About those hurdles

Honda, not unlike many of the team owners, has concerns about a sense of stagnancy in a series that provides a fantastic product. The decision by IndyCar to delay the introduction of a new hybrid engine until after the Indy 500 in May didn’t make anyone happy.

Neither did fiddling with the Nashville race, so beloved by fans that IndyCar made it this year’s season finale. All the construction as the Titans build a new stadium forced a change, so the race will instead be run at Nashville Superspeedway, an oval in nearby Lebanon.

At least fans love Indy cars on ovals and there are seven such races this year, including a return to the Milwaukee Mile for a doubleheader and a third consecutive trip to Iowa Speedway.

Larson’s double bid

One clear upside is the upcoming attempt of NASCAR champion Kyle Larson to run the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day over Memorial Day weekend. Larson will run in Indy with McLaren Racing and the nightcap with Hendrick Motorsports as he becomes the fifth driver to attempt “The Double.”

Larson’s attempt has ticket sales for the 500 ahead of the traditional pace.

Palou has been the centerpiece of free agency the last two years in a battle for the Spaniard between Ganassi and McLaren.

Palou originally signed to join McLaren in 2023 but mediation ruled he was under contract with Ganassi through the end of last season. That pushed his McLaren arrival to 2024, but Palou changed his mind and it has now become a lengthy court battle as McLaren seeks more than $30 million in breach of contract damages.

The main benefactor of Palou’s waffling is McLaren driver Pato O’Ward, who replaced him as a McLaren reserve F1 driver while also receiving a contract extension and substantial raise.

The popular Mexican is among the drivers calling on IndyCar to grow into the series it can be and challenge NASCAR in the United States for ratings and attendance.

“I think we really have the potential to see massive gains, but just like in a lot of things, you just obviously have to fuel it if you want to see some of that double, triple, quadruple,” O’Ward said. “I try and do my best to help and to bring new audiences and new people to the series, because I feel like once people see and watch it, they’re going to want to stick around.

“The problem is you need to get it in front of as many eyes as you can.”