Category: Auto Racing
Entry List- Genesys 300
VeeKay Cleared to Enter US
Per Racer magazine, Ed Carpenter Racing rookie driver Rinus VeeKay is on his way to the United States from Mexico. VeeKay will begin his NTT Indycar Series career Saturday at Texas Motor Speedway in the Genesys 300. The Dutch driver had been in quarantine in Mexico the last two weeks.
Alex Palou, who drives for Dale Coyne Racing Team Goh, entered the United States last week.
All drivers scheduled to participate in Saturday night’s season opener are now in the country.
Carlin Withdraws the 31 for Texas
In a statement from Carlin Racing PR this morning, the 31 car will not race at Texas. Their statement:
Due to the economic impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, the planned No. 31 Carlin entry will not be entered in this weekend’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opener at Texas Motor Speedway. We will continue to work with our partners in Europe and aim to have two entries for the remainder of the 2020 season. Conor Daly will represent Carlin this weekend in the Genesys Technology 300 as originally planned in the No. 59 Gallagher Carlin Chevrolet.
This may be a trend this season. The shutdown has had a financial impact throughout the world. Still no word on whether Rinus VeeKay will be driving Saturday. Daly was previously committed to Carlin for this race.
Road to Indy Releases Busy Revised Schedule
Following the new late yesterday that Indy Lights had suspended their 2020 season, the Road to Indy released a revised schedule for IndyPro2000 and USF2000. Each series will race 18 times beginning in July, mostly in in support of an Indycar event.
The Tires They Are A-Changin’- New Procedures for Texas
The NTT Indycar Series has added two tweaks to the June 6 schedule at Texas Motor Speedway. We have already seen the event shortened to 200 laps/300 miles from its traditional 248 laps/360 miles. This isn’t the first time we have seen the Texas race run a bit differently. Remember the twin races where the drivers spun a tire to determine Race 2’s starting position? That was fun. For this race, it’s nothing that drastic. One change I like, the other I’m not excited about, but I feel is necessary for the season opener.
The day of the Genesys 300 will begin with a 30 minute test session for rookies Alex Palou, Rinus VeeKay, and Oliver Askew. The 80 minute practice session begins immediately at the conclusion of the rookie test period. With testing cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, Indycar felt the rookies should get extra time on the 1.5 mile oval. This is a great and necessary move by Indycar. It doesn’t completely erase my concerns for the event, but it does help lower them a bit.
The second change is a 35 lap maximum stint for tires during the race. Several factors led to this decision. First, the divers haven’t been on track in nearly nine months except for testing almost three months ago. Second, tire supplies are down because of the changes in work time caused by the pandemic pandemic. And the new aeroscreen creates a change in the center of gravity which will affect tire wear.
I don’t like mandated stints. Indycar did this at Texas a couple years ago when tire wear became an issue. The decision came after the race had started. At least the rule is clear for the entire race. The tire rule takes fuel strategy out of the race but when the yellows come could dictate tire strategy. Teams get nine sets of Firestone tires for the entire day. The team that manages their tires the best should do very well.
Indycar News Roundup: IMS Museum Sets Opening Date; Palou, VeeKay in Limbo
It’s nice to start the day with some good news. the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum announced today that it will re-open July 7 and extend the From the Vault exhibit. I did not get a chance to see this exhibit in the fall, so I’m thrilled to get an opportunity to see it. Here are some important points from the museum’s announcement:
- We have developed and revised, on almost a daily basis, protocols to keep our guests and staff as safe as possible. When we re-open, we will allow fewer people in the Museum and will have new guidelines for social distancing. These protocols are unprecedented, and we are learning what will work for us from such sources as the American Alliance of Museums, the American Association for State and Local History, and other museums in the city, as well as our local groceries and big-box stores.
- The Museum will reopen on Tuesday, July 7, under the governor’s executive order, the “Back on Track” re-opening plan, and further discussion with IMS officials. Our tours are scheduled to restart at the same time. This may change, however, and I encourage you to check our website before making plans. We will post our re-opening protocols there, too, at indyracingmusuem.org.
- We are extending the run of From the Vault presented by Bank of America. Cut short by our closure, the full exhibit will run through mid-July, and then be contracted a bit to allow us to open a new exhibit on August 1. We will update and supplement From the Vault with additional cars this summer, and in October we will switch out about 10 of the cars to give you a great reason to return.
- In fact, From the Vault presented by Bank of America is a great reason for you to have a museum membership. We plan on rotating a variety of cars through the exhibit, so you will want to come back several times. One thing that won’t change: our members always get into the Museum for free!
- Our new exhibit is . . . going to remain a secret for a while longer. As soon as our printers can get back to work, we will get the banners and signage created, with a plan to start installing the exhibit about July 20. That exhibit will run through June 20, 2021.
- We have been sharing a wide variety of film and video content on our YouTube channel and through our social media. If you do not follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or our YouTube channel, you are missing out on a lot of great race history.
Will Palou and VeeKay Race at Texas?
The Department of Homeland Security has made an exception to its travel ban to allow foreign athletes to enter the United States. The agency did not include motorsports. While this exclusion greatly affects IMSA, Indycar is also affected. Two rookies, Alex Palou and Rinus VeeKay are currently in Europe. Indycar, their teams, Dale Coyne Racing and Ed Carpenter Racing, are working with the the government and embassies to work out arrangements for them to enter the country. Indiana senator Mike Braun has written the DHS asking the department to add motorsports to its exception list. I think Roger Penske knows a guy in DC who can help as well.
Speculation as to who might replace Palou or VeeKay has been swirling. i will leave that discussion until it is necessary.
Lost in a Lost World- Indy’s Day Without a Race
The city’s heart and soul vanished Sunday, stolen by the pandemic that dictates our lives nowadays. Race Day 2020 was not to be. Having the circadian rhythms of your life abruptly altered is a jarring experience. In Indiana, we are programmed for this day.
I awoke suddenly at 4 am, my usual race day rising time, then went back to sleep for a couple hours. I felt I should be somewhere, should get the cooler loaded, should meet my friends for breakfast. I kept looking at the clock and thinking, ” I would be entering the track now; I’d be heading to my seat now; It’s time for the opening ceremonies to start.”
Yesterday was the first time I had eaten breakfast at home on the fourth Sunday in May since sometime in the 1990s. A check of social media showed me that many of my friends were feeling the same way I was. feeling – lost. Watching the 2006 race on You Tube provided some solace. There may have been some dust in my eyes at the playing of”Taps’ and “Back Home Again in Indiana.” The Indianapolis Motor Speedway website’s #500AtHome link had some content as well.
Around noon I went to a friend’s house for a small birthday celebration. On the drive I listened to the 2016 race on WIBC. I passed the track on the way and saw several groups of people gathered on the plaza in front of Gate 1. Most had lawn chairs and coolers.
It was comforting to be with some of my racing family for a couple hours. We watched the beginning of the NBC show, “Back Home Again.” The porch was silent during “Taps.” We discussed the August date and what other races we might attend. None of us can be sure any of the race dates are certain, but there was an air of hope.
I went back to Gate 1. The crowd had thinned considerably. Someone had the radio on. It was last year’s race playing at this point.
On Main Street, things were a bit more lively. All the outside tables at Dawson’s were full. Down the street people were just sitting in lawn chairs on the sidewalk, talking. I ran into a couple of friends there. The highlight for me was seeing this vehicle.
After all, what is Race Day without a salute to the past?
In spite of the few hours of time with friends and at the track entrance, it was a day I hope I never have to go through again. There aren’t many people alive who remember the last time, 75 years ago, when there wasn’t a race on Memorial day weekend.
As for August, we need to keep hoping the race will run, but I can’t see how the Speedway can allow a huge group of fans at that time. We have to hope that something will break like the rain on race morning gives way to to a sunny perfect race day.
More Details on Texas Race Move to NBC
From Indycar:
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The Pit Window by Mike Silver 