Dalton Kellett, driver of the number4 car for A. J. Foyt Racing, will serve a six place grid penalty in Sunday’s Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix for an unapoproved engine c hange before the Indianapolis 500.
The announcement from Indycar:
INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, June 3, 2022) – INDYCAR officials have announced a six-position starting grid penalty for the No. 4 AJ FOYT RACING entry for an unapproved engine change before the start of the 2022 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.The team was in violation of:Rule 16.5.4. Once an Indianapolis 500 Engine is fitted to the Car, removal of the Engine prior to the Indianapolis 500 Race is an Unapproved Engine Change-Out, unless it is for Repair.According to the rulebook, the penalty for such a change at the Indianapolis 500 comes at the series’ next event, which is the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear on Sunday, June 5.
Friday, June 3, 2022 – Comerica Bank Free Prix Day 7:30 a.m. Gates open 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – Practice 1 (DPi/GTD) 9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. GM Car Corral Track Laps 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Masters Endurance Legends USA – Practice 11:20 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. Promoter Pace Car Ride Session (BCBSM Pit Lane) 12:05 p.m. – 2:05 p.m. IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – Practice 2 (DPi/GTD) 2:25 p.m. – 3:10 p.m. Indy Lights Series Presented by Cooper Tires – Practice Session 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES – Practice 1 Peacock 4:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Masters Endurance Legends USA – Qualifying Session 5:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Qualifying (GTD – Silver/Bronze only) 5:55 p.m. – 6:10 p.m. IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Qualifying (DPi – any driver) 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Live Entertainment – The Verve Pipe (new stage location across from Autotrader Winner’s Circle)
This weekend marks the end of an era for Indycar, as the NTT Indycar Series runs its final race on Belle Isle.This is a race I used to not like. I didn’t like the track, I didn’t like the races it produced, and the first time I came to Belle Isle in 2014, I wasn’t sure what to make of it.
Since that time, I have come to appreciate the Island and the track. The racing has improved the last few years. The event itself has grown up as well. The Penske organization has contributed millions to improving the venue. The State of Michigan took control of Belle Isle from the City if Detroit a few years ago. The improvement has been noticeable.
The race has seen torrential rains, snow flurries, and broken pavement. Overall, it’s been a fun, though sometimes frustrating run.
Next year the race moves to the streets of downtown Detroit. I hope to see maps of the new course this weekend, I am not thrilled with waht I have previously seen. Some clarification would be nice.
Points Battle
The top four in points- Marcus Ericsson, Pato O’Ward, Alex Palou, aqnd Will Power- are separated by just 24 points. A bad race by one of of them will be costly. Indianapolis 500 Ericsson will try to break the 500 winner’s jinx at the race after Indy. O’Ward and Ericsson each won a race at Belle isle in 2021.
Josef Newgarden needs a strong showing to climb back intoi title contention. He is 52 points behind. While a win would help a lot, Newgarden’s main objective is to finish ahead of the four drivers inb front of him.
Penske Rebound?
Team Penske did not have a strong Indianapolis 500. The team won the first three races of the year, but has been mostly silent since. Belle Isle is the team’s home race. They have performed well here in the past, and the team needs a strong showing this weekend.
Dixon Redemption?
Scott Dixon has won three times on the island. His unforced error on the last pit stop last Sunday might be the push he needs to get his 52nd Indycar win. Dixon doesn’t need to prove anything to anybody, but it is unusual to see him go nearly 14 months without winning a race.
Tires and Timing
The race at Belle Isle comes down to having the correct tires on the car at the correct time. In 2021 Newgarden looked to have made the corredt choice to start on primaries, but a caution caution caused him to make his last pit stop for alternates earlier than he had planned. The tires did not last and O’Ward passed him for the win.
When the caution flags fall greatly sdeetermines pit strategy on this track. Some teams will pit early in hopes of avoiding getting caught out by a yellow flag. Some are not so fortunate. The pit strategy that has been in play the last few years have made this race fascinating.
As usual, news breaks while I’m in transit. Here is the release from AMSP.
ALEXANDER ROSSI TO JOIN ARROW McLAREN SP IN 2023
“I see the commitment this team has to each other and to me”
Indianapolis, Ind. | June 2, 2022
Arrow McLaren SP has signed American driver Alexander Rossi to a multiyear deal for him to drive for the team, starting in 2023. The arrival of Rossi underpins Arrow McLaren SP’s long-term strategy to become a consistent race winner and championship contender.
Rossi, from Nevada City, California, has secured seven wins, six poles and 25 podium finishes since arriving in IndyCar in 2016. His most notable win came as a rookie when he won the historic 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 in dramatic fashion, coasting across the finish line on fumes.
The American is a versatile driver who has also made five starts in Formula 1, raced the famed Bathurst 1000 in Australia in 2019, won the Baja 1000 in 2021, and took an overall win at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2021.
Rossi will join the team following the completion of the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.
Arrow McLaren SP will hold a press conference tomorrow (Friday, June 3) at 10:30 a.m. ET with Alexander Rossi and Taylor Kiel, President of Arrow McLaren SP, at the Detroit Grand Prix Media Center.
Alexander Rossi, said:
“First, I want to thank everyone at Andretti Autosport for an incredible seven years. It has been a great ride with an awesome team, and it has been an honor to race for the Andretti name and for Michael for so long. The time has come for a new challenge, with a team that is growing in the sport. I look forward to contributing to the development of Arrow McLaren SP and helping them reach the top. I see the commitment this team has to each other and to me, and I’m looking forward to getting started. It’s time for me to race for another one of motorsport’s biggest names: McLaren.”
Taylor Kiel, President, Arrow McLaren SP, said:
“As we look forward to 2023, we are looking for a driver that will be a great fit and bring experience to the team. Alex is a driver who knows what it takes to succeed in this sport and will strengthen our talented driver line-up. He shares the same winning mindset that I see every day across Arrow McLaren SP and I think we will find a lot of success together in the years to come.”
Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, said:
“Alex is a proven race winner and an Indianapolis 500 champion, who shares our desire to win. It is essential that we put the right talent in place, both inside and outside the car, so we can consistently compete for championships and race wins as a team. He is someone we have had our eye on for some time and we’re excited to see what he’ll do as a part of Arrow McLaren SP.”
Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear Fast Facts Race weekend: Friday, June 3 – Sunday, June 5 Track: Raceway at Belle Isle Park, a 2.35-mile, 14-turn temporary street course (clockwise) Race distance: Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix: 70 laps / 164.5 miles | Indy Lights Detroit Grand Prix Race 1: 25 laps/45 minutes; Indy Lights Detroit Grand Prix Race 2: 30 laps/55 minutes Push-to-pass parameters: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: 150 seconds of total time with a maximum time of 15 seconds per activation | Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires: 150 seconds of total time with a maximum time of 15 seconds per activation Firestone tire allotment: Six sets primary, four sets alternate. Teams must use one new set of primary and alternate tires in the race. One additional set for teams fielding a rookie driver is available for the first session of the weekend. Twitter: @DetroitGP @IndyCar, #DetroitGP, #IndyCarEvent website: www.DetroitGP.com INDYCAR website: www.IndyCar.com 2021 race winners: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Race 1: Marcus Ericsson (No. 8 Huski Chocolate Chip Ganassi Racing Honda) Race 2: Pato O’Ward (No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet) Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Race 1: Kyle Kirkwood (No. 28 Andretti Autosport )Race 2: Kyle Kirkwood (No. 28 Andretti Autosport) 2021 NTT P1 Award winners: Race 1: Pato O’Ward (No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet) 1:14.1989, 114.018 mph; Race 2: Josef Newgarden (No. 2 Hitachi Team Penske Chevrolet) 1:14.8607, 113.010 mph Qualifying lap record: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Takuma Sato, 1:13.6732, 114.831 mph, June 4, 2017 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Jonny Kane, 1:21.840, 103.372 mph, June 17, 2000 USA Network race telecast: 3 p.m. (ET) Sunday, June 5, USA Network (live). Leigh Diffey is the play-by-play announcer for USA Network’s coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, alongside analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe. Peacock Premium Live Streaming: All NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice sessions and qualifying will stream live on Peacock Premium, NBC’s direct-to-consumer livestreaming product, while USA Network’s Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix race telecast will be simulcast on the streaming service. Peacock Premium’s exclusive post-race show – featuring driver interviews, podium ceremonies and post-race analysis – will be streamed following the race. The Indy Lights Detroit Grand Prix doubleheader will be streamed on Peacock Premium with practice and qualifying being shown on INDYCAR Live! INDYCAR Radio Network broadcasts: Mark Jaynes is the chief announcer alongside analyst Davey Hamilton. Jake Query, Nick Yeoman and Michael Young are the turn announcers. Ryan Myrehn and Joel Sebastianelli are the pit reporters. The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix race (3 p.m. ET Sunday), Indy Lights Detroit Grand Prix doubleheader (11:20 a.m. ET Saturday and noon ET Sunday) and all NTT INDYCAR SERIES and Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires practices and qualifying sessions air live on network affiliates, SiriusXM 160, racecontrol.indycar.com and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. At-track schedule (all times local) :Friday, June 3 (All times local)2:25 – 3:15 p.m. Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires practice #1, INDYCAR Live! 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice #1 (45 minutes), Peacock Premium Saturday, June 4 7:45 – 8:15 a.m. Indy Lights Grand Prix of Detroit Qualifying (Two 12-minute sessions: 7:45-7:57 a.m./Race #1; 8:03-8:15 a.m. /Race #2), INDYCAR Live! 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice #2 (45 minutes), Peacock Premium 11:25 a.m. Indy Lights Grand Prix of Detroit Race #1 command to start engines 11:30 a.m. Indy Lights Grand Prix of Detroit Race #1 (25 Laps/45 minutes), Peacock Premium (U.S)/INDYCAR Live! (Most international markets) 12:35-1:50 p.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying for NTT P1 Award (Three rounds of knockout qualifying), Peacock Premium (live) Sunday, June 5 10:15 – 10:45 a.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES warmup, Peacock Premium 12:05 p.m. Indy Lights Grand Prix of Detroit Race #2 command to start engines12:10 p.m. Indy Lights Grand Prix of Detroit Race #2 (30 Laps/55 minutes), Peacock Premium (U.S)/INDYCAR Live! (Most international markets) 2:55 p.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver introductions 3:38 p.m. Command to start engines 3:45 p.m. Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear (70 laps/164.5 miles), USA Network (live) Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix Race Notes: There have been five different winners in six NTT INDYCAR SERIES races to start the 2022 season. Scott McLaughlin (Streets of St. Petersburg), Josef Newgarden (Texas Motor Speedway and Streets of Long Beach), Pato O’Ward (Barber Motorsports Park), Colton Herta (Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course-1) and Marcus Ericsson (Indianapolis 500) have all won in 2022. The record for most different winners in a season is 11 in 2000, 2001 and 2014. The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear will be the 30th and final INDYCAR SERIES race conducted at the Raceway at Belle Isle Park and the 33rd INDYCAR SERIES race held in Detroit. A 2.5-mile street circuit in downtown Detroit hosted CART events from 1989-1991. Scott Dixon and Helio Castroneves have won three times at the Raceway at Belle Isle Park and are tied for most wins by an INDYCAR SERIES driver at the track. In addition to Castroneves and Dixon, other previous Belle Isle winners entered include Marcus Ericsson, Josef Newgarden, Pato O’Ward, Simon Pagenaud, Will Power and Graham Rahal. ACTIVE RACE WINNER WINS SEASONS Helio Castroneves 3 2000, 2001, 2014 Race #2 Scott Dixon 3 2012, 2018 Race #1, 2019 Race #2 Will Power 2 2014 Race #1, 2016 Race #2 Graham Rahal 2 2017 Race #1, 2017 Race #2 Simon Pagenaud 1 2013 Race #2 Josef Newgarden 1 2019 Race #1 Marcus Ericsson 1 2021 Race #1 Pato O’Ward 1 2021 Race #2 Four NTT P1 Award winners have won the race from the pole: Graham Rahal (2017, Race 1), Scott Dixon (2012), Helio Castroneves (2001) and Robby Gordon (1995). ACTIVE POLE WINNER POLES SEASONS Helio Castroneves 3 2001, 2007, 2014 Race #1 Scott Dixon 2 2008, 2012 Takuma Sato 2 2014 Race #2, 2017 Race #2 Simon Pagenaud 2 2016 Race #1, 2016 Race #2 Alexander Rossi 2 2018 Race #2, 2019 Race #1 Josef Newgarden 2 2019 Race #2, 2021 Race #2 Will Power 1 2015 Race #1 Graham Rahal 1 2017 Race #1 Pato O’Ward 1 2021 Race #1 The winner at Detroit has gone on to win the INDYCAR SERIES championship in the same season five times. Josef Newgarden won Race #1 in 2019, Scott Dixon won Race #1 in 2018, Will Power won Race #2 in 2014, Alex Zanardi won on Belle Isle in 1998, Bobby Rahal won at Belle Isle in 1992 and Emerson Fittipaldi won in downtown Detroit in 1989. Scott Dixon has competed in 20 previous races at Belle Isle, most of any driver. Thirteen drivers entered have led laps at the track (Helio Castroneves 268, Scott Dixon 143, Graham Rahal 111, Josef Newgarden 100, Simon Pagenaud 93, Will Power 87, Takuma Sato 44, Santino Ferrucci 20, Alexander Rossi 21, Marcus Ericsson 7, Pato O’Ward 6, Conor Daly 4 and Romain Grosjean 1.) Four drivers will race NTT INDYCAR SERIES cars at the Raceway at Belle Isle for the first time: Tatiana Calderon, Devlin DeFrancesco, Kyle Kirkwood and David Malukas. Kirkwood, who won both Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires races in 2021, will be pulling double duty, by also competing in the IMSA Chevrolet Sports Car Classic on Saturday. Milestones: Scott Dixon will attempt to make his 295th consecutive start, the second-longest streak in INDYCAR SERIES history. Indy Lights Detroit Grand Prix Race Notes :Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires will conduct a doubleheader weekend with a 25-lap sprint race on Saturday and a 30-lap feature race on Sunday. Linus Lundqvist rides a wave of success, having won two of the last three races to put himself on top of the Indy Lights championship standings. The 23-year-old Swede has swept three out of four qualifying sessions so far this season, taking the momentum of three consecutive pole positions to this weekend’s event in Michigan. Qualifying for the doubleheader event takes on a new look with teams splitting Saturday’s 30-minute qualifying session into separate 12-minute periods. Drivers will set the field for Saturday’s 25-lap sprint race during the first 12 minutes, then after a short break for adjustments, take to the 2.35-mile street circuit for a second 12-minute session to set the lineup for Sunday’s 30-lap feature. Push-to-pass will also take on a new look beginning at Detroit as Indy Lights drivers will have a bank of 150 seconds to use added horsepower to assist in overtaking, similar to the drivers in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The maximum amount of time for each press of the overtake system is 15 seconds. The 2022 season features a deep and talented field with race winners such as Linus Lundqvist and Matthew Brabham joining a promising rookie class that includes Christian Rasmussen (Indy Pro 2000 champ), Hunter McElrea (Indy Pro 2000), Kyffin Simpson (Formula Regional Americas champion) and Ernie Francis Jr. (seven-time Trans Am champion/Formula Regional Americas). Other contenders include returning drivers Danial Frost, Sting Ray Robb and Benjamin Pedersen.
Callum Ilott has not been cleared to drive this coming weekend because of his injury suffered in Sunday’s Indianapolis 500. Santino Ferrucci will drive the number 77 entry for Juncos Hollinger Racing. Ferrucci subbed for Jack Harvey at Texas and finished ninth. Ferrucci finishe 10th in the 500 driving for Dreyer and Reinbold Racing.
Callum Ilott. Indycar photo by Chris Jones
The full statement from Juncos Hollinger racing:
Indianapolis, IN (June 1, 2022) – After further evaluation of NTT INDYCAR SERIES rookie Callum Ilott, from the injury he sustained during the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500, Ilott has not been cleared to drive this weekend in the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix. Santino Ferrucci will replace Ilott in the No. 77 JHR Chevrolet for one event.
Ricardo Juncos and Santino Ferrucci
JHR and Ilott respect the decision made by the INDYCAR Medical Team and are committed to getting the young Britain back on track as soon as he is well and cleared. Ilott was reevaluated this week after an injury suffered to his hand caused during his wreck at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Ilott will go through another evaluation next week.
“Obviously I am devastated not to be racing this weekend in Detroit,” said Ilott. “After speaking with the doctors and specialists here in Indy the damage to my hand was slightly worse than when first looked at. They suggested that the long-term healing was the top priority and any damage that could be done in the short term by racing would be a longer-term problem. So, after learning this I agreed with the medical team’s decision that I would not be cleared and would spend more time healing. Although I would have loved to be racing, I wanted to preserve myself and focus on my health. I spoke with Ricardo (Juncos) and Brad (Hollinger) and we came to a same conclusion for the benefit of the team. I will be with the team this weekend and supporting Santino and providing any guidance I can. I am sorry that I won’t be in the car this weekend but know this is the right decision.”
“This is a very difficult scenario for Ilott and JHR,” said JHR Co-owner and Team Principal Ricardo Juncos. “Together we are looking at the long-term view, so keeping Ilott out of the car to take the necessary time to heal was most important, so we support the INDYCAR’s evaluation. Callum has already proven to be a strong contender this year and we want to keep building on that, so we all agree this is the best decision for this weekend.”
Santino Ferrucci brings a great deal of experience to JHR, having run in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2018. The American recently competed in the Indianapolis 500 with Dreyer and Reinbold Racing finishing 10th and at Texas Motor Speedway with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing finishing ninth.
“Although I am happy to be back in the car, it’s unfortunate for Callum under the circumstances,” said Ferrucci. “I hope his hand heals really quickly and he is back on track soon. I’m just here to help with the team and see if we can get them a really good result and bring in some different knowledge from my experience in Detroit. I am looking forward to having some fun and carrying the momentum I have from Indy. I can’t thank the guys over at Juncos Hollinger enough with in trusting me this weekend and hopefully it goes really smoothly.”
“We want to thank Santino Ferrucci for graciously stepping in to help us out in the No. 77 Chevrolet at Detroit,” said Juncos. “To have a driver of high caliber like Santino will be a great assist to our team. We will provide any support necessary to Santino this weekend as we get him settled in the car.”
“This is a tough moment for all of us here at JHR, but we are all confident this is what’s best for the health and healing of Callum,” said Co-Owner Brad Hollinger. “The support Callum has for this team and the support we all have for Callum, shows the unity of everyone at JHR. We are all here to fully support Santino this weekend and thank him for stepping in on such short notice.”
If you’re shocked by this, you haven’t been paying attention. This announcement takes the mystery out of Friday’s team announcement.
The Andretti release:
06.01.22
—
Andretti Autosport has today announced that NTT INDYCAR SERIES rookie and 2021 Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tire Champion Kyle Kirkwood will pilot the No. 27 AutoNation Honda starting in the 2023 season.
“I couldn’t be more excited to return to Andretti Autosport next year and represent AutoNation and Honda.” said Kirkwood. “Andretti Autosport is a place I’ve called home for years past and I have truly felt like family. I have a ton of loyalty to the team, and it means a lot to have Michael and the Andretti team offer me this opportunity. AutoNation has been doing great work in raising awareness and funding for cancer research. I’m honored to Drive Pink (DRVPNK) next season.”
Kirkwood continued, “I have worked extremely hard this season and will continue to work harder every day for the A.J. Foyt team. I want to thank the entire team at A.J. Foyt Racing for giving me the opportunity to compete in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The group on the No. 14 car have been incredible and I am beyond grateful to them for all the amazing experiences we have been able to share together so far this season.”
AutoNation, America’s largest and most admired automotive retailer, will serve as the primary sponsor for the full 2023 racing calendar as they drive towards $35 million donated in the fight against cancer. As a long-time partner with the championship-winning organization, AutoNation and DRVPNK have appeared on race cars across the Andretti Autosport INDYCAR team since 2014.
“We really enjoyed having Kyle as part of our Indy Lights team and he’s off to a strong start in INDYCAR,” said Andretti Autosport Chairman and CEO Michael Andretti. “I think he’ll bring a fresh perspective and will be competitive. We are looking forward to helping him continue his career growth.
“AutoNation first joined the team eight years ago and we’ve been thrilled to see how their support has continued to grow over the years. We’ve seen a lot of successes both on and off the track and are excited to see what Kyle and AutoNation can do together for the DRVPNK campaign.”
“We are excited to welcome Kyle to the team and for the passion and commitment he will bring to our mission to drive out cancer, through DRVPNK,” said Marc Cannon, AutoNation CXO and EVP. “We would also like to wish Alexander all the best and thank him for his endless efforts to support AutoNation’s mission to drive out cancer over the years.”
With this move, it is confirmed that Alexander Rossi will depart the team at the conclusion of the 2022 season after seven years. Together, Rossi and Andretti have captured seven wins, including the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 in Rossi’s rookie 2016 INDYCAR campaign.
“Alexander has been a great contender for us, and we’ve enjoyed having him as part of the team for seven seasons,” added Andretti. “He’s won races and become a leader in the team, but all careers and all teams evolve, and we’ve mutually decided it’s time for each of us to move on. I have no doubt he’ll have a continued, successful INDYCAR career and we wish him the best. In the meantime, we are all working hard to finish the 2022 season strong.”
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.
Conor Daly wants answers
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.
Tony Kanaan thanks the Ganassi team for the last two years and hopes to return in 2023.
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.
Pato O’Ward came up just a little short on Sunday.
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.
Marcus Ericsson talks about his day Sunday and thanks everyone who helped him.
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?
Marcus Ericsson celebrates with car owner Chip Ganassi. Indycar photo by Joe Skibinski
Everything about yesterday’s 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 felt like a race day in the 1980s- the huge crowd, the electric tingling buzz in the atmosphere, even the way the race played out- had an 80s feel to it. Roger Penske and Doug Boles have worked hard to restore the glory of the 500 after two devastating years of the pandemic. The real proof of their success will be in seeing the momentum of 2022 continuing for the next several years.
The Speedway expected 300,000 fans. i think they had more than that. It was great to see the stands packed again. G stand, where I sit, was fuller than I’ve ever seen it, including in 2016. The infield crowd across the way was definitely larger than I ever recall.
The Race- Classic Style
This was not the best 500 I’ve ever seen, but it was far from the worst. It was darn good race, though. Most of the drama came in the pits where strong pre race favorites Alex Palou and Scott Dixon lost their chances at winning.
The race had a feel of a race in the 1980s, where a strong favorite would dominate only to drop out out of contention due to some misfortune. Yellows occurred at untimely moments, jumbling the field. One driver, usually a darkhorse like Marcus Ericsson, would emerge victorious.
The Lost Boys of Indy
Two teams that used to dominate Indy, Team Penske and Andretti Autosport, have been MIA the last two years. Yesterday Josef Newgardens’s 13th place finish was the best for the team. Both Newgarden and Will Power had issues in the pits. neither was a serious threat to win.
Alexander Rossi’s fifth place finish salvaged a miserable day for Andretti. Rookie Devlin DeFrancesco was the next best on the team with a 20th place result.
Rookies
The four rookies with long term futures finished in a tight pack from 16th to 20th, with veteran Ed Carpenter in 19th. David Malukas ran a steady pace all day and ended 16th after starting 13th. Kyle Kirkwood arguably had the best drive of the day among the rookies, coming from 28th on the grid to come home 17th.
Christian Lungaard finished 18th. Crashes took out Jimmie Johnson, Callum Ilott, and Romain Grosjean.
Red Flag
I still maintain that the red flag was a horrible call and did nothing to enhance the finish. I will die on this hill. Fans are not entitled to a green flag finish. Some races just don’t have exciting finishes. This is not a video game.
The race ended under yellow anyway, so stopping the race was a moot point. If track safety structures weren’t compromised, there is no need for a red flag in that situation.
21st Century Mario?
Scott Dixon at driver introductions yesterday. Indycar photo by Joe Skibinski
Scott Dixon is becoming the new Mario Andretti. He has one Indianapolis 500 victory, which is a great accomplishment. He also has six Indycar titles and needs just one more win to tie Andretti for second place on the career win list.
Yesterday Dixon passed Al Unser for the most laps led in 500 history.
Like Mario, Dixon has had multiple chances to win a second 500 and has come up short. Similarly, he does not need to win a second 500 to seal his legacy. Dixon is one of the all time greats in Indycar racing no matter how many 500s he has won.
His role, however, is becoming clear as his window of opportunity narrows. Dixon will be an excellent ambassador for the sport when he retires as the mantle passes from Mario.
What started as a tag team fuel saving race quickly turned into a race from the 1980s with strong cars dropping out of contention due to strange circumstances and a winner who was considered to have an outside shot taking the checkered flag. What looked like a Ganassi 1-2 blowout turned into a free for all.
The timing of the yellows left the outcome sufficiently in doubt.
In the end, a Ganassi car won. Congratulations to Marcus Ericsson. He drove a calculated race and he had the strongest car at the end.
Since Marcus Ericsson joined Ganassi, I have felt he was a bit underrated. he wasn’t one of my top choices to win today, but I felt he was someone to watch out for.
Losing at the Pit Line
Alex Palou was the victim of timing. he entered pit lane just as the caution came out. The penalty gave him no shot at the win, but he did claw back to ninth.
I can’t remember Scott Dixon making an unforced error on a pit stop. It happened so late in the race that he didn’t have time to recover. I’m beginning to wonder if he will ever win another race. Today seemed like a lock.
Team Finishes
Despite the two Ganassi favorites Dixon and Palou losing their chance to win, Ganassi cars finished first, third, and ninth.
Arrow McLaren SP had finishes of second and fourth. Both Pato O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist had cars capable of winning. Their split strategy late when Rosenqvist pitted early nearly got them to Victory Lane. I didn’t think their cars had quite the pace of the Ganassi cars, but their tactics nearly worked.
TK’s Last Dance?
If this was Tony Kanaan’s final 500, he went out strong. He finished third and led six laps. Kanaan was in the mix all day. I hope he comes back.
Movers
Four drivers who started 16th or worse finished in a group in the top ten. Alexander Rossi finished fifth from 20th; Conor Daly was sixth after lining up in 18th; Helio Castroneves went from 27th to seventh; and Simon Pagenaud finished eighth from 16th on the grid.
The biggest mover of the race was Juan Pablo Montoya, who started 30th and finished 11th.
Five of the drivers involved in crashes today had three years or less Indycar experience. Three were Indy 500 rookies.
After the race it looked like Ericsson was going to stop on track and celebrate in a similar manner to Castroneves and Pagenaud did. Instead he pulled into pit lane at the last possible moment. Did Indycar order him to go directly to the Victory Podium? If so, why?
I will have a more extensive race wrap up tomorrow. Thanks for following along for the last three weeks. I have had a lot of fun this month.
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 