Lundgaard Strategy Pays Off

thepitwindowLeave a comment

This will be a brief post. I will have a more detailed one tomorrow morning.

Christian Lundgaard pitted at the right time then passed David Malukas with 19 laps to go to win the Sonsio Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Andretti Pit Woes Strike Again

Pit troubles once again foiled Andretti Global’s efforts to cut into Alex Palou’s points lead. On Kyle Kirkwood’s second stop trouble replacing the right tire put Kirkwood behind Palou. Kirkwood gotten ahead of the points leader after Palou went into the grass to avoid a collision

Will Power looked to have the r4ace locked up, buy instead he locked up the tires exiting the pits on his final pit stop. He crossed the blend line too soon and received a drive through penalty.

Marcvus Ericsson stalled the car on his final stop and could not get it restarted.

Today’s race was arguably the best of the May Gps run in the dry. There were timely cautions, four leaders, a winning on track pass, and the outcome was in doubt until we were into the last quarter of the race.

This will do it for me for tonight, Looke for a more detailed report tomorrw. Thanks for following along this weekend.

“

And Once Again, Pole for Palou

thepitwindowLeave a comment

It’s to the point where I can recycle the headline to my qualifications stories. Not only did Palou win the pole for this afternoon’s Sonsio Grand Prix, he won it by a half second over Pato O’Ward. Palou was the only driver to turn a lap under 1 minute 10 seconds.

Palou turned a blazing quick final lap in Rounf=d one to go from 13th to first. The next two rounds were justto make it official.

O’Ward expressed concern yesterday that he would end up in the lower half of the field. He was hoping qualifying would be in the rain yesterday to give his Arrow McLaren car a chance.

“We turned it around,” O’Ward said after aid after qualifying.

Felix Rosenqvist continued his strong qualifying efforts and will start third.

Five teams earned spots in the Fast Six while six different teams advanced from each first round group.

Most disappointing result has to be Kyle Kirkwood’s ninth place starting spot. It will be difficult for Kirkwood to keep with Palou in the points from there.

Notes

Will Power will start last in the 25 car field and Scott McLaughlin rolls off 18th.

Many cars began their rounds on the alternate tires. The starting tire selections will be interesting.

Results

From Earlier

A Decade of Drivel-The Pit Window Turns 10

A Decade of Drivel-The Pit Window Turns 10

thepitwindowLeave a comment

What started 10 years ago today as a fun little exercise has turned into a labor of love. On this date in 2016 The Pit Window first appeared online. I never thought I would still be writing this little column in 2026, nor would I have believed this space would have taken me the places it has.

In 2016, as I prepared to attend my 50th Indianapolis 500, I wrote a story about my first 500 in 1962 for my writing class at the Life Enrichment Center in Tampa. The story reeceived a positive reaction from the class. They encouraged me to post it online.

I heard from several of my friends in the racing media, who encouraged to write more stories about my race experiences. At that point, I decided to establish a blog. The original title, “The First Fifty Races are the Hardest,” was cumber4some. After about a year I changed the name to The Pit Window, whioch better reflects the theme of my column.

My good friend George Phillips of Oilpressure encouraged me to apply for media credentials. My first race as a media member was at St. Pete. Green Savoree has been very kind to me. In 2018 I earned credentials to IMS.

Writing The Pit Window has allowed to witness and learn much about IndyCar through moments of triumph and tragedy. I have seen the joy of Indianapolis 500 winners in the post race press conferences, felt the pain of drivers bumped from the field., and I was there in 2019 when the Speedway was sold to Roger Penske. I’ll never forget the atmosphere in the media cener that day.

I have many people to thank for both the creation of this blog and its continuing to this point. I apologize if I leave anyone out.

First, the wonderful folks at Life Enrichment Center who have made me a better writer. Without them, especially John, Arleen, Pat, Sherrie, and Cheryl, without them, this space does not exist.

George Phillips, Steve Wittich, and Eric Smith, all of whom gave this awkward media center newbie somemgreat tips on navigating the area.

Finally, my partner Marti Strum, who has always supported my constant travels and the time I spend time writing.

And to all my readers, many of whom have been with me since day one, and those who have come on board since and are still here. Thank you all.

It’s Race Day*

thepitwindowLeave a comment

(*…and Qualifyimg Day)

A better weather forecast and a packed day of racing is in store for the IndyCar series today due to yesterday’s postponement of qualifying. The Yesterday’s session was postponed because of water pooling on the front stretch and the medical helicopter being grounded. Track action is not allowed when the medical helicopter cannot take off.

The revised schedule with broadcast times and channels:

The only cancellation is the morning warmup. All other races will go on as scheduled.

The weather calls for cool but dry conditions for qualifying and sunny and 72 degrees for race time. A little rain would greatly improve the race, however.

Qualifying Groups”

I’ll be back with a report after qualifyingt.

Revised Saturday Schedule

thepitwindowLeave a comment

From IMS;

 INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, May 8, 2026) – Information about Sonsio Grand Prix track activity Saturday, May 9 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, revised with schedule changes due to the rainout of NTT P1 Award qualifying Friday for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

SCHEDULE (All times local)
:7:30 a.m.-7 p.m.: Public Gates Open8-
8:40 a.m.: USF 2000 Race 2
8:55-9:45 a.m.: USF Pro 2000 Race 1
10:45 a.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying
12:30-1:10 p.m.: USF 2000 Race 3
1:20-2:05 p.m.: USF Pro 2000 Race 2
2:38 p.m.: INDY NXT by Firestone Race 2 (30 laps
)4:57 p.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Sonsio Grand Prix (85 laps)

TICKETS: General Admission tickets are $50. $65 for flex ticket seating in Northwest Vista (Sections 11-20), Southwest Vista (Sections 1-10), North Vista ADA (Sections 26-30), Tower Terrace (Sections 37-47, 75-79), Paddock (Section 9-14) and Pit Road Terrace and ADA. Children 15 and under are admitted free with general admission and flex ticket paying adult. Reserved seats range from $67-$150.

PUBLIC GATES OPEN: Gate 1, Gate 2, Gate 3, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 7, Gate 7S, Gate 9, Gate 10, Gate 10A, Gate 11A

PARKING: Paid public parking is available in Lot 1A, Lot 2, Lot 3P, and Main Gate lots for $20. Gate 1 Lot parking is available for $50. Motorcycle parking is also available at South Carousel Lot for $20. Paid ADA parking is available for $20 in Lot 3P, Lot 2, $25 in the Northwest Gravel Lot, the West Museum Lot, the Flag Lot and the Tower Suites Lot and $50 for Gate 1 Lot. Infield vehicle parking is located inside Turn 3 and Turn 2 for ADA parking with a pre-purchased parking pass. Free and ADA parking is located in Lot 7 (North 40), accessible only via Gate 10 off 30th Street.

CASHLESS OPERATIONS: Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a cashless facility. Please be prepared to complete your ticket, credentials, parking, concession and merchandise purchases with ease during your event via debit or credit card.Tap-to-pay phone payments will be accepted, as will credit and debit transactions. A Cash-to-Card machine, which converts paper money to a temporary debit card, will be in Pagoda Plaza. These funds can be spent inside the venue, outside the venue, online or anywhere in the world where Mastercard/Visa debit cards are accepted.

MUSEUM: The IMS Museum is open from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. General admission tickets are $25 for adults, Seniors (55 or older) are $23, Military is $18. Tickets can be purchase online at imsmuseum.org.

IndyCar Qualifying Postponed

thepitwindowLeave a comment

IndyCar called an abrupt halt to today’s Sonsio Grand Prix qualifying due to the excessive moisture on the track.

Qualifying will take place at 10:45 am Eastern time Saturday morning. Coverage begins pn FS2 at 10:30 and switches to FS1 at 11:30, The scheduled warm up session is cancelled. Ther race will start at its original time.

While Firestone does supply a rain tire, the amount of water on the front stretch made running impossible. Since the IMS road course isn’t a true road course, there is nowhere for the water on the front stretch to go.

Practice ewaults were predictable except for Pato O’Ward, who was off the pace. O’Ward believes the number 5 car is in trouble for the race and qualifying.

The highlight of the day was the IndyNXT race which started in dry conditions, but ended as a timed race in the rain. it was arguably one of the best races on the road course here.

Enzo Fittipaldi, grandson of two time 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi, won the race with a daring pass on leader Lochie Hughes.

I will have more tomorrow morning on some exploring I did this afternoon. Thanks for following along today.

2