Today’s schedule:

7:30 AM – 7:00 PM

GATES OPEN

7:55 AM – 8:25 AM

COOPER TIRES USF2000 QUALIFICATIONS

8:40 AM – 9:10 AM

USF PRO 2000 QUALIFICATIONS

9:30 AM – 10:45 AM

NTT INDYCAR SERIES PRACTICE 1

11:00 AM – 11:50 AM

INDY NXT PRACTICE 1

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

NTT INDYCAR SERIES AUTOGRAPH SESSION

12:10 PM – 12:50 PM

COOPER TIRES USF2000 RACE 1

12:45 PM – 1:15 PM

INDY NXT AUTOGRAPH SESSION

1:10 PM – 2:10 PM

NTT INDYCAR SERIES PRACTICE 2

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM

INDY NXT QUALIFICATIONS

3:15 PM – 4:00 PM

USF PRO 2000 RACE 1

4:20 PM – 5:50 PM

NTT INDYCAR SERIES QUALIFICATIONS

6:20 PM – 7:15 PM

INDY NXT RACE #1

It is finally May in Indianapolis today as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway opens for the first of three straight weekends of activity leading up to the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500.

The Grand Prix began in 2014 as a way to bolster May attendance numbers. In that regard it has been a success. The race itself generally draws around 40,000 fans. In 2023, it seemed to be the biggest crowd since the inaugural event.

The weekend also provides a showcase for the Road to Indy and Indy NXT.

Back to the Proper Amount of Races

Saturday’s race will be the only time Indycar races on the IMS road course in 2024. Before the pandemic that was the case. In 2020, three road courses were on the schedule. The July 4 race was followed by a double header in October.

From 2021-2023, in addition to the May opener, Indycar raced on the road course as part of the NASCAR Brickyard weekend. Mercifully, those days are over. It was insulting to see Indycar treated like the unwanted guest at a family gathering at its track.

We are now back to one road race and the 500 at IMS. Two races is the proper amount for Indycar here. I hope it stays this way.

Tires and Rain

Apologies to James Taylor. This race comes down to tire strategy and weather. In 2021 Rinus VeeKay won by using the alternate tires on his last stop after Romain Grosjean went to a primary set.

Simon Pagenaud beat Scott Dixon in2019 in one of the best races of this event when Dixon’s tires wore out. Rain was also a factor in that race, which added to the fun.

Rain and tires were both a factor in 2022 when Ciolton Herta went to slicks during an early caution and battled a slippery car through off and on rain showers.

There is a slight chance for rain Saturday afternoon. This could be a fun race.

Qualifying is Key

As on any road course, qualifying up front is important on the IMS road circuit. So far in 2024, qualifying has been a battle between Team Penske and Felix Rosenqvist. I would add Graham Rahal into the mix as well. Rahal won the pole last August, and he has two second place finishes on this track.

I think it is time for Alex Palou to win his first race of the year Saturday. If he does, he has a very good chance to become the third driver to complete the May Sweep.