The inaugural Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is ready to go at 4:30 pm Central Time on NBCSN. How clean a race will it be? If the trend we have seen in practice and qualifying continues, it could be a long race with possibly a red flag stoppage.I hope the race can run cleanly, but I’m not sure t can. The first lap is the key. If the field gets through the first lap unscathed, we might be okay with just an occasional spin or crash. Yellows breed yellows could never be more true than it might be today.

Here’s hoping for a safe clean race. Scott Dixon could tie Mario Andretti for second on the all time win list today. Can Alex Palou increase his points lead? His six place grid penalty means he as his two closest contenders, Dixon and Pato O’Ward, starting ahead of him.

Tire and pit stop strategy is a factor today. The reds didn’t get much time so they are a bit of an unknown for the race. Pole sitter Colton Herta was very fast on the primary black tire. Look for which tire the top qualifiers begin the race on. That will indicate how they plan to run the race.

Today’s Schedule:

I bought a program yesterday. Outside of the Indianapolis 500 I don’t usually buy a race program, but since this is the inaugural event, I thought it would be nice to have. I like the cover art, featuring hometown driver Josef Newgarden, Alex Palou, and Pato ‘Ward. Interesting that they omitted Dixon, who won hree times at Nashivlle Superspeedway and is third in points.