Indy 500 Open Test Recap with Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden and Will Power as well as Arrow McLaren’s Alexander Rossi and Pato O’Ward and Meyer Shank Racing’s Helio Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud

Speakers: Bruce Martin, Will Power, Josef Newgarden, Alexander Rossi, Pato O’Ward, Helio Castroneves & Simon Pagenaud

Will Power:

This is Will Power of Team Penske, and you are listening to Pit Pass Indy, presented by Penske TruckRental.

[Music Playing]

Bruce Martin:

IndyCar fans, it's time to search 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, Auto Week 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. We are proud and honored to bring Penske Truck Rental to the show as the presenting sponsor of Pit Pass Indy. We will continue to cover the entire NTT IndyCar Series community, and our new partners at Penske Truck Rental will help us tell those stories.

The sound of 33 Indy cars racing around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway could be heard on Thursday, April 20th as IndyCar held its annual Indy 500 open test. It was originally scheduled as a two-day test session, but with steady rain and much colder temperatures closing in on the Indianapolis area for Friday, IndyCar officials quickly pivoted to add additional time to the Thursday test schedule.

It began one hour earlier at 10:00 AM Eastern time and ended 30 minutes later at 6:30 PM Eastern Time. That gave the 33 teams that participated in the test more than enough time to run down their checklist and log laps around the 2.5 mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval in preparations for the 107th Indianapolis 500 on May 28th.

A combination of aerodynamic changes to the underside of the Indy cars combined with a change to the rear wing angle created more drag and more frontal down force on the high-speed racing machines.

The result will be the ability for cars to close up quicker and closer to each other and create more passing opportunities in the 107th Indianapolis 500, on Memorial Day weekend. There are 34 car driver combinations entered for the 33 cars starting lineup for the world's biggest race, that is the largest single day spectator sporting event in the world.

In Thursday's test session, 33 car drivers were on track. The 34th entry is R.C. Enerson of Abel Motorsports, who will return to go through the rookie orientation program, when practice for this year's Indy 500 begins on Tuesday, May 16th.

Because of the extra track time, most of the teams were able to complete their test plan on Thursday, realizing that Friday was going to be a washout. A total of 3,517 total laps were completed. That included one session for the veterans only in the morning, one session for the Rookie Orientation Program and for refresher laps. And a final session for all drivers that lasted four hours and 15 minutes.

IndyCar officials led by director of Aerodynamics, Tino Belli, came up with a complicated combination of strikes, barge boards, gurney flaps, also known as wickers and other tweaks to create a balanced approach to additional down force.

Josef Newgarden of Team Penske had the fastest speed in the test at 227.686 miles an hour in the number two Shell Chevrolet, in a very busy session where he completed 115 laps. It was 86 degrees and sunny on Thursday. The following day was raining with a temperature in the 40s.

I caught up with Newgarden during the midday break for this exclusive interview for Pit Pass Indy, presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Joining us now on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental is Team Penske star, Josef Newgarden, a two-time NTT IndyCar Series Champion.

Josef, we’re at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at the annual Indy 500 open test. How important is this test to prepare the team when you return in May?

Josef Newgarden:

Well, it’s definitely a very important test. Anytime we get around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is important, and you've got to make the most of it. And so, for us, this is a glimpse into next month. We're not quite there, but we're very close and there's a lot of new pieces to go through.

We've got to figure out all the new aerodynamic components that we're allowed to run, what configuration we want to be in and qualifying in and race trim. And it takes a lot of time, there's just a lot of time around Indy trying to sift through every different combination. And the track time, it goes away quickly. You start the session and next thing you know; two hours is gone and that's just the way it is. So, you've got to be efficient around this place.

Bruce Martin:

Do you feel the extra arrow drag and the 10% extra down force when you're in the car?

Josef Newgarden:

You definitely notice differences, but it's all relative. I think if we're all carrying more drag, then you don't really notice a difference. It's all relative to the competition. If I was carrying a bunch more drag relative to someone else, then you notice that. But I think year over year, just less noticeable.

Bruce Martin:

And what do you think those changes with the additional 10% of down force will do in the race?

Josef Newgarden:

I'm not fully sure yet with our changes, I've not run that config. We weren't fully there when we first went out this morning, but I think once we get some time to figure out what that's going to be all about, it absolutely should bring things closer together. That's typically what downforce does. So, I'll be surprised if you don't have everything packed up a bit more.

Bruce Martin:

Is there a sense of urgency today in the fact that we don't know a Friday session will happen because of potential rain?

Josef Newgarden:

I think you're just seeing everybody prioritize today, with tires and everything that they're going to do with their test. More than likely it's going to be raining tomorrow, so we'll save some in case it clears up. But I think it looks mostly likely that we won't get a lot of time.

Bruce Martin:

Do the new pieces give the teams more adjustability on each individual setup?

Josef Newgarden:

Yeah, definitely. There's a lot more to go through both in qualifying and the race. So, there's a lot of work for us to figure it all out.

Bruce Martin:

You told us in 2020 at IndyCar Media Day, IndyCar Content Day that you were at peace with yourself if you never won an Indianapolis 500, but I would think in 2023 we might revise that a little bit. I know how bad you want to win this race. So, would you say that statement is still accurate, or have you changed the way you look at this race?

Josef Newgarden:

No, I feel the same way. I don't know that I'll feel differently about that just because I can't predict what's going to happen. All I can focus on, and control is the effort that I put in every year. And if I do the job that I know I can do, I'll be satisfied with that, regardless of what the outcome is. I hope the outcome's different. I would love, not only to win this race once, but multiple times.

So, it's not that my goals are different, but I know what I can focus on and what I can control. And like I said, if I'm doing everything in my control, then I'll be happy at the end of the day.

Bruce Martin:

You're a big time racing star. You drive for Team Penske, you've won two NTT Indy Car Series championships, you've won 26 IndyCar races. Do you still dream of what it would be to win the Indy 500 though?

Josef Newgarden:

I think everybody does. It's impossible not to. So, I've been here for a long time shockingly, it goes by quickly and yeah, it would be great. It would be a dream. It'd be a dream. It's so difficult to win this race and there's so much that has to go right. Even when you do the best job possible, there's a lot that has to go right.

And so, I think there's a lot of respect for just the sheer difficulty that putting an event together here and really sticking the landing is.

Bruce Martin:

And in our final question with Josef Newgarden of Team Penske, when you arrive at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with all three teams at Team Penske, all the engineering staff, all the work that's gone into it, you have to feel like you're the best prepared team up and down pint lane.

Josef Newgarden:

I think so. When I show up here, I always feel confident that we've got the best of the best with Team Penske. It gives me great comfort when I'm here. I know what I've got underneath me and who I've got with me. And there's no doubt, Team Penske is typically the team to be, and I think for a reason.

So, the last couple years have not gone the way we'd like to see it. It's not really acceptable, the speed we've had and we've been working overtime to make sure we rectify that this year.

Bruce Martin:

Also, your team owner owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. So, in a lot of ways you have to think what would be better than to get the Borg-Warner Trophy from Roger Penske at the Indianapolis Motors Speedway in the Indianapolis 500.

Josef Newgarden:

Well, it'd be pretty cool to win a Borg for R.P., that'd be a dream. So, let's see if we can get it done.

Bruce Martin:

Well, good luck on trying to realize that dream. Josef Newgarden of Team Penske, good luck in this year's Indianapolis 500. Thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Josef Newgarden:

Thanks Bruce.

Bruce Martin:

All three team Penske drivers participated in the open test, including Scott McLaughlin of New Zealand, who was 10th fastest at 225.493 miles an hour and ran a whopping 146 laps in the number three Chevrolet. Defending Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericcson of Sweden and Ed Carpenterracing Rinus VeeKay of the Netherlands ran the most laps in the test session with 146 laps a piece.

The trio of Team Penske drivers was rounded out by 2018 Indianapolis 500 winner and two-time NTT IndyCar Series champion, Will Power who was 13th in the number 12, Verizon Chevrolet with a fast lap of 225.158 miles per hour. Power joins me for this exclusive interview for Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Joining us now on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental is Team Penske Driver and 2018 Indianapolis 500 winner. And oh, by the way, he's a two-time NTT IndyCar Series champion. It's none other than Will Power.

Will, we're at the Indianapolis Motors Speedway for the Indy 500 open test. How important is this for you and for the team to get prepared when you return here in May?

Will Power:

Yeah, there's a few boxes for us to tick. We've kind of struggled here the last few years, so we're certainly determined to come here with something good. It's not really, I would say setting up so much for qualifying a race. It's just finding a philosophy that works, finding some big items we need to try.

Bruce Martin:

With the new arrow pieces. It's going to add more drag and an extra 10% down force to the cars. How will that change the race?

Will Power:

Well, I think they're actually pretty efficient pieces. A couple of them, the arrow bits and I think the tracks probably come up a little bit on grip too because the coating's worn away. So, I would say the racing will be for sure closer, be easier to follow. I think you'll get back to that lead switching back and forth again.

Bruce Martin:

Does it help in passing or will it help you get up closer to the car in front of you?

Will Power:

I think it'll help both. It'll help passing, it'll help get closer. Yeah.

Bruce Martin:

As far as Firestone, they're going to use the same tire that they had in last year's race. How well do you think that tire will be with this new package?

Will Power:

It'd just simply be better. Just won't be sliding as much. You'll look after it more. Yeah. Simply better.

Bruce Martin:

Tino Belli of IndyCar compared some of the changes that we're doing here to what was done at Texas. I know you loved the package at Texas. That's a high bank speedway. This is a flat 2.5 mile oval.

How do you see that translating over to this, to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

Will Power:

Yeah, it's just with doing one run, I can already tell that it's just simply easier and it's going to be easier to follow.

Bruce Martin:

Is there a sense of urgency on the first day to get as much done as possible? Because day two is a little iffy because of the threat of rain.

Will Power:

Yes, we are pretty focused on doing more running today. It's not the end of the world if the rain's out tomorrow, really for us. But yeah, we've got a few more hours in the afternoon, three and a half hours, or four and a half actually.

Bruce Martin:

And in our final question with Will Power, the 2018 Indianapolis 500 winning driver, that was a win that you wanted to check off your bucket list for a long time. When you got it, how much more relaxed are you every time you show up here?

Will Power:

You are more relaxed; I'll give you that. It would be torture if I hadn't won it at this point of my career. So, you're most certainly more relaxed and you're looking for that second, you got to keep the desire for the second.

Bruce Martin:

Two-Time NTT IndyCar Series champion Will Power and the 2018 Indianapolis 500 winner of Team Penske, Team Verizon Team Penske, good luck in this year's Indianapolis 500. And thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Will Power:

Yeah, thank you Bruce.

Bruce Martin:

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

[Music Playing]

Scott McLaughlin:

Hi, I'm Scott McLaughlin, driver of number three, Team Penske Chevy, and you'll listen to Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Bruce Martin:

Arrow McLaren Racing will feature four drivers in this year's Indianapolis 500, including IndyCar’s star, Pato O’Ward of Mexico. He finished second to Ericcson in the exciting finish to last year's Indianapolis 500.

Also on the team is Felix Rosenqvist of Sweden and winner of the 100th Indianapolis 500 in 2016, California's Alexander Rossi.

Joining the team for this year's Indianapolis 500 is 2013 Indy winner, Tony Kanaan of Brazil, who will be making his final IndyCar Series start in the May 28th, Indianapolis 500.

O’Ward was the fastest of the Arrow McLaren drivers clocking in at ninth in the number five Chevrolet, at 225.553 miles an hour. Kanaan was 15th at 224.792 miles an hour in the number 66 Chevrolet. Rosenqvist was 20th at 223.515 miles per hour, and Rossi was 22nd at 223.296 miles per hour.

Here is my exclusive interview with Rossi for Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Joining us now on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental is the winner of the 100th Indianapolis 500, Alexander Rossi. You will forever be remembered for that victory. So, here we are at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and to know you're part of a historical victory at the Indy 500. How does it feel every time you show up?

Alexander Rossi:

Awesome man. I love getting the opportunity to come to this place, even if I'm not on track driving race cars, just being able to be in this facility is awesome. And then, it's just phenomenal every time that you're on track here and you can't help but smile every time you turn a lap.

Bruce Martin:

Because you won the hundredth Indianapolis 500. You almost kind of wished that maybe they had made your face in gold instead of silver with everybody else, because it was a monumental milestone win.

Alexander Rossi:

Yeah. No, I think that'd make me feel more uncomfortable. But no, I think it's obviously if you're going to choose one, that's a good one to choose. But yeah, it's something that is a part of your life forever and obviously you're a part of history forever and that's a very, very cool thing to be able to realize.

Bruce Martin:

All of your previous Indy 500s were with Andretti Autosport, with Honda Power. You're now atArrow McLaren in a Chevrolet, we're at the Indy 500 open test. Do you feel the difference in the engines from what you've felt here previously with Hondas?

Alexander Rossi:

That's a fair question. Not yet. We're not in a place where we'd be able to feel that yet, if that makes sense. So, this morning was all about kind of testing new arrow components and seeing how the reality matched up to the wind tunnel numbers.

And then, once we get on track with other cars this afternoon, you'll get more of an opinion of where you stack up. But ultimately, it's early days and you're just trying to make sure that you're happy with the balance leaving here.

Bruce Martin:

You're on a three-driver team at Arrow McLaren for all the IndyCar races. At Indianapolis, you're joined by 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner, Tony Kanaan. How well prepared do you think the four of you collectively can be entering the 107th Indianapolis 500?

Alexander Rossi:

I think we are there. I think the team's done an amazing job of onboarding the people and resources that we've needed to, and everything's working very fluid at the moment, and you wouldn't even realize that the team hasn't run four cars before.

Bruce Martin:

What's it going to be like working with Tony? I know he's a bit of a prankster and you're kind of a sneaky prankster yourself, so do you see some potential pranks coming down the road?

Alexander Rossi:

Yeah, we'll see how it goes. It's early days, we're focused on the on-track business right now, but yes, certainly once we have time to kill there'll be some things that make people laugh, I think.

Bruce Martin:

And what do you expect to learn in the test over these two days that we're at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

Alexander Rossi:

Really just understanding what these new components do and getting an idea of how this car performs in traffic versus what I'm used to. And coming away from here with the pros and cons and a short checklist of things that we need to address going into practice week of May.

Bruce Martin:

There's supposed to be an extra 10% down force with the new changes that are being done to the car as a driver. Can you feel that?

Alexander Rossi:

Again, it's two hours in, man. We're not there yet, but yes, it's coming.

Bruce Martin:

You’re hree races into the season so far with your new team. How would you look at the way … you've had some bad luck, unfortunately, but what's it been like in the transition over to Arrow McLaren?

Alexander Rossi:

The transition's only getting better and smoother and everything's starting to gel in a really nice way. So, the performance of the team and the car's been great and yeah, we'll just keep chipping away at it and moving forward and improving.

Bruce Martin:

Alexander Rossi, winner of the hundredth Indianapolis 500 who is back with Arrow McLaren for the107th Indianapolis 500, good luck at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. And thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Alexander Rossi:

Thank you very much.

Bruce Martin:

And now let's hear from one of Rossi's Arrow McLaren teammates Pato O’Ward of Monterrey, Mexico.

Joining us now on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental is Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren Racing. Pato, you finished second in the Indianapolis 500 last year. We're at the Indy 500 open test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. So, in a lot of ways the month of May really begins in April. How important is this test?

Pato O’Ward:

Absolutely does. Today's the start of our month of May, and it's all about information. It's never a bad idea to get laps in at the speedway. Doesn't matter if it's cold, hot, rainy, windy. Well, obviously in rainy you can't really get laps in, but we have a beautiful day today and we're just getting through our run plan.

Bruce Martin:

The wind conditions were pretty low. It was supposed to be very windy on Thursday. How much will the wind affect the car and some of the setups, the changes that IndyCar is allowing you to run on the chassis this year?

Pato O’Ward:

Well, that's what I guess our morning was all about. It's hard to feel whenever you're running by yourself. I think it'll make more sense whenever we actually get into the pack running, which we will later today. So yeah, looking forward to that.

Bruce Martin:

As the second place finisher of last year's Indianapolis 500, I'm sure you've had a whole year to think about what you may have done differently in those closing laps. Is there anything you would've done differently?

Pato O’Ward:

I'm focused on this year. What's done is done.

Bruce Martin:

So, as far as this year, if you're in the same position, what do you have in your knowledge base that you may try this year to get you into victory lane?

Pato O’Ward:

Every year's going to be different. It's never going to be the same, so all I have to do is get ourselves into a position to take it and we'll take advantage of it.

Bruce Martin:

Arrow McLaren has three full-time drivers in the NTT IndyCar Series. You're going to have the addition of Tony Kanaan, who's a wealth of information on the team. How better prepared do you feel the team is in 2023 to be able to have a better collective effort at the Indianapolis 500?

Pato O’Ward:

Yeah finally, Tony's going to join us. Great guy to have around, somebody, as you mentioned, with so much experience. And we're going to have four great race cars, so I'm sure we're all going to be fighting for it. And it'll be great to see all the Arrow McLaren cars up at the front.

Bruce Martin:

As a younger driver in the series. What's it like when you come into the Indianapolis Motors speedway? Do you feel all the history and the names and the traditions?

Pato O’Ward:

To me, it just reminds me of the amazing thing that is race day. There's not one specific thing of race day that I like most. I like it all. Just the whole thing is awesome.

Bruce Martin:

And then our final question on Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren, you got off to a great start to the 2023 NTT IndyCar Series season. How do you feel you're shaping up for the chase for the championship in IndyCar this year?

Pato O’Ward:

It's a long championship. There's still 14 races to go, 14 opportunities to get on the podium or win some races, so we just need to make sure we do that week in, week out and we'll be in good shape.

Bruce Martin:

Pato O’Ward, good luck the rest of the way. And thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Pato O’Ward:

Thank you very much.

Bruce Martin:

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

[Music Playing]

Welcome back to Pit Pass Indy. Our final two guests on today's episode of Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental, both won the Indianapolis 500 while driving for Team Penske and both are now competing at Meyer Shank Racing.

It's four-time Indianapolis 500 winning driver Helio Castroneves of Brazil and 2019 Indy 500 winner. Simon Pagenaud of France.

Castroneves has won the first three of his four Indy 500s while driving for Team Penske. Pagenaud drove the team Penske Chevrolet to the team's last Indy 500 win in 2019.

Here is the first of my two interviews with the Meyer Shank racing drivers as we catch up with four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves.

Joining us now on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental is four-time Indianapolis500 winning driver, Helio Castroneves. Helio, two years ago you won your fourth Indianapolis 500. I'm sure you're probably still on a bit of a high from that victory. What's it like when you return every time on track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

Helio Castroneves:

It always bring good memory. No, there was so much exploration that you can push forward those moments, they're never going to go away in terms of memories, but for sure you got to do it again. You got to use what we had in the past to continue improving for the future, and that's our goal. So yeah, every time we come over here, it's always awesome to be around.

Bruce Martin:

Well, that fits in perfectly with my next question. We're at the Indy 500 open test in April. What do you expect to gain over these next two days and learn with the car that will help you when you return in May?

Helio Castroneves:

Well, this time of the year is perfect because this open test is for absolutely what … preparation on the off season to apply to see if it works it out.

So, whatever works at the wind tunnel, simulators and things like that, we want to make sure that what we put it together, it's accurate.

Plus, also the new bits that IndyCar already introduced to here. So, you want to try that to make sure that it works the same way on the race tracks.

Bruce Martin:

The new bits, as you call them, are expected to add more drag and give you an additional 10% down force. As a driver, do you feel that when you're on the track?

Helio Castroneves:

I have not tested it yet because we have some electronics issues in the racetrack. However, I hope that's the case and that's going create more excitement for the fin, which already is, but in having those bits it will be even more exciting.

Bruce Martin:

Whenever you get a chance to test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, how valuable is that when you return in May?

Helio Castroneves:

Priceless. You don't have much chance to actually have the IndyCar running and with the good weather and other drivers because remember when you have another 20 plus cars in the racetrack, it changed the complex and that's why it's important to be on the track testing with them.

Bruce Martin:

As Indianapolis Motors Speedway President Doug Boles likes to remind everybody, you're the only driver in the field who has a chance to win a fifth Indy 500. Is that something that you think about? And if you did succeed that, look at the names that you will be on a pedestal above.

Helio Castroneves:

Doug Boles is right. He should remind a lot of people because this is sort of like history. I want to be here; I want to be part of history. I do believe a lot of the fans wants to see history and yeah, it would be — so, people should remember that this is a very unique situation.

Bruce Martin:

You're already part of history as the fourth four-time Indianapolis 500 winning driver, Helio Castroneves, Meyer Shank Racing, good luck this year at the hundred and seventh Indianapolis 500. Thank you for joining us on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Helio Castroneves:

Thank you my friend.

Bruce Martin:

Next up is my Pit Pass Indy interview with Simon Pagenaud.

Joining us now on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental is a former Team Penske driver, but now he drives for Meyer Shank Racing. It's 2019 Indianapolis 500 winner, Simon Pagenaud.

As a former winner, every time you walk into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, do you reflect on that day you won the race?

Simon Pagenaud:

It's pretty special. Thank you, Bruce. It's a very special place. It brings a lot of good memories. But the biggest thing is the feel, the feel of going this fast, the adrenaline. There's no other place like it.

Bruce Martin:

We're at the Indy 500 open test in April to prepare for May. So, in a lot of ways, the month of May really begins in mid-April for the drivers at the Indianapolis 500. What do you hope to get out of the open test with some of the new changes that IndyCar is allowing the teams to do with the cars?

Simon Pagenaud:

It's just right. It's all about testing arrow bits and pieces, that all the elements that IndyCar allows us to use. Make sure that our offset with the wind tunnel is what we think it should be in real life. Obviously, we can't reach 240 in the wind tunnel, so there's always an unknown and we're trying to make the unknown as known as possible.

Bruce Martin:

As far as the strikes, the barge boards, the wickers or the gurney flaps, that's being allowed for the teams to use this year. Do you see a closer race than we've seen in the last couple of years or the ability for cars to race up to the rear of the other cars in front of them?

Simon Pagenaud:

Well, it’s certainly the goal obviously behind all these parts, you're making the car more draggy, so the leader will be slower and the second car in position will have more speed to pass.

So, we already have an amazing race here and I think this is going to increase the speed of the pack behind the leader and hopefully it makes for a better racing even though it was already sensational.

Bruce Martin:

I believe it's an additional 10% down force. As a driver, do you feel that 10% when you're out there on the track?

Simon Pagenaud:

Yeah, I haven't gone through the entire ranch of down force, but you could definitely feel the changes when you put those new parts on. But the goal is to understand the best combination and what's going to work in which condition. And that's where really experience is going to pay off, I believe.

Bruce Martin:

So, at an open test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, how long is your checklist and how much do you expect to get completed in the first day since we don't know whether there'll be a second day because of the weather.

Simon Pagenaud:

You're right, we went through it pretty quickly this morning. I'm very happy about the two hours we ran. We ran a lot of laps, and we were able to go through a lot of different iteration.

So, we were doing that because we know the weather is going to get bad this afternoon with the wind and when you have wind you can't really check on the … your changes on the aerodynamics. So, it was very important for us to rush as many changes as we could this morning. And understand that.

Bruce Martin:

You’ve been running at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for years, but every time you get out here, is it just fun to open it up?

Simon Pagenaud:

It is. It's the top speed. It's the fastest you'll ever go. It's a tremendous speed in the corners. But you got to stay on your game, you got to be calm in the car. But too calm is not good because you can get beaten and too intense is not good either. So, it's a constant balance of your gauges. It's really enjoyable and such a discipline.

Bruce Martin:

And in our final question with Simon Pagenaud of Meyer Shank Racing, when you show up and see the Borg-Warner Trophy, do you stop and check out your face?

Simon Pagenaud:

Always, always. It's my pride. It's my biggest accomplishment in racing obviously, and the one I'm most proud of. So, I'm hoping, I'm going to put a second face up there, with a few more wrinkles.

Bruce Martin:

Simon Pagenaud of Meyer Shank Racing, good luck in this year's 107th Indianapolis 500. And thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Simon Pagenaud:

Thank you, Bruce.

[Music Playing]

Bruce Martin:

And that puts a checkered flag on this edition of Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental. We want to thank our guests; two-time NTT IndyCar Series champion Josef Newgarden of Team Penske, two-time IndyCar Series champion and 2018 Indianapolis 500 winner Will Power of Team Penske, Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward, and his teammate winner of the 100th Indianapolis 500, Alexander Rossi and the two drivers at Meyer Shank Racing, four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves, and 2019 Indy 500 winner Simon Pagenaud 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, your path to victory lane for all things IndyCar.

And because of our guests and listeners, Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental is proud to be the winner of the best podcast by the National Motorsports Press Association.

For more Indy car coverage, follow me at Twitter @BruceMartin_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.