I'm a retired educator and lifelong racing fan. I hope to return to fostering greyhounds in the near future. Living mainly in Indy and wintering in Florida. I attend about 10 Indycar races a year as well as some sports car events
Photo: Pato O’Ward will represent Chevy in today’s test.
Today’s schedule:
Tire testing 9-12
Break 12-1
Tire testing 1-5
Today’s tire test won’t have the drama or excitement of Wednesday’s Rookie Orientation, but it has importance for the next two seasons of the NTT Indycar Series. In addition to testing next year’s tire compound for the Indianapolis 500, Indycar will add weight to the cars, simulating the added weight in 2023 of the larger 2.4 liter engine and the hybrid energy recovery system. The new components should about 125 pounds to the cars. The extra weight will give the series an idea of how the balance of the cars will change under more weight.
I am very interested to hear what Jay Frye and the technical crew says about today’s results. We are a long way from the final configuration for 2023.
Helio Castroneves after winning his fourth Indianapolis 500 in May
Meyer Shank Racing with Helio Castroneves will represent Honda and Arrow McLaren SP with Pato O’Ward will test for Chevy. are the test cars. The oldest driver in the series and one of the youngest drivers providing input reflects the 2021 season and the generational transition Indycar is going through.
As far as I know the turn 2 mounds are open. There is no streaming for today’s activity.
The on again, off again rain finally cut short Rookie Orientation at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway around 4 pm this afternoon, leaving Romain Grosjean and Jimmie Johnson short of completing their rookie tests. The drivers, who just completed their first season in Indycar, will have to wait until the open test in April to finish the final laps of phase three of the 40 lap test. The afternoon stoppage was the second one of the day, and there was not enough time to get the track dry for more running.
These photos by Joe Skibinski of Indycar sum up the day. Race cars and dark clouds
Grosjean needs two more laps at 215 mph or better, while Johnson needs about five laps.
Johnson had a bit of an advantage as he remains with his Chip Ganassi Racing team. Grosjean not only had the stress of his first time driving on the IMS oval, but also the concerns of his first day with a new team. It was his first day as a driver for Andretti Autosport.
Romain Grosjean photo by Chris Owens, Indycar
Asked about the stress, Grosjean said,
“I think really the most stressful part was to know what my first lap speed was going to be. You grow up or move from there. I had no idea what to expect to get to 205. Then it went pretty smoothly, enjoyed it. When you have to go above 215, that’s where the fun starts. ”
Grosjean felt at ease with the support he received
“I got some good explanation, some good tip from the guys, from the engineers also, James Hinchcliffe came in the morning, which I appreciated a lot. Michael was there, as well. When you’ve got those guys, they know what they’re talking about, so that was great to be with them and to know what to do.”
Jimmie Johnson photo by Chris Owens Indycar
Johnson fuflilled a childhood dream by running the oval in an Indycar.
“… just a special day to drive an INDYCAR at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I have truly, truly enjoyed it. It was a childhood dream come true. The experience is more than expected and something that I really, really enjoyed.”
He said today has heightened his interest in driving in the 500.
“(My interest) Definitely, definitely increased. I think the look I had at Texas increased it and brought me here. A little short on laps for what I wanted to experience today. As comfortable as I felt my interest is at the highest it’s been, certainly my comfort is at the highest it’s been. All that said, there’s still a lot of work between now and really pulling through with this opportunity.”
In an interview just after the day ended, Johnson’s face lit up when he was asked if today made him want to run the 500. While he admitted there is “still a lot of work to do” for him to be able to run in May, he seems determined to make it happen.
It was an exciting day to see two veteran drivers turn their first Indycar laps on an oval. For Grosjean, it was just the second time he had seen open wheel cars on the oval. Johnson, who has won at IMS four times in NASCAR on the oval, I enjoyed watching him run in a different type of car.
The rookie class for the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 could be very deep in talent and numbers. In addition to Grosjean and Johnson, there could be up to four drivers from this year’s Indy Lights Series, plus maybe a current NASCAR driver.
A damp morning pushed back the start of on track activity by 10 minutes this morning. Jimmie Johnson left thepits first Romain Grosjean followed. Both drivers did an installation lap and returned to the pits. Johnson left to begin Phase 1 of his roomie test. Grosjean started out, but the yellow light came on for moisture at the south end of the track.
Johnson had completed five laps with a top speed of 208 mph.
Track drying efforts halted after a soaking rain hit the track.
Track drying has just resumed. More rain may arrive around 3:30.
Jimmie Johnson and Romain Grosjean hope to complete Rookie Oientation tests at Indianapolis Motor Speedway today in preparation for their Indianapolis 500 debuts next May.
Jimmie Johnson. Indycar photo by Chris Jones
Johnson did not run any ovals in 2021, while Grosjean ran one, At World Wide Technology Raceway. Grosjean did a great job on his initial oval run.
Today’s activity begins at 10:30 am. ROP was originally scheduled to begin at noon, but was moved up because of a chance of rain this afternoon. The Turn 2 viewing mounds are open. There is no streaming of the tests.
Each car gets three sets of tires for the three phase test.
Phase 1- 10 laps 205-210 mph
Phase 2- 15 laps at 210-215 mph
Phase 3- 15 laps at at 215 + mph.
It will be hard to get used to seeing the 28 car with someone other than Ryan Hunter-Reay in it.
Photo: Will Kyle Kirkwood find an Indycar ride for 2022?
David Malukas slim title hopes for the Indy Lights championship got a bit more life as he won the pole for Sunday’s final race of the season at Mid Ohio. The pole was only one of three things that needed to happen for him to take the crown from Kyle Kirkwood.
At turn 1 after the start, however, it was all over as Malukas overshot the turn and was in last place by turn 4. All Kirkwood had to do was finish the race in virtually any position. Kirkwood finished fifth.
Give Malukas credit. he did not give up. He worked his way through the field on a very slippery track to finish second. Kirkwood won the title by 13 points. Malukas had one of the best Road to Indy drives i have ever seen. it was right up there with Spencer Pigot at Sonoma, who was spun out on the first lap and came from last place to finish fifth, which is where he needed to be to win the championship. Linus Lundqvist won the race, and was third in the season standings. Lujndqvist and Malukas both plan to drive in Indycar in 2022.
Kyle Kirkwood
Kyle Kirkwood is the first driver to win the title on all three levels of the Road to Indy. In a twist of irony, he accomplished that feat on the day he lost a race at Mid Ohio for the first time. Kirkwood had won seven straight open wheel races at this track.
In a normal year, we would definitely see Kirkwood in Indycar next year, but where he drives next year is uncertain. I will have more about that later this week.
USF 2000- Running Out the Clock
Going first can have its disadvantages, and the USF 2000 Series had the worst race and qualifying conditions of the day. Qualifying was abandoned after the time time period ran out. The number of slideoffs and red flags didn’t allow for the guaranteed 20 minutes of green flag running. The grid was set using Saturday’s second fastest qualifying laps.
On lap 1 Josh green got past pole sitter Michael D’Orlando in turn 4 to take the lead. Green kept the position as numerous spins caused the race to run under caution most of the time. The race ended as the time limit expired.
Kiko Porto, Banco Daycoval/Petromega, DEForce Racing, Victory Lane Championship winner
Kiko Porto, the season champion, finished third. Porto will move to Indy Pro 2000 in 2022. It’s nice to see another brazilian driver moving up the ladder.
Indy Pro 2000- Improved Conditions Lead to Best Race of the Day
The final race of the day saw bits of sunshine on a rapidly improving track. It still wasn’t perfect, but the racing was the best of the day. Three lead changes among three driver made for a good event. James Roe won the race for his first victory of the year. He edged Emaan Ahmed by 0.1412 seconds at the line.
Christian Rasmussen claimed the season title just by starting the race. he will be a force in Indy Lights next year.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway & NTT INDYCAR SERIES Grosjean, Johnson To Take Indy 500 Rookie Test Wednesday at IMS
Grosjean and Johnson, both series rookies in the 2021 season, will attempt to complete the test that involves a series of laps at three controlled speed phases on the 2.5-mile oval. The Rookie Orientation Program is a prerequisite for participation in the 106th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 29, 2022. Former Formula One standout Grosjean plans to compete in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” in the No. 28 DHL Honda fielded by Andretti Autosport, while seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Johnson is exploring possible participation in the race in the No. 48 Honda fielded by Chip Ganassi Racing.
Note
I understand that fans may view the tests from the turn 2 viewing mounds.
I woke up to an improved forecast this morning which shows any rain should be gone before 10 am. Some qualifying might be affected, but the races should be dry.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2021 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM TECH OPEN – USF2000 & INDY PRO 2000 (CLOSED FROM 12:00 PM -1:00 PM) 7:00 AM – 1:30 PM TECH OPEN – INDY LIGHTS 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM CREDENTIALS OPEN – MAIN GATE 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM USF2000 QUALIFYING 2 (20 MIN GREEN IN 30 MIN WINDOW) 8:45 AM – 9:15 AM INDY LIGHTS QUALIFYING 2 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM INDY PRO 2000 QUALIFYING 2 (20 MIN GREEN IN 30 MIN WINDOW) 10:15 AM – 10:40 AM SBRS QUALIFYING 2 11:00 AM – 11:40 AM USF2000 RACE 2 12:00 PM – 12:50 PM INDY LIGHTS RACE 2 1:10 PM – 2:00 PM INDY PRO 2000 RACE 2 2:15 PM – 2:40 PM SBRS RACE 2
The Road to Indy tv app will have the action live today.
One championship is over and the other two will be when the green flag begins the respective races tomorrow.
Yuven Sunaramoorthy (center) won the race, but Kiko Porto (right) won the season title. Photo from Road to Indy
Kiko Porto, 18, from Brazil, clinched the USF2000 title by finishing third in Race 1 today. Porto qualified fifth and moved t third after an early accident took out the drivers running second and third. Porto has a 45 point lead over Braden Eves, who finished fifth today.
Yuven Sundaramoothy won his fourth race of the year. He passed pole sitter Michael D’Orlando just before the yellow flag came out for the incident between Jace Denmark and Prescott Campbell . Sundaramoothy will finish third in the points.
The USF2000 race was the day’s final event, and it was the best race of the best race of the day. There was lots of passing and quite a bit side by side action in turns 5 and 6.
Christian Rasmussen’s crew cheers him on after winning. He celebrates on the podium. Photo from Road to Indy
Rasmussen Clinches Indy Pro 2000 Title with Win
Christian Rasmussen extended his narrow lead over Braden Eves by winning the Indy Pro 2000 Race 1. To officially claim the title, Rasmussen just needs to start tomorrow’s race.
Kyle Kirkwood gets his seventh checkered flag at Mid Ohio. Photo from Road to Indy
Kirkwood Keeps Mid Ohio Record Perfect
Kyle Kirkwood has never lost an open race at Mid Ohio. He started from pole today and built a six second lead over his nearest competitor, David Malukas. Kirkwood led the entire race. He has ane asy path to the championship- win the pole or if he doesn’t, just start the race.
Kirkwood’s win was his seventh straight at Mid Ohio and fourth straight in his late season run.
A Pleasant Day at the Track
Today was one of the most pleasant days I have ever spent at a race track. The weather was perfect, the races were fun to watch, and the crowd was sparse. It was nice not have to constantly rub elbows with other fans or stand in a long line for anything.
I don’t know if this how the Road to Indy plans to end their seasons from now on, but I hope this continues. After the intense grind of the Indycar season, it was refreshing for me just to watch kids race and not have much rooting interest. Kirkwood was the only driver I was cheering for.
The day was also a good way to get a look at who might be some future stars of Indycar.
The Road to Indy championship rounds begin this morning with qualifying, followed by the first races this afternoon.
Today at Mid Ohio the temperature should be 78 degrees, mostly cloudy, with only a 15% chance of rain. Tomorrow, however, calls for a high of 73 degrees and a 72% chance of rain.
The forecast could make for some intense racing today since tomorrow’s conditions could be less than optimal.
Today’s schedule:
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM TECH OPEN – USF2000 & INDY PRO 2000 (CLOSED FROM 12:30 PM -1:30 PM) 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM TECH OPEN – INDY LIGHTS (CLOSED FROM 11:30 AM -12:30 PM) 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM CREDENTIALS OPEN – MAIN GATE 8:00 AM – 8:25 AM SBRS PRACTICE 2 8:40 AM – 9:10 AM USF2000 PRACTICE 1 9:25 AM – 10:05 AM INDY LIGHTS QUALIFYING 1 10:20 AM – 10:50 AM INDY PRO 2000 QUALIFYING 1 (20 MIN GREEN IN 30 MIN WINDOW) 11:05 AM – 11:30 AM SBRS QUALIFYING 1 11:45 AM – 12:15 PM USF2000 QUALIFYING 1 (20 MIN GREEN IN 30 MIN WINDOW) 1:00 PM – 1:50 PM INDY LIGHTS RACE 1 2:05 PM – 2:55 PM INDY PRO 2000 RACE 1 3:10 PM – 3:35 PM SBRS RACE 1 3:50 PM – 4:30 PM USF2000 RACE 1
The action today and tomorrow will be on Road to Indy TV.
Robin Miller Celebration
The Celebration of Life for Robin Miller today will be streamed live on RACER.com at 11:45 Eastern. The live program is closed to the public. The celebration should last about 75 minutes.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway & NTT INDYCAR SERIES
Grosjean, Johnson To Take Indy 500 Rookie Test Wednesday at IMS
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 