Photo by Kyle McInnes. Could this scene be the duel at the end of the race?

Today’s Schedule: Times are Central

11 am Gates Open

11:10 am: Vintage Indy

1:45pm: Vintage Indy

3 pm: INDY NXT Command

3:05 pm: INDY NXT Green Flag

4:48 pm: Driver Intros

5:13 pm: Invocation

5:14 pm: Anthem

5:25 pm: Command

5:30 pm: Green Flag 260 laps; USA, Peaocck, Indycar Radio

7:53 pm: Sunset

What looked to be processional event now has the promise of being quite intriguing. Grid penalties and a qualifying mishap has several favorites starting in the second `half of the field.

Colton Herta has one of the fastest cars this weekend, and he starts 25th. Points leader Alex Palou starts 16th. While Herta, Palou,, and Scott Dixon will probably work their way into the top ten, the going will get tougher after that. The Penske trio of Scott McLaughlin, Will Power, and Josef Newgarden will be strong. Pato O’Ward should also be in the mix, as will David Malukas.

Based on the final practice last night, I think passing will still be difficult in the race. The best overtaking opportunity appears to be going into turn 1.

Will Power has a great opportunity to cut into Palou’s points lead., but as we have seen before, Palou seems to find a way to minimize the damage.

Two Things to Watch

How easily will the leaders be able to get through lapped traffic? At Iowa, it took quite a few laps to get past a slower car. While that does bunch up the leaders, it really slows the pace of the race and keeps it as a processional.

How many cautions and when they happen could make the race more interesting. Restarts will provide the best passing opportunities. I hope there is a balance between a crash fest and a caution free race.

In the end, we might see a duel between Josef newgarden and Pato O’Ward for the win. This time, O’Ward comes out on top and breks the Penske oval streak.