncos Hollinger Racing.”

I’m willing to bet that Arrow McLaren really didn’t want this partnership. I’m willing to bet it wasn’t really as beneficial as they would like you to believe. I’m also willing to bet that they wanted out, and used this as a convenient excuse to end the partnership. To me, this has all the earmarks of a “let’s get out while we can” type of deal.

Also, to the “select group of Canapino’s fans” who attacked on social media…. Way to go! You gave Arrow McLaren the rope they needed to hang Juncos Hollinger Racing with, and they got hung. You may cost Canapino his ride, and you may drive Juncos Hollinger Racing out of business. Good work guys, good work!

For the final part of this week’s edition, I’m going to give my thoughts on Martin Truex Jr.’s upcoming retirement. Racing is a sport that can take a toll on a person’s body. Let’s be honest, the man has had a hell of a career. He’s a great driver. He seems like a good person, and I think he’s earned it. I didn’t realize he was 43 years old. He might come back part time, or for one or two races, but he’s certainly earned the ability to enjoy a retirement. Vaya Con Dios Martin!

With that, this weeks Friday Feature comes to an end, next week I’ll have some more news, and maybe something new. See you next week.

Links:

https://www.indycar.com/news/2024/06/06-13-fox-2025schedules

https://racer.com/2024/06/06/arrow-mclaren-severs-ties-with-juncos-hollinger

https://www.jayski.com/2024/06/14/martin-truex-jr-expected-to-announce-retirement-friday

By David G. Firestone

Hello, welcome back to The Driver Suit Blog, emphasis on the blog. I’m done with the podcast, but I’m going to continue with the current events. My story for this week is one I’ve had to discuss, the impending end of Stewart-Haas Racing.

Stewart-Haas Racing, in its current form, started in 2009, when Tony Stewart bought an interest in Haas CNC Racing. Since then, they have won two Cup Series Championships, 2011 and 2014, the 2023 Xfinity Series Championship, 69 Cup Series races, 26 Xfinity Series races and one Truck Series race. But the loss of both driver talent and sponsorships have left the team a shell of its former glory. I don’t have anything against Josh Berry,Noah Gragson,Chase Briscoe,Ryan Preece, but you cannot convince me they are on the same level as Kurt Busch,Clint Bowyer,Tony Stewart,Kevin Harvick, and Ryan Newman. They haven’t won a Cup Series race since the Federated Autoparts 400 on August 14, 2022 by Kevin Harvick.

On May 28, Stewart-Haas Racing issued the following statement.

The following is a joint statement from Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, the co-owners of Stewart-Haas Racing, regarding the future of their NASCAR team following the 2024 season.

“We have made the difficult decision to close Stewart-Haas Racing at the conclusion of the 2024 season. It is a decision that did not come easily, nor was it made quickly.

“Racing is a labor-intensive, humbling sport. It requires unwavering commitment and vast resources, with a 365-day mindset to be better than everyone else. It’s part of what makes success so rewarding.

“But the commitment needed to extract maximum performance while providing sustainability is incredibly demanding, and we’ve reached a point in our respective personal and business lives where it’s time to pass the torch.

“We’re proud of all the wins and championships we’ve earned since joining together in 2009, but even more special is the culture we built and the friendships we forged as we committed to a common cause – winning races and collecting trophies.

“That is the same commitment we made to our personnel, our partners and our fans coming into this year, and that commitment will remain through the season finale at Phoenix.

“We have tremendous respect and appreciation for all of our employees, and we will work diligently to assist them during this transition to find new opportunities beyond the 2024 race season.”

— Stewart-Haas Racing —

Front Row Motorsports has already purchased a charter from SHR moving forward, and there is still speculation as to where the crew and drivers will end up next year. I hope they land on their feet. Sadly, this is the cost of racing, sometimes a team goes from the penthouse to the outhouse, and SHR is one of those teams. It sucks, but it’s the law of the land.

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