IndyCar opens with bright new stars and big expectations
FILE - Pato O'Ward celebrates his victory at an IndyCar Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 2, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas. IndyCar is on a high as it begins its season with young talent capable of carrying the series into the future. But Colton Herta and is again the mix of Formula One conversations and Pato O’Ward already has one foot out the door. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez, File)

FILE - Pato O'Ward celebrates his victory at an IndyCar Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 2, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas. IndyCar is on a high as it begins its season with young talent capable of carrying the series into the future. But Colton Herta and is again the mix of Formula One conversations and Pato O’Ward already has one foot out the door. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez, File)

Feb. 22, 2022 03:58 PM EST
FILE - Six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon chats with the media before the start of practice of the IndyCar auto race, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. IndyCar's drivers hit the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., later this week for the season opening race. (AP Photo/Dan Gelston, File)

FILE - Six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon chats with the media before the start of practice of the IndyCar auto race, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. IndyCar's drivers hit the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., later this week for the season opening race. (AP Photo/Dan Gelston, File)

Feb. 22, 2022 04:16 PM EST
FILE - Andretti Autosport team owner Michael Andretti, right, congratulates his driver Colton Herta after winning the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Sunday, April 25, 2021, in St. Petersburg, Fla. the topic buzzing through the industry last Friday had nothing to do with the upcoming IndyCar Series. Michael Andretti was again trying to acquire a Formula One team, according to a tweet sent by father less than two hours before last Friday's night party. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP, File)

FILE - Andretti Autosport team owner Michael Andretti, right, congratulates his driver Colton Herta after winning the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Sunday, April 25, 2021, in St. Petersburg, Fla. the topic buzzing through the industry last Friday had nothing to do with the upcoming IndyCar Series. Michael Andretti was again trying to acquire a Formula One team, according to a tweet sent by father less than two hours before last Friday's night party. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP, File)

Feb. 22, 2022 04:01 PM EST
FILE -NTT IndyCar Series winner Alex Palou, center, celebrates with the trophy after taking 4th place in an IndyCar auto race at the Grand Prix of Long Beach, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Long Beach, Calif. The stars of IndyCar crowded into Indianapolis Motor Speedway to celebrate an upcoming season of opportunity for America's open-wheel racing series to reestablish its legitimacy and expand its popularity. The party was held just one week before IndyCar's drivers hit the streets of St. Petersburg for the first practice session of the season. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo, File)

FILE -NTT IndyCar Series winner Alex Palou, center, celebrates with the trophy after taking 4th place in an IndyCar auto race at the Grand Prix of Long Beach, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Long Beach, Calif. The stars of IndyCar crowded into Indianapolis Motor Speedway to celebrate an upcoming season of opportunity for America's open-wheel racing series to reestablish its legitimacy and expand its popularity. The party was held just one week before IndyCar's drivers hit the streets of St. Petersburg for the first practice session of the season. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo, File)

Feb. 22, 2022 04:06 PM EST
FILE - Jimmie Johnson drives through a turn during the IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, May 15, 2021. The IndyCar season begins this weekend in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

FILE - Jimmie Johnson drives through a turn during the IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, May 15, 2021. The IndyCar season begins this weekend in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

Feb. 22, 2022 04:11 PM EST
FILE - Colton Herta prepares to drive during a practice session for the IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Indianapolis. The IndyCar Series opens its season this weekend on the downtown streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. Colton Herta is the defending race winner. IndyCar is on a high as it begins its season with young talent capable of carrying the series into the future. But Herta is again in the mix of Formula One conversations and Pato O’Ward already has one foot out the door. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

FILE - Colton Herta prepares to drive during a practice session for the IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Indianapolis. The IndyCar Series opens its season this weekend on the downtown streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. Colton Herta is the defending race winner. IndyCar is on a high as it begins its season with young talent capable of carrying the series into the future. But Herta is again in the mix of Formula One conversations and Pato O’Ward already has one foot out the door. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

Feb. 22, 2022 03:58 PM EST