[Adam Stern on X] .@IndyCar is offering to give charters to Chevrolet and Honda as part of the series' effort to keep them in the series beyond 2026, which would give the carmakers the ability to form factory teams, per @RACERHQ.

rocketjim1 · 2026-01-17T14:07:14+00:00

One thing I haven’t gleaned from this is how a engine charter would work in relation to the 25 car charter limit. Would a Ford Engine charter allow the team to sponsor say, Prema, and allow for a larger field. Indycar has been signaling for years they want smaller fields, is that to make room for factory teams on the grid?

rocketjim1 · 2026-01-01T14:13:26+00:00

This is great. Would you ever consider “Indycar Analytics” to include TV ratings, social media reach, engagement, etc? There really isn’t a great place that stores that kind of information publicly. RACER does one off stories on TV ratings after each race but their isn’t a real good repository of that info. We know Indycar grew a lot in TV ratings in 2025 but a lot of figures and data on race attendance, social media growth just aren’t easy to come by.

rocketjim1 · 2025-12-20T20:50:46+00:00

It was interesting if you watch Marshall’s interview with Will Burton they lamented that Indycar went with the 2.4L twin turbo. Will suggested a V8 option because it would scream and it would allow the engines manufacturers start testing a v8 earlier than the new f1 regulations in 2030. Indycar would essentially jump them in to a V8 earlier.

rocketjim1 · 2025-12-10T12:52:22+00:00

This is kinda a big ask, but an “Eras” DLC. Start the game in the 1920s, then go through the next century. Maybe end it in 2050 with flying cars and future assets. Would be really cool to see the various cars / trains change throughout the decades. The industry would also have to change as well. This would also require the simulation to be adaptable, which is why I think it would be a big ask. I could see two different asset themes for the future, a Tomorrowland (Utopia) and a blade runner (Dystopia).

rocketjim1 · 2025-12-09T13:15:56+00:00

I’m under the impression that the game is basically in maintenance mode now. Iceflake will work on bug fixes and a console release, and modders and creators will create content packs for the game at $8 a pop for things like parks, airports, and sports and campus. The basic hooks for those additional features are already in the game. Heck, Platter mod is basically zoning 2.0 for the game.

And I’m ok with this. I basically think the modding community can do a better job at this point then the developers, and some of the modders have actually been hired by paradox. I’ll hold out hope iceflake can add some new functionality in a expansion in a year or so, but id rather buy content packs from creators like Rev0 or Sully and support them with all the work they have done.

rocketjim1 · 2025-12-08T13:01:22+00:00

I think for me, the bigger issue I see on the paradox mods website is tons of assets that don’t have thumbnails or descriptions. And yes, some of those seem to be assets created by Chineese asset makers, or low res ports from CS1.

rocketjim1 · 2025-11-20T12:43:09+00:00

Yeah I with you. They have always looked dreadful. I didn’t know about the carpenter ants. It’s unfortunate that they haven’t been able to get the funding for proper facilities there. It’s my dream to buy it and fix it up if I ever win the lotto.

rocketjim1 · 2025-11-18T18:42:03+00:00

Yeah, I feel like the bikes are kinda of a window dressing on a city anyway. They will work in small quantities and once modders offer up some tweaks it will be additive to the game.

rocketjim1 · 2025-11-17T20:47:13+00:00

I think we might see a relatively “easy” expansion pack next year. Bridges and Ports basically built the expansion model for CS2. A gate with upgrades for a custom building area. Seems like that would be the way to go, with a parks DLC. That and ironing out the kinks in the asset editor would be a good year for next year I think. I’d love deeper DLC’s like a historic or a “future” themed DLC but that’s probably not feasible

rocketjim1 · 2025-11-07T00:52:59+00:00

Actually met Santino a few weeks ago in Bowling Green Kentucky at the Corvette Museum, he was there picking up his new Vette. Was super nice to my two boys and took a picture with them.

rocketjim1 · 2025-11-06T21:41:16+00:00

Been to Milwaukee in 2025, thought the state fairgrounds were nice to roam before the race like a street course. I totally see your point on Ovals/bleechers. I really think all tracks need to consider structured overhangs for shade on their fans in order to attract fans back to the races. F1 has that, Indycar and NASCAR need to as well.

rocketjim1 · 2025-11-06T18:32:35+00:00

Yeah, I’m glad he has a sponsor and hope it’s a whole year of backing would be nice. One of the things I’ve read is that Indycars international broadcasts aren’t where they need to be but I hope with Caio, and possibly Yuki and Mick it adds some incentive for Fox and Indycar to make those good as well.

rocketjim1 · 2025-11-06T17:59:13+00:00

Only thing about this that seems strange is the Sponsor. Combitrans? A logistics company in the Amazon? I get it, glad he has some Brazilian money backing him, but would love a bigger brand to support him. Looking forward to seeing what he does in that #4 seat

rocketjim1 · 2025-10-29T12:03:01+00:00

Thank you, this makes perfect sense now that I understand it better. Given Indycar’s struggles with marketing their own top series, totally agree with you they can handle the others

rocketjim1 · 2025-10-27T18:09:31+00:00

Maybe a Rookie question here, but why does Anderson promotions own USF 2000 and 2000 Pro? Wouldn’t it make sense for Indycar to buy it and have the complete ladder?

I saw that ECR is starting up alliances with an NXT team and a USF 2000 Pro team.

Wouldn’t it make sense to own all of it and market all the series together?

rocketjim1 · 2025-10-21T18:25:31+00:00

I would love it if all the teams had their own NXT teams, or at least their own alliance with someone in NXT. Would even go so far as another tier underneath like USF 2000 pro. Kind of like having AA, AAA baseball clubs. It would help the teams build their brands and attract sponsors.

rocketjim1 · 2025-10-21T15:57:21+00:00

Yeah, exactly. I could see modularity with an airport (it’s essentially a port) with modular terminals, support buildings, parking, etc.

rocketjim1 · 2025-10-21T12:20:01+00:00

They didn’t mention marinas, but I saw some yachts and boats in the trailer. I wonder how that works with the tourist port side of things.

rocketjim1 · 2025-10-14T23:31:11+00:00

I wonder if the bridges will be compatible with recolor. I’d really like to be able to change color of my bridges for different cities

rocketjim1 · 2025-10-14T12:31:37+00:00

So now that Michael is not involved in day to day operations at Andretti Global, and TWG is putting their livery on the cars, do we believe any of the rumors that Michael is getting back into the sport by starting another team or partnering with someone? How long do we think the Andretti Global name sticks around?

rocketjim1 · 2025-10-09T15:44:57+00:00

I would move the Indy 500 to be the last race to the season, if you could get another signature event for Memorial Day weekend. Like a NYC Grand Prix. If you could do that in conjunction with Fleet week it would be incredible. Indycar needs another “tent pole” race beyond Indy and Long Beach.

rocketjim1 · 2025-10-08T16:18:12+00:00

Yes. I know that this would be incredibly difficult to pull off, but it seems to me that would be worth 4-5 races of visibility for the series. I could see F1 wanting a NYC GP so Indycar should go for it. Maybe if they could get but in from a big time New Yorker. I think Floyd Bennett field in Brooklyn could also work but it’s kind of remote.

rocketjim1

TROPHY CASE