In the end the race came down to pit strategy and how the cautions fell- just the way a race is supposed to play out. Alex Palou once again came out on the good side, and Kyle Kirkwood fell just short.
The Chevrolet Grand Prix of Detroit delivered an entertaining race, arguably the best race in the Motor City in a while. It was by far the best of the four races held at this edition of a downtown circuit.
Today’s race was the type of event that might keep the casual fan who tuned in today after watching last week’s Indianapolis 500 and saw plenty of action to maybe want to give Gateway a look next Sunday. It was not the post-500 buzzkill that we have often seen.
Here are my thoughts on seven topics from today’s race.
Yellows
IndyCar officiating has been criticized for not throwing yellows when warranted. Today the yellow flew frequently, perhaps a bit too much. Three cautions were called for cars that spun but were able to restart and keep going. Only once did I think the flag was justified as the car was in the middle of the track.
The officials overcorrected their previous reluctance to make a call. I can give the race director a bit of a pass since this was the new IOB’s first street course event.
Did the yellows hurt some drivers? yes, Kyle Kirkwood among them, but that’s racing. I’m sure a middle ground will eventually be reached for when to wave the yellow flag and when not to.
Hybrids
Scott Dixon dropped out of the race, losing a top 10 finish because of a hybrid failure. He was not complimentary about the unit afterwards.
After nearly three years, I’m still not sure how the hybrid adds anything to the sport. The street racing especially has not been great since the hybrid’s introduction to IndyCar. The added weight has slowed speeds, as we saw at IMS last week.
Perhaps it is time to ditch this experiment with the 2028 car.
Another Rahal Podium
Graham Rahal earned his third podium of the season, the first time since 2020 that he has been on the podium that often. Rahal is ninth in points, just one point behind Josef Newgarden.
I’m glad to see Rahal once again competing at the top of the grid. RLL seems to have their road and street packages figured out. I hope the team can find a solution to their oval issues.
A Gritty Duo
Josef Newgarden and Alexander Rossi raced despite their ailing lower extremities. For Rossi, it was his second race since his injury on May 18, and Newgarden was in his first race since hitting the wall last Sunday.
Newgarden started 21st, and Rossi rolled ff 14th. Rossi had made his way to second place near the end of the race before a penalty pushed him down to17th at the end.
Newgarden drove a steady race all day and finished 10th.
Two gutsy performances from these drivers. They should be in better shape for next Sunday’s oval race at Gateway.
The Chime
There is nothing more annoying during the FOX broadcast that the chime the network uses to tell the audience that a radio communication is imminent. It sounds to me like a doorbell or the sound at a sports league draft to announce the next pick.
Is it too difficult for Will Buxton to say to just say, “Here’s what Barry Wanser just told Alex?”
The chime is the most unnecessary prop I have ever seen or heard on a race broadcast.
Will Power
What does Will Power have to do to stay in a race and actually win? This morning I felt great about his chances to win today, and when he passed Palou for the lead during the first stint, I was sure it was his day.
He got behind on pit stops but was making his way back toward the front until co0ntact with Scott McLaughlin sidelined him. The New Zealander was not given a penalty, but he finished 19th after being in contention for the win, so justice was served.
I really hoped Power would win today, in a Honda, in Roger Penske’s backyard. what delicious irony that would have been.
ECR
No team will be happier to see the calendar turn to June 1 tomorrow than ECR. May has not been kind to them.
Both Christian Rasmussen and Alexander Rossi suffered machinal failures in the Sonsio Grand Prix, finishing 24th and 25th.
The highlight of May was rossi qualifying second for the Indianapolis 500. The joy was short lived as Rossi crashed hard in practice the following day, injuring his right ankle.
In the race Rasmussen fell out early with mechanical issues again, finishing 27th. Rossi led for a bit, but a pit fire dropped him the race and he ended the day in 30th place.
Today, in addition to Rossi’s late troubles, Rasmussen was the first car out with wall contact on lap 9.
It was good to see a decent race follow the 500 for once. Next Sunday’s Bommarito 500 should be another great show.
Thanks for following along this weekend.
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 