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ST. PETE RECAP: Newgarden wins IndyCar opening round with ease, starts 2024 on top

Newgarden stormed to pole position on Saturday, and led 92 of 100 laps in a dominant showing on the rough and tumble streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, winning the first round of the 2024 championship comfortably.

2024 INDYCAR SERIES PREVIEW

The #IndyCar grid looks dramatically different than it was at the checkered flag in Laguna Seca last September. With faces in new places, Twin Checkers is here with a rundown of every confirmed full-time and part-time entry.

COLUMN: Out of touch Andretti rejection makes F1 goals clear: money over everything

It's infuriating to anyone involved in motorsports that Andretti's Formula One entry was rejected. F1's pattern of money over everything continues to insult and ignore American interests, and it's not changing anytime soon.

Daytona 24 Preview: Cadillac, Porsche and BMW try to dethrone Acura

The Rolex 24 at Daytona, America's first major motorsports event of 2024, takes the green flag this Saturday. We're here to preview the race for motorsports fans new and old, highlighting overall race contenders, key storylines and what to look for.

IndyCar and iRacing announce multiyear license agreement, sim racing reunion

iRacing and IndyCar announced a new multi-year licensing agreement Tuesday, reuniting the sim-racing giant and the world-famous series after a year apart.

How is the 2024 IndyCar grid shaping up?

IndyCar's primary silly season protagonists seem to have found their homes for next season. Some key free agents sit unsigned, and the places for spaces are running thin.

2024 IndyCar Schedule: Milwaukee & night ovals back, Texas on hiatus

2024 IndyCar Schedule Announced: • Return to the Milwaukee Mile for a doubleheader • No Texas Motor Speedway • Three of the last five races are on ovals

Palou's 2023 IndyCar title cements his meteoric rise to the top of IndyCar, whether he likes it or not

In less than four years, Alex Palou has gone from an unknown F1 prospect to two-time IndyCar champion — whether he likes it or not. On talent, belonging and Palou's dominant second IndyCar championship.

Portland Title Scenarios: Two-man race comes to penultimate round favoring Palou

If Alex Palou finishes at worst 6th on Sunday at Portland, he will win the championship just by starting the race at Laguna Seca. Explore all the scenarios for Palou to win the title or for Scott Dixon to bring the fight to Laguna Seca here.

IndyCar Title Scenarios: Alex Palou can clinch championship Sunday. Here's what needs to happen.

We've calculated every possible #IndyCar championship scenario for Alex Palou at Gateway this Sunday. He can finish anywhere from 1st to 19th and take home a historic title, but he'll need help if he doesn't win.

Nashville Preview: Maybe this year will be tame? Don't count on it, Alex Palou.

Alex Palou's worst nightmare could unfold on the streets of Nashville, Tennessee, this weekend. No, it has nothing to do with country music. Let's preview the #IndyCar Music City Grand Prix, and explore what a nightmare scenario for Palou looks like.

Analysis: The last 100 laps at Iowa might win Alex Palou the IndyCar championship

After finishing 8th Saturday, Alex Palou ran around 12th for much of Sunday's race at Iowa. Struggling for tire life, a strategy shift and the best stretch of short oval racing in Palou's #IndyCar career added nearly 20 points back into his championship lead.

Mid-season report: Can Palou be caught? Opportunities exist over final 8 races.

Can anyone catch Alex Palou? That could depend on whether or not Palou does well on the schedule's remaining short ovals, tracks where he could be vulnerable to the rest of the #IndyCar field.

Road America Preview: Repaved circuit ready for record runs, refreshed driver roster

Dario Franchitti set the Road America track record of 1:39.866 on Aug. 19, 2000. It's likely the fastest #IndyCar qualifier will go faster on the newly paved surface, breaking the 23 year old record.

Detroit Grand Prix Preview: IndyCar moves to tight, fast street circuit downtown

Last year, #IndyCar wrote the last chapter of its history on scenic Belle Isle with Will Power's victory. Now, the series moves to a fast, tight circuit through downtown Detroit for the only new IndyCar circuit of 2023.

Josef Newgarden drinks milk, relief with Indy 500 triumph

Josef Newgarden felt the pressure of success without an #Indy500 win for 11 years. On Sunday, he popped open the ice cold milk in victory lane and felt, more than anything, relief.

Dominating May, Alex Palou will lead field to green in 107th Indianapolis 500

Alex Palou is looking to make #IndyCar and #Indy500 history this May. In fact, he's already made plenty in a month at Indianapolis Motor Speedway that's broken speed records set attendance highs.

Indy GP Preview: This is Will Power's house. Can he defend it?

Saturday's GMR Grand Prix of Indianapolis will mark 10 years since #IndyCar came to the IMS road course. The dominant driver in that time is unquestionably Will Power. Can he get his 6th IMS road course win?

'Happy driver strategy' puts McLaughlin on top in Alabama

Scott McLaughlin stole the day with a crafty victory over Romain Grosjean in the Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park, the final #IndyCar race before the series returns to Indianapolis for the Month of May.

Indianapolis 500 qualifying format announced, includes bumping, Firestone Fast Six

The 107th #Indy500 will officially include bumping and retain the Firestone Fast Six, according to a press release from Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar on Friday.

Barber IndyCar Preview: Will the first road course of the year shake up the order?

The #IndyCar Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix is the first road course event of 2023. With a different approach than street courses needed, will Ericsson, O'Ward and the championship contenders keep their pace, or will struggling teams finally have it click?

IRI: First 2023 ratings bode well for Ericsson, Palou and Ganassi

Marcus Ericsson, Alex Palou and Pato O'Ward come out on top in the first IRI evaluation of 2023.

Kyle Kirkwood earns maiden IndyCar victory at Long Beach

Kyle Kirkwood and Andretti Autosport finally have a reason to smile. Kirkwood earned his first #IndyCar victory at Long Beach with a mix of pace, clever strategy and teamwork, something that proves Andretti has made crucial gains since last year.

Long Beach Preview: Can Newgarden go back-to-back?

Last year, Josef Newgarden won his first Grand Prix of Long Beach. Can he become the second #IndyCar driver since 2008 to go back-to-back in SoCal?

IRI: Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of the last decade

Last year, Twin Checkers created the IndyCar Ratings Index. Now chronicling data back to 2013, let's look at the top ten drivers in the last decade of IndyCar racing.

R.C. Enerson in line for 34th Indy 500 entry: reports

With reports of R.C. Enerson's exploration of a 34th #Indy500 entry, Bump Day could be back on the table.

Newgarden wins thrilling Texas race. Is IndyCar ready to climb back to the peak?

Josef Newgarden beat Pato O'Ward to complete a thrilling #IndyCar weekend at Texas. Compared to F1's controversies and NASCAR's race craft issues, is IndyCar ready to break into the next level?

Texas IndyCar Preview: Will Penske dominance repeat?

Texas Motor Speedway served up a dramatic #IndyCar finish last season, including a Josef Newgarden pass for the win in the final corner. Can Penske repeat its dominance in the 2023 edition?

Marcus Ericsson emerges from chaos to win at St. Petersburg

Chaos reigned in #IndyCar on Sunday. There to pick up the pieces? None other than Marcus Ericsson, who just kept driving and ended up in victory lane to kick off 2023.

2023 IndyCar Series season preview: Part 2

It's time for part two of our #IndyCar preview! This time, we're looking at the drivers from Dreyer & Reinbold, Ed Carpenter, Juncos Hollinger, Meyer Shank, Rahal and Team Penske.

2023 IndyCar Series season preview: Part One

It's time for #IndyCar! Join us as we start our 2023 season preview looking at the teams from A.J. Foyt Racing, Andretti Autosport, Arrow McLaren, Chip Ganassi Racing and Dale Coyne Racing.

Colton Herta leads day one of IndyCar preseason testing

Colton Herta started the 2023 IndyCar season in about the best way possible Thursday. Herta led the first and second sessions, setting the day's fastest laptime in the second session.

IndyCar begins preseason today with Thermal Club open test

The 2023 IndyCar season starts with an open test at Thermal Club, a swanky private circuit in California. All 27 planned full time entries will be present, and there are three major storylines to look out for.

CLOSE THE DOOR, OPEN THE WINDOW

The #IndyCar preseason opens this week. To start the season, TC wrestled with the relatively positive state of the series, and how instead of listening to disgruntled fans, we should be listening to Tyler, the Creator.

Three bold American motorsports predictions for 2023

What might motorsports in 2023 have to offer? Twin Checkers' Colin Kulpa has three bold predictions for IndyCar, IMSA and NASCAR as racing draws near.

BREAKING: NASCAR champion Kyle Larson to enter 2024 Indy 500 with McLaren

In perhaps the biggest IndyCar announcement this offseason, McLaren announced Thursday that NASCAR champion Kyle Larson will enter the Indianapolis 500 next May with the team.

BREAKING: Andretti and Cadillac to team up for F1 venture

Andretti Autosport will team up with Cadillac to pursue the second modern American Formula One entry.

IndyCar news roundup: Jan. 3

The month of December generated headlines and controversy for the NTT IndyCar Series. From sim racing to silly season news to hybrid engine developments, here's a primer on all that happened in IndyCar to close out 2022.

Jamie Chadwick joins Andretti Autosport for full 2023 Indy NXT season

Three-time W Series champion Jamie Chadwick will contest the full Indy NXT season for Andretti Autosport in 2023. Chadwick will become the first woman to contest a full-time Indy NXT entry in 13 years.

IndyCar News Roundup: Dec. 1

What's happened in the last two weeks of IndyCar's offseason? Twin Checkers has you covered, with updated from Team Penske, Rahal Letterman Lanigan, and more.

DRR with Cusick announce Stefan Wilson Indy 500 entry

Dreyer & Reinbold Racing will partner with Cusick Motorsports to field Stefan Wilson in the No. 24 Chevrolet during May's Indy 500. It's the 34th projected entry to the 500 field.

Free Member Preview: IndyCar Ratings Index

This offseason, the site is adding some exciting elements The largest addition to Twin Checkers this offseason will be the IndyCar Ratings Index. Its formula can be applied to rate every individual season in IndyCar history.

Formula One is growing in the U.S. Is it a bubble waiting to pop?

Formula One's Drive to Survive docuseries is credited with starting an American F1 revival. The 2021 championship pushed it further. Is F1 creating a base of long-term loyal American fans, or is it a bubble that's waiting to pop?

Indy Lights rebrands as Indy NXT, announces 14-race 2023 schedule

The Indy Lights series, IndyCar's penultimate step on its developmental ladder, will now be known as INDY NXT by Firestone.

UPDATED: Tony Kanaan to Arrow McLaren SP for Indy 500, unofficially 33 entries for race

Tony Kanaan, 2013 Indianapolis 500 champion, will drive for Arrow McLaren SP in the 2023 Indy 500. With Kanaan's confirmation, at least 33 entries are projected for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing next year.

POWER RANKING: TOP TEN BEST NASCAR MOMENTS OF MY LIFE SO FAR

ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE WORKS OF ROSS CHASTAIN?

Metamorphosis — II

NASCAR adopted The Chase for the Nextel Cup in 2004. A radical change to the championship format, it still isn't satisifed.

Metamorphosis — I

NASCAR is in the midst of a tumultuous Playoff. Its car is a step back in safety, penalties aren't consistent, driving standards are poor, and many fans are fed up. How did we get here?

Key IndyCar title contenders couldn't back up qualifying performances

Will Power won the NTT IndyCar Series title last month, wrapping up one of the most wholly consistent seasons in recent series history. Power qualified well and finished better — averaging out to fourth and first best among full-time drivers in those categories, respectively. Power's ability to convert his

IndyCar announces 2023 schedule

The NTT IndyCar Series announced its 17-race 2023 schedule Tuesday. It will include the same 17 races as the 2022 calendar, and feature the most races on broadcast television for the series in 50 years. The only changes include television broadcasts, a more consistent spacing between races at the start

Launching Monday: The American Race Track Guide

It shouldn't be hard to find race tracks near you. Whether you want to go to the dirt track on a Friday night, a road course for a track day to push the limits of your car, or an experience at the biggest races in the world, finding

Preview: Will Power is the favorite for the 2022 IndyCar Championship. Can he close it out?

After another podium finish at last weekend's Grand Prix of Portland, Team Penske's Will Power is the championship favorite, and has the easiest path to his NTT IndyCar Series Championship this Sunday at the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey in Laguna Seca, California. In fact, he

Visualizing IndyCar's championship battle

Only nine drivers have a mathematical chance to win the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship with two races to go, and only four sit within one race of striking distance. Those four drivers — Will Power, Josef Newgarden, Scott Dixon and Marcus Ericsson — are the title favorites. How has the season played

Will Power ties IndyCar pole record at St. Louis

Will Power won his record-tying 67th career pole position Friday evening at qualifying for the Bommarito 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois. Power tied the record with two laps averaging 182.727 mph around the 1.25 mile oval outside St. Louis. Marcus Ericsson was the highest

Can Scott Dixon grab the IndyCar championship? History says his chances are about 50/50.

Will Power is known for his fiery attitude at the track. This year, he says he's as calm as he's ever been. He's used his cool demeanor to put up consistently great results, and leads the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship heading into the final

Twin Checkers is moving

My attempt at sports journalism is moving platforms effective today. Twin Checkers, a place for IndyCar insight, news and analysis, is moving to the ghost.io platform effective today. Here, I'll be able to tell better stories, and plan to grow the project over the coming months. The

Barber deserves more credit as a great American road course

After stalking pole sitter and leader Rinus VeeKay for nearly 70 laps, Arrow McLaren SP driver Pato O’Ward saw his opportunity to finally take the lead of the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama with 23 laps to go. Last year, poor tire management dropped O’Ward from the

IndyCar needs Nashville. Does Nashville need to change?

Thank god it didn’t rain during the race on Sunday. That could’ve been ugly. The second iteration of Nashville’s Big Machine Music City Grand Prix was expected to be unpredictable — though maybe not as big of an unknown as last year’s inaugural event, which featured two

IndyCar fans are global, passionate and growing in number. So stop worrying about TV ratings.

Allow me to go off script immediately, if just for a moment: American open wheel racing has undergone countless rebirths since its peak late last century. The “split” in the late 90s, where powerful team owners split from the Indy Racing League and Indianapolis Motor Speedway leadership, could have been

Who's invited to IndyCar's title fight?

IndyCar is getting closer to its conclusion. Off this week, the series goes for four straight weeks — from Toronto, to the Iowa doubleheader, to Indianapolis, then to Nashville. After that, there’s only three races left to crown the 2022 IndyCar champion. With the kind of diversity of tracks IndyCar

Marcus Ericsson — the superstar in front of our eyes the whole time

The fastest team usually doesn’t win in racing. The best team — the one with the least mistakes, a fast car and a good strategy — almost always comes home with the trophy. Marcus Ericsson and his team have been doing this for well over a year now, and it took

Helio Castroneves might live forever

I saw a tweet shortly after Helio Castroneves drove his team’s No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Acura to the win at the Rolex 24 at Daytona on Sunday. Castroneves, 46, had just won his second straight Rolex 24, with his fourth Indianapolis 500 sandwiched in between. The tweet asked

You can love racing. It may never love you back.

The sport that will rip your heart out the most is motorsports. Go ahead. Lose to your rival on a three-point shot at the buzzer. Throw a game-sealing pick-six. Give up a walk-off grand slam in Game 7 of the World Series. What Carlos Muñoz endured at Indianapolis is worse.