Category: Auto Racing

Race Day at Pocono- Eye on the Weather

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Photo: Tony Kanaan was fastest in yesterday’s only practice. He was 5th on the No Tow list. Photo: Kyle McInnes

Good morning. It’s race day at Pocono Raceway. The ABC Supply 500 has a scheduled green flag of around 2:45, weather permitting. The last forecast I heard was for a mid morning shower with the race starting on time. Rain is possible between 4 and 5 pm. We may get a shortened race which would not be good for the championship contenders.

Check in with @Indycar_Wxman on Twitter for the latest weather. I will provide updates with links to his account as I receive them.  I will also be in contact with fans at the track for on site real time information.

I’m not sure what to expect this afternoon, but from yesterday’s practice session it looks like pit strategy and track position may be key. I anticipate no more than three yellow flags. Fuel mileage will be critical. Hondas should have the advantage there.

Coverage begins on NBCSN at 2pm Eastern. No word yet on possibly moving up the start time.

Notes

Curious information that Pocono wants the race to return, but Indycar has not responded. I don’t think the series is in a position yet to turn away a track that wants them. It wasn’t too long that when a potential track was mentioned, the line was the track has to want Indycar first. Here’s a track that wants a race. I would like to know why Indycar doesn’t want to return.

Indications are strong that Richmond will be on the schedule next year. I don’t see why it can’t be an addition instead of a replacement.

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Interesting article by Chris De Harde in @Indystar about Colton Herta receiving multiple offers from different series. I hope he remains in Indycar. I thought it was pretty much a given that he would move to a fifth Andretti car.

I will be back with a weather update when I have one. i hope I don’t need to be. Look for my Quick thoughts after the race and a full race report here tomorrow.

Kanaan Leads Practice Session; ECR Struggles

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Photo: Kyle McInnes

Tony Kanaan led this afternoon’s only track practice for tomorrow’s ABC Supply 500. Kanaan’s top lap of 216.354 was the only lap in the 216 range. Scott Dixon had the second best time with a 215. 761. Dixon’s lap came late  in the session. Simon Pagenaud in 5th and Charlie Kimball in eighth were the other Chevys  in the top ten. Alexander Rossi was fourth.

Rookie Santino Ferrucci led the session for a few minutes before settling for third quickest. Ferrucci was one of the few drivers who seemed to be able to pass cars  at will.

Ed Carpenter Racing struggled during the session. Spencer Pigot was 21st and Ed Carpenter was last. ECR usually does very well on super speedways. Points leader Josef Newgarden also had trouble finding speed, finishing 17th. Teammate Will Power ended 20th.

The Top Ten:

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Notes:

NBCSN did a nice job pointing out the different wickers teams were using. I’m glad the teams have options. Even thought the wickers configurations are difficult to see, it does give the cars some differentiation.

Rossi seemed to have the setup to be able to pull away from cars behind him.

Passing will be difficult tomorrow. Some of the attempted passes looked like what you see on a road course when a driver can get his nose up to the car but has to drop back. It looks like track position, fuel mileage, and good restarts will be keys to success Sunday.

I’ll be back to morrow with a quick morning preview and then post race coverage.

Race coverage begins at 2 pm on NBCSN. green flag around 2:45. Thanks for following along on this crazy, jumbled day.

 

Qualifying Cancelled

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Qualifying for the ABC Supply 500 has been cancelled. The field will line up according to entrant  points. There will be a two hour practice once the helicopter arrives.  Time of the practice is TBA at the moment.

Josef Newgarden will start on the pole with Alexander Rossi beside him.

I will keep you updated as to when the practice session is scheduled. .

Practice 1 Delayed

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Practice 1 at Pocono has been delayed but not cancelled yet according to a source at the track. A storm cell approaching the track and a low ceiling all morning has prevented the medical helicopter from getting to the track.

Qualifying could be delayed or cancelled and the grid set by points. If that occurs, there will be a practice session later in the day. It’s possible if Indycar decides to conduct qualfying that there will be an abbreviated practice before it. There are several possibilities. It depends on when or if rain arrives, track drying time, and getting the helicopter to the track.

No word yet on how the schedule will be adjusted.  I will post an update when I get information.

Title Chase Heats Up at Pocono

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Good morning. It’s practice and qualifying day at Pocono Raceway for the ABC Supply 500.

Today’s schedule: All Times Eastern

Practice 1- 9:30-10:30

Qualifying   12:30-1:45

Practice 2   4:00-5:00

All sessions are streamed on NBC Gold. Qualifying will be shown delayed on NBCSN at 2:30.  My Quick Thoughts will post after the television broadcast.

The race is the first of the last four races of the season and the first of three consecutive weekends of racing. After all the wild nes of the past ten days, it will be great to re-focus on the championship. After tomorrow we should have a clearer picture of how many drivers will still be in contention. I still thin k going into Portland we will be down to a two man battle between Alexander Rossi and Josef Newgarden.

I will be back after the first practice with a summary and some thoughts on the latest news.