Category: Auto Racing

Rossi Fastest in Practice 2; Chevys Make Gains on Reds

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Alexander Rossi had the day’s fastest time of 1:15.135 to lead the second practice session at Belle Isle this afternoon. The official practice ended early when Simon Pagenaud made contact with the outside wall. The team repaired the broken toe link and took part in the pit stop practice.

Spencer Pigot was the first driver to go to the alternate red tires with about 12 minutes left in the session. Most other cars put on the reds about three minutes later.  Pagenaud brought out the red flag with just over three minutes left.

Josef Newgarden broke the Honda logjam at the top of the standings on the red tires, finishing second to Rossi.  Five Chevrolets were in the top ten nthis afternoon, two more than in the morning round. The Chevys represented the entire Penske and Carpenter teams.

Watch for a full report on the day on Wildfire Sports later tonight.

Dixon Leads Practice 1

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Scott Dixon had the fastest lap in the opening practice session for the Detroit Grand Prix. His best lap was 1:16.7418, a speed of 110.240 mph.  Four Hondas and two Chevrolets occupied the top six spots. Will Power was second, 0,3464 seconds behind Dixon.

The rest of the top six – Ryan Hunter-Reay, Josef Newgarden, Graham Rahal, and Colton Herta.  Spencer Pigot was the only other Chevy driver in the top 10, in ninth place. Alexander Rossi, one of this weekend’s favorites, was eighth quickest.

The session was green until Sebastien Bourdais found the runoff area in turn seven with about eight minutes left. He tried to spin the car around and continue, but the car stalled.  The session resumed with about five minutes left.  Felix Rosenqvist spun into a runoff area, but the session continued.

The next practice is at 2:50 and the results will determine tomorrow’s qualifying groups. Pit stop practice follows the practice session.

More later.

Welcome to the Detroit Grand Prix

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Here at the Detroit Grand Prix. The first practice begins in about 20 minutes.  Most of my coverage will be on Wildfire Sports this weekend, but I will still have posts here, including qualifying and race quick thoughts.

One change I noticed is the food court has moved to the drive just before the bridge leading to the paddock.  Picnic tables are in the grassy area near the bridge. This arrangement makes the food court less crowded.

Practices today  will be on NBC Gold.  I’ll be back after practice.

Lessening Post Race Depression by a Day- The Victory Banquet

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Last year I decided to attend the Victory Banquet. It is something I have always wanted to do and the time was right. I knew after five minutes 2018 would not be my one and only Banquet.  The best thing about it is that it delays the post race blues for another day.

This year my good friends Frank and Nola Proctor joined me for the first time. Marty was planning to go, but had to change her plans at the last minute. The Proctors were awestruck.  They loved the proximity to the drivers.

This year featured tributes to Mari Hulman George and Mario Andretti on the 50th anniversary of his 500 win. A. J. Foyt gave a touching tribute Mrs. George.

There were humorous moments. Conor Daly pretty much did a stand up comedy routine.  Colton Herta said His $351, 000 prize would allow him to move out his parents’ basement. James Hinchcliffe warned him that since Herta lives in California, that wasn’t enough money to move.

The evening’s most awkward moment of the night occurred when Helio Castroneves seemed to be pleading for Roger Penske to let him drive in next year’s race. I thought he had a three year agreement for the 500. Penske did not seem to be smiling. The room got eerily quiet. while Castroneves spoke.

Santino Ferrucci received the Rookie of the Year Award. This rookie class was so close that I thought it would come down to which rookie had the highest finish in the race. Ferrucci finished seventh. No other rookie finished any better than 22nd.

The Banquet Format Needs Work

The one thing I don’t like about the banquet is that some drivers come to the podium to speak and others, sometimes two at a time, sit in chairs and have a late night talk show type chat with a different host.  This format sets some drivers apart as being more important than others.

I especially don’t like when they talk to two drivers at once. the banquet should be a chance for each diver to talk about his day and thank his sponsors and others.  The two driver portions diminish each driver’s accomplishments.  We don’t learn how much prize money some of the drivers get.

Here are some photos from the banquet. Tomorrow look for my Detroit preview on Wild fire Sports.  The thing I like about Detroit is that I get to incorrectly pick two winners instead of one.

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A. J. Foyt remembers Mari Hulman George
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Mario Andretti talks about winning the 500 in 1969
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Santino Ferrucci receives the Rookie of the Year Award from Speedway President Doug Boles

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Simon Pagenaud gets the checkered flag signed by the other drivers.

 

 

 

 

 

A Look at the Aeroscreen

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The new aeroscreen for 2020 was introduced on Carb Day by Jay Frye, President of Indycar, accompanied by Andy Damerum, and Ed Collings of Red Bull Racing.  The device will replace the AFP, which debuted at the Indycar Grand Prix.

My first impression was that it is too tall, it looks like an enclosed halo, and if the open area is covered, we have a single seat Daytona Prototype.  here are some other views.

 

The driver appears to be sit much lower in the cockpit, but that may just be an illusion. I like seeing the drivers turn the steering wheel. I don’t think this design will allow for that.

One question that wasn’t asked was what happens on a road or street course when it rains?  Frye said if the screen gets covered in oil, the car would have to pit to remove a tearoff.  Removing a tearoff will not help in the rain. Are we about to see wipers on Indycars?

Part of the aesthetic issue is that the screen is being retrofit onto  existing bodywork. When the new car goes into service, the aeroscreen (they’re still working on a better name) will be better integrated into the design. That may help lower the profile.

I liked the look of the windscreen that was tested last year better.  I understand there were problems with it as far as heat in the cockpit and distortion. Red Bull and Dallara are working on a cockpit cooling system as well as a defogging unit.

I’m all for making the cars as safe as they can. I’m not sure I like the look of the car with this new attachment. However, like the original screen and the AFP, , I would like to view it in person on a car.  I’m sure there will be modifications as they go through the on track testing.

Coming up tomorrow  I have a look at the Victory Banquet. Watch for my Detroit preview on Wildfire Sports Friday.

Quick Thoughts 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500

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Photo:     Kyle McInnes

That was an exciting ending to an otherwise mediocre race.

The red flag and the excessive yellow laps afterward saved Pagenaud from a race killing fuel stop.  If the track wasn’t ready, why did they put the cars back out there?

Great runs by Takuma Sato, Santino Ferrucci, and Pippa Mann. Sato moved up 11 places to 3rd, Ferrucci started 23rd and finished 7th, and Mann went from 30th to 14th. This is Mann’s best finish in the 500.

Cotlon Herta finishes last again. I hope the team can find a solution next weekend in Detroit.

Conor Daly finally got a top 10 result in the 500. He drove a great race and ran as high as fourth.  I hope he gets a couple more races this uy.

This was one of the messiest races in the pits I can remember.

Nice to see that the Speedway put banners over the seats in the south short chute that they haven’t been selling. It had to improve the look on television.

Opening ceremonies continue to be too long. Please cut two of the musical selections and let’s tighten it up.  Also, “Taps” should follow the Jim Phillipi speech.

I was happy to hear , “Lady and Gentlemen, start your engines.” again.

This was not the weather we were promised. I for one am darn glad.

Pagenaud won despite poor fuel mileage.

Zach Veach’s disappointing season continues.

Look for my full race report on Wildfire Sports tomorrow afternoon and more thoughts here tomorrow as well.

 

Racing to 101?

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HiGood morning from a windy Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Race Day!  There has been lightning in the area and the video boards are already displaying the warning to exit the grandstands.  The weather forecast leaves very little time to squeeze in the race. If the race begins, 101 laps is an official race,

Knowing the race will be a short one will definitely play into teams’ strategy.

The last rain shortened race was in 2007. Dario Franchitti won a race that was interrupted by rain after 113 laps, restarted about three hours later, then halted after 166 laps. If the race is shortened, I hope we can get in at least 150 laps.  101 seems too short.

I wll keep you posted on weather developments through @PitWindow on Twitter and The Pit Window on Facebook  after 10 am.  Before then, I will post an update to this story.

If you’re coming to the track, be safe. I’m not suree there will,be an official announcement from the track or NTT Indycar Series officials before 9 am.

Update

It’s 7:17 and the skies are clearing. Things look better for an on time start. The weather is moving north.

9:59

Weather appears not to be an issue at all now. Thanks Tony Hulman

Legends Day

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It’s Legend’s Day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  Two events, the drivers’ autograph session and the memorabilia show behind the day. The public drivers’ meeting is at 10:30 followed by vintage cars on track at 11:15.

The meeting is mostly ceremonial with awards and introductions. The start procedure is reviewed and the drivers are asked to play nice tomorrow.

My favorite parts of the day are the memorabilia show and the vintage cars. I have purchased some great items at the show at some good prices.  I also just enjoy looking at the things fir sale.

You know you’re getting old when  all of the vintage  cars are ones you saw race.  I guess I’m a vintage fan. Maybe I should get a lap around the track too.

There is also an autograph session for former drivers, but you need to stand in line until noon to attend, which doesn’t allow time for anything else.

I’m working on a piece concerning the aeroscreen announced yesterday. I want to get some questions answered before stating my opinion. Look for a story Tuesday or Wednesday.

Tomorrow after the hopefully completed race watch for Quick Thoughts here and a full wrap up on Wildfire Sports Monday.

 

Kanaan Leads Carb Day Practice

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Tony Kanaan led the field for Sunday’s 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500. The session start was delayed 15 minutes because of morning rain.

The 90 minute final practice was clean. Graham Rahal brushed the wall in turn 4 but kept going.

I think the practice was indicative of what the race will be like.  Passing in groups of three or four, no passing in a larger group.

Alexander Rossi looked very strong  Honda’s dominated the top 10.

More later. There was a serious crash on lap 2 of the Freedom 100

The race is currently under a red flag.