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A Special IndyCar Report: Penske & Power Part (2.16.4) · The Central Indiana Sports Report

• 0:06
  [SPEAKER_02]: This is a special edition of the Indie car report with Elijah Pope.
• 0:13
  [SPEAKER_02]: Elijah and I will be back later this week with our regularly scheduled Indie car report.
• 0:19
  [SPEAKER_02]: That was hard to say.
• 0:21
  [SPEAKER_02]: Where we'll talk about all of the latest news.
• 0:25
  [SPEAKER_02]: And if there's any more breaking news and they're probably will be soon.
• 0:29
  [SPEAKER_02]: We'll be back with another special Indie car report with Elijah to break it all down for you.
• 0:36
  [SPEAKER_02]: We were also joined by Tipton Tribune and Elwood Colleter Sports Editor Michelle Garmin about midway through the podcast.
• 0:45
  [SPEAKER_02]: Please subscribe and turn on the notification so you know every time we have a Central Indiana Sports Report podcast.
• 0:55
  [SPEAKER_02]: Thanks so much.
• 1:01
  [SPEAKER_00]: you're listening to the central Indiana Sports Report with your host, Greg Midgowns.
• 1:09
  [SPEAKER_02]: Welcome, Indie Carr fans of the central Indiana Sports Report with Elijah Poe.
• 1:13
  [SPEAKER_02]: And as we expect that Elijah, it only took a couple of days.
• 1:17
  [SPEAKER_02]: The news seemed like it was coming and it has finally come for Willpower no longer a member of Team Penske.
• 1:26
  [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, after seventeen seasons, it's hard to think there's going to be another driver in that number twelve car.
• 1:32
  [SPEAKER_03]: But really, it's been coming all year.
• 1:36
  [SPEAKER_03]: It's been a rumor pretty much since race one.
• 1:38
  [SPEAKER_03]: And it's not a super, super shocking to see.
• 1:41
  [SPEAKER_03]: But it is a shame to see will power leave that team because, you know, he's been a staple for there.
• 1:46
  [SPEAKER_03]: Like I said, for seventeen years in an indie car, that's a long, long time.
• 1:52
  [SPEAKER_02]: Should we just assume it's David Mologas?
• 1:55
  [SPEAKER_03]: I think that's fair to say that it's going to be Maluca's up next.
• 1:57
  [SPEAKER_03]: We obviously know he is under a Penske contract at AJ FOIA right now.
• 2:02
  [SPEAKER_03]: But it also brings up an interesting mark that that C is going to be open at AJ FOIA and, you know, just a couple of hours ago, we also had Reno's VK say that he's not going to be returning to Delco in racing.
• 2:12
  [SPEAKER_03]: So we are very much in the thick of silly season for Indicol.
• 2:16
  [SPEAKER_02]: Speaking of silly season, this means there's also one of the best drivers in Indicol history available and on the open market.
• 2:24
  [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, it's going to be huge.
• 2:26
  [SPEAKER_03]: Huge to see where will power ends up going.
• 2:28
  [SPEAKER_03]: Obviously being in any car champion and in any five hundred winner.
• 2:32
  [SPEAKER_03]: I can't imagine there's been more of a touted for agent and then decars since maybe when Alex Plo is on the market in the early, two thousand, twenty, two thousand, twenty one area.
• 2:42
  [SPEAKER_03]: But Willpower brings so much experience and he's obviously still quick having a win this season and been in contention during many parts of twenty, twenty, five.
• 2:51
  [SPEAKER_03]: It's going to be really super fascinating to see where he lands because there's a lot of teams that would absolutely love.
• 2:56
  [SPEAKER_03]: They have to be chomping out the bits right now to see Willpower on the open market.
• 3:02
  [SPEAKER_03]: It seems like and ready might be the team targeting.
• 3:04
  [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, I would like.
• 3:06
  [SPEAKER_03]: I could see him in the upper end, ready.
• 3:08
  [SPEAKER_03]: Marcus Erickson would probably be the one he would be the one to replace unless Colton Hurda moves to Formula Two, which has been speculated, but then again, that's just speculation.
• 3:18
  [SPEAKER_03]: Even though Erickson has that contract for next year, and motor sports contracts are about as real as an imaginary friend.
• 3:25
  [SPEAKER_03]: They can be terminated on an instant, and they can be reworked.
• 3:29
  [SPEAKER_03]: I think if he is to move to that end-dready spot, wow, what a lineup you potentially have with Colton Hurda, Kyle Kirkwood, and Will Power,
• 3:38
  [SPEAKER_03]: I can't imagine it gets much better than that until you look at team pensky and chip canassie.
• 3:45
  [SPEAKER_02]: And we need to talk a little bit more about the Reena's VK thing.
• 3:48
  [SPEAKER_02]: You're surprised by that I know because you had already counted him back there next year.
• 3:53
  [SPEAKER_03]: I guess I really didn't really take into account that he could be in that AJ voicy and possibly be another one of those pensky drivers waiting in the shadows.
• 4:03
  [SPEAKER_03]: But I am surprised because Venus had a very good results with Dale Coin Racing this year.
• 4:08
  [SPEAKER_03]: Obviously having a podium in Toronto that surprised everybody.
• 4:11
  [SPEAKER_03]: It's very shocking to see a driver in that skill.
• 4:14
  [SPEAKER_03]: go off the market, but then again, Dale Coin, it's a bottom tier team.
• 4:17
  [SPEAKER_03]: And if he does the opportunity to move up, you know, there's definitely teams that are willing to sign it.
• 4:23
  [SPEAKER_03]: He's only twenty four years old.
• 4:25
  [SPEAKER_02]: And you mentioned, Colton heard a going to formula to that looks like it's probably going to happen.
• 4:31
  [SPEAKER_03]: Is that your guess?
• 4:34
  [SPEAKER_03]: It's still really up in the air, but from what I've heard in press conferences and the way Colton's talked about the issue, I definitely wouldn't put it out of contention at all.
• 4:42
  [SPEAKER_03]: Would not be super, super shocked to see him go.
• 4:44
  [SPEAKER_03]: It really is a shame the FIA super license point system.
• 4:47
  [SPEAKER_03]: At the end of the day, it's a great system to make sure drivers are held accountable and have the skill to climb up the ladder.
• 4:56
  [SPEAKER_03]: But it also really, really hurts those indie car drivers.
• 5:00
  [SPEAKER_03]: He would have had to see already in Formula One if it wasn't for the stupid super license thing, but and it's another way for Formula One to kind of get back at American drivers here.
• 5:10
  [SPEAKER_03]: Regardless, I think it would be a little bit shocking to see him go to an F two seat.
• 5:15
  [SPEAKER_03]: I think he would have to place in the top nine of that series to get his super license for Formula One.
• 5:21
  [SPEAKER_03]: But it would be surprising to see one of Indie cars best to move to a subcategory.
• 5:26
  [SPEAKER_03]: But if his dream is Formula One, you can't hate him for going.
• 5:31
  [SPEAKER_02]: That's true.
• 5:32
  [SPEAKER_02]: Although I think it would be a huge mistake like it's been for most of the drivers who have tried that since Mario and Dreddy.
• 5:40
  [SPEAKER_03]: I mean, I don't, I think it would be a mistake as well.
• 5:42
  [SPEAKER_03]: The spot he's done right now with Ant Ready.
• 5:45
  [SPEAKER_03]: These end ready cars that haven't been the best in recent years, but with new regulations coming in twenty twenty eight, you're only two three years out removed from that new car.
• 5:54
  [SPEAKER_03]: Might as well stay and build the program.
• 5:56
  [SPEAKER_03]: He's got
• 5:57
  [SPEAKER_03]: arguably a top five seat in in the car right now.
• 6:02
  [SPEAKER_03]: And here's the thing, if he goes a formula one and it doesn't end up working out, he's going to be on the outside looking in.
• 6:07
  [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, he's not going to have a, he's not going to be in the position to drive for a great team because as far as they're concerned, you know, he left in the car.
• 6:18
  [SPEAKER_02]: And if that seat opens up, we talked about willpower potentially going to end ready.
• 6:23
  [SPEAKER_02]: I think that's a perfect fit, but
• 6:25
  [SPEAKER_02]: That means it probably won't happen.
• 6:27
  [SPEAKER_02]: Also, you have the Dennis Howger situation.
• 6:30
  [SPEAKER_02]: I think that Andretty would like him driving for the big team sooner than later.
• 6:34
  [SPEAKER_02]: I know that there's the potential of stashing him at whom goes Hollinger, which we have some questions about them and Ray Hall Letterman and now Dale Coin as well.
• 6:43
  [SPEAKER_02]: Lots of open seats.
• 6:44
  [SPEAKER_02]: So we're going to have lots of podcasts.
• 6:46
  [SPEAKER_02]: So it'll be interesting to see what happens in Andretty.
• 6:49
  [SPEAKER_02]: That's a really good seat.
• 6:50
  [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, and then it's however is somebody who really dominated that indie next championship and I would be I'd be pretty shocked not to see him in indie car in some form next year in twenty twenty six but will power is really the first domino that indie car drivers and any car teens needed to fall and I think now going into these next couple weeks we're really going to see
• 7:10
  [SPEAKER_02]: The twenty twenty six grid shape out and what a time to be an indie car fan right now there there is so much not only is the racing great but the off the track entertainment depending on where drivers are going to go and what's going to play out and you car really never stops entertaining you and I will continue to come on and talk about all the news as it breaks we will have our regular scheduled indie car report this week because there's so much more to talk about and we'll get some others on to talk about it
• 7:40
  [SPEAKER_02]: Speaking of which, we are joined now by Michelle Garman, who wants to weigh in on the situation and Michelle, we're talking about all the news that's breaking and now not only are there empty seats open for potentially good drivers, but will will powers a free agent, one of the top free agents in Indie Car History.
• 8:01
  [SPEAKER_01]: At the last race, they speculated if whether he would even return it in the car.
• 8:06
  [SPEAKER_02]: It really needs to stay in the series.
• 8:08
  [SPEAKER_01]: Oh, he does.
• 8:09
  [SPEAKER_01]: It'll be interesting because I do think that there will be some teams that will be looking for a big name driver.
• 8:19
  [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, all of them should be.
• 8:21
  [SPEAKER_02]: There's not a team out there that's not named Pinsky or Ganesi that couldn't use Willpower, Elijah.
• 8:27
  [SPEAKER_03]: I was just thinking about it.
• 8:27
  [SPEAKER_03]: You don't have every season in Indie car where you have the opportunity to sign not only a series champion, but more importantly in Indie five hundred champion.
• 8:38
  [SPEAKER_03]: And I think these teams would be seeing at the bits to get Willpower in their seat because he's been one of the quickest drivers for the past ten years.
• 8:45
  [SPEAKER_03]: His long-density obviously shows having a race win this year and he's been in contention all throughout twenty twenty five.
• 8:51
  [SPEAKER_03]: It's going to be really cool to see where he lands because he's definitely a hot commodity.
• 8:56
  [SPEAKER_01]: Oh, a team that comes to mind for me, but I don't think they have any openings, but I just wonder if the arrow McLaren team would be looking at him or even maybe and dready racing.
• 9:09
  [SPEAKER_02]: We've been talking about and dready.
• 9:11
  [SPEAKER_02]: I think you'd be the perfect fit there and the other news.
• 9:14
  [SPEAKER_02]: This seems to be going on today.
• 9:15
  [SPEAKER_02]: It's called and heard a potentially going over to Europe to race.
• 9:18
  [SPEAKER_02]: So it would open a seat.
• 9:20
  [SPEAKER_02]: Of course, they also have Dennis Howger, one of those hot incoming rookies.
• 9:24
  [SPEAKER_02]: So there's a lot still to be determined.
• 9:26
  [SPEAKER_02]: And Elijah still to be determined is the fate of Connor Daily.
• 9:32
  [SPEAKER_02]: Our favorite driver here at the Central Indiana Sports Report.
• 9:35
  [SPEAKER_02]: And these teams are foolish if they don't sign him because he can win the five hundred.
• 9:40
  [SPEAKER_03]: I really don't see a world next year.
• 9:42
  [SPEAKER_03]: I mean, I could eat my words because that's just the way it is with any car, but I don't see a world next year where kind of daily is not driving for that whom goes hauling or team.
• 9:51
  [SPEAKER_03]: I think if you look at his results throughout the year, he's been fairly consistent on street and road courses.
• 9:57
  [SPEAKER_03]: But he's really, really thrived on ovals.
• 9:59
  [SPEAKER_03]: And that's no surprise.
• 10:01
  [SPEAKER_03]: But you know, it is still hard for a driver to get those results.
• 10:04
  [SPEAKER_03]: And he's consistently gotten those results on ovals.
• 10:07
  [SPEAKER_03]: And if even whom goes hollinger doesn't sign him, I'd be shocked to see him not in a full time seed.
• 10:13
  [SPEAKER_01]: What would be the odds of you think that, especially if, you know, a look as goes to a, takes a power seed with AJ foot racing being arrested in color, Conraday with
• 10:27
  [SPEAKER_03]: But I would also.
• 10:30
  [SPEAKER_03]: I think with the new partnership, I would be surprised if VK isn't in that number four next year with Team Penske.
• 10:37
  [SPEAKER_03]: With that partnership realignment, you know, obviously Malukus was was on a Penske contract this year, not an AJ Foit contract.
• 10:43
  [SPEAKER_03]: So that's see really feels like that's kind of a Penske, maybe even a Penske Team Penske lesson for that number four card at AJ Foit.
• 10:52
  [SPEAKER_03]: Um, but I would just be shocked in general to see daily out of the sport.
• 10:55
  [SPEAKER_03]: I mean, he would moved up nineteen spots on Sunday.
• 10:58
  [SPEAKER_03]: And it's like it was nothing finished and fit.
• 11:00
  [SPEAKER_03]: There's no way that talent can be out.
• 11:02
  [SPEAKER_01]: How about with hit, how about Ray Hall, Letterman Racing, especially with them coming back to Indiana being in Zion'sville?
• 11:08
  [SPEAKER_01]: I mean, Connors, right there, Noblesville.
• 11:11
  [SPEAKER_02]: Good point Michelle.
• 11:13
  [SPEAKER_02]: Ray Hall Letterman is in contracts with Devlin to E. Francesco, but you have to think of this point Elijah.
• 11:20
  [SPEAKER_02]: They got it, they're trying to do everything they can to move on from that.
• 11:23
  [SPEAKER_03]: It feels like a, maybe a four-growing conclusion here.
• 11:26
  [SPEAKER_03]: Obviously with him, not even finishing inside the later circle in points and getting beat by his rookie teammate, Louis Foster.
• 11:33
  [SPEAKER_03]: He just has too much experience in two little results for him to stay in that seat.
• 11:38
  [SPEAKER_03]: I'm, I'd be interested to see what that contract is.
• 11:39
  [SPEAKER_03]: I'm not a hundred percent sure if he's locked on for next year, but regardless, I can't.
• 11:44
  [SPEAKER_03]: He's on the contract for next year.
• 11:47
  [SPEAKER_03]: But with Ray Hall letter, even with you saying that I still would be shocked to see him in that sea.
• 11:52
  [SPEAKER_03]: He had some good moments here and there.
• 11:56
  [SPEAKER_03]: His best coming at Indie on the road course, but he still didn't really have a result to compete with that.
• 12:03
  [SPEAKER_03]: It's just been a rough season all around.
• 12:04
  [SPEAKER_03]: And it's sad to see somebody go from the sport, but it really feels like it's it's his time.
• 12:09
  [SPEAKER_01]: Is it a coin racing, then look at to replace VK?
• 12:14
  [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, and I know the Greg and I were talking about that.
• 12:17
  [SPEAKER_03]: Oh, I could maybe see if Dennis Hauber is not able to secure a seat at and ready or anywhere else.
• 12:24
  [SPEAKER_03]: I can see him being a great fit for that team because he has some really, really good pace.
• 12:28
  [SPEAKER_03]: They'll quaint that racing team at the end of the day.
• 12:31
  [SPEAKER_03]: They are obviously trying to compete and do their best, but it does really feel like those two spots are really for development and it'd be a perfect place for Mr. Office in the car career.
• 12:41
  [SPEAKER_02]: Dale Coyne is the place a lot of great drivers have started.
• 12:44
  [SPEAKER_03]: Exactly.
• 12:47
  [SPEAKER_02]: Michelle and Elijah, thank you so much for your time and I'm guessing we won't do this tomorrow again, but you never know.
• 12:55
  [SPEAKER_02]: You never know.
• 12:56
  [SPEAKER_02]: You never know.
• 12:56
  [SPEAKER_02]: We might have to do it again tomorrow.
• 12:59
  [SPEAKER_01]: Oh, you would think that Indie car is going to a lot of these teams are going to be trying to make moves here.
• 13:04
  [SPEAKER_01]: I know their season is over, but they're going to want to have drivers in their seats because they're still testing that goes on.
• 13:13
  [SPEAKER_01]: I would think they would want all their decisions made sooner rather than later.
• 13:20
  [SPEAKER_02]: Thanks so much to Elijah and Michelle for dropping everything and joining me to talk some Indie car.
• 13:26
  [SPEAKER_02]: Again, I have to do this on Wednesday or Thursday again.
• 13:30
  [SPEAKER_02]: We'll definitely have a regular indie car report coming up.
• 13:34
  [SPEAKER_02]: Probably on Thursday could be on Friday this week.
• 13:37
  [SPEAKER_02]: Depends on what's going on regularly during the week during this regular season.
• 13:43
  [SPEAKER_02]: It's on Thursdays during the offseason.
• 13:46
  [SPEAKER_02]: It'll probably just be whenever we decide to do it.
• 13:49
  [SPEAKER_02]: But you can be assured anytime there's breaking news.
• 13:52
  [SPEAKER_02]: Elijah and I and probably others.
• 13:55
  [SPEAKER_02]: We'll be there to talk about it.
• 13:57
  [SPEAKER_02]: Thanks so much for listening.
• 13:59
  [SPEAKER_02]: Please do as a huge favor and share this podcast with an indie car fan in your life and help spread the word.
• 14:05
  [SPEAKER_02]: Central Indiana Sports Report is here talking about what Central Indiana Sports fans talk about every single day.
• 14:53
  [SPEAKER_02]: This intro and unit support report is a product of ITG media, and I love Susie.