When the checkered flag drops, the conversation continues! Join retired IndyCar driver Charlie Kimball and his wife, Kathleen, as they break down each race weekend in a fun, approachable way. Whether you're new to the sport or a longtime fan, they'll make sense of the speed, strategy, and standout moments. From behind-the-scenes stories to key takeaways, they’ve got you covered. New episodes drop after every race weekend—so buckle up and go Beyond the Checkered with us! 🚦🏎️💨
Hosts Charlie and Kathleen recap the Bommarito Automotive Group 500, dissecting the thrilling late-night racing action and Kirkwood's strategic win under dynamic track conditions.
5 Jun 2025
Detroit Detour: Bumps, Beefs & Street-Circuit Brilliance
Hosts Charlie and Kathleen recap the Detroit Grand Prix, analyzing the bumpy track, pit lane merge, tire degradation, and key incidents like McLaughlin's penalty and Ferrucci's ballast issue.
29 May 2025
Indy 500 Recap: Pageantry, Pit Lane Chaos & Pure Emotion
Hosts Charlie Kimball and Kathleen Kimball dissect the 109th Indianapolis 500, exploring dramatic moments, pit lane incidents, and emotional highs and lows from the race weekend, offering insights for both seasoned fans and newcomers.
20 May 2025
Qualifying for the 109th Indy 500
We cover the drama on AND OFF the track during Qualifying weekend and Monday's practice leading up to the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.
We talk about:
-The dramatic crashes and the safety of Indycars
-The stress and composure of teams and drivers
-The last row shootout
-Team Penske's technical infringement
-A rookie on Pole (in car #83 no less!)
- Answer listener questions
-Make our picks for the race!
17 May 2025
Indy 500 Pre Qualifying Prep!
We cover the week of practice leading up to the Indianapolis 500 and what the weekend of qualifying is going to look like!
Also, Kathleen helps Charlie pick his lineup for qualifying in his Indycar Fantasy League!
13 May 2025
Race Strategy Insights from the Sonsio Grand Prix
Summary
In this episode of Beyond the Checkered, Charlie and Kathleen recap the Sonsio Grand Prix of Indianapolis, discussing the challenges of a compressed race schedule, the dominance of Alex Palou and Chip Ganassi Racing, and the impact of hybrid technology on race strategies. They analyze Graham Rahal's performance and strategy, highlighting the importance of tire management and the implications for future races. In this conversation, Charlie and Kathleen delve into the intricacies of racing dynamics, particularly focusing on the recent Grand Prix and the upcoming Indianapolis 500. They discuss race strategies, the importance of tire management, and the engineering aspects that contribute to a team's performance. The conversation also touches on the concept of sandbagging in racing, the psychological aspects of competition, and the unique pressures faced by teams and drivers during the Indy 500. Overall, the discussion highlights the excitement and anticipation surrounding one of the most prestigious events in motorsport.
Takeaways
The Sonsio Grand Prix of Indianapolis featured a compressed two-day schedule, making it challenging for teams to analyze data between sessions.
Alex Palou's performance this season has been exceptional, with a significant lead in points.
The introduction of hybrid technology has changed the dynamics of race strategies, allowing cars to restart more easily after spins.
Tire management played a crucial role in the race, with teams needing to balance performance and durability.
Graham Rahal's strategy during the race ultimately hindered his chances for a win despite a strong performance.
The weather during the race was favorable, contributing to a great turnout and atmosphere.
IndyCar's new tire rules required teams to use both red and black sidewall tires, impacting race strategies.
The race saw fewer yellow flags, attributed to the hybrid technology allowing cars to restart after spins.
The competitive nature of IndyCar means that drivers must be perfect to beat top contenders like Palou.
The conversation highlighted the importance of communication between drivers and their teams regarding strategy decisions. Alex had pace all day long, proving the challenge of passing.
Teams must manage tire wear while planning for race restarts.
The Indy 500 disrupts momentum in the racing season.
Brad Goldberg's engineering skills are crucial for Scott Dixon.
The stress level for teams at Indy is unparalleled.
Sandbagging can be a strategic choice in racing. History: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sandbag
Confidence in the driver is essential for success.
The Indy 500 attracts the largest non-religious gathering annually.
Engine performance varies significantly between manufacturers.
The spectacle of the Indy 500 captivates millions of viewers.
Chapters
00:00 Recapping the Sonsio Grand Prix of Indianapolis
02:58 Challenges of a Compressed Race Schedule
06:00 Dominance of Alex Palou and Chip Ganassi Racing
08:49 Race Strategies and Tire Management
11:56 Graham Rahal's Strategy and Performance
18:06 The Impact of Hybrid Technology on Racing
21:01 Final Thoughts on the Race and Future Implications
22:43 Race Dynamics and Strategy
27:08 The Anticipation of the Indy 500
30:20 Engineering and Team Dynamics at Indy
31:01 Engine Performance and Competitive Edge
35:25 The Concept of Sandbagging in Racing
39:22 The Spectacle of the Indianapolis 500
6 May 2025
From Indy 500 Love to Barber Breakdowns
Charlie and Kathleen Kimball dive into the thrills of IndyCar, sharing personal tales from the Indy 500 and dissecting the recent Barber Motorsports Park race. Tune in for an insider's take on the tactical pit stops, the pressures on the asphalt, and electrifying tales straight from the track—all with a heartfelt touch of nostalgia for Indianapolis, the Month of May and the upcoming Indianapolis 500!
Month of May/ John Green/ IMS/ Indycar Love Letter. (https://youtu.be/FSGHBVgPqew)
• Rinus Veekay holds off Penske power
• McLaren cars claim Top 10 finishes
• Alex Palou dominates with three wins
• Green flag stops increase pit pressure
• Indy GP anticipation grows for May
07:51 - 07:59
• "I get it. I mean I get the idea behind it. But like Helio and Hunter Ray, can't they just like get a pass?"
16:18 - N/A
• "You turn into the corner on a 231, 232 lap, you turn into the corner full throttle at 237 miles an hour. That's fast."
25:58 - 26:06
• "It's man, it's so great. It's such a test of man and machine. It's, I don't know if you can tell guys, but we love the month of May. We love the the 500."
14 Apr 2025
High-Speed Highlights: Long Beach Grand Prix Recap
Dive into the high-octane world of IndyCar racing with Charlie & Kathleen Kimball as they unpack the thrills of the Long Beach Grand Prix's 50th anniversary! From track-side tales to gripping race strategies and heartwarming pit lane reunions — this episode has it all. Buckle up for a no-filter recap of one of motorsport's most beloved street circuits!Also for the record, Santino started lap 1 of the race 11 seconds behind Kyle Kirkwood in the lead, but at the end of lap 1 was 15 seconds behind. So the fact he ended as close as he did after the full race distance is soooo impressive!And apologies for the disruptions during recording from our kids and Charlie's Dexcom glucose monitor.....
25 Mar 2025
The Thermal Club
Dive into a thrilling episode as we juggle jewelry and accelerate through Indycar's Thermal Club race. From fiery mishaps to strategic pit stops and the impact of the hybrids, we unpack it all with a touch of humor and a heaping dose of insights!
3 Mar 2025
St Pete Recap!
Immerse yourself in the electrifying atmosphere of the first NTT IndyCar series race at St. Pete. Feel the thrill of strategy and speed shaping the podium, learn about the impact of mid-race decisions, and get a taste of racing culture from passionate enthusiasts.
Topics we cover:
• Scott Dixon podiums with no radio- Still the GOAT
• Tire strategies dominate the dynamics
• Colton Herta's day unravels
• Pato O'Ward's impressive climb
• Santino and David's missed opportunity- we argue if it was or wasn't!
25 Feb 2025
2025 Beyond the Checkered Season Preview
Get up to speed with Charlie and Kathleen Kimball as they fuel your excitement for the 2025 IndyCar season. From the streets of St. Petersburg to evolving team dynamics and rookies ready to roll, this episode is a pit stop brimming with insights. Tune in for an adrenaline-packed prognosis of what's new, what's hot, and who's who in IndyCar racing.
Topics:
• The Kimballs unveil their 2025 IndyCar insights
• New teams & rookies hit the IndyCar scene
• Exploring the impact of the charter system
• Rossi's thrilling ECR switch discussed
• Excitement builds for IndyCar on Fox Sports
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 29 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
46
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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