LEXINGTON — The future arrives this weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
The NTT IndyCar Series will debut its hybrid technology system in Sunday’s Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2025 Civic Hybrid.
The hybrid package, developed by Chevrolet/Ilmor and Honda, is comprised of a low-voltage motor generator unit and an energy storage system, according to information provided by the series. When combined with the existing push-to-pass technology, an additional 120 horsepower will be available to drivers as they navigate Mid-Ohio’s 2.258-mile, 13-turn road course.
“If you look at where the world is going, where manufacturers are going, you have to evolve,” Arrow McLaren driver Alexander Rossi said in a release. “It’s an exciting time for the series to take that step toward the future. It’s something that’s important to all of us and the partners involved.”
Testing of the hybrid system began at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Fla., in August of 2023. In the 10 months since initial testing began, 30 series drivers have logged almost 26,000 combined miles.
“It is exciting to have a little bit of a change with the hybrid technology,” Andretti Global w/Curb Agajanian driver Colton Herta said. “I know a lot of people are excited about it from the engine manufacturer’s side because it’s a new challenge for everybody.”
While the hybrid system has garnered plenty of attention, it isn’t the only intriguing storyline in the run-up to Sunday’s 80-lap feature. Reigning series champ Alex Palou will try to defend last year’s win at Mid-Ohio, but will almost certainly encounter resistance from Will Power and Scott Dixon. Power has won five poles at Mid-Ohio while Dixon, whose nickname is Mr. Mid-Ohio, has six victories to his credit and was runner-up to Palou last year.
Palou leads the series standings with 285 points. Power (262) is second and Dixon (253) is third in what has become a three-horse race for the title. Herta (217) is a distant fourth in the points standings.
In addition to the NTT IndyCar Series, the four support series in IndyCar’s driver development program — Indy NXT by Firestone, USF Pro 2000 Presented by Continental Tire, USF2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tire and USF Juniors Presented by Continental Tire — will race this weekend.
Welcome Back
For Jacob Abel, a driver on the Indy NXT by Firestone series, this weekend is a homecoming of sorts. The 23-year-old native of Louisville, Ky., was an instructor at the Mid-Ohio School in 2017 — when he was just 16.
“I got to spend a lot of time at the track, teaching a wide range of people, when I was still quite young,” said Abel, who is currently second in the series point standings. “It was a very cool experience, one that makes Mid-Ohio one of my self-proclaimed home tracks.
“We taught them how to drive on the racetrack, how to be around other cars and all of that.”