The latest episode of The Race’s new IndyCar podcast digs into a fascinating season-opener at Barber last weekend, with the current voice of IndyCar Leigh Diffey joining the show.
With a surprise winner in Alex Palou, strategy madness and a first lap crash following an uncharacteristic error from Josef Newgarden that took out multiple cars, there is plenty for American Editor Jack Benyon and series veteran JR Hildebrand to get their teeth into this week.
That’s even before looking at Formula 1 convert Romain Grosjean – who Hildebrand says “absolutely delivered” with his top 10 on debut for Dale Coyne Racing.
NBC announcer Leigh Diffey joins to add some insight surrounding Barber, but also to reflect on IndyCar’s big off-season storylines led by Grosjean, and what they have done for the series’ popularity.
He addresses the comments of his co-commentator and series legend Paul Tracy who stated that he hadn’t seen this much excitement around IndyCar since Nigel Mansell came over as the reigning F1 world champion in 1993.
Diffey also provides insight into the IndyCar paddock, including how Roger Penske’s stewardship of the series has affected it and the Indianapolis 500, recalling Penske joining iRacing Zoom calls such is his level of involvement.
Speaking of the series’ biggest race, the Indy 500, Hildebrand explains his news which emerged following the previous episode, that he’ll be racing for AJ Foyt at the 500 this year in a very special livery.
To find the show on your favourite listening platform, search for ‘The Race IndyCar Podcast’.
– Listen on Apple Podcasts
– Listen on Spotify
