Trackside Podcast

This week on Trackside, Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin are back for the first time in the New Year, and look ahead to the 2022 racing season. The guys break down the news that Juan Pablo Montoya will be back with Arrow McLaren SP for a third Indy 500 entry in the number six car. They continue to talk IndyCar Silly Season loose ends, including who could end up in the Ed Carpenter Racing number 20 car, and where Ryan Hunter-Reay might compete. Kevin and Curt also discuss the upcoming IndyCar test schedule, and a bevy of engineering changes in the IndyCar paddock.  The guys break down the IndyCar start times, including the lack of night races; plus the Indy Lights schedule, which was released Tuesday. Later in the show, they discuss Matthew Brabham returning to run Indy Lights full season this year, and touch on the Brandon Brown sponsorship saga over in NASCAR. To wrap up, Kevin and Curt pay tribute to Kevin Kalkhoven, T.E. McHale, and Carl Horton, whom we all lost in the last month. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Trackside, Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin break down the official announcement that Jimmie Johnson will run the full IndyCar season for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2022, and what it could mean for Tony Kanaan’s schedule. Kevin talks about the news that Mars will stop sponsoring Joe Gibbs Racing in NASCAR after 2022, and what that could mean for Kyle Busch’s potential Indy 500 future. We tie up some Silly Season loose ends, and talk team-by-team expectations, as we inch closer to the 2022 IndyCar campaign. Curt catches up with 2006 Indy 500 winner Sam Hornish Jr. We learn about Sam’s new career as a go-kart dad, his experience as a substitute teacher, and what he misses about racing. The three-time IndyCar champ talks about his conversations with Roger Penske about owning the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, his relationship with The Captain, and what’s next for Hornish.  Later in the show, Andretti Autosport Chief Operating Officer Rob Edwards joins the show and talks about bringing in Romain Grosjean and Devlin DeFrancesco for next season, and how Grosjean’s oval test at IMS went in October. Edwards discusses Andretti’s bid to buy a Formula 1 team and how that affected the team. Later, he breaks down the engineering plans for the team in 2022, and what he hopes the series will improve upon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Trackside, Kevin and Curt celebrate the life of four-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser, who died last week at the age of 82. They discuss the controversial ending to the Formula 1 season after Max Verstappen passed Lewis Hamilton on the last lap to take the championship following a questionable decision by the stewards. Kevin and Curt joined by four-time 500 winner Helio Castroneves, who unveiled the 2022 Indy 500 ticket last week at the PRI convention at Lucas Oil Stadium. They discuss his appreciation for the fans, and his excitement for next year, as he teams up with Simon Pagenaud at Meyer Shank Racing for a full season.  Later in the show, the guys break down the latest IndyCar news, including Pato O’Ward’s F1 test with McLaren, Takuma Sato joining Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing, and an estimated car count for next year’s Indy 500. We chat with Dreyer & Reinbold co-owner Dennis Reinbold following the driver announcement of Sage Karam and Santino Ferrucci for next May’s Indy 500. Reinbold talks about how the two young guns will work together, and his desire to expand the Dreyer & Reinbold IndyCar program. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on Trackside, Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin talk with Rick Mears, who celebrated his 70th birthday last week. Before Curt chats with the four-time Indy 500 winner, the guys recap some recent IndyCar tests, including some rumored candidates to fill the number 20 car for Ed Carpenter Racing. They discuss the recent trend of European drivers getting tests with IndyCar teams and what that means for the series. Kevin and Curt talk about the upcoming PRI convention in Indianapolis, the latest on Dale Coyne Racing’s lineup for next year, and other news and notes on car count. They also discuss the recent comments from Mark Miles about a potential IndyCar race in Mexico.   Rick Mears joins the show to talk about turning 70 and what he’s been up to recently. The legend recounts the meeting of the four four-time Indy 500 winners after Helio Castroneves joined the club in May. He also talks about his relationship with fellow four-time champs A.J. Foyt and Al Unser Sr. Mears gives his thoughts on the state of IndyCar, including what he likes about the current cars and rules package.   Late in the show, Kevin interviews a pair of Road to Indy drivers who will team up with Cape Motorsports 2022. Jagger Jones, grandson of Parnelli, talks about his transition from stock cars to the Road to Indy and the challenge of being a college student while racing. Then, Trackside’s resident driver Jackson Lee discusses his move to Cape Motorsports for next season and the safety improvements in USF2000. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on Trackside, Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin start the show by listening to some classic radio calls of the Indianapolis 500 from the 50s and 60s, and celebrate that we’re less than six months from the 2022 Indy 500. They discuss the various charitable organizations IndyCar drivers and teams are supporting for GivingTuesday. They speculate where Jimmie Johnson’s plans stand for next year’s Indy 500, and break down potential changes to the IndyCar qualifying format next season.  We chat with NBC Sports broadcaster Leigh Diffey, including his offseason broadcasting plans, ranging from rugby to the Winter Olympics. Leigh also praises the purity of IndyCar racing. Later, we look ahead to next May with IndyStar reporter Nathan Brown. Kevin, Curt and Nathan discuss car count and how many entries we could see for the 500. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on Trackside, Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin talk about Ed Carpenter Racing losing sponsorship from the U.S. Air Force, and what that means for the team’s number 20 car and Conor Daly going forward. They discuss Ryan Hunter-Reay’s potential plans for 2022, and Daly’s rumored NASCAR Truck Series ride.  They talk about Alexander Rossi’s spectacular Baja 1000 ride, and what his future in IndyCar could hold after the 2022 season. Kevin and Curt discuss upcoming IndyCar tests for a pair of Formula E drivers and break down the recent announcement that the Detroit Grand Prix will head back downtown in 2023. Later in the show, the guys are joined by Hunter McElrea, who will race for Andretti Autosport in Indy Lights next season, as well as Maria Cofer to preview Saturday’s USAC Turkey Night Grand Prix.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on Trackside, Kevin and Curt talk about the thrilling finish of Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, which closed out the IMSA season. They discuss Indy Lights champion Kyle Kirkwood’s move to A.J. Foyt Racing to pilot the number 14 Chevy in 2022, and the possibility of a third car for the team next year.  Kevin and Curt talk about the potential pairing of Takuma Sato and David Malukas with Dale Coyne Racing, plus they discuss the rumors about a potential merger or partnership between Juncos Racing and Carlin Racing. They also talk about the third Arrow McLaren SP car and who could be in that ride full-time in 2023, and speculate on how many entries could attempt to qualify for the 2022 Indy 500.   Later in the show, they break down the Toyota-to-IndyCar rumors, and we’re joined by Rahal Letterman Lanigan president Piers Phillips. He talks about the team’s new driver lineup featuring Graham Rahal, Jack Harvey and Christian Lundgaard, plus RLL's expectations for 2022.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Trackside, 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner Alexander Rossi joins Kevin and Curt in-studio for the first part of the show. The guys preview the upcoming Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta this weekend. Rossi gives his thoughts on the Andretti to Formula 1 rumors and what it could have meant for the Andretti Autosport IndyCar team. We also ask Alex about Colton Herta’s potential move to F1 and the pros and cons of racing in F1. They discuss the changes to the Andretti IndyCar lineup, with Romain Grosjean and Devlin DeFrancesco joining the team. They relive the viral moment between Helio Castroneves and Rossi at the season finale at Long Beach and if he would welcome a “Drive to Survive” type documentary series about IndyCar. Rossi gives his thoughts on bumping in IndyCar races outside of the Indy 500 and if full-time entrants should have a protected qualifying spot in May.    Later in the show, Kevin and Curt discuss the Racer.com report that Kyle Kirkwood will race for A.J. Foyt Racing in 2022 and the potential long-term future for the 2021 Indy Lights champion. They discuss the star-studded rookie class for next year’s Indy 500, including Jimmie Johnson and the possibility of NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson giving the 500 a try. Dr. Nasser Hanna from the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center joins us in-studio for an exciting sponsorship announcement with Jackson Lee. To close out the show, Kevin and Curt take listener questions.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Trackside, Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin discuss the most recent IndyCar tests at the IMS road course including Kyle Kirkwood, David Malukas and Linus Lundqvist. The guys talk about what went wrong with the Andretti to F1 plan, and where Kirkwood could end up next season. They tie up other Silly Season odds and ends, such as the latest on Dale Coyne Racing, A.J. Foyt’s team, and Ed Carpenter Racing.  They talk about the Road to Indy Chris Griffis Memorial Test, including Jackson Lee’s impressive weekend. Indy Pro 2000 champ Christian Rasmussen joins the show and talks about his recent Indy Lights test with Andretti Autosport and his future plans. Kevin and Curt talk to Steve Wittich from Trackside Online about the Road To Indy and what Penske Entertainment taking over Indy Lights means for the series. Late in the show, we’re joined by IndyCar legend and NBC analyst Paul Tracy to break down the biggest storylines heading into the 2022 season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Trackside, Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin discuss Monday’s IndyCar test at Barber Motorsports Park, which included David Malukas driving for Dale Coyne Racing, Ryan Hunter-Reay in an Ed Carpenter Racing car, and F1 mainstay Nico Hulkenberg with Arrow McLaren SP. Kevin breaks down the latest Silly Season rumors, including the latest on the number 20 car for Ed Carpenter Racing and where the Air Force sponsorship stands, plus the upcoming Chris Griffis Memorial Open Test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course featuring all ladders from the Road to Indy.  Kevin and Curt look back on the biggest storylines from the 2021 IndyCar season, including Helio Castroneves winning his fourth Indy 500, the emergence of the young drivers such as Alex Palou, Pato O’Ward and Colton Herta, and the disappointing seasons for James Hinchcliffe and Jimmie Johnson. They make way-too-early predictions for 2022, including bold picks for the Indy 500 and who they think will win next year’s championship.  Later in the show, Kevin is joined by Townsend Bell to discuss the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and a variety of IndyCar topics.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Trackside, Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin remember the legendary two-time Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon, who we tragically lost 10 years ago this week. They break down the latest IndyCar news and rumors, including Ryan Hunter-Reay potentially testing with Ed Carpenter Racing, Ernie Francis Jr. undergoing an Indy Lights test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Arrow McLaren SP trying out F1 vet Nico Hülkenberg. They discuss the efforts to get Andretti Autosport star Colton Herta in an F1 car for free practice this weekend at Circuit of the Americas, and what getting Herta to F1 would mean for the series in the United States. Additionally, the guys look at the pros and cons for the 21-year-old Herta to potentially leave IndyCar to compete in F1.  Kevin and Curt talk about the new BMW Driving Experience that will be established at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including a new facility in the turn 3 infield at IMS. Later in the show, the guys discuss a test Tuesday night at IMS and what that could mean for a potential endurance race at 16th and Georgetown. They preview the Autonomous Challenge this weekend at the Speedway, in which universities compete with driverless cars. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on Trackside, Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin hear from Romain Grosjean and Jimmie Johnson after both participated in the Rookie Orientation Program for the Indianapolis 500 last week. They break down how both fared in their first time in an IndyCar on the IMS oval, and the hurdles to Johnson participating in next year’s Indy 500 for Chip Ganassi Racing. Now that Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and Jack Harvey have confirmed their partnership for 2022 and beyond, the guys look at the remaining seats to be filled for next season. Later, they talk about the Andretti to Formula 1 rumors that have intensified and whether or not Colton Herta could be in F1 in 2022.  In the second hour, Kevin and Curt discuss USAC exec Levi Jones being named director of Indy Lights, the upcoming Indy Lights test for Ernie Francis Jr., and the potential future of autonomous racing. Towards the end of the show, we visit with new Indy Lights champion Kyle Kirkwood to hear about his future IndyCar plans and the process of moving up in the Road to Indy ladder. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Trackside, Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin discuss Bubba Wallace’s historic win Monday at Talladega, as he became the first Black driver to win in the NASCAR Cup Series since 1963. They look ahead to IndyCar testing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this week, with Jimmie Johnson reportedly taking his rookie test for the Indy 500 Wednesday. The guys debate how the seven-time NASCAR Cup champion would perform on ovals after a lackluster IndyCar rookie season on road and street courses.  Kevin and Curt talk about the plan for the Detroit Grand Prix to move back to its original downtown layout and away from Belle Isle in 2023. They also discuss the possibility of IndyCar racing on the new F1 street course in Miami, and if the famed Long Beach Grand Prix could move from its traditional April date to the fall. Later in the show, Kevin and Curt continue to break down IndyCar’s Silly Season, including where Indy Lights champion Kyle Kirkwood could end up, rumors of a Toyota return to IndyCar and if Kyle Larson could end up racing in the Indy 500.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Trackside, Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin congratulate Alex Palou on winning the 2021 NTT IndyCar Series title. They discuss the surprising but consistent championship run by the 24-year-old Chip Ganassi Racing star. Additionally, they look at the bright future ahead for Palou and the rest of IndyCar’s youth movement. They recap the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, won by Colton Herta, who dominated the final two races of the season. With just 22 weeks until the 2022 season going green, the guys list what off-season question marks remain. Kevin and Curt talk about Ryan Hunter-Reay’s future and what seats still need to be filled, including the number 45 car for Rahal Letterman Lanigan and the number 20 for Ed Carpenter Racing. Later in the show, they talk about where Santino Ferrucci could drive next year and take questions from listeners, including what Indy Lights will look like now that IndyCar has taken over promoting the series.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Trackside, Kevin Lee and Curt Cavin look back at Colton Herta’s dominating victory at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. They discuss the championship battle heading into the season finale at Long Beach, in which Alex Palou holds a commanding lead over Pato O’Ward and Josef Newgarden. Later, Kevin and Curt talk about Romain Grosjean’s impressive charge to a podium finish at Laguna Seca and Alexander Rossi’s disappointing day after a lap two spin. In the second hour, the guys breakdown next year’s IndyCar schedule race-by-race, which was released over the weekend. Kevin and Curt talk about what they like with the 17-race schedule and what can be improved on moving forward.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.