INDYCAR Notebook: Foyt Renews With Longtime Partner

AJ Foyt Racing announced Sept. 30 a multiyear agreement with Hendricks Holding Company, Inc., the Beloit, Wisconsin-based private investment firm whose portfolio includes ABC Supply Co., Inc., Hendricks Commercial Properties, Geronimo Hospitality Group and other manufacturing, construction and transportation companies.

The agreement extends a relationship that began with ABC Supply in 2005 and will continue the Hendricks family's support of the No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet (photo, top) and its national platform for America's severely injured post-9/11 veterans.

Since the 2022 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, the Hendricks family and its companies have used AJ Foyt Racing entries to spotlight Homes For Our Troops (HFOT), whose mission is to build and donate mortgage-free, specially adapted custom homes to severely injured post-9/11 veterans. The effort began when ABC Supply donated the design of the No. 11 Chevrolet to HFOT for the 2022 Indianapolis 500 and paired the program with a matching-donation campaign.

The partnership expanded in 2026 to a full-season No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet, supported by Hendricks Commercial Properties and Geronimo Hospitality Group, giving HFOT a national platform throughout the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.

Since its inception in 2004, Homes For Our Troops has built and donated 445 homes in 46 states and has 66 projects underway. HFOT homes feature more than 40 major special adaptations, including wider halls and doorways, automatic door openers, roll-under sinks, stovetops and counters, pull-down shelving, roll-in showers, backup generators and safe rooms. These adaptations are designed to enable veterans to live more independently and focus on family, recovery and future opportunities.

The No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet will be driven in 2027 by Dennis Hauger, the 23-year-old Norwegian who earned 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Rookie of the Year honors. Hauger, the 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone champion, has raced in the United States since 2025 and joins AJ Foyt Racing on a multiyear agreement.

Palou To Race in Indianapolis 8 Hour Next Weekend

Five-time and reigning NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou will return to sports car racing by driving in the DESDER Indianapolis 8 Hour race Oct. 9-11 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.

Palou joins title hopeful Luca Stolz and AMG Junior Lin Hodenius in the No. 80 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG in the Intercontinental GT Challenge event on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course. Palou drove in the event with Lone Star in 2024 (photo, above), finishing 13th after his co-drivers’ stints were plagued by electrical problems.

“The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a special place for me, and I am excited to be returning for another shot at the Indianapolis 8 Hour with Mercedes-AMG Team Lone Star Racing,” Palou said. “I have some unfinished business from my 2024 GT3 outing, so I am really happy to reunite with the team to have another opportunity to aim for the race win.

“I always love the atmosphere and the fans there, and I look forward to having an exciting race to finish the 2026 season with hopefully another memorable trophy.”

Visit IMS.com to buy tickets or for more information about the Indianapolis 8 Hour.

St. Petersburg Ticket Renewal Period Starts Thursday

The exclusive renewal period begins at 10 a.m. ET Thursday, Oct. 1 for the 2027 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Fans who purchased 3-Day Grandstand tickets to the 2026 race weekend are eligible and will have until Monday, Oct. 19 to renew their same seats for the 2027 event. Public ticket sales will begin on Friday, Oct. 23.

The 23rd edition of the iconic downtown St. Petersburg waterfront event is set for March 5-7 and will be headlined by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES once again Sunday.

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg features Gold, Silver, and Bronze Grandstand seating designations for 2027. Renewal customers purchasing 3-Day Grandstand seats will receive complimentary Firestone IndyCar Paddock Passes, which allow fans to get close to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES cars and drivers during the race weekend.

Renewals will be available online at gpstpete.com with pricing starting at $150 for reserved 3-Day Grandstand seats. For all ticket pricing and 2027 event information, visit gpstpete.com.