Kevin and Curt discuss the 2023 IndyCar Schedule, Jimmie Johnson’s future

With Wednesday’s Indy 500 practice rained out, Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin look ahead to the rest of the week leading into qualifying this weekend. They discuss the hijinks with Conor Daly’s infamous hot tub in the driver’s lot and who they think could be guilty. Kevin and Curt talk about the sense of urgency teams have with just two days of practice before qualifying. They also discuss how wind could make Fast Friday even trickier than it already will be and the expected weather through the weekend. Later, they take Twitter questions, and talk about Mark Miles saying IndyCar will likely not have any new venues on the 2023 schedule. Our News of the Day, brought to you by the Indianapolis Speedrome and Circle City Raceway is that A.J. Foyt Racing will test a few new drivers on the IMS Road Course for next season, including Benjamin Pedersen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Tonight on Trackside, Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin discuss the first day of Indy 500 practice out at 16th and Georgetown. They talk about a clean and green first day of preparations for the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500, and the impressive day from Chip Ganassi Racing, with all four drivers ending the day in the top six on the speed chart. They give kudos to Stefan Wilson’s Cusick Motorsports/DragonSpeed/Foyt team for getting the car ready to run today and showing pace. Later, they talk about a few reports of an IMSA race potentially coming to IMS in 2023, as well as the fact that F1 will likely not be racing at IMS anytime soon. Our News of the Day, brought to you by the Indianapolis Speedrome and Circle City Raceway, is that Ryan Hunter-Reay has signed with Chip Ganassi Racing to help develop their sports car program.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Tonight on Trackside, Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin recap Saturday’s GMR Grand Prix, won in the wet by Colton Herta. They discuss the brilliant strategy move from Bryan and Colton Herta to switch to slick tires early in the race, which propelled him from 14th to the lead. Kevin and Curt talk about the chaotic race, with multiple tire strategies and suspect conditions, and list all the drivers that could have ended up in the top five. Later, they discuss how the aeroscreen held up in the rain for the first time in race conditions, what the drivers had to say about the conditions, and what can be improved for the future. Kevin and Curt also give information about the Prime 47 Burger Bash next Monday, and some of the exciting items that are up for auction. Our News of the Day, brought to you by the Indianapolis Speedrome and Circle City Raceway, is the Indy 500 practice schedule for Tuesday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Tonight on Trackside, Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin recap qualifications from today for the GMR Grand Prix, discuss how very little time separates driver from the front of the field to the middle of the field, if he has heard anything from the drivers on how they are preparing for the possibility of rain for the race tomorrow afternoon, and which drivers could benefit from the weather conditions. Kevin and Curt also elaborate on how much it means to Will Power to be P1 for tomorrow’s race, how significant it was for particular drivers to qualify in the positions that they will start in tomorrow’s race, recap the Indy Lights win that happened this afternoon, and answer some Twitter questions that Kevin received throughout the day! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Tonight on Trackside, Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin preview this weekend’s GMR Grand Prix, and discuss a street inside IMS being re-named Castroneves Drive. They speculate on whether or not Helio will be back full-time in IndyCar next season, and talk about whether the Grand Prix can give a driver momentum heading into the Indy 500. Kevin and Curt talk with Indy 500 winners Juan Pablo Montoya and Simon Pagenaud. We hear from Juan about the difficulty driving part-time and starting his IndyCar season at the IMS Road Course, how his son’s racing career is progressing. Our News of the Day, brought to you by the Indianapolis Speedrome and Circle City Raceway comes from Roger Penske talking to Dave Calabro of WTHR about his long-held desire to buy IMS and the long-term plans for the track and series. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Tonight on Trackside, Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin turn the focus to this weekend’s GMR Grand Prix on the IMS Road Course. They talk about historic trends since the race’s inception in 2014, and discuss the possibility of rain Saturday. They also break down the significance of the Month of May to the season-long points title in both IndyCar and Indy Lights. Kevin and Curt discuss the lengthy list of drivers they believe can win the Indy 500, including the chances for Juan Pablo Montoya. They take listener questions, such as Homestead potentially re-joining the IndyCar schedule. Our News of the Day, brought to you by the Indianapolis Speedrome and Circle City Raceway comes from Rinus VeeKay, who talked Wednesday about his contract situation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Tonight on Trackside, Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin discuss the news that Sarah Fisher will drive the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 in a 2023 Chevy Corvette Z06. They talk about the history of celebrity pace car drivers as well as race car drivers pacing the field. Kevin and Curt take listener questions, including one about recent news that Carvana is undergoing employee layoffs, and what potential impact that could have on Jimmie Johnson’s sponsorship. Indy Lights championship leader Linus Lundqvist joins the show to talk about his season so far, including his thrilling win in the wet conditions at Barber Motorsports Park. We also hear about his upbringing, what he expects this weekend on the IMS road course, and his hopes to join the IndyCar paddock. Our News of the Day, brought to you by the Indianapolis Speedrome and Circle City Raceway is the impressive F1 TV ratings from the Miami GP.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Tonight on Trackside, Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin recap the F1 Miami GP, which was attended by nearly half of the IndyCar paddock. Kevin and Curt discuss the spectacle around Hard Rock Stadium, what was done well, some of the issues from the first event, and whether they think the Miami race has staying power with a Las Vegas GP coming next year. They talk about Michael Andretti’s efforts to join the F1 paddock as he talked to team principals over the weekend, and discuss the criticism of Indy 500 coverage from the Liberty Media CEO. Later in the show, Kevin and Curt break down the newest Silly Season news and rumors, including Alexander Rossi confirming to the IndyStar that his 2023 destination has been finalized. Our News of the Day, brought to you by the Indianapolis Speedrome and Circle City Raceway, is the livery reveal for J.R. Hildebrand’s red, white and blue car with A.J. Foyt Racing and ABC Supply. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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