Simon Pagenaud
FILE - In this May 26, 2019, file photo, Simon Pagenaud, of France, leads the field through the first turn on the start of the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in Indianapolis. The once frosty schism between the two biggest racing series in the United States has thawed and NASCAR's elite Cup Series will share a venue with IndyCar on the same weekend for the first time in history. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
NASCAR and IndyCar collide for racing extravaganza at Indy

By Jenna Fryer 16 hrs ago

Racers speed down the front straight between the empty grandstand and their crews that are stationed along pit row as the sun goes down during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Pocono Raceway, Sunday, June 28, 2020, in Long Pond, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
AUTO RACING: Auto Racing Glance

By The Associated Press Jun. 30, 2020 04:01 PM EDT

In this photo provided by Chris Owens/INDYCAR Series, Scott Dixon, left, jumps off his car toward team owner Chip Ganassi as the two celebrate Dixon's IndyCar auto race win at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, June 6, 2020. (Chris Owens/INDYCAR Series via AP)
IndyCar gets through well-screened, delayed opener in Texas

By Stephen Hawkins Jun. 07, 2020 05:02 PM EDT

Scott Dixon earns the checkered flag as he crosses the finish line to win an IndyCar auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, June 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dixon wins again at Texas in IndyCar's delayed season opener

By Stephen Hawkins Jun. 06, 2020 02:39 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 15, 2020 file photo Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Penske listens during a news conference at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. Penske will watch his first race as owner of the IndyCar Series from a suite for the first time since 1995 when his teams failed to make the Indianapolis 500. He bought the series and Indianapolis Motor Speedway in January but his debut was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. The IndyCar season opens Saturday, June 6, 2020 at Texas Motor Speedway. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Penske wants full fans at Indy 500, ready for IndyCar opener

By Jenna Fryer Jun. 05, 2020 05:17 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 2, 2019, file photo, Will Power, of Australia, drives into turn one during Aeroscreen testing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. The 2020 IndyCar season will open Saturday night, June 6, 2020, at Texas Motor Speedway. The race will also mark the official race debut of the safety innovation for enhanced driver cockpit protection. The safety feature is a ballistic, canopy-like windscreen anchored by titanium framework encompassing the cockpit. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
IndyCar drivers uncertain how aeroscreen will work at Texas

By Michael Marot Jun. 05, 2020 02:24 AM EDT

Brad Keselowski holds an American flag after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway early Monday, May 25, 2020, in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Keselowski looks to heat up market with 2nd Charlotte win

By Jenna Fryer May. 27, 2020 07:16 PM EDT

Driver Chase Elliott walks along pit road during qualifying prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway Sunday, May 24, 2020, in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Keselowski gets win but Hendrick Motorsports takes 2 losses

By Jenna Fryer May. 25, 2020 01:58 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 30, 1967, file photo, Mario Andretti (1) leads the field at the start of the 51st running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. The race had to be stopped for rain, and was restarted the following day. Gordon Johncock (3), far left, and A.J. Foyt (14), center, the eventual race winner, also compete. When it came to deciding the greatest rivalry, Foyt, Andretti and Bobby Unser received the most attention. 1986 winner Bobby Rahal says "the greatest rivalry had to be A.J. Foyt against anyone else." (AP Photo, File)
Indy 500 winners pick the greatest drivers, race and more

By Dave Skretta And Jenna Fryer May. 23, 2020 11:51 AM EDT

FILE - In this May 28, 2006, file photo, Sam Hornish Jr., left, pumps his fist as he beats Marco Andretti to the finish line to win the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. The Associated Press has updated its survey of living Indianapolis 500 winners and their pick as the greatest race in the long history of the event. There are six races that received multiple votes, topped by Al Unser Jr.’s victory over Scott Goodyear in 1992 — the closest Indy 500 in history. The others are Emerson Fittipaldi's win in 1989; Hornish's win in 2006; the 1982 battle between Rick Mears and Gordon Johncock; the 2011 race won by the late Dan Wheldon; and the 2014 thriller won by Ryan Hunter-Reay. (AP Photo/Dave Parker, File)
Indy 500 winners pick their favorite 'Spectacle' of all time

By Jenna Fryer And Dave Skretta May. 23, 2020 11:49 AM EDT

This April 3, 1997, file photo, shows an aerial view of Texas Motor Speedway on its first day of operation in Fort Worth, Texas. IndyCar has gotten the green flag to finally start its season in Texas. The race will be run June 6, 2020, without spectators at Texas Motor Speedway. (Allison C. Smith/Star-Telegram via AP)
IndyCar drivers cope with strange Memorial Day weekend

By Michael Marot May. 22, 2020 05:14 PM EDT

FILE - This May 26, 2019, file photo shows Simon Pagenaud, of France, celebrating after winning the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in Indianapolis. The Indy 500 has been rescheduled for Aug. 23, 2020, and won't be run on Memorial Day weekend as scheduled for the first time since its return in 1946. Pagenaud passed Alexander Rossi on the penultimate lap to win last May. That gave Roger Penske his 18th win at Indy on the 50th anniversary of his arrival at the Brickyard and before he became the series and track owner. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
What Would Have Been: Indianapolis 500, MLB scandal series

By Stephen Hawkins May. 18, 2020 01:37 AM EDT

The supporter's entrance of the Signal Iduna Park, Germany's biggest stadium of Borussia Dortmund, is closed in Dortmund, Germany, Thursday, May 14, 2020. Bundesliga will now restart on May 16, 2020 when Borussia Dortmund will play the derby against FC Schalke 04 at home without spectators due to the coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
The Latest: Aussie rules football to kick off on June 11

By The Associated Press May. 14, 2020 01:04 PM EDT

This image taken from video provided by iRacing IndyCar, shows the view of driver Simon Pagenaud during the First Responder 175 presented by GMR virtual IndyCar auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 2, 2020, in Indianapolis, Ind. (iRacing IndyCar via AP)
Scott McLaughlin wins on Indy oval for 2nd virtual victory

By Jenna Fryer May. 02, 2020 04:30 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 11, 2019, file photo, Simon Pagenaud, of France, celebrates after winning the Indy GP IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. Pagenaud has won IndyCar’s virtual race at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan. It is Pagenaud’s second consecutive win in the virtual racing series and third for a Team Penske driver in the four races that have been staged since sports was shutdown during the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Pagenaud beats Penske teammates to win another virtual race

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 18, 2020 04:42 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2020, file photo, Acura Team Penske driver Simon Pagenaud, left, signs autographs before the Rolex 24-hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Pagenaud won IndyCar's first iRace on an oval as he used strategy to win at virtual Michigan International Speedway. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Simon Pagenaud wins IndyCar's 1st virtual race on an oval

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 11, 2020 04:21 PM EDT

The areas around the track and grandstands are nearly empty at the IndyCar Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. NASCAR and IndyCar have postponed their weekend schedules at Atlanta Motor Speedway and St. Petersburg, due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. (Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
IndyCar goes virtual racing as it waits to get back on track

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 26, 2020 10:08 AM EDT

Clint Bowyer gets ready for a NASCAR auto race practice at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Race drivers use games to stay sharp as virus shuts tracks

By James Ellingworth And Jake Seiner Mar. 21, 2020 01:42 PM EDT

Joey Logano does a burnout across the start/finish line after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
AUTO RACING: Auto Racing Glance

By The Associated Press Mar. 11, 2020 04:28 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 10, 2020, file photo, IndyCar driver Alexander Rossi poses for photos during IndyCar Media Day in Austin, Texas. The IndyCar season starts with the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Penske and the aeroscreen to debut at IndyCar season opener

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 11, 2020 04:08 PM EDT