Today’s schedule: Eastern Times

6:05 pm- IndyCar practice FS1

The second half century of racing at Long Beach begins today with a single practice. The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is the crown jewel of street courses. The expected three day attendance could reach 200,000.

Long Beach is my second favorite event of the season- beautiful setting, car crazy fans, an IMSA race, and a first class presentation. This is a city that completely embraces the event.

This weekend will be the first without Jim Michaelian, one of the founders of the Grand Prix, along with Dan Gurney Michaelian, who died suddenly last month, grew the event into a world class attraction. he will be missed, but I don’t think the event will suffer much.

Kyle Kirkwood comes to Long Beach as the defending race winner, and he is heavily favored to win for the third time on the streets of Southern California. While Alex Palou is expected to put up a stiff challenge, Kirkwood also needs to be wary of his teammates Will Power and Marcus Ericsson.

Andretti Global is strong on the street courses, and they are formidable at Long Beach. One team that may spoil the party is McLaren and Christian Lundgaard. Lundgaard has been close all season, and he was one bad pit stop from winning at Barber.

Qualifying

The qualifying format which debuted at Arlington returns with some tweaks. The Fasy Six will use the single car qualifying format, but there will be some different procedures.

Per IndyCar, the Fast Six procedures beginning tomorrow and for the remaining street races are :

“Choice of qualifying order based on Segment 2 results.
The fastest qualifier from Segment 2 will be the first to choose which position they would like to make their Fast Six qualifying run with subsequent choices made for the remaining positions based on the order of Segment 2 results.

Lining up at pit out following tire declaration.Once the qualifying order is determined, teams will make their tire selection – primary or alternate tires – prior to lining up in single-file and in order of their qualifying run, at pit out to await their qualifying attempt.

During Firestone Fast Six single-car qualifying, drivers will leave pit lane and get an opportunity for one lap – starting and ending at the alternate start/finish line. Once the car enters pit lane following that driver’s attempt, the next car will be released for its attempt. As in the streets of Arlington event, tire allotments and tire rules will remain unchanged.”

I like the changes. The fastest in Round 2 deserves the choice of when to qualify. The rule doesn’t specifically say the teams must change tires, although I hope it’s required. That will take away some of the advantage of being the first car out with tires that are still warm.

I would also like to see a longer break before the Fast Six. If the television window is an issue, shave4 a minute from Round 2.

Now that IndyCar has made a great effort to improve the new format, FOX needs to step up their qualifying game. At Barber, the network briefly displayed sector times during an IND NXT practice. Sector times should be mandatory on screen for Fast Six qualifying, if not for the entire session.

Race Strategy

Two sets of alternates are required during the race, and when to use them will be key. The 90 lap race should be a three stop affair, but who will gamble on a two stop race?

While I wish no driver ill, a caution or two would greatly enhance the strategy of the race.

I’m going with Kyle Kirkwood to keep his Long Beach crown, but I would not be surprised if Will Power puts all the issues that he’s encountered this season behind him and stand atop the podium.