We've officially reached the halfway point in the IndyCar season and after four races in three weekends, the series finally has some time off. We look back some of the stories making news on this week’s #TrackTalk
Josef Newgarden back on top: Simon Pagenaud’s month of May sweep sent him to the top of the points, but Josef Newgarden’s victories in Detroit (Race one) and Texas have shot him back into the points lead. A close second? Alexander Rossi.
And speaking of Alexander Rossi: The Long Beach winner is hot on the heels Newgarden, finishing 2nd to him in both Detroit and Texas. Another 2nd place finish at the Indy 500 is the kind of consistency Rossi needs to challenge for the championship.
Santino Ferrucci, take a bow: Solid finishes at the Indy 500, Detroit, and Texas have moved rookie Santino Ferrucci into 9th in points. Not only that, but he’s now the leading rookie.
And speaking of rookies: Colton Herta’s luck keeps getting worse. Our Circuit of the America’s winner has had a string of bottom/near-the-bottom finishes from Barber through Indy, leaving the once championship hopeful 16th in points. Qualifying and race pace are both there. He just needs to get back to finishing races.
Max Chilton goes part-time: Taking a cue from former IndyCar driver, Mike Conway. Max Chilton announced shortly before Texas that he was stepping out of his Carlin entry for the remaining oval races.
Conor Daly steps in: Carlin has named Conor Daly as Chilton’s replacement for the remaining oval races. Daly finished 10th and Indy for Andretti Autosport, and then followed that up with an 11th place finish at Texas in his Carlin debut. Unless he gets a ride for Road America and Toronto, we won’t see him back in the cockpit until Iowa.
IndyCar finalizes advanced cockpit protection: Halo? Windscreen? How about both. Developed in conjunction with Red Bull Advanced Technologies, it’s the best of both worlds—a windscreen reinforced by a halo.
Victor Genova is a freelance motorsports writer and the host & founder of the Media People Podcast. You can follow him on Instagram @vicgenova