Tag: Big Machine Music City Grand Prix

Music City Grand Prix Wrap Up

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Photos by Joe Skibinski, Indycar

Some not so quick thoughts:

We finally saw a good race on the Nashville track. At the beginning of the weekend, I was glad that this was the last race on this track. After the race, I’m sad to see this configuration go. I am not enamored with the new layout. We will probably be back to where we in 2021 with an awful race.

Kirkwood the Street Meister

Kyle Kirkwood has had an up and down season, but if the series were all street courses he would be leading the points. Kirkwood’s win today was his second win of his career, the other coming in Long Beach. The second year Andretti driver ha n average finish of 7.6 on the street courses and ana verage starting position of 6.8.He has advanced to at least the second round of qualifying at every street event.

Kirkwood has earned 166 of his 290 points on the street circuits.

He is the only Andretti Autosport driver to win in 2023.

The Andretti team has been strong ion the streets. The team has two wins, two poles, and four podiums in the five street races.

Linus Lundqvist- Sad Ending to a Great Debut

Linus Lundqvist’s Indycar debut weekend was going along at a fairy tale clip. The 2022 Indy NXT champion was a respectabkle 15th in Friday’s practice. He qualified 11th and ran as high as fifth in today’s race. Lundqvist had the fastest lap in the race- 1;16.7115 on lap 57.

It all ended 12 laps later as he slid into the wall in turn 11. Lundqvist had driver of the day completely sewed up just by starting the race.

I hope we can see him in another race his season, and Im sure the list of suitors for his services grew after these last three days. Lundqvist seemed to be very comfortable in the car.

Alex Palou- The Man Who Can’t be Stopped

Alex Palou and his crew seemed resign to dropping through the field near the end of the race. Because they had chosen to pit on the lap 13 yellow for David Malukas, Palou was going to need a splash of fuel in them last 10 laps.

Josef Newqgarden, his closest competitior in the pionts battle, sat right behind him waiting to gain more points. Lundqvisyt’s accident, and the three car pileup on the restart, saved Palou’s third place.

The points leader gained four points on Newgarden. At this point in the season, any extension of a lead is a good thing. Palou could still clinch the title at Gateway.

Television- Why I Like to be at the Track

I am probably spoile by attending 10 or more races each of the last few years, but I have now watched the last four races on television.

I am finding the NBC broadcasts frustrating,especially during commercial breaks. Thank goodness for Indycar radio, who is sometimes on a different break schedule.

What I have noticed this year is that the broadcasters have been too obsessed with so called cel;ebrities who attend the races. Flava Flav at Detroit, and Ric Flair today. These semi famous people received way too much air time.

I have also noticed a Josef Newgarden/Team Penske cslant to their coverage. It seemed as if the booth was rooting for mclaughlin to pass Kirkwood at the end.

I cannot wait to get back to the track next weekend.

Marbles

Why did Indycar not sweep the track of the marbles during the red flag? Did they not want to delay the restart any longer tha necessary. Kudos to the field for avoiding them the last five laps

Today’s Music City Grand Prix had all the elements of a good street race- untimely cautions, lead changes, different strategies, and cars surgin to the front. falling back, and coming back to the front. It’s sad that we have to start anew in 2024 in Nashville just as the drivers have learned how to drive this track.

Race Day at Nashville

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Today’s schedule: All times Eastern

8:30a: Gates Open

10a: Indy NXT Race Peacock, Indycar radio

11:40p: Driver Intros

!2L00 pm NBC, Peacock pre race

12:11p: Invocation

12:12p: Anthem

12:23p: Command

12:30p: Green Flag 3:30p: NBC, Peacock, Indycar radio

Super Truck Race 4:15p:

GR Cup Race

5:15p: GT America Race

Will we see another chaotic race? 2021 and 2022 saw an average of 8.5 caution periods, 1.5 red flags, and 43% of the races under yellow flag conditions. I think today will be a bit calmer, but there will be enough caution time to hamper someone’s strategy.

I look fo the winner to come from the first two rows this time. A win for Alex Palou would be huge as he would extend his large championship lead. Pato O’Ward and Colton Herrta are looking for their first win of the season, and Scott McLaughlin usually has a good tace when he starts up front.

How will Linus Lundqvist fare in his Indycar debut? He has exceeded expectations so far this weekend. I hope he has a clean race and finishes well.

Tire Selections

With yesterday’s limited practice time, it looks as if most of the field wants to get the alternate tires out of the way early. 2 cars are starting on the greens.

I will be back late this afternoon with a race wrap up. Enjoy the race.

Quick Thoughts- Nashville Qualifying

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Photo by Travis Hinkle

It was worth the wait. Qualifying for the Music City Grand Prix produced an entertaining show with a couple of surprises and some drama in the finaltwo rounds. In the end, Scott McLaughlin won the pole for the second year in a row.

It took just two days for Linus Lundqvist to prove that he belongs in a full time Indycar seat. Friday’s practice was his first time in an Indycar at a race weekend. He finished 15th in the session. Today Lundqvist advnced to round 2 of qualifying. He starts 11th tomorrow. A top 20 finish would be great, but a top 15 is not out of the question.

Four drivers in The Fast Six also made the final round at Nashville in 2022. Besides Mclaughlin, Romain Grosjean, Pato O’Ward, and Alex Palou battled for the pole last year. Like McLaughlin, Palou also starts from the same spot he took the green flag from a year ago, fourth.

David Malukas is not sure which team he will be with in 2024, but he boosted his chances of a better seat today by earning a fifth place starting spot. It has been a tough year for the Dale Coyne/HMD driver. A day like today should help his barganing power. The next race at gateway is the site of his best career finish, second place.

It is rare to see Scott Dixon in the wall during qualifying. Dixon hit the wall with 18 seconds left in the round. the other five drivers were allowed one timed lap after the track was cleared. The timing of his accident may have kept WillmPower and Josef newgarden out of The Fast Six.

Notes

One the bigger shocks of the session saw marcus Ericsson starting in 20th. The team has been fighting brake issues this weekend.

Christian Lungaard rolls off 13th tomorrow. Lundgaard won the pole and the race at Toronto. It’s a disappointing result for a team that entered Nashville with a lot of momentum.

Mclaughlin’s pole helps Alex Palou by taking a point away from Josef Newgarden.

Reminder- Tomorrow’s coverage begins at noon eastern on NBC and Peacock with the green flag at 12:30.The IndyNXT race is on Peacock at 10:15 Eastern.

Results

1. (3) Scott McLaughlin, Chevrolet, 01:14.6099 (101.327 mph)
2. (5) Pato O’Ward, Chevrolet, 01:14.9395 (100.881)
3. (26) Colton Herta, Honda, 01:15.2416 (100.476)
4. (10) Alex Palou, Honda, 01:15.2462 (100.470)
5. (18) David Malukas, Honda, 01:15.8703 (99.644)
6. (28) Romain Grosjean, Honda, 01:15.9921 (99.484)
7. (12) Will Power, Chevrolet, 01:15.1384 (100.614)
8. (27) Kyle Kirkwood, Honda, 01:15.1641 (100.580)
9. (2) Josef Newgarden, Chevrolet, 01:15.4862 (100.151)
10. (7) Alexander Rossi, Chevrolet, 01:15.5711 (100.038)
11. (60) Linus Lundqvist, Honda, 01:16.0715 (99.380)
12. (9) Scott Dixon, Honda, 01:16.7692 (98.477)
13. (45) Christian Lundgaard, Honda, 01:16.0985 (99.345)
14. (6) Felix Rosenqvist, Chevrolet, 01:15.4638 (100.180)
15. (15) Graham Rahal, Honda, 01:16.1825 (99.235)
16. (11) Marcus Armstrong, Chevrolet, 01:15.5631 (100.049)
17. (06) Helio Castroneves, Honda, 01:16.2203 (99.186)
18. (77) Callum Ilott, Chevrolet, 01:16.0170 (99.451)
19. (21) Rinus VeeKay, Chevrolet, 01:16.3356 (99.036)
20. (8) Marcus Ericsson, Honda, 01:16.0420 (99.419)
21. (14) Santino Ferrucci, Chevrolet, 01:16.6416 (98.641)
22. (30) Jack Harvey, Honda, 01:16.1193 (99.318)
23. (78) Agustin Canapino, Chevrolet, 01:16.6900 (98.579)
24. (51) Sting Ray Robb, Honda, 01:16.3907 (98.965)
25. (55) Benjamin Pedersen, Chevrolet, No Time (No Speed)
26. (29) Devlin DeFrancesco, Honda, 01:16.4369 (98.905)
27. (20) Ryan Hunter-Reay, Chevrolet, 01:17.2417 (97.875)

Ericsson Leads Brief Rainy Practice

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Marcus Ericsson paced a shortened practice in the rain as Indycar drivers prepared for qualifying for tomorrow’s Music City Grand prix in Nashville.

Practice was on hold for 40 minures as officials swept as much water as possible from the track. Cars went out almost on lone runs, some not taking to the course until just a few minutes reamined in the shortened time.

Qualifying begins at 2:45 Eastern time

The top six:

Qualifying Groups:

Qualifying Day- Will Staring Position Matter This Year?

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Today’s schedule All times Eastern

All sessions on Peacock

11:45 – 12:45 Practice 2

2:45 – 4:15 Qualifying

6:25 – 6:55 Final Practice

The final practice is the ususal race day warmup. Because of the early start time for the race, this practice period was moved to Saturday evening.I’m not sure how much information teams get for the race at this time of day. Qualifying has not been a reliable indicator of success in the race.

The winners of the first two races at Nashville have started 14th and 10th, which speaks to the chaotic nature of the races in the Music City. Pole winner Scott McLaughlin finished second last year. In 2021, Colton Herta won the pole but crashed near the end of the race.

Romain Grosjean started second in 2022, but finished 16th after wall contact on lap 74. In 2021 Scott dixon started second and finished second..

Schedule Hints

The IMSA Weather tech Championship released their 2024 schedule yesterday. It is a good schedule to look for because it gives some hints at dates for Indycar.

We knew that St. Pete was set for March 10. Long Beach is on the IMSA calendar for April 19-20. IMSA usually runs with Indycar at long Beach. Detroit was a given for Indycar on June 1.

The biggest surprise to me was the IMSA race at Indianapolis motor Speedway. I had heard it would become an endurance race, but I thought it would be at the expense of one of the traditional rnfurance events. Instead, the series added IMS to its Endurance Cup schedule.

With five possible schedule openings between St. Pete and Long Beach, Indycar has room for Texas and possibly the new date for Weather Tech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Power Fastest in Friday Practice

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In Iowa Will Power finally took a pole position, his first and second of the year. His next task is to grab a win this season to keep his streak of winning at least one race a year since 2007. This weekend at Nashville is as good a place to get to the top step of the podium as anywhere.

“The car is really good,” Power said. “I think we’re in a good window. All the cars are pretty similar. It will be all about putting it together when it counts.”

Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin won the Nashville pole last year, but he lost the race by one tenth of a second to Scott Dixon. Dixon is also looking to keep his annual string of seasons with a win alive.

Power’s best lap of 1:16.4042 edged Alex Palou by 0.2452 seconds. Alexander Rossi was three tenths behind Power.

The session was clean until the final 15 minutes. Callum Ilott stalled in a runoff area. Just before time expired, Benjamin Pedersen clipped the and stalled. Power was not immune to touching the wall He grazed the barrier just past pit out and spun.

Linus Lundqvist had an impressive first day in Indycar. This week’s driver of the Meyer Shank number 60 ended in 11th place, less than a second off of Powerr’s time. Lundqvist had run as high as fifth during the session. He completed 30 laps, the most of any driver today.

Results:

Music City Grand Prix Race Preview

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First some personal news. My surgery which was originally scheduled for August 10 has been moved to the 22nd. I will be attending next weekend’s Gallagher Grand Prix at IMS. I hope to be well enough to get to World Wide technology braceway for that event, and i am scheduled to go to the final two races ion the West Coast.

Today’s schedule: Eastern Time

4-5:15 Practice 1

The Music City Grand Prix holds its final race iun the current track configuration. The race becomes the season finale in September of 2024 with a new track layout.

I wrote some of my thoughts about the changes for next year here:

The New Finale- Some Thoughts

A concern I did not mention last night is what happens when a Titans football game is scheduled for the same weekend as the finale? Hotel space would be tough to find, and I can onlynimagine the traffic mess. I don’t antici[ate a prioblem next year. I hope Indycar has a plan for that.

Indycar’s third attempt to run a clean race on the Nashville street course may again devolve into a crashfest. 2021 and 2022 saw a coimbined 17 yellow flags covering 43% of the two races. There were also three red flags over the two races.

Points

I think Alex Palou gets back some of the points lead he lost at Iowa this weekend. He finished third last year at Nashville. His Chip Ganassi Racing Team has won both races here, and Sunday could be Palou’s turn to win. Hs average finish at Nashville is fifth.

Palou’s closest rival, Josef Newgarden, has an average fibnish of eighth on his hometown track.

Andretti Street Strength

Andretti Autosport has been very strong on street circuits this season, but they only have one win to show for it. The team has won poles at St. Pete (Grosjean) and Long Beach (Kirkwood). Kirkwood won at Long Beach and Grosjean finished second.

Romain Grosjean needs a strong weekend as he begins a five race audition for an Iundycar seat for 2024. What was thought to be a certain contract extension has turned into an uncertain future for the former F1 driver.

Rahal Momentum

Rahal letterman lanigan racing had a very good weekend at Toronto, and they hope to continue the street course momentum in nashville. Christian Lundgaard won the pole and the race in canada. graham rahal also finished strong. The team began a rebound at Mid Ohio and I see no reason why they can;t keep improving obv=ver the final five races.

Lundqvist Debut

Finally Linus Lundqvist, 2022 Indy NXT champion, gets to make his Indycar debut. Lundqvist will sub for Simon Pagenaud, who will miss his fifth straight race as he recovers from the concussion he suffered iat Mid Ohio.

It’s a shame that thatb then previous year’s Indy NXT champ has to enter Indycar under this set of circumstances. I hope his first race leads o an opportunity for 2024 and maybe another race or two this season.

I am leaning toward Alex Palou winning again this weekend and shoring up his huge lead.

I’ll be back after this afternoon’s practice.

The New Finale- Some Thoughts

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Indycar and the Music City Grand Prix made official what everyone has known. Nashville will be the site of the season finale for the next three years. The September 1-15 weekend will run on an altered course since the currentrack layou will soon be consumed for the new Tennessee Titans footbal stadium.

I love going to Nashville. It’s a great vity with lots of fun things to do. I am not partticularly enamored with the race track as it is now nor the event itself. The new layout keeps the Big dipper profile but looks more compact, although the track appears to have a lot of square corners. I’m glad they kept the bridge. That is by far the best part of the course.

There are advantages to a finale in the central part of the country. Most of Indycar’s core fans live within five to seven hours of Nashville. The race will end around 4 pm Eastern. The finale at Laguna Seca ends after 6 pm Eastern, which means not many people are still watching to see the champion crowned. September weather in nashville is bound to be more pleasant than the hot humid conditions fans have had to endure the last two years. The wweather for this weekend’s race doesn’t look much cooler. And there is the vibe.

Weather Tech Raceway is a very cool track in avery remote location. I don’t feel much energy from the crowd there. The season finale feels like any mid season race. Nashville’s downtown is full of energy, and the first two races at Nashville had an excited group of fans.

The downside to a finale in Nashville, for me, is that i don’t think a street course is the fairest track on which to decide a champion. I would much prefer the finale take place on an oval. I hear there is a great one in Iowa. A street race can turn into a parade, and as we saw when Long Beach was the finale in 2021, a contender can be taken out by a back marker early.

I am hearing that Weather Tech Raceway will remain on the schedule. I’m guessing sometime after St. Pete. Who would like to see Long Beach and Weather Tech on back to back weekends? This writer would.

Overall the new finale venue I think is a good move for the series. Indycar does not move date lightly,especially as radically as they are doing for 2024. Let’s see how it works out.