Category: Auto Racing

Road America Welcomes Fans; Urges Precautions

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Road America is set to be the first NTT Indycar Series race of the season to welcome fans. The track held their June Sprints last weekend and used it as a trial run for the Indycar race. I just purchased my ticket last night. Fans are cautioned on the website:

WARNING – ENTER VENUE AT YOUR OWN RISK. FACILITY ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

FOR YOUR OWN PERSONAL SAFETY:

FOLLOW ALL CDC RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES.

PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING. PLEASE MAINTAIN SIX-FEET FROM ONE ANOTHER AT ALL TIMES.

AVOID TOUCHING YOUR EYES, NOSE AND MOUTH.

WEAR A CLOTH FACE COVERING OVER YOUR NOSE AND MOUTH (where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain).

UTILIZE HAND WASHING AND SANITIZING STATIONS REGULARLY.

WE ASK THAT YOU DO NOT ENTER IF YOU FEEL ILL, HAVE A FEVER OR COUGH, OR ARE SHORT OF BREATH.

WE ASK THAT YOU DO NOT ENTER IF YOU HAVE BEEN IN CLOSE PHYSICAL CONTACT WITHIN THE LAST 14 DAYS WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH COVID-19.

IF YOU HAVE A MEDICAL HISTORY THAT PLACES YOU IN A HIGH-RISK CATEGORY FOR COVID-19, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT ENTER.

Even with these precautions in place, Road America cannot eliminate all risk associated with COVID-19. By choosing to make use of this facility, guests are assuming the risk that they may contract COVID-19 at the facility despite Road America’s best efforts to provide a clean and safe environment. By entering the facility, you are acknowledging that you are releasing the owner and all sanctioning/participating parties of liability.

I hope everyone complies and stays safe. Success at Road America may determine how many more races fans will be allowed to,watch in person the rest of the year.

More information on the track’s plans can be found in Marshall Pruett’s article in Racer magazine from yesterday. the link:

June Sprints success key to IndyCar fan welcome at Road America

From the piece, it sounds as if no decision has yet been made about whether the paddock will open to fans. I really don’t think it should be. Minimum contact contact needs to be the first rule of the weekend. If you’re upset about not having paddock access, remember you still get to see two races at Road America on the same weekend. I would trade paddock access for another race at any track.

Iowa Status

Per Robin Miller from his “Mailbag” this morning, an announcement concerning the double header at Iowa will be coming Friday.

Fan Attendance Update

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As rstrictions for COVID-19 begin to lift, here is an update of where different tracks are on allowing fans. This information is current as of today. Things could change as each race approaches. If you have tickets to a certain track, keep an eye on your email from that venue.

Road America looks like it will be the first Indycar track to host fans for the REV Group Grand Prix doubleheader July 11 and 12. Their website now carries a warning that you enter the track at your own risk. Road America will not be held responsible for you contracting the virus at the track.

Iowa lists the Indycar doubleheader on July 17 and 18 but is not selling tickets.

Mid Ohio, Gateway, Portland , and Laguna Seca all have tickets for sale for their Indycar events.

The IMS website has no ticket information for the Harvest Grand Prix. Could they be waiting to see if the Indianapolis 500 runs in August?

What we know for sure is that fans can attend Road America and the Indianapolis 500 if it runs this year. I thought I thought I had heard that the state of Oregon had a ban on large gatherings through September 30, which would eliminate Portland for fans.

if you live near any of the scheduled Indycar tracks and can provide any additional information, I would love to hear from you so I can provide further updates.

 

The Big Brother 500

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Imagine the Indianapolis 500 with an Orwellian feel to it. Or looking like a scene out of A Wrinkle in Time. Nathan Brown of the Indianapolis Star published an article about those possibilities last night. It is worth a read. Find it here: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2020/06/08/what-attending-indy-500-like-fans/5320149002/

I understand the idea, and I don’t know how realistic some of these things are. Eddie Gossage, president of Texas Motor Speedway, acknowledges that some of these ideas are far fetched. The concepts are about safe crowd movement during a pandemic, keeping groups as small as possible. It doesn’t address the part where people will be sitting close together to watch the race.

The main idea is an app that not only tells you  which gate to enter, but also assigns a time to be at the gate; tells you when you may visit the concession stands or restrooms; and tells you when you may leave the stands after the race. I can buy small parts of this. On the back of each ticket, the Speedway has for years suggested that you enter the gate closest to your seat. I don’t have a problem with that. I don’t necessarily go into the track at that particular gate. Where I park has more to do with where I enter than where my seat is.

Some fans like to get to the track as early as possible while some like to get there late in an attempt to avoid the crowds. I don’t think fans will like being forced to alter their habits.

As for concessions and restrooms, an app can’t regulate your needs in these areas. An app that knows where your seat is and allows you to find the least busy food stand or restroom nearest your seat makes more sense. I’m sure the newly renovated restrooms are really nice looking, but I’ll make an appointment when I want a tour. I’ll go when I need to.

When the race is over, people flock to the exits. many don’t stay for the winner’s lap in the pace car. I can’t imagine forcing to stay up to an hour waiting for permission to leave. By the end of the race some fans have been in their seats close to five hours.

I wonder if a black market will develop where fans sell or trade  their time slots. I’m not sure how that could be done. A scenario- i need to go to the restroom but my time slot is 40 minutes away. My neighbor has just entered his/her bathroom time. can we trade?

We all want to attend sporting events and concerts again. Venues have to insure the safety of their customers and take every reasonable precaution. Some of these concepts go a little beyond reasonable in my opinion.I hope some middle ground can be worked out. Who even knows if or when  the race will even run this year?

The article also mentions some great new technology from NTT Data. I like the idea of the temperature scanning device. That is definitely a more efficient process than a staff member with a hand held thermometer. An alarm that sounds when a gate has too many fans there is also a good idea.

I concede this year more strict crowd control is needed. I agree that movement should be limited. I also believe that most fans understand this and will do what they need to in order to attend our beloved 500. I am always fearful of once controls are in place they tend to stay in place and get more strict. Race Day has always been one of the days of the year where I feel the freest. I could survive a year of some limits.

 

Final Texas Notes and Other Items

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Photo: Indycar, Chris Owens

For a look at what being at Texas Motor Speedway was like, read this great piece by Racer magazine’s Joey Barnes, one of five media people on site. https://racer.com/2020/06/08/barnes-the-loneliest-race/

It’s probably a good thing the next race is four weeks away. The crews need to rest up after their exhausting day Saturday.

This weekend reminded again of how old I am. I have seen multiple wins in person by the  three  drivers with the most wins in Indycar history. Before you ask, I never saw Ralph de Palma win a race.

Is it August, er October, er, Next May Yet?

While it was reassuring to hear Roger Penske say the Indianapolis 500 will run with fans  present or not at all, I’m still not sure when that will be. August seems too soon, especially with news of the Indiana State Fair’s cancellation. The fair was schedule to run August 6-23.

October, especially early in the month holds the promise of pleasant weather. The race would probably need to start earlier since sunset will be before 8 pm. Also, an October race would likely necessitate a compacted schedule. We could see practice Tuesday-Wednesday; qualifying Thursday-Friday, and the race Sunday. October 11 would be the likely date since the Harvest Grand Prix is the weekend before.

Whither Bronze Badges?

I’m hearing Bronze Badges will be honored at the Harvest Grand Prix since they can’t be used for the July 4 GMR Grand Prix. I’m not sure what the policy is for the Indianapolis 500. Would Indycar or IMS want that many people in the garage area? If they take that access away from badge holders, will something else be offered?

The only thing certain in 2020 is uncertainty.

 

 

 

Quick Thoughts- Genesys 300

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Nice that NBC acknowledged what is going on in the country at the start of the broadcast.

It was a race. It was a nice distraction from everything else happening in the world. We got through it. Not the best race ever, but drama was beginning to build near the end. Rosenqvist made a poor decision to pass when he did.

Scott Dixon now has a chance to get his 50th career win this season. I hope it comes at a race where fans are allowed.

I was surprised there weren’t more cautions. VeeKay and Palou’s accident I thought would be the first of rookie accidents all night.

This was probably not the best race to showcase on NBC.

Passing seemed to improve as the night wore on. I hope that high part of the track can be improved for next year.

A 5-7 lap window to require tire changes might have put more strategy into the race. There was mor strategy than i expected with the yellows and teams deciding to pit early. Thanks to NBC for keeping track of tire laps on screen.

Solid runs for Veach, Carpenter, Daly, Askew, and Kanaan.

Kimball lost what would have been a terrific debut for A. J. Foyt Racing. It was nice to see the Foyt cars competitive.

Ryan Hunter-Reay had an amazing run recovering from the issues at the start to finish eighth and on the lead lap.

Conor Daly is the best thing that has happened to Carlin racing since they entered Indycar.

Oliver Askew is exactly what I thought- patient and steady. It was a great job for a rookie at Texas to move up 11 places.

I can’t remember seeing so many cars have issues on the grid before engines fired.

Pit crews were rusty from the layoff, but they will get back into form next month.

I’ll be back tomorrow with some more detailed thoughts. I’m just glad that there was a live race to watch, it was a safe night, and that we all had a taste of the normal for a few hours today.

Thanks for following along today.

 

 

Newgarden On Pole for Genesys 300

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Josef Newgarden nipped Scott Dixon for the pole for tonight’s Genesys 300. Newgarden, the final qualifier, averaged 215.740 to beat Dixon by 0.03 seconds.

Takuma Sato crashed during his qualifying run. He will likely start in his backup car.Rinus VeeKay, who had crash in practice, did make an attempt. Neither did Santino Ferrucci. A statement from Dale Coyne Racing said the car didn’t feel right.

Starting grid will be up in a few months minutes.

Dixon Leads Practice; Tough Day for ECR

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Scott Dixon moved to the top of the speed chart with two minutes left in the two hour practice session for tonight’s Genesys 300 at Texas Motor Speedway. The session in very warm temperatures was interrupted three times for incidents. Two of the stoppages were caused by cars from Ed Carpenter Racing.

About 15 minutes into practice rookie Rinus Veekay drove too far below the white line in turn 2 and crashed hard into the outside wall. The car suffered heavy left side damage, including the gearbox. The crew is trying to get the car ready for qualifying at 5 pm Eastern time. they may use some parts with Air force branding from Conor Daly’s road course car.

With about an hour left, Ed Carpenter spun on the exit of turn 4. He made very light contact with the wall and punctured a rear tire. Carpenter complained of understeer just before the spin.

Two minutes after practice resumed, Ryan Hunter-Reay crashed in turn 2. There was some damage to the car, but it should be ready for qualifying.

Hondas dominated the session, at one time holding the first six spots. Three Andretti Autosport drivers, Marco Andretti, Zach Veach, and Colton Herta, swapped the lead for about 15 minutes. With two minutes left in the session, Scott Dixon  moved to the top with a lap of 215.995 and held on until the checkered flag.

The top 12:

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Notes

A big concern for tonight’s race is the dark sections of the track where a traction compound was put down for the NASCAR race. There is no grip in that area and drivers had a difficult time holding on if they got too much of their car in it. I hope this doesn’t cause the race to be a single groove processional show.

Tony Kanaan’s 7-11 car looks amazing.

Pato O’Ward had the quickest Chevrolet and third fastest in the session.

Five teams had drivers in the top 10.

It was nice to see Charlie Kimball in a Foyt entry finish 11th.

Three Andretti drivers were in the top 10. Alexander Rossi and Hunter-Reay were not two of the three.

The six newest drivers in the field have an average age of 21 years, 4 months. All are in their first or second year in the series. The full field average is just over thirty years,  Kanaan and Takuma Sato raise it to that level.

Race preview from yesterday:

https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/90591962/posts/2741819644

 

 

All Texas in A Day

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Greetings from Texas Motor Speedway. Just kidding. Of course I’m in Indianapolis as we prepare for the first Indycar race of the season. Coverage of all sessions for the Genesys 300 can be viewed on various NBC channels beginning at 1 pm Eastern. Today’s schedule and broadcast platforms:

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After the race, NBCSN will present a 30 minute post race show. The first 30 minutes of practice is dedicated to rookies and veterans who have not raced at Texas previously. Approximately four hours will be on television.

Look for coverage here at The Pit Window after each session.