Activity Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway featured 11 car-and-driver combinations testing on the 2.5-mile oval. Among the drivers were nine combined Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge victories, including the last three winners: Helio Castroneves (2021), Marcus Ericsson (2022) and Josef Newgarden (2023-24).
Ryan Hunter-Reay, the 2014 winner, arguably could have benefited most from Friday’s test.
2012 series champion Hunter-Reay first joined Dreyer & Reinbold Racing for the 2023 race, in which he started 18th and finished 11th. He returned to the team for this year’s race, but confirmation to drive the No. 23 DRR-Cusick Motorsports Chevrolet didn’t come until Feb. 1.
Hunter-Reay battled throttle problems during the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Open Test in April at IMS, completing just seven laps with a top speed of 206.290 mph.
He hasn’t been confirmed to drive for DRR in next year’s race – Sunday, May 25, 2025 – but he said getting a head start on the oval program this far in advance is a benefit, especially with the new hybrid system in place.
“It’s absolutely huge,” Hunter-Reay said of the fall test. “Last year we were only able to do the Open Test that got rained out for the most part, so we were starting from scratch or behind the 8-ball when it came to May. This is definitely the opportunity we needed.”
The hybrid system was introduced to the 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 engine for competition in July. Previous versions of the hybrid package were tested on the 2.5-mile oval, but the system hasn’t been used in the “500.” This was the first time DRR and Hunter-Reay experienced the new technology.
Alexander Rossi of Ed Carpenter Racing joined Hunter-Reay, Castroneves, Ericsson and Newgarden as “500” winners conducting the test.
Arrow McLaren newcomer Christian Lundgaard made his team debut. Other drivers participating included Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou, AJ Foyt Racing’s Santino Ferrucci, Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Conor Daly, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Graham Rahal and Rinus VeeKay with Dale Coyne Racing.
VeeKay: Florida or Indy … WWCD?
Rinus VeeKay lives in Florida and without an NTT INDYCAR SERIES ride since recently parting ways with Ed Carpenter Racing, he didn’t have a reason to attend this week’s test at IMS.
But he thought to himself: WWCD?
“You know, what would Conor do,” VeeKay said Friday.
It wasn’t the first time VeeKay had that thought. In fact, he texted Daly something along those lines after leaving ECR. So, he decided to come to Indy for the test just to show his face, a possible reminder to other teams that he is available to drive. At 12:01 p.m. Thursday, Dale Coyne called with an offer to test his Honda.
“I was just getting out of the shower,” VeeKay said.
What happened next was a flurry of activity. Within two hours, the Dutch driver with three front-row starts in the “500” was at the track with equipment he had picked up from the ECR shop in Indianapolis. Of course, the driver’s suit needed modifying, and VeeKay did it himself by placing seven pieces of white tape over conflicting sponsor labels. He acknowledged not knowing any of the names of the crew members working on his car.
“Just Dale,” he said of knowing the team owner.
VeeKay has no assurances of another opportunity with Coyne’s team, but he’ll be ready if called.
Thursday’s Tire Test Worthwhile
Newgarden passed Pato O’Ward on the final lap of this year’s race to claim his second consecutive “500” victory. The duo returned Thursday to the 2.5-mile oval alongside Palou and Ericsson testing tires for Firestone in the afternoon session after Nolan Siegel completed the Rookie Orientation Program for Arrow McLaren in the morning.
“Any time you have an opportunity to run at the Speedway it’s important,” Newgarden said. “Whether it is this test or the April Open Test, we try and make the best use of the time.
“Firestone is also learning about this new car and the new weight from the hybrid system. What tire do we need to bring? The series is monitoring things from a league standpoint on how do we produce another good race in 2025. I think that’s what everybody wants. So, everybody is getting something out of this day.”
Feedback from the drivers and teams Thursday was crucial to determine the right compound to bring back next May.
“Last year I was the one who picked the tire for the race,” Ericsson said.
Ericsson was one of a few drivers to take part in a similar test last October. Ultimately, he was collected in an opening-lap crash of this year’s “500,” relegating him to a 33rd-place finish.
“The tire I picked was the one that we raced, I mean, what they raced,” Ericsson said with a joking smile. “Yeah, everyone else raced. You’re welcome.”
Newgarden Feeling Like Superman
Newgarden debuted a special Shell Powering Progress livery ahead of the 2023 “500.” That color scheme is a perfect 2-for-2 in the biggest automobile race of the year.
The No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet only carries that appearance at IMS. With new colors means a different fire suit than other series races.
When Newgarden wears that firesuit, he feels like Superman.
“I feel honored to wear this suit,” he said. “For me, Shell has been a great partner for Team Penske for so many years. It’s a great partner for the Speedway in a lot of ways and for the series. This livery, the first time we introduce it we end up winning the race and then we were able to go back-to-back. It just feels like home to me.”
‘Grandpa Pato’
There’s no denying Pato O’Ward is the leader of Arrow McLaren. Since he joined the team in 2020, he produced all seven Arrow McLaren victories in this series, including three last season.
However, next season will be the first year that O’Ward is the team’s oldest driver.
Oliver Askew was three years older than O’Ward in 2020. Felix Rosenqvist joined as a full-time teammate in 2021, and he is seven years older than O’Ward. The team expanded to three full-time cars the last two seasons, bringing on Alexander Rossi, who is eight years older than O’Ward.
Rossi has been replaced by 23-year-old Lundgaard. Siegel turns 20 in November and remains in the other car. That makes O’Ward, 25, the senior member of the team in age and experience.
“I'm the old guy in the team, having Nolan and Christian in there,” O’Ward said. “Definitely feels a bit different. I would say not the baby anymore.”
O’Ward joked he has the grandpa role now but is going to embrace sharing his knowledge with his teammates.
“Being the wise guy,” he said. “I’m going to teach Nolan and Christian. Whatever they want to know, I’ve got experiences.”