Tag: Big Machine Music City Grand Prix

Big Machine Music City Grand Prix Event Update 

thepitwindow

Editor’s note: Apparently there is more to the story. I’ll elaborate tomorrow night.

From IMS

 All Roads Lead to Nashville for 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Finale

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025) – Penske Entertainment Corp. and Big Machine’s Scott Borchetta jointly announced today an updated event structure for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix:
Penske Entertainment will assume responsibility for the promotion of the race weekend at Nashville Superspeedway.
Big Machine will remain the event’s entitlement partner, continuing to enhance the event’s connectivity to the entertainment industry and downtown Nashville.
Penske Entertainment executive Anne Fischgrund has been named president of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix.
Big Machine served as the original entitlement partner for the event across its first three editions and stepped up in an additional promoter capacity as the race weekend transitioned to Nashville Superspeedway last year. Moving forward, its continued involvement as entitlement partner will be an asset for exciting musical programming and to showcase the brands’ artists, products and community endeavors.
“All things” Big Machine CEO Scott Borchetta also will serve as a liaison to Nashville’s entertainment community and civic leaders, keeping the event fully connected to the Music City.
Following a successful debut at famed Nashville Superspeedway this past season, the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix will continue as the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES finale, taking place Sunday, Aug. 31 with a national network showcase on FOX. The 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone finale will precede the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship race that day.
“Year one at Nashville Superspeedway was a tremendous success, thanks in great part to the terrific partnership and strong leadership exhibited by Scott Borchetta and his team at Big Machine,” said Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles.
“As we grow our event portfolio at Penske Entertainment, it’s strategically important to take the reins of our season finale at such an exciting and renowned racetrack. And to see the relationship with Big Machine carry forward through this continued partnership only underscores the growth opportunities before us in the Music City.”
A thrilling 2024 Big Machine Music City Grand Prix championship finale produced the best INDYCAR SERIES numbers on record at Nashville Superspeedway, including the most on-track passes, passes for position, passes in the top 10 and passes in the top five. Colton Herta picked up his first win on an oval while Alex Palou celebrated his third NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship.The event also was highlighted by a street festival alongside Nashville’s iconic honky-tonks, including the Battle on Broadway Pit Stop Challenge, to begin championship weekend.
“We are very proud to continue our relationship with INDYCAR and build from our record-breaking 2024 season finale as the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix becomes a true crown jewel for Nashville, Middle Tennessee and global motorsports fans,” Borchetta said.
“We will also continue to produce the incredibly successful downtown street party, which will serve as the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix kickoff event, on Friday, Aug. 29, so make plans to be with us!”
Additionally, veteran motorsports executive Anne Fischgrund assumes the role of president of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. Fischgrund is relocating from Indianapolis to Nashville after her successful tenure as the general manager of the Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway.
Penske Entertainment continues to prioritize an enhanced NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar, leveraging new partnerships and strategic investments. In October, it unveiled the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington, powered through a first-of-its-kind joint venture with the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers. In November, it announced the acquisition of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach ahead of its epic 50th anniversary edition this April.
This year, all 17 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races will be broadcast on FOX, beginning with the season opener Sunday, March 2 at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on the streets of St. Petersburg. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the only premier motorsport series in North America with all races broadcasting on network television.
The full 2025 schedule is available here. 

Big Machine Music City Grand Prix Event Update 

thepitwindow

Editor’s note: Apparently there is more to the story. I’ll elaborate tomorrow night.

From IMS

 All Roads Lead to Nashville for 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Finale

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025) – Penske Entertainment Corp. and Big Machine’s Scott Borchetta jointly announced today an updated event structure for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix:
Penske Entertainment will assume responsibility for the promotion of the race weekend at Nashville Superspeedway.
Big Machine will remain the event’s entitlement partner, continuing to enhance the event’s connectivity to the entertainment industry and downtown Nashville.
Penske Entertainment executive Anne Fischgrund has been named president of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix.
Big Machine served as the original entitlement partner for the event across its first three editions and stepped up in an additional promoter capacity as the race weekend transitioned to Nashville Superspeedway last year. Moving forward, its continued involvement as entitlement partner will be an asset for exciting musical programming and to showcase the brands’ artists, products and community endeavors.
“All things” Big Machine CEO Scott Borchetta also will serve as a liaison to Nashville’s entertainment community and civic leaders, keeping the event fully connected to the Music City.
Following a successful debut at famed Nashville Superspeedway this past season, the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix will continue as the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES finale, taking place Sunday, Aug. 31 with a national network showcase on FOX. The 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone finale will precede the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship race that day.
“Year one at Nashville Superspeedway was a tremendous success, thanks in great part to the terrific partnership and strong leadership exhibited by Scott Borchetta and his team at Big Machine,” said Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles.
“As we grow our event portfolio at Penske Entertainment, it’s strategically important to take the reins of our season finale at such an exciting and renowned racetrack. And to see the relationship with Big Machine carry forward through this continued partnership only underscores the growth opportunities before us in the Music City.”
A thrilling 2024 Big Machine Music City Grand Prix championship finale produced the best INDYCAR SERIES numbers on record at Nashville Superspeedway, including the most on-track passes, passes for position, passes in the top 10 and passes in the top five. Colton Herta picked up his first win on an oval while Alex Palou celebrated his third NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship.The event also was highlighted by a street festival alongside Nashville’s iconic honky-tonks, including the Battle on Broadway Pit Stop Challenge, to begin championship weekend.
“We are very proud to continue our relationship with INDYCAR and build from our record-breaking 2024 season finale as the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix becomes a true crown jewel for Nashville, Middle Tennessee and global motorsports fans,” Borchetta said.
“We will also continue to produce the incredibly successful downtown street party, which will serve as the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix kickoff event, on Friday, Aug. 29, so make plans to be with us!”
Additionally, veteran motorsports executive Anne Fischgrund assumes the role of president of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. Fischgrund is relocating from Indianapolis to Nashville after her successful tenure as the general manager of the Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway.
Penske Entertainment continues to prioritize an enhanced NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar, leveraging new partnerships and strategic investments. In October, it unveiled the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington, powered through a first-of-its-kind joint venture with the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers. In November, it announced the acquisition of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach ahead of its epic 50th anniversary edition this April.
This year, all 17 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races will be broadcast on FOX, beginning with the season opener Sunday, March 2 at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on the streets of St. Petersburg. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the only premier motorsport series in North America with all races broadcasting on network television.
The full 2025 schedule is available here. 

Music City Wrap Up

thepitwindow

What began as a journey into the unknown with rain looming to complicate things turned into a stellar IndyCar Finale weekend. The series had several obstacles delaying its racing at Nashville Superspeedway. The decision to move the event from downtown Nashville to the oval came in February. IndyCar needed tire testing. The series had not raced here in 16 years. How would the race go? How can an oval event match the festival that is a street course event?

The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix ended up doing a great job. many of the amenities from the street race simply moved to the track. There were pit lane suites, shuttles from downtown, and luxury bus to take fans to the grandstands from the infield and back. The fans who attended seemed to have a great time, and they were rewarded with a good race.

The Facility

This weekend was my first time at Nashville Superspeedway. The track has had minimal use since 2008, and a company was about to purchase it and tear it down. I, for one, am thankful that it didn’t happen. The grounds are in excellent shape. The grandstand tower looks brand new, and the concourses are wide and clean.

Fans can see the entire track without obstruction from the stands. The area in pit lane is about the widest of any track Indycar uses.

The garage area is nice, with ample room to work.

Why IndyCar stopped coming here is beyond me.

The Crowd

Attendance was better than expected, but I was hoping for more. There was competition from the Titans home opener at the site of the previous grand prixs, and I heard that many locals were not aware that the race had moved.

On the plane to Portland, I sat next to a man from Nashville. He seemed to be a somewhat active community member. he was aware of the grand prix, but he had no idea it would the speedway this year.

The Race

Anytime there is a pass for the lead with fewer than five laps to go, it has to be considered a good race. While the action did not reach the heights we saw at Milwaukee, there was quite a bit of intrigue. It’s too bad that Will Power’s seat belt issue on lap 12 ended any doubt about the season championship so early. The use of alternate tires added to the strategy calls, and I had no idea who would win. David Malukas, Pato O’Ward, Josef Newgarden, and Colton Herta all looked to have a chance.

Herta appeared to have the fastest car, and I had a feeling it was his race after the third round of stops. Herta had to dig deep to win it, though.

An oval like this is exactly the place for the IndyCar finale. It would be even better to have this race ar night. The cars colors pop under the lights, and the cooling air temperatures changes the handling of the cars. My favorite final race was the on I attended in Fontana in 2013. It was a night race, and there was non stop action and drama.

Overall, I thought it was great weekend. School is out until March.

Ferrucci Grid Penalty

thepitwindow

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

thepitwindow

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

thepitwindow

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

thepitwindow

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.