Ben Bretzman, Scott McLaughlin’s race engineer on the No.3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, says the hybrid system will benefit the teams at the Indianapolis 500 later this month.
The 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge takes place at the Brickyard in just over two weeks. It will be the first time the teams and drivers will have experienced using the hybrid in race conditions for the Greatest Spectacle In Racing, with the hybrid unit being introduced following last year’s Indianapolis 500.
The hybrid system has been a great addition to INDYCAR, and Bretzman believes that the hybrid system will impact the end of the race. In response to a question we posed to him on X on Tuesday morning, Bretzman said:
It is going to be pretty beneficial. The biggest thing will be the strategy the drivers deploy. When you are leading, it’s hard to charge it back up due to speed loss. The draft effect is still the most powerful tool but the Hybrid will 100% impact the finish
The Thirsty 3’s, as they are affectionately known, Scott McLaughlin and his No.3 crew are the defending pole-sitters for the Greatest Spectacle In Racing. They showed great speed during the IMS open test last month, and they will be hoping that they can once again challenge at the front of the race and for the win.
Team Penske goes into the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. Josef Newgarden aims to make history by becoming the first driver to win the Indianapolis 500 three years in a row.
The 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge takes place on Sunday, May 25. Tickets are still available here.