It’s time to go racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The GMR Grand Prix begins the fortnight of May . The race began in 2014 as a means to draw more fans to the track at the start of May. It has served its purpose, as it brings in more people than the traditional opening day of practice for the openeing day of practice would have drawn.

The race weekend has seen the entire spectrum of weather- warm and sunny, cold and cloudy, light rain, heavy rain- sometimes all in the same race. The 2022 edition was a wet, cold affair. I thought it was one of the best GMR Grand Prix. The ever changing strategies made it a most interesting race.

Weather looks to be a factor tomorrow and it could also impact the race on Saturday.

This event saw Team Penske dominate through 2019, but three different teams have won the May road course race the last three years.

Entering the 2023 race, this season has seen a resurgence of Andretti Autosport. The ream has won three of the four poles and one race. Romain Grosjean has two poles and two second place finishes. Kyle Kirkwood won the pole and the race at Long Beach.

There are some interesting one on one battles to watch this weekend

Grosjean vs. McLaughlin

The two have battled for the lead at St. Pete and Barber this year, and and another fight for first between the Andretti and Penske driver is likely again Saturday. Grosjean and Scott McLaughlin seem to find each other on track. St. Pete was essentially a draw, and Mclaughlin won at Barber.

Ericsson vs. O’Ward

Defending 500 winner Matcus Ericsson leads Pato O’Ward by just three points as the series enters May. Ericsson finished fourth last year after starting 18th, and O’Wrd finished 19th while he started fifth.

Ganssi and Arrow McLaten have had few good results on this track. Both drivers need a good finish since only 15 points separate the top five.

Penske Return to the Top?

Team Penske has won the race five times and the pole six times. Their last win was in 2019. The team also swept the Harvest Classic double header in the fall of 2021. It is odd to say that Penske is looking to win its first pole of the season heading into the fifth race.

Romain Grosjean should get his elusive first Indycar victory this weekend. he has two poles and two second place finishes so fvar The team needs to do a bit of fine tuning on strategy and he will win.