Herta Wins at Nashville; Palou Takes Title- Quick Thoughts

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Photo by Kyle McInnes

Colton Herta wins his first oval race, but the spotlight falls to Alex Palou, who secured his third Indycar series title and his second straight. Palou is the first back to champion since Dario Franchitti in 2011 and 2012.

Kyle McInnnes photo

The winner of the final race of the season, when it is someone other than the series champion, gets a laurel and hearty handshake, then gives way to the series champion.

The championship came down to a seat belt issues for Will Power, who pulled into the pits after five laps. Power fell back to seventh after starting third. What a way to lose a shot at the title. How does a seat belt come loose? It will remain an unsolved mystery in the annals of how a title was lost.

I am completely out of adjectives for Alex Palou. Relegated to 24th starting position with a penalty for an engine change, he passed seven cars in the first three laps. While Power’s misfortune assured him the title early in the race, he kept charging, running as high as third during pit cycles. Palou is halfway to tying Scott Dixon for the number of IndyCar titles. Unreal.

The race was better than I expected. Good racing was followed by processional periods, and the cars got strung out in the middle of the race, but the addition of a tire option kept the race intriguing. The way the cautions fell caused for some late stops.

Palou said that he thinks the alternate tires on ovals helps the racing. “Cars are at different speeds, which makes the racing more fun.,” he said.

Notes

David Malukas drove a heck of a race today, and his time to win an oval will come, maybe next year. Like Conor Daly, malukas came to Meyer Shank Racing in mid season and lifted the 66 into the Leaders’ Circle.

Juncos Hollinger Racing should do everything possible to keep Conor Daly. Mired below the Leaders’ circle cut line, the team released Agustin Canapino with five races to go. Daly lifted the team into the million dollar club with a third place at Milwaukee and a 10th place today.

Some odd stats for the season-

Will Power failed to win a pole for the first time since 2008.

Graham Rahal did not have a fifth place or higher finish for the first time in his career.

For just the second time I can remember every race winner won multiple races. All the victories were shared among just seven drivers from four teams.

I believe IndyCar has found a new home for the season finale. It is proper to finish this series on a high speed oval. The only thing different I would do is make this a night race.

I want to thank everyone who followed along this final weekend and all season. I will have a weekend wrap up tomorrow and a season review later next week.

Ferrucci Grid Penalty

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From IndyCar:

INDYCAR Announces Nashville Superspeedway Grid Penalty 
 INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024) – INDYCAR officials have announced a nine-position starting grid penalty for the entry of No. 14 A.J. Foyt Enterprises for an unapproved engine change following Final Practice at Nashville Superspeedway.
The team was in violation of:Rule 16.1.2.3.2. A fifth (5th) Engine is eligible to earn Engine Manufacturer points if a Full Season Entrant has completed the Full Season Entrant Engine Mileage with its first four (4) Engines. Otherwise, a fifth (5th) or more Engine does not earn Engine Manufacturer points and will be considered an Unapproved Engine change-out.According to Rule 16.1.6.1.2., the penalty is a six-position starting grid penalty on road and street course events and nine positions at oval events and will be served at the series’ next race, which is the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix Presented by Gainbridge today, Sept. 15 at Nashville Superspeedway.

The Final Race Day-2024

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Photo by Kyle McInnes

Today’s schedule:
7:30 am: Gates Open
10:55 am: INDY NXT Command
11 am: INDY NXT Green Flag
12:25 pm: Daughtry Concert
1:43 pm: Driver Intros
2:13 pm: Invocation
2:14 pm: Anthem
2:25 pm: Command
2:30 pm: Green Flag

About Last Night

Scott Dixon had the fastest lap inthe abbreviated practice session under the lights Saturday, but the big news was pole sitter Kyle Kirkwood’s crash in turn 4 with 3 minutes left. It appeared something broke on the right rear when Kirkwood hit a bump. The damage looked minimal, and I don’t think he will need an engine change.

Photo by Kyle McInnes

Having the practice weather delayed to after sunset rekindled my longing for a true night race. Ending the season with a night race at an oval like Nashville with speeds approaching 200 miles an hour would be a proper ending to an Indycar season. The series needs to pursue this possibility.

Staring Lineup

The official grid, with penalties assessed, and tire choices. that sems weird to say for an oval.

I don’t know if last night’s practice gave teams enough time to get a good read on tire wear, especially in conditions much different than they will be at race time. It should make for an interesting day.

Alex Palou has to make up positions as quickly as he can, avoiding some inexperienced drivers who might be eager to make a good showing in the season finale. Will power still needs to lead as much as he can and win the race to have any chance at all to get the title.

The race will boil down to strategy, and whoever guesses right on which tire to use when will win. The situation favors a Penske car, and I’m picking Josef Newgarden to win today. Palou will get a top 10 and just edge Power for the Astor Cup.

Kirkwood Wins Pole; Palou Has Some Work to Do

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Photo by Kyle McInnes

Kyle Kirkwood won his first Indycar oval pole this afternoon, and he will lead the field to the green flag tomorrow for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. Meanwhile, points leader Alex Palou could only manage a 15th place run. His grid penalty means he will start 24th tomorrow.


“I’m stoked right now,” Kirkwood said. “It’s huge for our season to end off with a pole. I was a little upset we didn’t get a win or a pole (this season), and this is our final chance to do it, and we got it done.”

The milestone for Kirkwood created an ironic milestone for Will Power. The career leader in poles with 72 ends 2024 without winning a pole for the season, the first time in his his career since 2008 that nhe has not been on point for a race. Power will start fourth tomorrow. To win the title, he has to win the race, lead the most laps, and hope Palou cannot advance too far forward. Palou needs to finish ninth or better to win his second straight title.

Romain Grosjean was the only drib=ver to qualify on the primary tire. He qualified 16th.

Nolan Siegel received a nine spot grid penalty for an engine change after his practice crash. He did not attampt a qualifying run and will start last.

Attendance was above expectations today, and the rain held off until just a few minutes ago. Indy NXT Qualifying is on hold for rain at the moment.

Indycar has a scheduled practice session beginning at 4:15 pm Central. My guess is that IndyNXT qualifying will be cancelled and IndyCar will have the practice session at some point.

Results

Note: This is not the official starting lineup.

Palou Tops Nashville Practice

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Photo by Kyle McInnes

The weather has turned out beautifully, and it looks like we will get the entire day in.

Points leader Alex Palou was fastest in the prequalifying practice for the Music City Grand Prix. Palou turned a quick lap of 199.682 miles an hour. His closest challenger for the title, Will Power, was sixth fastest. Plaou leads by 33 points. While he could earn a point for winning the pole this afternoon, Palou can start no better than 10th. due to an engine change.

The session stopped early when Nolan Seigel crashed hard in Turn 2. The incident heavily damaged the wall and required a lengthy repair.

I sat in the grandstand for part of practice this morning. It is y first time at this track. It is a very well maintained facility. There is a shuttle from the infield to the grandstand-not just any shuttle. It is a luxury touring bus. I was expecting a tram or a fancy golf cart, but this is way beyond that. Nice work, Scott Borchetta,

Qualifying begins at 1:15 pm Central time.

It’s Nashville Weekend

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Good morning from Nashville Superspeedway.

Today’s schedule in Central time:

The weather pattern is improving, and IndyNXT is on track at the moment, There have been two major crashes in their session so far. The drivers are okay.

My first impression of this venue is thaat the footprint is much larger than expected. Once in the infield, it resembles Milwaukee or WWTR, but on approach it is on a large tract of land.

Tomorrow’s forecast loks much better, and we may get by today as well. I am going to go over to the grandstands and I will be back after practice.