Today’s question: What is the most interesting observation you made this week during 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Content Days in Indianapolis?

Curt Cavin: One thing that struck me was just how viable of a championship contender Colton Herta became late in the year. We were rightly focused on Alex Palou and Will Power, but we lost track of the charge Herta was on. He finished in the top six in nine of the last 11 races, dominating Toronto from the pole and earning his first oval victory, at Nashville. Every driver has moments in a season that took him out of contention, and Herta laid his out this week. There was the slide into the Turn 1 wall at Indy while running second, and then he lost laps by getting out of the car despite only front-wing damage. A week later he got too aggressive in traffic in Detroit, overshot the corner and slid into the tires. In the first race at Iowa, he got caught out by Palou’s rare accident, and in the first Milwaukee race, the front wheel came off the car. Those situations cost Herta 33 points to eventual series champion Palou. His deficit at year’s end: 31 points.

Eric Smith: The thing I noticed was Conor Daly aiming to shed the oval specialist tag. Daly noted everyone forgets he’s not just a driver who excels on circle tracks even though his best finishes have occurred on them. He grew up road racing and spent several years racing overseas in the Formula One ladder system. With a full-time ride with Juncos Hollinger Racing this season, he said it’s important to show his peers that he’s a contender making left and right turns. He is well aware that St. Petersburg, the site of the March 2 season opener on FOX and INDYCAR Radio Network, was a great spot for JHR last year to show speed. St. Petersburg is also a place where Daly nearly won his maiden INDY NXT by Firestone start in 2011. That first INDY NXT victory did come at Long Beach, which serves as the third race of this NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. Two races later, the series heads to the IMS road course, where he has plenty of experience. Needless to say, Daly is excited for the start of the season to prove he has it on all types of circuits.

Paul Kelly: The enthusiasm for FOX’s debut season of INDYCAR coverage was palpable. Nearly every driver raved about the network’s financial and personnel commitment to covering the sport this season and praised the initial promo featuring Josef Newgarden. Sure, drivers always pay lip service to media partners – there’s more to being a professional racing driver at the sharp end of the spear than just driving fast. But this was different. There’s a real excitement and sense of anticipation for what’s possible with FOX’s coverage starting at St. Petersburg. The announcement Tuesday of the booth team of Will Buxton, James Hinchcliffe and Townsend Bell only raised expectations. Returning the experienced Hinch and TBell to the team was pretty much a no-brainer by FOX, but luring Buxton from Formula One was a real coup. Will is a total pro and one of the most recognized motorsports reporters on this planet. He also is a real INDYCAR SERIES fan. His passion for the sport is genuine, not just some soundbite or quote in a press release. FOX should distribute free sunglasses at St. Pete because the future for INDYCAR on TV is quite bright.