It’s finally time. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway opens for the fortnight of May today with practice and qualifying for the Sonsio Grand Prix. Indy NXT will race twice this weekend, and USF 2000 and USF Pro 2000 will have multiple race as well.

The timing is great for IndyCar after a week of controversy over the Long Beach Push to Pass incident, and the unveiling of a T-shirt for the race in Washington, D. C,. that was in my opinion in extremely poor taste.

Weather may be a facto today for qualifying, but race day should be dry. I wish the forecasts were reversed, as this race is a much better event when run in the rain.

This race has gone through several name changes before Sonsio and their affiliates began sponsoring the event. The first race was simply called the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, Then the Angie’s list GP, featuring a hideous green banner on the front stretch. I don’t miss that at all.

Since the May race on the IMS road course began in 2014, only four active drivers have this specific event- Will Power, Alex Palou, Scott Dixon, and Rinus VeeKay. Power and Palou have each won three races. Power won three in a row from 2016-2018. Palou has taken the last three and goes for an unprecedented fourth straight on Saturday.

Is 2026 Rahal’s Year?

Graham Rahal has done well at the IMS road course. he has two front row starts, and he nearly won the 2023 summer race from pole. Rahal is having a good season with a podium at Barber. He might be the one to stop the Palou juggernaut.

Keeping It Close

No matter where Palou finishes, Kyle Kirkwood needs to run somewhere near the points leader to stay within shouting distance. Kirkwood trails Palou by just 17 points, the only driver less than a full race behind the leader.

Kirkwood finished fifth at Barber and lost 24 points to Palou. He can’t afford to lose that many again.

I’m predicting another Palou win, which will put him in some elite company of drivers who have won four straight at a single track. The list includes A.J. Foyt at DuQuoin, Al Unser, Jr at Long Beach., and Bobby Rahal, at Laguna Seca.

Notes

IMS is very close to a sellout for the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500. An announcement coul\d come this weekend.

The 2028 car will begin testing this summer, possibly late June or early July. The car will use the current engine for the first test, with the new engine installed in tests later in the year.

Drivers seem to be confused by the new Push to Pass procedure. There was a discussion between the top two drivers in pints at today’s media availability. My take is if all drivers use the boost at the start, it’s the same as if no one uses it. The starts and restarts won’t look any different.

There could be chaos if some drivers are not aware of the procedure.