Gallagher GP Qualifying Groups
Category: Uncategorized
Today’s Starting Lineup
Cornelison To Sing National Anthem at IMS for First Time at Brickyard Weekend
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. |
Iowa Schedule
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
Comeback Complete: Wickens Wins at Watkins Glen; Some Notes
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.)
Notes
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.
Herta, Rossi Lead IMS Road Test Day
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.
Grosjean Talks about May
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.”
Kirkwood Excited for Mid Ohio
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.”
Photo Gallery
Rosenqvist Stays with McLaren Team
Image from McLaren
The announcement doesn’t say whether he will remain in Indycar or move to Formula E, but it does confirm that Felix Rosenqvist has a job in the Mclaren family for 2023 and beyond.
The official news release from McLaren:
McLaren Racing has signed a multi-year deal with Felix Rosenqvist to remain on the team’s driver roster from 2023 and beyond.
McLaren Racing is currently in the process of evaluating its driver line-ups for 2023 with the newly formed McLaren Formula E Team set to embark on its debut season in the all-electric racing series and plans to expand Arrow McLaren SP into a three-car team with Felix set to be driving in one of the two series.
McLaren Racing is currently in the process of evaluating its driver line-ups for 2023 with the newly formed McLaren Formula E Team set to embark on its debut season in the all-electric racing series and plans to expand Arrow McLaren SP into a three-car team with Felix set to be driving in one of the two series.
Felix, from Värnamo, Sweden, joined Arrow McLaren SP in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2021. Since joining the series in 2019, when he was named Rookie of the Year, Felix has secured three podiums and two pole positions. Felix recently finished the 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500 in an impressive fourth place, and currently occupies a spot in the top-10 among a competitive drivers’ championship.
Rosenqvist’s racing career also includes a stint in Formula E, having raced in the series for three seasons from 2016 to 2019, winning three races, securing six pole positions and seven podiums.
The full Arrow McLaren SP and McLaren Formula E 2023 driver line-ups will be confirmed in due course.
Felix Rosenqvist, said:
“I’m delighted to be remaining with McLaren for 2023 and beyond. With the team expanding into Formula E next season, it provides additional opportunities for me both in the USA and Europe and I look forward to being in a position to announce my plans in the coming weeks. I’ve loved my time with the Arrow McLaren SP Team in IndyCar driving the No. 7 car and we’ve had some great moments together, including securing pole earlier this year in Texas and coming home P4 in the Indy 500. I’m excited and grateful to be given this opportunity to explore the new options available to utilise my experience to help McLaren start 2023 on the strongest possible footing.”
Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, said:
“I’m delighted to be continuing our relationship with Felix. He’s a fantastic racer, with a lot of experience in many different types of racing cars. As a proven race winner in both categories, it was important for us to secure his talent withing the McLaren Racing family as we work to finalise our plans for 2023. His experience in Formula E would be invaluable as we head into this exciting new era of racing for McLaren Racing but he has also made a fantastic contribution to our IndyCar team. I look forward to working together with him to finalise the best opportunity for him next season.”
Road America Preview
Today’s Schedule All Times Central
Friday, June 10, 2022
7:00 a.m. Gates Open
8:00 a.m. USF2000 P1
8:45 a.m. Indy Pro 2000 P1
9:30 a.m. RADICAL CUP P2
10:30 a.m. USF2000 Q1
11:15 a.m. Indy Pro 2000 Q1
12:00 p.m. Vintage Indy Registry
12:45 p.m. RADICAL CUP Quals
1:00 p.m. INDY LIGHTS Autograph Session Fan Village
1:30 p.m. USF2000 Q2
2:00 p.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Autograph Session Fan Village
2:15 p.m. INDY LIGHTS P1
3:30 p.m. INDYCAR SERIES Practice 1 Peacock
4:45 p.m. RADICAL CUP R#1
5:50 p.m. Vintage Indy Registry
Note: I will be leaving this evening and be at Road America tomorrow morning. I believe I have recovered well enough to make the trip, but it will be a game time decision.
And just like that the season reaches the halfway mark. Road America and the Sonsio Grand Prix at Road America, the eighth race of the NTT Indycar Series season, also marks the end of an intense stretch of six weeks of activity. A three week run at the end of July is the only other long group of weekends remaining. The way the schedule is stacked is one of the things I don’t like about the series. I would rather see races spread out from March through October. ( Don’t say football. I don’t watch it so I don’t care.
This weekend’s event features two women in the field outside the Indianapolis 500 for the first time in almost nine years. Simona DeSilvestro and Paretta Autosport open their three race season, and join Tatiana Calderon of A. J Foyt Racing on the grid. Paretta Autosport will also enter Mid Ohio and Nashvlle.
Points Battle Continues
No clear favorite has emerged yet for the championship. The top our are separated by just 14 points. The lead has shifted between five drivers over the first seven races. Will Power is ahead of Marcus Ericsson. at the moment by just three points . The lead could shift again Sunday, though I think we are close to establishing the top four or five for the stretch run.
Andretti Resurgence?
If Andretti Autosport is going to et back into the game, Road America is the track to do it. The team gained some momentum in Detroit last week with Alexander Rossi finishing second and Colton Herta coming home eighth. Rossi dominate in winning here in 2019. Herta has one pole and three other front row starts. This pair could start a charge to the front of the pack this weekend. Rossi has moved up to seventh in points with a fifth at Indianapolis and and a second place finish last week. Herta has fallen back to 11th in points, but I think he still has at least one more win left in him for 2022.
AMSP Now Part of Big 4?
Arrow McLaren SP is close to joining the Big three of Andretti, Penske, and Ganassi. Both of their full time cars, wit Pato O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist have finished in the top 10 the last two races. In race 2 at Road America in 2020 O’Ward and Rosenqvist put on a great battle for the lead. Rosenqvist, driving for Ganassi at the time, took the lead with two laps to go or the win. I look for another strong performance from these two.
For the race, Alexander Rossi will break his 44 race winless streak Sunday. This is the time of year when the top teams begin to assert themselves. There are now four teams strong enough to win any weekend, and Andretti is ready to rejoin the fight.
500 Win Worth $3.1 Million for Ericsson
Last night’s victory celebration was a joyous affair with a lot of humor, a record 16 million dollar purse, and a humble winner. The first post race banquet since 2019 drew what may have been a record crowd for the event. It was only my third time attending, so i can’t speak with certainty about the numbers. There were definitely more people there than in 2018 or 2019.
Jimmie Johnson won the Rookie of the Year Award. The decision did not set well with many fans on social media. I think David Malukas deserved it for his 16th place finish and his strong month in practice. I concede that the highest finishing rookie shouldn’t always receive the award, but it should at least go to someone who finishes the race.
As for the “on track performance” component of the selection criteria, I believe some consideration should be given to the strength of the driver’s team. Of course someone driving for Ganassi or Penske will look better in qualifying and the race.
Conor Daly’s time at the podium was spent attempting to solve the mystery of the orbeez in the hot tub. A video with “investigative reporter: James Hinchcliffe turned up no clues.
Daly had his career best finish, sixth, and thinks he is on the verge of getting to the top soon.
Tony Kanaan said he hopes to be back next year, but his future with Ganassi is uncertain. The crowd shouted their appreciation for TK.
Pato O’Ward was a gracious second place finisher who can’t imagine what it would be like to be the first Mexican driver to win the 500. He wants to find out next year.
A Humble Winner
Marcus Ericsson displayed humility and gratitude in a low key speech. He thanked his parents, team, and others who have helped and supported him. He apologized for his voice, which after just one day of several to come of non stop interviews was already giving out. At times I wondered if he thinks his win really happened.
The Money
The prizes for the one off teams don’t even come close to paying what it cost to run a team for the 500. While the purse is a record, the one off teams and thee xtra cars for established teams need to get more back. Waht is the incentive for entering otherwise?
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 