Auto Racing – Winnipeg Free Press

FILE -Denny Hamlin during driver introductions before the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Roger Penske achieved something this season the pioneering motorports magnate had never done in his long, accomplished career with back-to-back NASCAR championships. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Penske threepeat a potential theme for NASCAR in 2024; Hamlin, Elliott mend from offseason surgeries

Pete Iacobelli, The Associated Press 5 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023

Roger Penske achieved something this season the pioneering motorports magnate had never done in his long, accomplished career with back-to-back NASCAR championships.

Ryan Blaney gave Penske consecutive series titles at Phoenix last month after teammate Joey Logano's title-winning run in 2022.

“You win one, and you start all over again,” Penske said. “They don’t give you an extra lap ahead of everybody after you win one. Last year, Joey did a great job, and by the way when you think about it, last year at Phoenix, if you watched it, Ryan was a good wing man. He had a fast car at Phoenix, so we knew that he had the speed.”

That showed throughout this past season as Blaney won three times, including twice in the playoffs and was fastest when it counted most with eight top 10 finishes in the final 12 races.

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Deegan lands at ThorSport for another season in Truck Series

The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Deegan lands at ThorSport for another season in Truck Series

The Associated Press 4 minute read Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022

SANDUSKY, Ohio (AP) — Hailie Deegan has another full-time ride in the NASCAR Truck Series, this one with ThorSport Racing.

ThorSport formally added Deegan to its driver lineup Thursday as it announced a manufacturer switch from Toyota to Ford.

The 21-year-old California native will race in the third-tier series for the third consecutive season. She finished a series-best sixth at Talladega Superspeedway in October and was named the series' Most Popular Driver for the second consecutive year, both with David Gilliland Racing.

“I think the last two seasons in trucks I’ve been trying to figure it out and kind of learning the ropes of the Truck Series, and I feel like I’ve good a grasp on it now and understand what you need to be successful as a driver, what the team needs to do for their part and the people you need to have around you," Deegan said. “There’s just a lot of pieces to the puzzle, and I think maybe the last two years it was trying to find those pieces and trying to figure it out.”

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Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022

FILE - Hailie Deegan is shown during qualifying for the Truck Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Feb. 18, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Deegan will drive full time in the NASCAR Truck Series next season with ThorSport Racing. ThorSport formally added Deegan to its driver lineup Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, as it announced a manufacturer move from Toyota to Ford. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Just like dad: Mick Schumacher goes from Ferrari to Mercedes

The Associated Press 3 minute read Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022

MARANELLO, Italy (AP) — Mick Schumacher is leaving Ferrari for another of the teams his father raced for.

Mercedes announced on Thursday that Schumacher will be its reserve driver for 2023 behind Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.

He had been racing in Formula One with Ferrari-powered Haas.

“I take this as a new start, and I am just excited and grateful to Toto (Wolff, Mercedes team principal) and everybody involved for putting their trust in me,” Schumacher said. “F1 is such a fascinating world, and you never stop learning, so I look forward to absorbing more knowledge and putting in all my efforts for the benefit of the Mercedes team.”

Ferrari relying on experience with Vasseur as team principal

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Ferrari relying on experience with Vasseur as team principal

The Associated Press 3 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022

MARANELLO, Italy (AP) — Chasing its first Formula One drivers' title in 15 years, Ferrari is counting on experience and familiarity by hiring Frédéric Vasseur as team principal.

Vasseur was most recently team principal at Sauber and Alfa Romeo and has had an extensive career in F1 and auto racing. His hiring set off a chain reaction with Andreas Seidl leaving McLaren to replace Vasseur as Sauber's new team principal. McLaren, in turn, promoted its executive racing director Andrea Stella to replace Seidl.

That comes a day after Williams announced that its team principal Jost Capito and technical director François-Xavier Demaison were leaving after the team finished last in the constructors’ championship — meaning four of the 10 teams changed leadership in a 24-hour span.

The 54-year-old Vasseur worked with Ferrari lead driver Charles Leclerc at Sauber and the pair already have a solid relationship.

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Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022

FILE - Frederic Vasseur is pictured during the first practice session at the Hungaroring racetrack in Mogyorod, northeast of Budapest, Hungary, Friday July 28, 2017. Vasseur has been appointed as Ferrari team principal on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (Zsolt Czegledi/MTI via AP, File)

F1: Williams team principal Capito leaves after 2 years

The Associated Press 3 minute read Monday, Dec. 12, 2022

GROVE, England (AP) — Team principal Jost Capito and technical director François-Xavier Demaison are leaving Williams after it finished last in the Formula One constructors' championship.

Capito led the team for two seasons after investment firm Dorilton Capital bought the team in 2020 from the Williams family.

“It has been a huge privilege to lead Williams Racing for the last two seasons and to lay the foundations for the turnaround of this great team. I look forward to watching the team as it continues on its path to future success," Capito said in a statement on Monday.

No reason was given for Capito's departure. The statement included a comment from Dorilton chairman Matthew Savage that the 64-year-old German “postponed his planned retirement” when he took the Williams job.

Thursday Night Thunder: SRX all-star series moves to ESPN

Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Thursday Night Thunder: SRX all-star series moves to ESPN

Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press 4 minute read Monday, Dec. 12, 2022

Tony Stewart's all-star summer racing series is moving to ESPN and a new night as the network plans to use SRX to revitalize its “Thursday Night Thunder.”

ESPN said Monday it signed a multi-year agreement with Superstar Racing Experience that begins in July. SRX will air on six consecutive summer nights as “Thursday Night Thunder," which was ESPN's branding for motorsports programming that started in the 1980s.

The old programming showcased grassroots racing from across the country.

“Thursday Night Thunder is where guys like me, who were just starting our careers in USAC, got the chance to make a name for ourselves because of its presence on ESPN,” Stewart said. “It’s great to see Thursday Night Thunder return, but to also be a part of it all over again with SRX.”

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Monday, Dec. 12, 2022

FILE - The SRX car of Tony Stewart is seen during the debut race of Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) at Stafford Motor Speedway on June 12, 202,1 in Stafford, Conn. Stewart's all-star summer racing series is moving to ESPN and a new night as the network plans to use SRX to revitalize its “Thursday Night Thunder

IndyCar to showcase series with docudrama on The CW Network

Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

IndyCar to showcase series with docudrama on The CW Network

Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press 4 minute read Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022

IndyCar has landed its own “Drive to Survive” type docudrama that will showcase the buildup to next year's Indianapolis 500.

The six-part “100 Days to Indy” will air on The CW Network next spring and chronicle the 100-day window ahead of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on May 28 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Filming will begin with the IndyCar season opener through the checkered flag at the Indy 500.

The program will be co-produced by Penske Entertainment and VICE Media Group. Penske Entertainment is the division of Roger Penske's business empire that owns IndyCar and the speedway, and VICE Media Group is a global multi-platform media company.

“The Indy 500 is the most unique, exhilarating and engaging event on the planet,” said Mark Miles, president and CEO of Penske Entertainment. “It’s an unrivaled spectacle fueled by ambitious, fearless and captivating personalities. This series will give viewers an unprecedented front row seat as the racing season begins and the countdown to Indy accelerates."

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Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022

FILE - Team Penske driver Will Power, of Australia, celebrates after winning third place in the IndyCar season finale auto race at Laguna Seca Raceway on Sept. 11, 2022, Monterey, Calif. IndyCar has landed its own “Drive to Survive” type docudrama that will showcase the buildup to next year's Indianapolis 500. The six-part “100 Days to Indy” will air on The CW Network next spring and chronicle the 100-day window ahead of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on May 28, 2023 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (AP Photo/Nic Coury, File)

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Verstappen’s home Dutch GP extends F1 contract through 2025

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Verstappen’s home Dutch GP extends F1 contract through 2025

The Associated Press 2 minute read Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022

LONDON (AP) — Formula One champion Max Verstappen will have a home race until at least 2025 after the Dutch Grand Prix agreed to a two-year contract extension.

The Dutch Grand Prix returned to the calendar in 2021 at the seaside Zandvoort circuit for the first time since 1985 and has attracted packed crowds to cheer Red Bull driver Verstappen, who has won both races.

“The Dutch Grand Prix has quickly established itself on the calendar as a fan favorite, bringing incredible energy and a great fan experience,” F1 president and chief executive Stefano Domenicali said in a statement on Thursday. "The sold-out events in the last two years have raised the bar in terms of organization, entertainment, and sustainability, and we are delighted to extend our relationship with them.”

The 2023 race is scheduled for Aug. 27.

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Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and team's principal Christian Horner celebrate Verstappen's third championship title after the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

US, Belgium named among hosts for 6 F1 sprint races in 2023

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

US, Belgium named among hosts for 6 F1 sprint races in 2023

The Associated Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022

LONDON (AP) — The United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, and the famed Spa-Francorchamps track in Belgium will host their first sprint races on the Formula One calendar for next season.

F1 had already committed to doubling the number of sprints from three to six and confirmed the hosts Wednesday.

The sprint races take place on Saturdays before the main Grand Prix a day later. Sprints are held over a shorter distance and award fewer points, and also set the grid for the next day's race. They have been credited with making the race weekend as a whole more attractive to TV viewers since they were first trialed in 2021. Qualifying moves from Saturday to Friday when a sprint is on the schedule.

Besides Austin and Spa, the other sprints next season will take place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the Austrian Grand Prix, the returning Qatar Grand Prix and the Brazilian Grand Prix. Of those, Austria and Brazil hosted two of the three sprints in 2022, and Brazil was also a host in the initial 2021 trial.

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Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, left, and Red Bull driver Sergio Perez of Mexico lead at the start during the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Ganassi adds another Kiwi in Armstrong to IndyCar lineup

Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Ganassi adds another Kiwi in Armstrong to IndyCar lineup

Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press 5 minute read Friday, Dec. 2, 2022

Marcus Armstrong was a Scott Dixon fan his entire life and when he was 8, the aspiring young racer asked his fellow New Zealander to autograph a helmet visor that he hung on his bedroom wall.

Next year, Armstrong will be Dixon's teammate.

Armstrong on Friday was named the fourth IndyCar driver in the Chip Ganassi Racing lineup and will pilot the No. 11 next season on road and street courses. A driver for the five oval races on the 17-race schedule will be named later.

The No. 11 is essentially the No. 48 that seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson drove the last two seasons, with Chip Ganassi making the change to run four cars numbered in sequential order. Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson drives the No. 8, six-time champion Dixon drives the No. 9, and 2020 IndyCar champion Alex Palou drives the No. 10.

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Friday, Dec. 2, 2022

In this photo provided by James Gasperotti, New Zealand driver Marcus Armstrong is shown at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari racetrack, in Imola, Italy, April 21, 2022. Chip Ganassi Racing has signed New Zealand driver Marcus Armstrong to join its IndyCar lineup next season. Armstrong spent the last three seasons in Formula One feeder series F2 and will drive the No. 11 for Ganassi. (James Gasperotti via AP)

F1: Chinese Grand Prix canceled again over pandemic

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

F1: Chinese Grand Prix canceled again over pandemic

The Associated Press 3 minute read Friday, Dec. 2, 2022

LONDON (AP) — Formula One confirmed Friday that the Chinese Grand Prix will not take place in 2023, making it the fourth year in a row the race has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

F1 has not visited the Shanghai circuit since 2019 as China pursues a strict policy of local lockdowns, virus tests and entry restrictions during the pandemic, long after other countries on the F1 calendar eased many of their measures. The “zero-COVID” approach has led to rare protests within China in recent weeks.

“Formula 1 can confirm, following dialogue with the promoter and relevant authorities, that the 2023 Chinese Grand Prix will not take place due to the ongoing difficulties presented by the COVID-19 situation,” F1 said in a statement.

“Formula 1 is assessing alternative options to replace the slot on the 2023 calendar and will provide an update on this in due course.”

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Friday, Dec. 2, 2022

FILE - Drivers prepare for the start of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, Sunday, April 14, 2019, in Shanghai, China. Formula One confirmed Friday, Dec. 2, 2022 that the Chinese Grand Prix will not take place in 2023, making it the fourth year in a row the race has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

Chase Elliott wins most popular driver for 5th straight year

Teresa M. Walker, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Chase Elliott wins most popular driver for 5th straight year

Teresa M. Walker, The Associated Press 4 minute read Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Chase Elliott simply can't be beat when it comes to his grip on NASCAR 's title as fans most popular driver.

Not even with a late social media push by Ryan Blaney to end Elliott's reign.

In a season in which he won five races and finished fourth overall, Elliott added another victory Thursday night. At the season-ending awards ceremony at the Music City Center, the National Press Association declared Elliott winner of the fan-decided most popular award for a fifth consecutive year.

Elliott had a message for Blaney, who surprised him by campaigning for the award on social media. Blaney also had fun with Elliott, whose tweets featured videos that included accusing the driver sponsored by Hooters of thinking parmesan garlic chicken wings are “too spicy.”

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Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022

Logano celebrates 2nd NASCAR Cup title, already wanting 3rd

Teresa M. Walker, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Logano celebrates 2nd NASCAR Cup title, already wanting 3rd

Teresa M. Walker, The Associated Press 5 minute read Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Joey Logano has a simple target for the future even as he celebrates his 2022 NASCAR Cup championship.

Add yet another.

Logano this season joined Kyle Busch as the only active NASCAR drivers with multiple Cup series titles, adding to the first Cup championship he won in 2018. Being the only active driver with three Cup titles would be even sweeter.

“That’s where my head is at right is, ‘Let’s go get another one,’” Logano said Thursday before he was feted at NASCAR's annual awards ceremony.

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Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022

FILE - NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano speaks during the NASCAR Championship media day, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, in Phoenix. Joey Logano has a simple target for the future even as he celebrates his 2022 NASCAR Cup championship. Add yet another.(AP Photo/Matt York, File)

Ty Gibbs declines to discuss sudden death of his father

Teresa M. Walker, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Ty Gibbs declines to discuss sudden death of his father

Teresa M. Walker, The Associated Press 5 minute read Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Ty Gibbs on Thursday declined to discuss the death of his father, which occurred just hours after the young NASCAR driver won the Xfinity Series championship last month.

Gibbs was asked about his grandfather, Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs, telling the employees at Joe Gibbs Racing they all had to move forward, even as they mourn the sudden death of 49-year-old Coy Gibbs.

Coy Gibbs died in his sleep just hours after his 20-year-old son won the Xfinity Series title on Nov. 5 at Phoenix Raceway.

“For right now, I’m not going to touch on any other subject at all, so I’m just going to stick with all the racing questions and I will go from there," Ty Gibbs said before NASCAR's annual awards ceremony.

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Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022

FILE - NASCAR Xfinity Series auto racing driver Ty Gibbs speaks during the NASCAR Championship media day, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, in Phoenix. Ty Gibbs on Thursday, Dec. 1, declined to discuss the death of his father hours after the NASCAR driver clinched the Xfinity Series championship last month. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)

Kevin Harvick will know if 2023 is final season by Daytona

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Kevin Harvick will know if 2023 is final season by Daytona

The Associated Press 3 minute read Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Kevin Harvick will know if 2023 will be his last as a fulltime NASCAR driver before the season-opening Daytona 500 in February.

“I don't really have a clear answer on that right now,” the 2014 Cup champ said Thursday about his future. “I think as we get to Daytona, I know 100% that we will have a direction because I'm not going to start the season without knowing that direction just because of the fact that there's just a lot of layers to unfold and really go through and evaluate. And so, we'll see. I think it could go either way at this particular point.”

Gene Haas said in October that Harvick had indicated he didn't plan to drive after his contract expires at the end of the 2023 season. Haas said Stewart-Haas Racing wants Harvick to sign an extension to return to the team co-owned by Tony Stewart.

Harvick won his lone Cup title in his first season with the team. He spent the first 13 years of his Cup career with Richard Childress Racing, and next season will be his 10th with SHR.

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Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022

FILE - Kevin Harvick speaks during NASCAR Daytona 500 auto racing media day at Daytona International Speedway, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Harvick will know if 2023 will be his final NASCAR season before he goes too Daytona in February. “I don't really have a clear answer on that right now,” the 2014 Cup champ said about his future Thursday, Dec. 1, before the NASCAR Awards. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Jamie Chadwick parlays W Series success into Andretti ride

Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Jamie Chadwick parlays W Series success into Andretti ride

Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press 4 minute read Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022

Jamie Chadwick, the three-time W Series champion, has at last parlayed her success in the all-women series into a bigger ride.

The British racer on Thursday was selected the driver for Andretti Autosport in the Indy NXT Series next season. Indy NXT is the new name of the rebranded Indy Lights Series, the final step on the ladder system before IndyCar.

Chadwick will make her debut in an American racing series in March, driving the No. 28 for Andretti Autosport with sponsorship from DHL. The 24-year-old will become the first female in 13 years to compete fulltime in the Indy NXT championship.

Chadwick joined the female free-to-enter W Series in its inaugural 2019 season, winning two races and the first of three consecutive championships. She has been a reserve driver for the Williams Formula One team and will continue in that role in 2023.

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Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022

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