From @Indycar _Wxman 4 minutes ago
Scott McLaughlin led the three Team Penske cars to a sweepif the top three spots in the second practice for the Music City Grand Prix.
The fastest Honda belonged to Alexander Rossi in fourth. Rossi was 0.38 seconds behind Mc Laughlin.
Rookie Kyle Kirkwood was fifth fastest. Chevrolet powered cars took five of the first six positions.
Josef Newgarden led the field in the final tuneup for this afternoon ‘s Gallagher Grand Prix. The session ran un interrupted. Alexander Rossi led through the middle of the practice. Newgarden grabbed the top spot with about 10 minutes left.
From IMS:
INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, July 19, 2022) – Jim Cornelison, best known for singing “(Back Home Again in) Indiana” before the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and performing the national anthem for Chicago Blackhawks’ and Chicago Bears’ games, will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the Gallagher Grand Prix NTT INDYCAR SERIES race Saturday, July 30 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. For six consecutive years, Cornelison has stirred Hoosier hearts with his moving rendition of “(Back Home Again in) Indiana” as part of the pre-race ceremony for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. Now, for the first time, he will lend his voice for the national anthem to kick-start the first race of the historic, tripleheader Brickyard Weekend when the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Cup Series take on the thrilling 14-turn, 2.439-mile IMS road course during a race weekend steeped in IMS heritage. “The national anthem is an integral, historic part of our pre-race pageantry and tradition,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “As we welcome the NTT INDYCAR SERIES back to IMS for another race on the road course, it’s fitting that Jim, who plays such a pivotal role in one of our Indianapolis 500 pre-race traditions, is also back at the Racing Capital of the World performing for our fans at the track and those watching on NBC.” Since beginning his professional singing career in 1993, Cornelison made his name through performances at opera houses around the world and national anthem performances for professional sports teams in Chicago, including the Bears, Cubs, Bulls and Blackhawks. He performed at the nationally televised, historic opening game of the NFL’s 100th Anniversary Season and received further national recognition for his performances at the PGA’s 2012 Ryder Cup, Chicagoland Speedway’s NASCAR races and the Indianapolis 500. NBC’s live coverage of the Gallagher Grand Prix starts at noon (ET) Saturday, July 30.Visit ims.com to purchase tickets for Brickyard Weekend, which includes the Gallagher Grand Prix and Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard (NASCAR Xfinity Series) on Saturday, July 30 and the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard (NASCAR Cup Series) on Sunday, July 31. |
All Times Central
FRIDAY, JULY 22
2:00 pm Gates Open
2:15 pm – 3:05 pm Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Practice
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice Peacock
5:30 pm Track crossing opens for fans to access the infield paddock area
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm NTT INDYCAR SERIES and Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires driver autograph session (paddock area of the infield)
SATURDAY, JULY 23
8:00 am Gates Open
8:30 am – 9:00 am Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Qualifying
9:30 am – 10:45 am NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying for Races 1 and 2 Peacock
11:15 am – 12:20 pm Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Race (100 laps) Peacock
1:00 pm – 1:50 pm Tim McGraw Concert
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm NTT INDYCAR SERIES HyVeeDeals.com 250
presented by DoorDash (250 laps) NBC, Peacock
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm Florida Georgia Line Concert
SUNDAY, JULY 24
9:00 am Gates Open
12:10 pm – 1:00 pm Gwen Stefani Concert
2:00 pm – 4:30 pm NTT INDYCAR SERIES Race Hy-Vee Salute to Farmers 300 presented by Google (300 laps) NBC, Peacock
5:15 pm – 6:45 pm Blake Shelton Concert
It was only a matter of time before Robert Wickens would win a race. Saturday at Watkins Glen Wickens and co driver Mark Wilkins won the TC/R class of the Michelin Pilot Challenge race. The team finished at Daytona during the Rolex 24 weekend.
Wickens started the race, the Tioga Downs 250, in the Hyundai Elantra owned by Bryan Herta Autosport. He took the lead, then handed the car to Wilkins to finish the race.
In a weekend of national turmoil, it was nice to see a positive, uplifting story like this. Wickens’ comeback story has been an inspiration to many since his paralyzing accident at Pocono in 2018. (Thanks, NBC, for continuing to show it. We don’t need to see it anymore.)
I’m hearing rumors of a car dropping from the grid due to nonpayment by the sponsor. We may not be able to confirm this until the Mid Ohio entry list comes out. Losing a car would be a bit of a blow to the series, which has had a mostly positive season to date. If you have looked at other sources, you have an idea who I’m talking about.
I am curious about how you view races. Do you still watch on NBC? How many of you watch exclusively on Peacock? Please let me know. If you watch on Peacock, what do you like about it compared to the network broadcast? Thanks.
I believe 2014 was the last season in which the defending series champions dii not win a race in the first half of the year. Will Alex Palou break through sometime before September? I wouldn’t bet against it. I’m not sure it is going to be this weekend though.
Mid Ohio coverage starts tomorrow. I’ll be on site starting Friday with my usual drivel and boring stories.
Simona De Silvestro on track at Thursday’s test
Colton Herta and Alexander Rossi were the tow fastest drivers in Thursday’s test on the IMS road course. Eight drivers from four teams turned laps on a day that might closely reflect the conditions for the Gallagher Grand Prix July 30.
Herta was happy to drive the track on which he won the GMR Grand Prix in May in dry conditions.
“It’s good to get an understanding of what its going to be like that day,” Herta said.
Romain Grosjean had an issue with his car in the morning and only ran two laps. he talked about his experience in his first Indianapolis 500.
“I was annoyed with the car. I hope I never have that car again,” he told the media. Asked his impression of the opening ceremonies, Grosjean said “That was really cool.”
Kyle Kirkwood is looking forward to next weekend’s race at Mid Ohio. The rookie for A. J. Foyt Racing has had a lot of success there when he was driving in The Road to Indy.
“Mid Ohio is my number one track. I can’t wait to go to that one,” Kirkwood said. he also noted that the Lexington track is probably the best road course for the team.
“I just love driving that track” he said.
Kirkwood said Iowa was “a lot of fun to drive.”
Kirkwood thought the 500 pre race was “Amazing. I don’t think anything really compares to that. You sit on the grid, and I’ve never had that sensation of the crowd and the prerace ceremonies. I thought it was pretty big at St. Pete. Pretty much every other grid I go to will be less nerve wracking because of the experience I had at the 500.”
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 