Big Machine Music City Grand Prix race winner Kyle Kirkwood, IndyCar championship leader Alex Palou and Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden and a look ahead to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course with Scott McLaughlin and much more.

Speakers: Bruce Martin, Alex Palou, Josef Newgarden, Kyle Kirkwood, Colton Herta, Will Power, Scott Borchetta, Scott McLaughlin, & Cara Krstolic

Roger Penske:

This is Roger Penske and you're listening to Pit Pass Indy sponsored by Penske Truck Rental.

[Music Playing]

Bruce Martin:

IndyCar fans, it's time to start your engines. Welcome to Pit Pass Indy, a production of Evergreen Podcasts. I'm your host, Bruce Martin, a journalist who regularly covers the NTT IndyCar Series.

Our goal at Pit Pass Indy is to give racing fans an insider's view of the exciting world of the NTT IndyCar Series in a fast-paced podcast featuring interviews with the biggest names in the sport.

I bring nearly 40 years of experience covering IndyCar and NASCAR, working for such media brands as nbcsports.com, si.com, ESPN Sports Ticker, Sports Illustrated, Autoweek, and Speed Sport.

So, let's drop the green flag on this episode of Pit Pass Indy.

Welcome to this week's edition of Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental and Hy-Vee.

We are proud and honored to have both Penske Truck Rental and Hy-Vee sponsoring Pit Pass Indy. We will continue to cover the entire NTT IndyCar Series community and our partners at Penske Truck Rental and Hy-Vee will help us tell those stories.

It was a wild weekend on the streets of Nashville as Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Autosport won the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix in what he called a phenomenal race. It was his second career IndyCar Series victory, both coming this season.

It was also an important race in the battle for the NTT IndyCar Series Championship. Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou entered the weekend with an 80-point lead over team Penske's Josef Newgarden.

Palou was running third late in the race but wasn't going to make it to the finish without a splash and go pit stop if the race remained green.

Newgarden was right on his tail and was in prime position and cut into Palou's points lead once Palou made his final stop.

But on lap 71 of the 80-lap race, Meyer Shank Racing driver Linus Lundqvist driving in his first IndyCar Series race, crashed in the turn 11 wall to bring out the yellow flag.

By running reduced speeds for a few laps, it allowed Palou to save enough fuel to make it to the finish in third place and actually gain four more points on Newgarden.

Palou's lead is now, a whopping 84 points with four races remaining, beginning with Saturday's Gallagher Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course.

Pit Pass Indy made a pass through pit lane immediately after the race and caught up with both Newgarden and Palou after they climbed out of their race cars on Sunday.

First up is my interview with Palou.

Bruce Martin:

You’re clicking them off. I mean, right now, it's just a matter of counting the races. So, 84 points, you got to feel really good.

Alex Palou:

Yeah, for sure. I mean, I feel good. Could've been a lot worse over day today for how we started the race. Let's say we started really good, but after that first call. But yeah, really happy being here and time to push a bit more.

Bruce Martin:

You had to be happy as hell to see those cautions at the end.

Alex Palou:

Oh, man, I was like, “Thank God.” Yeah, honestly, we were a bit lucky today, we have to say that.

Bruce Martin:

And now, let's hear from a hot, tired, and disappointed Josef Newgarden on what could have been a very big day in the points race.

We’re you surprised? I mean, those cautions in the red flag hadn't really turned the race upside down.

Josef Newgarden:

Yeah. I mean-

Bruce Martin:

Because he was going to have to.

Josef Newgarden:

Look, when things are going your way, they're going your way. And I feel like that's sort of the situation we're in this year. You can't control that stuff. So, yeah, just didn't play in our favor as far as how we strategized, but it's impossible to predict these things. So, it played out the way it did.

Bruce Martin:

And 84 points, I mean, how it could have gotten down to 50s if you hadn’t hit at the end, but 84 almost kind of like a wash.

Josef Newgarden:

It is what it is.

Bruce Martin:

But right now, you're kind of in the race. So, that's-

Josef Newgarden:

Yeah, I mean, it is what it is. I mean, you can only do what you can do. Today we had fourth.

Bruce Martin:

And how hot was it?

Josef Newgarden:

It was hot. Really hot. Just typical natural.

Bruce Martin:

Thank you.

Of course, the driver who celebrated the most was race winner Kyle Kirkwood. Here's my exclusive interview with the winner of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix for Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental and Hy-Vee.

Joining us now, on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental and Hy-Vee, you were called The Real Deal after your victory at the Acura Grand Prix in Long Beach by your team owner, Michael Andretti. Well, now you've gotten your second career NTT IndyCar Series victory.

It's Kyle Kirkwood, driver of the AutoNation Honda at Andretti Autosport, the big winner of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on the streets of Nashville. And I got to tell you, it looked like you really had that race under control today.

Kyle Kirkwood:

Yeah, I mean, it was super controlled. And it was controlled mostly from my pit stand to be honest. Brian did a fantastic job. 27 crew was phenomenal in the pits. Engineers gave me a phenomenal car. Honda gave us best fuel economy and power, I think out there.

So, everything was kind of playing in our favor. So, it really fell in control when you kind of control all those aspects. So, yeah, it was a good day for us. It wasn't a ton of hard work for me and that's what I guess made …

Whenever you win a race, you feel like it's easy after you win. But I'd have to say the team made it really easy on me today because of how good everything played out based on their decisions.

Bruce Martin:

I believe you used the term phenomenal today. What was it about the entire day that was so phenomenal?

Kyle Kirkwood:

I mean, the car was perfect, barely had to adjust anything to get everything right. The strategy was perfect. We were on the right strategy. We went as long as possible.

We had to make a split second decision based on a cording tire at one point. And we called that right. Because when I stopped, I looked, I was like, “Yep, that's corded.”

We made all the right decisions today. Everything worked out flawlessly. And we overcame the adversity at the end of the race, so.

Bruce Martin:

You started eighth and ended up leading the most laps in the race with 34. How were you able to get through the field as easily as you did in that first stint to get up to the lead?

Kyle Kirkwood:

We were one of the first cars on primary tires that obviously helped. Later on in the stint, I was able to pass some guys. I actually fell back on the start, then made two positions back within the same lap. Or I guess technically lap two since we crossed the start finish line so quickly.

So, that was good. We got up into seventh really quick, guys were falling off on greens really, really early. So, we picked those guys off, both me and Romain to the point where I think we were running first and second. And we were the first cars on primary tire, so that worked out well for us.

So, yeah, that was the main thing. It's the tire difference in the beginning of the race, I think is what allowed me to get by some of the guys. And then the pit strategy too.

Bruce Martin:

And then once the pit stops cycled through, I believe you said you didn't have to really pass anybody, it just cycled right back into you being in the lead. How do you make that happen?

Kyle Kirkwood:

So, the first stop that we made, we went one of the longest. We went longer than Romain, at least than the guys that were competing against at the time. We went longer than Romain, overcut him. And then we ran into the back of Palou, who was just on a super safe.

And he did a great job saving fuel, keeping us behind him and staying in the lead. But ultimately, he was on a different strategy that obviously worked out for him, given that he finished third. Yeah, so, that's what happened there.

And then the second stop we had to stop early because of the greens falling off, but we had just outright pace to stay in the lead. After Palou stopped, we went long, stopped and came out and we were still in the lead. So, it worked out pretty well.

Bruce Martin:

In your words, you said all the drivers were expecting it to be crashville but for most of the race, it wasn't until the very end, the last 10 laps, when you ended up with a caution period with about 10 to go, and then later another crash on a restart, which caused the red flag to come out.

Was it a situation where you thought, not a matter of if there's going to be a yellow, but when?

Kyle Kirkwood:

Yeah, no doubt. It seemed like for sure things were going way too smooth, especially in that last stint where it was just green for a long period of time. This race in the past has been a lot of crashing.

And last year, I think only 11 or cars finished on the lead lap, and most of those cars were out of the race. So, a lot of people felt like, “Oh, well, if I just circulate, not do anything crazy, then I'm going to get nearly a top 10 finish.”

So, I feel like that was probably the mentality of most people. And that's why you saw maybe some hesitancy and less crashing today.

Bruce Martin:

Quick turnaround next Saturday, it's the Gallagher Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course. A race you could probably win. So, how do you prepare for a race which is just now, six days off?

Kyle Kirkwood:

When you're driving nonstop, you feel pretty prepared. I'll take probably tomorrow off, which is Monday, and then go into the week kind of training preparing for the Speedway.

It's nice because I got an apartment in Indy, and I can just go in and out of the shop and get the proper preparation that I should have leading into the IndyGP where hopefully we've got a really good strong car.

Last year, they were really good in the second race. So, hopefully that translates.

Bruce Martin:

So, if you're taking Monday off, I imagine tonight in Nashville, it's going to be Broadway Avenue beware.

Kyle Kirkwood:

Potentially or maybe somewhere near Colton Herta.

Bruce Martin:

But as far though as being able to celebrate this win, I know your family was here, your girlfriend's here, a lot of friends are here. That's got to really be something that you really love to share with the people that are closest.

Kyle Kirkwood:

No doubt. I had no one with me at Long Beach if I'm being honest. Because everyone's in Florida and it's like, “Oh man, that's a hike to get out to Long Beach.” This one's a lot closer.

And with the success that we've had on street courses, even though we haven't gotten some of the finishes that we deserve, this was a top list for the remaining races for me to win.

So, it was nice to have my parents out. It's nice to have my girlfriend out because we're able to celebrate together.

Bruce Martin:

He lived up to the nickname The Real Deal. Kyle Kirkwood, driver of the No. 27 AutoNation Honda at Andretti Autosport, congratulations for winning the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. And good luck next week at the Gallagher Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

And thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental and Hy-Vee.

Kyle Kirkwood:

Thank you.

Bruce Martin:

We will be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break.

Welcome back to Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental and Hy-Vee.

Prior to the start of the race weekend, IndyCar and officials of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix made a major announcement at Nashville Underground in the city's famed entertainment district on Broadway Avenue.

Beginning in 2024, the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix will become the final race of the season on the NTT IndyCar Series schedule.

Next year's IndyCar champion will be crowned on the streets of Nashville instead of WeatherTech Raceway at Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. That event will remain on the schedule, but will likely be shifted to a date in March, 2024.

Also, a new course will be designed taking it away from its current layout that goes around Nissan Stadium, home of the NFL's Tennessee Titans.

The new course will run down Broadway Avenue in front of the famed bars, restaurants, and honky tonks that have made Nashville one of the greatest destination cities in the United States.

Pit Pass Indy was at the announcement and got the reaction of drivers, Colton Herta, Josef Newgarden, Will Power and Big Machine president and CEO, Scott Borchetta.

First up is Herta, who moved to Nashville seven months ago.

Colton Herta:

I think it looks great. Obviously, it's a bit different. It's a little bit more basic than the course that we have now. But I think it'll prove to be much better with racing and hopefully a lot cleaner. And that's what we want.

And obviously, the big thing coming down Broadway, that's going to be really cool. Mostly for spectators, to have that ability to grab a drink at the bar and hang it on the rooftop and be able to watch an IndyCar race is pretty awesome and kind of unseen from a lot of tracks.

So, yeah, it looks awesome and really cool.

Bruce Martin:

But it's going to actually feel like you're actually racing in Nashville now.

Colton Herta:

Yeah, I mean, I felt like that before. I mean, we're really close to downtown, but to be able to go down Broadway is like the biggest thing. And it's super cool that everybody involved got it done.

Bruce Martin:

Speeds, they got to mention in there that you'll be going over the bridge faster because it'll be a faster entry.

Colton Herta:

Yeah. The only part that's going to be pretty gnarly is going to be turn four now. Going through that little kink right-hander. We've seen what it can do to guys when they bought them out there.

Jimmie Johnson a few years ago, Scott McLaughlin last year. You can have pretty big moments.

So, that's going to make that corner pretty tough because you're going to be entering in six gear quite a bit faster than we were before.

But yeah, we'll have to wait and see. I think it should be a better race overall though, for how it's laid out.

Bruce Martin:

More of a buzz for a championship than what we've had at Laguna.

Colton Herta:

Yeah, it's much better. No offense to Laguna, but the place just didn't have the right feel to it for a championship event. It's still a great track and a great course to have IndyCar at for sure.

But if you really want a huge attention grabber, you have to go to a place like this for a finale. And I think that's pretty simple to say for everybody.

Bruce Martin:

Let's keep it in Nashville with our next guest, this year's Indianapolis 500 winner, Josef Newgarden of Team Penske who lives in nearby Hendersonville, Tennessee.

Josef Newgarden:

Pretty cool, really a big step up as far as the event. And that's amazing because they already really put together a fantastic event from the very beginning with this leadership group, all the partners, the city, the government. Just all the work that went in from our partners as well.

You think about Bridgestone Firestone being so centrally located here in Nashville and now, they've elevated it. I think to run up and down Broadway is sort of a dream case scenario. And the fact that it got done and it's actually happening is something I never thought we would see.

Bruce Martin:

Well, as a kid, you used to have to go to Indianapolis and Newcastle to become a race driver. And now, a lot of the reason why IndyCar is so successful here is partly because of you. How fortunate do you feel that you've had that big a role in maybe helping create a new market?

Josef Newgarden:

Well, it's tremendous to see the growth of Motorsports in Nashville for so many reasons. I like to think that there's been a small interest in my side and certainly running in IndyCar and Indianapolis 500.

But I think there's big automotive love here in this city, whether it's in automotive manufacturing or it's just motor sports in general. There's a lot of people that are interested in the sport and it's only grown over the years. And so, I think it's a really fitting place for IndyCar to be.

They match each other super well. And now, to elevate it even more and bring the race truly downtown on Broadway, it's a dream scenario, I think. It's a place that can be on the calendar for many years to come. And it should be a staple and I think it's considered a staple.

Bruce Martin:

And also, Nashville's a big TV market for Indy cars. They get a lot of the markets, they get some of their highest ratings on the national.

Josef Newgarden:

I think that speaks to the interest in motorsports here. I see it when I talk to people, there's huge interest across the board. And I think it is reflected in the TV ratings. There's people that want to be engaged and this event goes a long way to giving people that opportunity.

Bruce Martin:

Does this have more of a championship feel, a championship vibe to it than say Monterey?

Josef Newgarden:

Oh, definitely. I mean, for me, it's no contest. If you're looking to end the season in a great destination, I don't know how you can beat Nashville.

This is a great part of the country for us and I think it's really accessible to a lot of our fan base and it's going to be a good atmosphere. I mean, no one does it like Nashville does.

And so, I think we can put on a great party and have a really interesting finale where you just don't know what's going to happen.

Bruce Martin:

One of Newgarden's teammates is two-time defending IndyCar Series champion, Will Power. In his free time, Power likes to play the drums and has appeared with several bands throughout his career. Here is Power talking about the shift to Nashville for the championship finale.

What do you think of the new course?

Will Power:

Oh yeah, yeah.

Bruce Martin:

So, you're actually going to be in Nashville?

Will Power:

Yeah. Pretty amazing. Amazing that we get to have a finale here and it's right downtown, which is crazy, right on Broadway. Yeah, certainly a championship would be good to win. They're all good to win, but to have your finale here and win the championship would be really cool.

Bruce Martin:

Nothing against Monterey. It's a nice place to go, but it just doesn't really have that championship buzz, does it?

Will Power:

Yeah, not enough. Yeah, it's not close enough to a big city. I mean, Monterey's awesome, it's got a lot of history there. I'm still going to look forward to racing there.

But here, man, I didn't know about it until I arrived right now. So, yeah, very pleasantly surprised.

Bruce Martin:

And at the speeds now, going over the bridge, it's going to be a faster entry. Is that cool or scary?

Will Power:

On one way, yeah. One direction, it'll be slightly faster I guess. I mean, I think the distances are going to be pretty similar.

Bruce Martin:

You’re a music guy and this is Music City. So, how much do you appreciate what this city means for entertainment?

Will Power:

Oh yeah. No, I'm super excited. Like I said, I already had envisioned winning the championship, go and playing the drums in one of the bars.

Bruce Martin:

Thank you.

Big Machine is the major sponsor of the street race in Nashville, president and CEO Scott Borchetta is also a key partner in the ownership group of the Music City Grand Prix. Here's my exclusive interview with Borchetta for Pit Pass Indy.

Scott Borchetta:

You know what, it was something that Matt talked about. And we're the perfect city for it. So, as soon as he told me, I'm like, “We have to make this happen.”

Bruce Martin:

Yeah, it was in Nashville the first three years, but now, it's really in Nashville. I mean, the heart of Nashville. And how special is that for you?

Scott Borchetta:

Oh, it's great because no offense to the track out in Lebanon, but nobody really got to experience Nashville from IndyCar and come downtown and be part of the parties and everything else because these guys are working, we forget. “Oh, did you get to see this?” Like, “Well, no.”

So, the fact that we're right here and it's not the long drive out to that track and we're a party in a box, plug in a race this weekend and you've got access to the best party city in America.

Bruce Martin:

And how much has it helped to have guys like Justin Marks involved. Because I interviewed him last week and he talked about how important it was for Trackhouse to be part of this.

They're an entertainment brand, which focuses on all kinds of things and he just thought it was a natural part of their portfolio to be involved in something like this.

Scott Borchetta:

Yeah, for sure. And Justin and I have talked a lot about some of the things that he wants to do.

But everything that Big Machine does is entertainment based, whether it's our record company, whether it's our Xfinity NASCAR team, whether it's our IndyCar race here. Everything that we do, it's all connected.

And so, for that kind of branding, it's great pride for everybody to come to Nashville and celebrate all things Big Machine.

Bruce Martin:

What's it going to be like going up and down Broadway?

Scott Borchetta:

Insane. It's going to be insane racing up and down Broadway.

Bruce Martin:

And how do you have a agreement with the Titans and the NFL so that there's not a game that weekend or on those weekends in the future?

Scott Borchetta:

Well, everybody works very hard with their scheduling. That's something that every race series, every sports series, they all work together to try to make sure that we're not stepping on each other.

We very specifically knew that George Strait was playing last weekend. It wasn't a surprise. So, we knew ahead of time the things that we had to deal with and get ahead of.

And I think there's great understanding among the different series and leagues to make sure we're doing the best thing for each individual city. Can't forget we're doing this for our city.

Bruce Martin:

One other thing, Justin's going to have that Project 91 back at the Brickyard with Shane van Gisbergen and he’s become like a hot commodity.

Scott Borchetta:

He was so impressive in Chicago. As road racers, we're all watching him and his braking and rolling speed, that's where he destroyed everybody else.

He was so spot on with his braking and carried so much speed through the corners that he showed our NASCAR best of the best how he gets it done. He was impressive.

Bruce Martin:

We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break.

Welcome back to Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental and Hy-Vee.

Last weekend's big race at Nashville was in the rear-view mirror. Let's head up Interstate 65 for the four hour drive to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for this weekend's big IndyCar NASCAR quadruple header that includes Saturday's Gallagher Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course.

The Indy NXT Series will compete on the road course on Friday. The NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 150 is Saturday, late afternoon. On Sunday, it's the big NASCAR Cup Series race on the IMS Road course, the Verizon 200.

Team Penske Scott McLaughlin is one of the leading contenders for this weekend's glory at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the IndyCar Series. Mclaughlin joins me for this exclusive interview for Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental and Hy-Vee.

Joining us now, on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental is Team Penske Driver Scott McLaughlin.

Scott, we're heading to the Gallagher Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. You're going to be reunited with one of your buddies who's going to drive in the NASCAR Cup Series race. Shane Van Gisbergen became the first driver in 60 years to win his first ever NASCAR Cup Series start at the Chicago Street race.

You're not going to be racing against him, but it's going to be the same weekend. And I know you and him have spent many years racing against each other. How thrilled were you to see him win that race?

Scott McLaughlin:

Oh, it was awesome. I think it's just awesome from a perspective of just being a friend and seeing him knowing how hard he works and seeing him succeed was pretty special.

And I guess in some ways you look back three years ago, we were banging doors in Supercars in Australia. Not many people knew really who we were and what we did. And now, we've both ended up winning in America.

And I think that's what's really cool. That was what was kind of emotional for me. And yeah, I was really proud of him.

Bruce Martin:

The reaction that you had after he won, you were chronicling it on your social media, was almost like New Zealand had won the World Cup.

Scott McLaughlin:

Yeah. Well, it was a big moment. I might had a couple beers too, so I was a little lightheaded. The media team don't like that too much, but I had a lot of fun. I enjoy my social media. I enjoy like sharing with the fans a lot.

And I think people got a kick out of it, but that was just my emotions at the time. It was crazy. It was just an amazing …

He had an opportunity to win that race and he went out and got it. And that's what was really cool to watch. It was just a good race. He just passed when he needed to pass and got it done.

And that was the Shane I know. Like Shane is just a tenacious racer, someone that studies a lot and works hard. And for him to do it, like it was really cool to see.

Bruce Martin:

Was it a matter of the emotion from your friendship for Shane or New Zealand pride?

Scott McLaughlin:

A bit of both. Yeah, a bit of both. I think New Zealand punches above its weight and it's really cool that you look at it, we've got three Kiwis this week in IndyCar who could win the race here, which is really cool.

I mean, Scott Dixon won last year and he's a legend of the sport here in IndyCar. And then you've got Shane and like Brodie's going over next week. Brodie Kostecki, he's another supercar racer that I never raced against, but I know of him quite well.

So, it's wicked to see and we definitely punch above our weight for it down under.

Bruce Martin:

I know a lot of people would love to see Scott McLaughlin drive an NASCAR Cup Series car, whether it be for Team Penske or if you got the opportunity to drive for another team. I know that's difficult because of your contract situation.

But those cars seem to be much more similar to what you drove in supercars than what you're driving in IndyCar.

Scott McLaughlin:

Yeah, no, I think the current NASCAR is very similar to what I drove in Australia, just a bit heavier. And Shane's told me that as well.

I think all things in good time. I'm working on pretty hard here in the IndyCar, but like I think every opportunity I've been given by the captain in TC has been good and great for me for my career. So, just trust the process and let it ride.

Bruce Martin:

Has it ever come up in conversation?

Scott McLaughlin:

Oh yeah. I mean, Mid-Ohio, I was joking with Roger. I was like, “Put me in, Coach. Like let me have a go.” And like I said, trust the process. They know my intentions, they know what I want to do. I'm very happy in IndyCar, I don't want to change. I would love to have a crack. So, would everyone like else.

But Roger, Josef, and Will, we've all asked. But ultimately, they want to give me the right opportunity too. And they've actively said that they want to be better on road courses and get their cars better and to give me the right opportunity.

And I think I appreciate that and maybe one day. Never say never, but it might not happen either. I don't know. Like I said, I'm very content if it does happen or it doesn't happen, I don't really care.

Bruce Martin:

Justin Marks the owner of Trackhouse said that Scott McLaughlin was the driver he had in mind when he created Project 91. How well do you know Justin and also, how much have you spoken with Justin?

I know you couldn't really take that ride because you drive for Team Penske. But what's your relationship like and what do you think of what he's doing with Project 91, giving international drivers a chance to drive and experience NASCAR Cup?

Scott McLaughlin:

I think I have a lot of respect for Justin, what he's done with everything. I think he's revolutionizing the way that NASCAR is looked at by the world and how it's marketed.

But yeah, Justin was in contact with me a couple years ago. I can't remember how long ago. And obviously I couldn't do it for various reasons, but I was flattered to have the opportunity because Kimi Raikkonen has been in that car. Now, Shane Gisbergen has been in that car.

I think it's a great opportunity for NASCAR to see different talent and they obviously run a very good show. Like it's not just a car, just because they could, it's a proper car that can win races.

And so, I was texting during the weekend before with Shane. I was like, “You got a wheel, man. Like I can't wait to see how this goes.” And we were chatting throughout and very happy for how that's going.

Ultimately, like I said, I couldn't be a part of it, but that's fine. I've got a great situation that I'm in right now, very happy for how it's going for them and honestly wish them all the best.

Bruce Martin:

Did you really think he was going to win at Chicago though?

Scott McLaughlin:

Yes, I did. I thought he would have a good chance. I think that was his best chance if he was going to win in his first time.

First time everyone had been on a street circuit, he'd been driving them for 15 years. It potentially could rain. He's very good in the rain. He knows those cars very well. It was just a perfect storm.

But at the end of the day, you've got to take that opportunity. And Shane did. And like I said, I was super happy for him.

Now, I think going to Indy, I think it's going to be difficult. I think he's going to have a lot of pressure on himself, a lot of pressure from the outside sources and he's going to have a little target on his back from the NASCAR drivers.

I'm sure they're going to use him up and whatnot. We know how they play. And there's a lot of people trying to get in that cut line for the chase.

So, I think he'll be fast, but ultimately, I think this one will be a harder one to win. But if he does win, it's going to put a absolute full stop on Shane being here in the States.

Bruce Martin:

Now, switching back to IndyCar, that's also, going to be an important race weekend for IndyCar, the Gallagher Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course. There's some drivers that really need to either score some race victories or try to close the gap on Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing.

Do you see that race becoming very pivotal because after that race there's only going to be three races left in the season?

Scott McLaughlin:

Yeah, I think that race is pivotal because we know how fast Alex is at the Indy Road course. So, if he does have a bad race there and someone does end up winning, hopefully myself, the Gallagher Grand Prix in the Gallagher car, that would be big.

So, I think the jury's out for me until the very last race, or at least leading up to Portland because like we know, Nashville anything can happen, Indy anything can happen. And then you've got a number of races after that. It's just IndyCar, you can't trust it. You can't trust it.

And people are going to be going crazy. People are going to be more aggressive.

So, and at the end of the day, Alex has created a target on his back because he is been so good. And I have so much respect for that. And yeah, I'm certainly one of those people that have got a lot less to lose than he does. So, I'm very excited to head there and have a crack.

Bruce Martin:

Last week they announced a new course layout and a new race date for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. It's going to be the IndyCar Series season finale where they will crown the champion beginning in 2024.

A new course that's going to go down Broadway, past all the honky tonks, and all the bars, and all the restaurants through the Nashville Business District.

What do you think of the new layout and what do you think of Nashville being the city that's going to celebrate the IndyCar Championship?

Scott McLaughlin:

Look, I remember when the Detroit layout come out and it was a very similar kind of feel and everyone was like, “Oh, that's pretty boring. I feel like they could have made something of that.” And then when we got there, everyone was like, “Oh, it's too technical, it's too tight, it's too whatever.”

Well, this is I think it has got the same feel. I'm very excited for this. I think what a place to finish off the year. Certainly, if I win the championship here, I'm going to have an absolute blast on Broadway and like it's going to be an absolute ball tear of a weekend.

And I think being able to have this opportunity with it, the city itself really wants IndyCar. I think we should be all very happy of that. Like that made it work it. This race was very close to not being a part of anything because of the stadium thing and that would've sucked.

But for them to build it and we're still racing across the bridge. We're racing down even more iconic streets in Nashville. It's awesome. And I'm super pumped and every time we come here, I love it.

Bruce Martin:

Does the entertainment district of Nashville remind you more of Bourbon Street in New Orleans or the strip in Las Vegas?

Scott McLaughlin:

Well, I can't talk because I haven't been to New Orleans, but I think it gives you the vibes at the strip the lights and how they close the streets and stuff like that. I can't imagine it right now, what it's going to look like when we're driving past there. I really can't.

But I think it's going to be wicked, it's going to be great viewing, great for IndyCar, great for Nashville. I’m super pumped.

Bruce Martin:

Scott Borchetta of Big Machine Records, one of the owners of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix and a racer himself has called Nashville the Monaco of the South.

Do you believe that's a fitting title now, that there's going to be a Grand Prix that's not only going to be in Nashville through the streets of downtown Nashville, but actually going to be a gym of a race in terms of what it means on the schedule?

Scott McLaughlin:

Well, the difference between us and Monaco will be actually able to pass. So, I'm not really stressed. I don't think we should call it that at all. And Nashville is just its own unique type of city.

The one thing that's really cool, I've seen, like the streets look really wide too. I think there's going to be so many like opportunities to battle, but then you're going to be going past bars for sure. That's probably going to have like a party feel for sure.

I don't think that's a good comparison. I think we can make this even better and it's something that I'm really excited to be a part of.

Bruce Martin:

They call Nashville Music City. How much of American country music do you hear in New Zealand?

Scott McLaughlin:

Not a huge amount, but it's now, I've lived in North Carolina for three years. I've heard my fair share and I know a few of the artists.

So, look, it's going to be a great time of the year. September it's going to be cooler. Like that's really exciting. And I think hopefully we have a lot of the country stars and music stars out here, which would be awesome.

Bruce Martin:

Who are some of your favorites?

Scott McLaughlin:

I like Cody Jinks, Zach Bryan, a guy named Russell Dickerson, Whiskey Myers, like all the … yeah, there's some really good … yeah, big fans.

Bruce Martin:

Year three of IndyCar. How would you assess your efforts?

Scott McLaughlin:

It's been good. I think it's been up and down. I think we've had pace every weekend, which is all we can ask for. But we'd ultimately, like to be more consistent and that's probably what's hurt us in the overall championship.

But we set fifth in the championship with one win. I'd love to get another couple wins before the end of the year and yeah, hopefully we can do that at the Gallagher Grand Prix.

Bruce Martin:

Team Penske's done very well at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course. Will Power and prior to that, Simon Pagenaud were the career victory leaders on that course. What is it that this team is able to do there better than everybody else?

Scott McLaughlin:

Well, the last couple of races there, we haven't been strong enough on our accord. So, we are going there with completely different setup philosophy and I think we're excited by that from what we've learned.

But I think they've hit the nail on the head, but everyone's caught up. So, we need to find a different way to separate ourselves again and get back to those days in 2017, 2018, 2019, where we were winning quite easily on those courses and being up the front.

So, ultimately, we'll keep working here and hopefully it pays off.

Bruce Martin:

How important do you think it is that IndyCar and NASCAR share a weekend together and continue that into the future?

Scott McLaughlin:

I think it's good for both parties. I don't think it needs to be one a thing that happens all the time. It doesn't have to happen, is what I'm saying. But I think when it comes together, I think what they've done and leveraged it is really, really cool from both sides.

Ultimately, I think that would be awesome to race with them on like an oval weekend. That'd be cool. I think there's a lot of chances where we could grow the sport of motorsport for both parties. Being able to race together on different events would be really cool.

But I mean, I would love to go back and race at Watkins Glen, but they race on the cup course not the boot, which we would race on. So, there's so many opportunities that we could do, but they certainly leverage it really well.

Bruce Martin:

IndyCar may return to the Milwaukee Mile, which is a very historic oval. It's got a lot of history in IndyCar going. In fact it's the oldest major racetrack in the United States. It opened in 1903.

But to be able to go back to Milwaukee with its history and the fact that it would give one more oval to the schedule, how important would that be from your point of view?

Scott McLaughlin:

Well, from a personal point of view, we're very good on short oval, so I would welcome it with open arms, but I think we've got a great market there. Milwaukee, Road America, that we always have massive crowds go out there.

I think adding another oval is welcome. Like I think all the drivers want more ovals. I think we have a lot of fun on them, and obviously that's DNA of IndyCar racing as well, our diverse nature.

So, I'm super, super excited to hopefully be back there. If it doesn't pay off, I know there's been a lot of hard work on into it to try and make it happen, but like ultimately more short ovals, more ovals would be great.

Bruce Martin:

There's also been discussion of a postseason non championship race internationally, whether it be Argentina or a lot of people would like to go back to Australia at Surfers Paradise.

But what do you think a non-point race after the season? What are your thoughts on that?

Scott McLaughlin:

Well, I guess that it just has to be financially good for the teams and the series itself, because ultimately there's a lot of money to go over there.

But I think there's a lot of thirst out there for the IndyCar Series outside of America. America's our DNA, America's where we're from. And we will never lose that.

But to extend ourselves to places I've heard of Mexico or Argentina, maybe Australia, I don't think we'd ever go back to Surfers Paradise but having the opportunity to race at these different spots.

I know for a fact Australia would be crazy. During the week, I had a chat with some Argentina fans and they're nuts. Like they love our sport, they love drivers, they praise them like crazy. Like Canapino is one of the most celebrated sports stars over there.

To go there and experience different cultures would be really cool. But like I said, other teams will make the right decision. If we're not racing for points, it needs to be some financially stable for us to go across.

Bruce Martin:

Monterey, California is going to remain on the schedule. It's not going to be the final race of the season and it's probably going to be moved to March, although none of that is official.

But how would you feel about having that race earlier in the year, March? At least it's not going to be 110 degrees like it was last year.

Scott McLaughlin:

Yeah, no, I think like moving Nashville to September, it's going to be cool attempts. And I think it's not just us that we've got to talk about, like drivers, I think it's fans as well. And I think we'll have more people go out.

It's a big deal trying to get these schedules together and I'd hate to do the job. I think Bud Denker, Mark Miles, Roger do a fantastic job at sorting this out.

But yeah, look, I welcome any change that improves the comfort in our race cars in terms of temps.

Bruce Martin:

And we also, know you're the best golfer in the IndyCar Paddock.

Scott McLaughlin:

Oh God, don't tell Rahal that.

Bruce Martin:

Where have you played lately and are you going to get in a few rounds at the Brickyard Crossing?

Scott McLaughlin:

Oh, I always get a few rounds, you know that, Bruce. But I don't know, where have I played lately? I went to Vermont for a wedding. I played up in Jay Peak, which is a pretty cool spot. Real close to Canada there.

But I've had a lot of good opportunities come play out here in Nashville. I'm trying to get on Troubadour as well when we're there. Yeah, look, I count myself very lucky, the amount of places I've played.

But I'm planning a massive West Coast trip when I'm there, going to play TPC Harding Park. I'm working my butt off to try and get on Cyprus, so we'll see.

Bruce Martin:

What are some of the golf courses in Charlotte that you've been able to play? Have you played the course where the PGA tour event is at?

Scott McLaughlin:

Yeah, I played at Quail Hollow. And I actually played there with a friend of mine, Jimmie Johnson. You may have heard of him. So, he's a good guy.

And who else, where else I played with? I played down in Pinehurst, like right down South Carolina there. But I'm very lucky the amount of people that I know and the people that can take me on to some amazing golf courses.

Bruce Martin:

What do you think of Quail Hollow, because after all, it is a PGA tour event?

Scott McLaughlin:

That’s tough. It's a beautiful place. You can see why the PGA loves it and yeah, I had a blast out there when I was with Jimmie.

Bruce Martin:

And also, I believe you're now a homeowner.

Scott McLaughlin:

Yes. I'm in debt.

Bruce Martin:

What's it like now, that you're putting down stakes in the United States, long term? You're a homeowner, which means those property taxes are going to go up.

But also, what's it just like now having a place that you and your wife and family can call your own?

Scott McLaughlin:

Well, my wife's from New York, so I looked at property taxes there, and there ain't no way we're moving there.

So, being in Charlotte's nice, being close to the team, but having a place to call our own. And I'm in the garden every week and doing my sprinklers and getting them right, making sure my grass is mint. I love all that and had missed that a lot. So, it's certainly a lot of fun.

Bruce Martin:

What’s your specialty in the garden?

Scott McLaughlin:

Oh, just getting those sprinklers tuned up. You should see my sprinkler system. It's unreal. It's on a timer, comes on 5:00 AM every morning, looking after the grass and then fertilizing.

We've got a few plans we want to do in the backyard with like a patio and a few things for the barbecues and fireplace and whatnot. Pizza oven, I'm working on that right now, Bruce.

Yeah, but that's the thing with having a house now, is like unlimited opportunities to do whatever you want to your house. So, I've got a wicked spot for watching football this off season.

I'm sure David Hovis, a King Panthers fan will come over and watch with me. But we're going to have a lot of fun.

Bruce Martin:

Race driver doesn't like to be in traffic, so how do you handle Charlotte traffic when you got to get up to Mooresville to the team shop?

Scott McLaughlin:

There’s these express lanes that no one uses, so I go on those. But the traffic's not great, but I pick my times when to go. I make a more of a deliberate effort to get to the shop now. I train up there near Cornelius, so I'm up there every day.

But I think it's been a lot better for my mental health not to go on every day to the workshop and just enjoy it when I can and go there for a reason rather than annoying the guys and girls there all the time. So, I think they enjoy that too.

Bruce Martin:

Well, he is a new homeowner, and he is one of the best drivers in the NTT IndyCar Series, Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske. Good luck the rest of the season and thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Scott McLaughlin:

Thank you, Bruce. Always a pleasure.

Bruce Martin:

We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break.

Welcome back to this week's Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental and Hy-Vee.

Cara Krstolic is the director Bridgestone Race Tire Engineering and Production, and the chief engineer of the IndyCar Program. Bridgestone Americas corporate headquarters, is located in the heart of the business district in Downtown Nashville.

Krstolic sat down with Pit Pass Indy for this exclusive in-depth interview that explains a variety of topics.

Joining us now, on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental and Hy-Vee is Cara Krstolic, the director of Race Engineering and Tire Development at Bridgestone Americas, which is the Firestone brand.

Important weekend this past weekend at Nashville. It was the one-year anniversary of when the guayule compound tire was used as the alternate tire in IndyCar competition.

To our listeners, explain why that is such an important step towards sustainability.

Cara Krstolic:

Yeah. Ao, at Bridgestone we have some pretty amazing sustainability targets. When I first heard about the fact that we were going to have 100% renewable materials in our tires by 2050, my first question was, “But not race tires, right?”

We have been working on different areas of sustainability within the IndyCar tire development and one area we've been working on for about 10 years just along the Firestone IndyCar program was this guayule shrub.

And now, what is guayule? It's a small desert shrub that grows in the United States. So, it grows in areas like Arizona, other areas.

It's really, really a resilient shrub. It can grow in areas where you can't grow cotton or alfalfa. It takes about 50% of the water. So, it's a pretty great little shrub and it's a domestic source.

Bruce Martin:

Now, what was the previous rubber process?

Cara Krstolic:

So, right now, the rest of our rubber and all of the road courses, the ovals, and even the Firestone primary tires that we have here at Nashville, those all come from the Hevea tree.

So, Hevea brasiliensis. It's where if you get rubber surgical gloves, it all comes from that same area.

So, we have this one single source and if something were to happen to that single source, we wouldn't be able to have surgical gloves, other things, something like a blight.

There's lots of things that have actually happened to these trees. So, it's a backup source and it's also domestic. It's not coming from Southeast Asia anymore.

Bruce Martin:

In addition to the guayule tires, I believe Firestone also, uses some electric vehicles to transport tires to and from certain race venues. If you could explain that project.

Cara Krstolic:

Yeah. We've been working really closely with IndyCar about how we can improve sustainability, so not just in the tire. You think the guayule at Indianapolis 500, we used a sustainable monomer that was sourced from recycled plastic bags.

And here going through looking at all of the different aspects of the tire, not just how it's made but how transportation happens. We were able to work with Penske and Indianapolis Motor Speedway to take our tires to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on electric trucks.

So, it's been something that we started working with Penske last year and we transported the tires for the last year's event. And now, we're working on this year's event.

Bruce Martin:

How much has the primary and alternate tire strategies really improved the game of IndyCar racing?

Cara Krstolic:

So, this is something that we started way back in the Champ car era under the Bridgestone name where we had a primary tire that was intended to be nice, durable, consistent, not very much drop off over a stent, and then an alternate car tire that comes in that is faster initially, but then has a lot of drop off.

And really maintaining that difference in a different compound helps mix up the racing a bit. It's usually faster in qualifying to run the alternate tires, but when you get to the race, you have some different strategies.

I don't think from the amount of time that I've been here, there have been too many times where everybody's on the same tire strategy.

So, it adds some interest in racing, it adds some pasting opportunities that might not have been there.

And if you can get the alternate tire right and if you can get it to completely drop off before the end of a race stent, it's going to force people able to come in early. It's going to force really a lot of mixed up field.

Bruce Martin:

And also, this year at the Indianapolis 500, you were very proud of the fact that it was the fastest pole speed ever by an American produced tire that the previous records were done by tires that were made in Japan.

Cara Krstolic:

Yeah, that's correct.

Bruce Martin:

So, if you could explain how that tire process is and really how far away are we from possibly maybe seeing Arie Luyendykran nearly 30 year record fall?

Cara Krstolic:

We were really excited watching qualifying just looking at the race speeds. And I think a few changes in the car, and we can even do a couple things with the tires.

Our engineers have been scheming what if we have a qualifying tire? These are different things that we can do to get to those speeds and to help IndyCar get to those speeds.

So, a little bit faster on the qualifying trim, a little bit faster engine. We get the hybrids in, get more power. There are some really exciting things and I think it's definitely within our reach.

You should see the excitement on our oval engineer Dan Bishop's face when we got close to those records. It's something that really motivates all of us.

Bruce Martin:

And what has the reaction been from Roger Penske and Jay Frye to the possibility of being able to achieve a new track record?

Cara Krstolic:

I haven't talked to them directly about it since the 500, but I am sure it's something that they would be very excited about.

Bruce Martin:

Well, you know that the fans at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway loves it and you're all about technology but also safety.

And when Arie Luyendykran his record lapse of near 237 miles an hour back in 1996, you had concrete walls. You didn't have Hans Devices. You didn't have a lot of the safety enhancements that have come into sport.

Now, you have safer barriers, you have a safer car. Do you believe the time is right to maybe remove some of the shackles?

Cara Krstolic:

For us, it would be exciting. At the end of the day, this is IndyCar's call, but we would be all in. I think that's something just to be able to hear those iconic, “It's a new track record.” All of us would love to hear that.

Bruce Martin:

Now getting back to guayule, do you find one of the hardest things in the IndyCar community, we're so used to saying blacks and reds. Now, we have to say blacks and greens.

Cara Krstolic:

Yeah, we're just confusing everybody, blacks and greens. And then having everybody be able to pronounce guayule. We started with Leigh Diffey and we were trying to tell them, “Okay, it's y-you-lee.” And then I think after that everybody got it.

So, yeah, blacks and greens and, and blacks and reds. It's really the same. The red is the same as the green. The only difference is that natural rubber that's in the sidewalk compound.

Bruce Martin:

And how proud are you that the performance level of the guayule tires is basically the same as the reds?

Cara Krstolic:

Yeah. When we developed them, we spent a lot of time developing the compound, making sure we knew exactly how to process it to make it exactly the same on the outside.

We were able to take it and we actually did some testing on primary tires because we didn't want to give anybody an advantage by testing on alternate tires.

So, we built the green tires but with a regular primary tread and we tested it right alongside and the drivers didn't notice any difference.

And I think the best compliment we could get was when somebody said, “Josef Newgarden tell us about how these green tires were last year here at Nashville.” That he said, “Yeah, they were the same.”

Bruce Martin:

And how far away are we from maybe seeing more of the primary and alternate strategies used, maybe even on super speedways? I know you've moved to short ovals.

Cara Krstolic:

Yes.

Bruce Martin:

But to maybe take that and go to a super speedway.

Cara Krstolic:

So, I think that's a great question, Bruce. And I think one of the important things is we learn from what we do. Like we did with guayule, we tried it at one street course last year.

We had all the confidence in the world it was going to work because we had tested it, we knew, but we wanted to start with one event. And now, we're at five events.

And if you think of about something like an alternate tire for an oval. Back in the day we had option tires, we had different staggers teams could use. But we haven't done that in quite some time.

It is the process of designing a tire and the right compounds to be able to be successful at a track is a quite an interesting process. I mean, you have to be able to be there on a day that's 50 degrees or 100 degrees and the tire performance has to be the same.

So, you have to have a compound that can manage all of the different conditions. What if it's now bumpier? What if we have a new hybrid and it's going a lot faster? So, there's a lot of variables you need to account for.

So, to be able to design two compounds that are different enough, because if we come with an option tire, an alternate tire. And it's exactly the same as primary, it's not going to be interesting.

We've learned from what other series have done and tried to make sure that we have a significant gap.

So, we tried at a short oval, especially one that is historically difficult to pass at. And then we learn from that we'll go back and look and retune, and decide what we want to go forward, and what we want to do this next year and then would we see it at ovals.

I don't think that we would see it someplace like Indy. It's such a historic, iconic event. I don't think that you want to mess with it. But if there are tracks that we're having difficulty getting passing and we need to provide interest for the race fan to stay more engaged, we'll definitely look at it.

Bruce Martin:

Your number one goal and objective is to provide a safe tire, but from a competition standpoint, you also, want one that degrades over the course of its run for the competition aspect.

So, how delicate is that tightrope when it comes to designing and creating a tire that does both?

Cara Krstolic:

So, I'm going to say not at all because the safety is always number one and there's not anything that we're going to do that's going to push those boundaries of safety.

However, having a tire that has a lot of dropoff or too much dropoff, there's definitely a delicate tightrope that you have to walk there because you want to have something that goes off enough and even before the end of a race stent on some certain tracks.

I mean, you look at Iowa a few weeks back, we had a tire that had a lot of dropoff, a lot of degradation. There was a lot of difference between the leaders on a brand-new set of tires and then the people in the back of the pack.

So, trying to find that balance of what promotes passing but it doesn't end up with cars that are so slow that you end up having really high closing speeds.

So, there is a delicate balance in what we try to make sure that we're able to accomplish there.

Bruce Martin:

Bridgestone Americas corporate headquarters is in Nashville. How important is the Music City Grand Prix to the brand?

Cara Krstolic:

Yeah. This Music City Grand Prix has been amazing for Bridgestone. If you go up in the Bridgestone Tire where you can actually look down and see much of the racetrack from up there.

And even next year, with the new course that we're going to be seeing, you can see a lot of that racetrack from Broadway all the way through over the bridge.

So, it's great. We have a lot of teammates from here. Of course our engineers are over in Akron, Ohio, which is maybe a little closer to Mid-Ohio. But all of our teammates here, we get a lot of people out coming to the racetrack, really seeing what our product does in action.

And it's great you have that emotion from the Bridgestone brand. They can come out and they can say, “Alright, I work for Bridgestone and Firestone and here's our product. And it's something that we're really proud of.”

Bruce Martin:

And for anybody that wants to the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, who may have gone by the Bridgestone Americas building, they see a big picture along the side of the building of Cara.

And how taken back were you to see yourself in that big of a photo and also, the fact that you're a source of pride for the entire company, what you do?

Cara Krstolic:

I think somebody must have told me at some point along the way that we were going to have some branding up on the building and there might be a picture of me. I had no idea I was going to be a 30-foot-high mural on the side.

I came in on setup day on the Thursday of that race weekend and somebody came up to me, they said, “You're on a building.” I said, “What do you mean I'm on a building?” And he showed me a picture of. “Send me that.”

And so, I went to the Bridgestone Tower afterwards and I found it and I took some pictures, and it was really funny to me to see that, but I was a little taken aback.

Normally, I might have been embarrassed by something like that, but I ended up looking at it and I thought, “Alright, I have a very serious look on my face. I'm actually working. This is not a pose picture.”

So, I thought it was pretty cool. It was something that was taken at St. Pete earlier that year.

Bruce Martin:

But the Firestone Racing Program, especially in IndyCar, is a perfect example of diversity in the fact that the director of Motorsports is Lisa Boggs. You are the head of engineering, you have a lot of diversity on your staff.

How important is that in 2023 that a company such as Bridgestone Americas is doing that?

Cara Krstolic:

We have an awesome team. From the Motorsports marketing team, communications. Our engineering team is awesome. And the one thing that Bridgestone has always done very well is promoting the right person for the right job.

So, before me, you had Page Mader and Dale Harrigle, and both of them were very invested in the success of my career. They had always introduced me as somebody who was a bright engineer, somebody who was going to go places. Told people that they needed to listen to what I had to say.

So, they were really key in the development of my career. And Bridgestone's always, “Who is the best person for the role?”

And so, when the chief engineer role came open, there were a couple people that might've been qualified to do it, but we went through the interview and I was the one that had the interest and the background and the passion for it.

So, they're always going to promote the best person regardless of who it is. And it just happened to be, and it's very cool that both Lisa and I are in director roles.

Bruce Martin:

In 2017, I had an interview with you because it was the 15th anniversary (well, actually it was the 10th anniversary, I'm sorry) of when you did your first IndyCar race at Portland in 2007. And you had a funny story about the uniform, if you could recall that story for us.

Cara Krstolic:

Oh, yes. So, the uniforms were all men's uniforms. So, I tried to put it on, and it was just, no matter what size I got, it was billowing in it. And I actually went to my mom, and I was like, “Is there any way, like … I know we only have a couple weeks, but can you help me put darts in this to make it a little less ridiculous looking?”

So, she was really sweet, and she took the time to help me. I think she actually did most of the work, but we went through it and made a uniform shirt that worked a little bit better for me.

Bruce Martin:

Well, how did you get that rollback in 2007? Because that was a little unique back then. You see a lot of female engineers on IndyCar Series teams now, you didn't quite necessarily see that back in 2007.

Cara Krstolic:

Yeah. So, how I got that role, Bruce, I was a pain in the butt. I found Page Mader, I knew he led the racing team and I said, “Hey, my name is Cara. I love motorsports. I did Formula C in college. I have a background. I took some vehicle dynamics and I just wanted to figure out what the best kind of engineer would be.”

And he said, “Nobody's really talked about that with me. And he asked what could we do to be able to …” Or I asked what kind of skills and traits the perfect engineer would have. And he told me somebody has strong background in vehicle dynamics. And he told me a few other things.

So, I actually went out and bought textbooks, I studied, so when that race engineer opening came available, it's like I had to answer key.

So, it was great. I went in, they were able to hire me right away because I had all the things that they were missing in the team. So, that was a really great transition. And it's been great.

When I started, there was an engineer that was a mechanical engineer for Firestone, [01:00:28] Pam O'Connor that had been there before me. And there had been other women engineers that had been from time to time on timing stands.

Some female mechanics, Anna Chatin has been around longer than I have. So, there's a lot of like here and there. And Anna was part-time at the time. But I was looking around where are all the other women in Motorsports.

But now, you have Kate and Danielle, and Angela, and Gracie, all of the other mechanics that are starting to pop up. And it's really good because you see young engineer or young girls at the racetrack.

In fact, one came up to me in Nashville last year and eyes were just so big. It's like, “You're the engineer and you're running all these things.”

So, it's good. Hopefully young girls can see this and see the Angelas of the world and say, “I want to do that when I grow up.”

Bruce Martin:

She not only leads the race engineering program for Firestone, especially in IndyCar, but she's also, the cover of the Bridgestone Americas building in downtown Nashville. Cara Krstolic, congratulations on the great success that the Firestone brand has had with IndyCar dating all the way back to-

Cara Krstolic:

1911.

Bruce Martin:

1911, the very first Indianapolis 500. Good luck the rest of the NTT IndyCar Series season. And thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental and Hy-Vee.

Cara Krstolic:

Thanks for having me, Bruce.

[Music Playing]

Bruce Martin:

And that puts a checkered flag on this edition of Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental and Hy-Vee.

We want to thank our guests, Big Machine Music City Grand Prix race winner, Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Autosport; IndyCar Championship leader, Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing; Team Penske's Josef Newgarden, Will Power, and Scott McLaughlin.

Also, Colton Herta of Andretti Autosport; Big Machine president and CEO, Scott Borchetta; and Cara Krstolic of Firestone for joining us on today's podcast.

Along with loyal listeners like you, our guests help make Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental and Hy-Vee your path to victory lane for all things IndyCar.

And because of our guest and listeners, Pit Pass Indy presented by Hy-Vee is proud to be the winner of The Best Podcast by the National Motorsports Press Association.

And for all of your shopping needs, be sure to visit your local Hy-Vee, where there's a helpful smile in every aisle. For more IndyCar coverage, follow me at Twitter @BruceMartin (one-word, uppercase B, uppercase M) _500.

This has been a production of Evergreen Podcasts. A special thanks to our production team. Executive producers are Brigid Coyne and Gerardo Orlando. Recordings and edits were done by me, Bruce Martin and final mixing was done by Dave Douglas. Learn more at evergreenpodcasts.com.

Until next time, be sure to keep it out of the wall.