From @Indycar _Wxman 4 minutes ago
Scott Dixon turned fastest lap in the final warmup session for the Music City Grand Prix. Colton Herta was second quick and poke sitter Scott McLaughlin was third.
Indycar has mandated the overhead air scoop for all cars to assist in cooling the cockpits.
Today’s Schedule: All Times Central
8:00 AM GATES OPEN
9:15 AM INDYCAR WARMUPS Peacock
10:00 AM VINTAGE INDY SESSION
10:55 AM GT AMERICA RACE 2
12:10 PM INDY LIGHTS RACE Peacock
1:20 PM INDYCAR PRE RACE CEREMONIES
2:30 PM INDYCAR BIG MACHINE MUSIC CITY GRAND PRIX NBC; Peacock
4:45 PM INDYCAR VICTORY LANE CELEBRATION
5:05 PM STADIUM SUPER TRUCKS RACE 2
5:45 PM POST RACE CONCERT – BRANTLEY GILBERT & CARLY PEARCE
It will be another hot sticky day in Nashville, Temperature at race time will be 91 degrees with a heat index approaching triple digits. Stay hydrated if you are at the track.
Drivers expressed concerns about the heat in the cars yesterday. Apparently cooling shirts will not be used as of now. I’m not sure why. If everyone used them the wieght disadvantage is neutralized.
Can Scott McLaughlin win from the pole again? he is the only driver to do so this year. The driver starting second has woin seven times in 2022. Team Penske has looked strong all weekend. I’m going with Josef Newgarden today. His strategy during the Fast Six yesterday tells me that team is on to something.
From Last Night
McLaughlin on Music City Pole
https://thepitwindow.blog/2022/08/06/mclaughlin-on-music-city-pole/
Marcus Ericsson won from 18th last year, and he starts there again today. I don’t think this race will be as chaotic as the 2021 race to allow him to move that far forward. again.
A frantic penalty filled qualifying session and a great fight in the Fast Six saw Scott McLaughlin come out on top with his second pole of 2022. He will kead the field to the green flag in tomorrow’s second Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. McLaughlin is the onkly driver to win from pole this season. He won the openeing race at St. Pete from the pole. Romain Grosjean will start second, just nissing his second career pole. The lasy minute of the Fast Six saw Christian Lundgaard jump to the top, then he was qickly replaced by Pato O’Ward. Mclaughlin nabbed the pole on his last lap.
Qualifying started 90 minutes late as thunderstorms and heavy rain moved over the track just before Indy lights qualifying was scheduled to begin. Indy Lights will now line up according to entrant points for tomorrow’s race.
The first group in round one got off to a ragged start. Ddevlin DeFrancesco stopped in turn 4 on the initial out lap. DeFrancesco was not allowed to continue. With a minute left in the session and several drivers about to start their hot kap, Colton Herta slid into the turn 4 tires. Herta lost his fastest two laps, but he cost at least two drivers a chance to advance. Simon Pagenaud and Alexander Rossi did not get to turn a lap on the quicker alternate tires. Pagenaud will start 13th and Rossi 17th.
Will Power led a clean group 2, but in the round of twelve Power had to go through the runoff area and rejoin the track. He lost his best lap and will start eighth.
In the Fast Six Christian Lundgaard just missed his frist career pole. He will start third.
Josef Newgarden starngely chose not to switch to the alternate tires in the Fast Six and will star sixth. Is he saving the alternates for the race?
I will have a pre race story tomorrow morning with an updated weather forecast. I have a feeling we could see a repeat of today.
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.
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 