Tag: GMR Grand Prix

Quick Thoughts- GMR Grand Prix

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Photo by Kyle McIness

Alex Palou set the tone early with a first lap pass on pole sitter Christian Lundgaard, then took the lead for good on lap 65. He cruised to victory by 16 seconds, a huge margin nby Indycar standards.

Pato O’Ward’s third runnerup finish of the year led a gret team finish for Arrow McLaren. Alexander Rossi finished third, and Felix Rosenqvist was fifth. All three drivers led laps.

It should have been a better day for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, but it was still their best result of the the season. Lundgaard ended fourth after going with scuffed reds. Graham Rahal was 10th. Jack Harvey spun early and endedthe day 20th.

Just when you think Harvey has put it together, something happens to thwaqrt him.

In many wqys it was atypical GMR Grand Prix- early chaos and few yellows. In other ways, I found it a more interesting race than usual. The varying tire startegies were fascinating to watch.

Five races into the season there have been five different wiunners from three different teams.

Will Power made a nice recovery to finbish 12th after being spun by Kyle Kirkwood early. Kirkwood got back to 14th.

Weird Fact- Today is the sixth time a driver whose last name begins with the letter P. Will Power has won the May race three times, and Simon Pagenaud has won twice.

The biggest surprises of the weekend were how uncompetitive Team Penske and Andretti autosport were. The two teams have dominated the earlier races with victories and mpoles. I hope we see stronger results beginning Tuesday from them.

I will have a wrap up tomorrow. Thanks for following along these two days. I cannot wait for Tuesday.

Ericsson Paces Warmup

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Points leader Marcus Ericsson had the fastest lap in the morning warmup session for this afternoon’s GMr Grand Prix. Hondas took the first six spots and eigh of the top 10. Only the Penske Chevrolets of Scott McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden were in the top group.

Pole sitter Chriastian Lundgaard was 13th, and Felix Rosenqvist, who starts second, was 19th.

The session ran with out interruption.

Results:

GMR Grand Prix Race Day

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Photo: Christian Lundgaard will lead the field to the green flag today

Tosay’s Schedule:

7:30 a.m.- 6 p.m.: Public Gates Open

8-11 a.m.: IMS Museum’s Cars & Coffee (Museum Parking Lot)

8-8:40 a.m.: USF2000 Race 2

8:55-9:45 a.m.: USF Pro 2000 Race 2

11:15-11:45 a.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm-up Peacock, Indycar Radio

Noon-12:40 p.m.: USF2000 Race 3

1:05 p.m.: INDY NXT by Firestone “Drivers Start Your Engines”

1:10 p.m.: INDY NXT by Firestone Race (35 laps or 55 minutes) Peacock

2:55 p.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver introductions

3:39 p.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES “Drivers Start Your Engines”

3:45 p.m.: GMR Grand Prix Race (85 laps) Peacock, Indycar Radio

NBC and peacock coverage begins at 3:30 pm Eastern

The weather outlook calls for a slight chance od an isolated showwer between 3 and 4 pm.and a high around 82 degrees.

There is a good chance we see a second first time winner this season, and a winner from a team that has has not had much success of late.

I’llbe back after the morning warmup with rsults and starting tire selections.

Lundgaard Pole Leads Rahal Resurgence

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Photo by Kyle McIness

Christian Lundgaard’s first career pole capped a rebound day for Rahal Letterman Laniugan Racing. The team has floundered this season in qualifying, but today all three drivers were in the mix in every session. All three- Lundgaard,Jack Harvey, and Graham Rahal- advance the round of 12. Lundraagd and Harvey moved on to the Fast Six. Harvey will start fourth tomorrow and Rahal lines up eighth.

Lundgaard talks about his pole run

Felix Rosenqvist starts second on Saturday, missing the pole bu just0.0027 seconds. The difference between Lundgaard’s time and sixth place Kyle Kirkwood was 0.2971 seconds, one of the closest since the Fast 6 format began.

Unususal Fast 12

Round 2 feaqtured all of the drivers from three different teams. I don’t recall three entire teams making the round of 12 before. The complete squad from Ganassi-Scott Dixon, Alex palou, Marcus Ericsson, and Marcus Armstrong; all the Arrow McLaren drivers- Pato O’Ward, Alexander Rossi, and Rosenqvist; and the Rahal crew.

Kyle Kirkwood from Andretti and Will Power from Penske filled out the 12 spots. Kirkwood advanced.

Where is Penske?

Five poles have been awarded this season, but none to a Penske driver. Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin each have a fourth place start, and McLaughlin also has a sixth place in qualifying. New garden has yet to make a Fast Six on a road or street course.

Andretti Woes

Today was the worst qualifying day of the ear for Andretti. Colton Herta’s oil line fire in the morning practice seemed to set the tone for the day. Kirkwood was the only driver to advance to the second round.. Romain Grosjean, who has twompoles this season, will satrt 18th.

Starting Lineup

Palou Leads Session 2, Helio Loses Engine

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Alex Palou Turned the fastest lap as session 2 came to a close as teams and drivers made final preparations for qualifiying for the GMR Grand Prix. The practice was green the entire time.

Helio Castroneves lost an engine about halfwaythrought the session but was able to get his car to a spot off track to avoid a red flag. The engine was a new one the team had plannee to use for qualifying for themIndianapolis 500.

Pato O’Ward, who led the morning practice, was third this afternoon. All four Ganassi cars again ended in the top 10,with rookie Marcus Armstrong fourth.

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing continued their strong morning with Christian Lundgaard in second and Jack Harvey fifth. harvey also ended the morning round in fifth. The IMS road course is site of Harvey’s best career finish, a third place in2017.

Castroneves’ engine is the second problem today for an Andretti autosport related car. Kyle Kirkwood has led the team in both sessions. He was 12th this mornng and 13th this afternoon.

A New Look in the Plaza

In 2022 the Speedway and Caesar’s made a splashy announcement of a Caesar’s betting parlor on the south side of the plaza. My undertanding is that there was a multi year deal in place. As I walked through the Pagoda Plaza this afternoon, I noticed the caesar’s space is now a Grab nGo Market. Ilearned that Caesar’s decided not to come back. It appeared to be a popular spot last May.

Next uo is qualifying at 4 pm Eastern. Qualifying groups should be out soon.

Results

O’Ward Tops Practice 1

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Pato O’Ward turned the quickest lap in the lpening practice for the GMR bGrand Prix this morning. The Arrow McLaren driver posted a lap of 1:09.4981. Five different teams had a car in nthe top 10. Ganassi had three drivers- Alex Palou, Marcus Ericsson, and Scott Dixon finishing third, seventh, and eighth.

Colton Herta came into the pits after his install lap with a fire on the rear side. It was likely caused by an oil leak. The crew fixed the car and they returned to mpit lane with about five minutes left in the session. Herta went out formone install lap.

Romainn Grosjean, one of the favorites to win tomorrow,ended the session in16th.

Rhahal Letterman Laqnigan drivers Christian Lundgaard and Jack Harvey, were second and fifth, respectively. Graham rahal was 13th. the nteam haqd been struggling for speed eaqrly in nthe season. They showed a slight improvement at Barber, and tioday it appears they have found whatnthey need.

New Improved Mounds

The viewing mounds in turns 1 and 2 have a new look. They have been combined into one sweeping mound that is higher, offering a better view. The new mound runs from turn allthe way the exit of turn 2. It slopes downward a bit as you go toward turn 2. It is a great improvement.

Results

Opening Day at IMS- GMR Grand Prix Weekend

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Today’s Schedule:

Friday, May 12 
 INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, May 11, 2023) – Information about GMR Grand Prix track activity Friday, May 12 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

:SCHEDULE (All times local):

7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.: Public gates open

8-8:30 a.m.: USF2000 qualifying

8:45-9:15 a.m.: USF Pro 2000 qualifying

9:30-10:45 a.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice 1

11-11:50 a.m.: INDY NXT by Firestone practice 1

12:05-12:45 p.m.: USF2000 Race 1

1-2 p.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice 2

2:20-2:40 p.m.: INDY NXT by Firestone qualifying

2:55-3:45 p.m.: USF Pro 2000 race 1

4-5:15 p.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES qualifying/Firestone Fast Six

Rain is forecast off and on today, and tomorrow looks to be mostly dry. Look for reports after each practice and after qualifying. I plan to check out the new, improved Turn 2 monuds weather permitting.

Some news:

Toby Sowery will test an Indycar with Rahal Letterman Lanuigan Racing June 8 at Sebring.

Ernie Francis ahd withdrawn from the Indy NXT race due to his hand injury suffered at Barber.