Spotter Guide- GMR Grand Prix
Tag: GMR Grand Prix
GMR Grand Prix Preview
It’s time to go racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The GMR Grand Prix begins the fortnight of May . The race began in 2014 as a means to draw more fans to the track at the start of May. It has served its purpose, as it brings in more people than the traditional opening day of practice for the openeing day of practice would have drawn.
The race weekend has seen the entire spectrum of weather- warm and sunny, cold and cloudy, light rain, heavy rain- sometimes all in the same race. The 2022 edition was a wet, cold affair. I thought it was one of the best GMR Grand Prix. The ever changing strategies made it a most interesting race.
Weather looks to be a factor tomorrow and it could also impact the race on Saturday.
This event saw Team Penske dominate through 2019, but three different teams have won the May road course race the last three years.
Entering the 2023 race, this season has seen a resurgence of Andretti Autosport. The ream has won three of the four poles and one race. Romain Grosjean has two poles and two second place finishes. Kyle Kirkwood won the pole and the race at Long Beach.
There are some interesting one on one battles to watch this weekend
Grosjean vs. McLaughlin
The two have battled for the lead at St. Pete and Barber this year, and and another fight for first between the Andretti and Penske driver is likely again Saturday. Grosjean and Scott McLaughlin seem to find each other on track. St. Pete was essentially a draw, and Mclaughlin won at Barber.
Ericsson vs. O’Ward
Defending 500 winner Matcus Ericsson leads Pato O’Ward by just three points as the series enters May. Ericsson finished fourth last year after starting 18th, and O’Wrd finished 19th while he started fifth.
Ganssi and Arrow McLaten have had few good results on this track. Both drivers need a good finish since only 15 points separate the top five.
Penske Return to the Top?
Team Penske has won the race five times and the pole six times. Their last win was in 2019. The team also swept the Harvest Classic double header in the fall of 2021. It is odd to say that Penske is looking to win its first pole of the season heading into the fifth race.
Romain Grosjean should get his elusive first Indycar victory this weekend. he has two poles and two second place finishes so fvar The team needs to do a bit of fine tuning on strategy and he will win.
GMR Grand Prix Fast Facts
From Indycar:
| Race weekend: Friday, May 12 – Saturday, May 13 Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course (clockwise) Race distance: NTT INDYCAR SERIES 85 laps / 207.3 miles | INDY NXT by Firestone: 35 laps/55 minutes Push-to-pass parameters: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: 200 seconds of total time, with a maximum time of 20 seconds per activation. | INDY NXT by Firestone: 150 seconds of total time with a maximum time of 15 seconds per activation Firestone tire allotment (NTT INDYCAR SERIES): Six sets primary, four sets alternate. One additional set is available to rookie drivers for use in the Friday practice session. 2022 race winners: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Colton Herta (No. 26 Gainbridge Honda) INDY NXT by Firestone Danial Frost (No. 68 HMD Motorsports), Linus Lundqvist (No. 26 HMD Motorsports) 2022 NTT P1 Award winner (NTT INDYCAR SERIES): Will Power (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet), 1 minute, 9.7664 seconds, 125.854 mph 2022 INDY NXT by Firestone pole winners: Linus Lundqvist (No. 26 HMD Motorsports) 1:16.3362, 115.023 mph (race one), Lundqvist 1:16.4266, 114.887 (race two) Qualifying records: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Will Power, 1:07.7044, 129.687 mph, May 12, 2017 (Set in Round 3 of knockout qualifying) INDY NXT by Firestone Ed Jones, 1:14.6743, 117.583 mph, May 13, 2016 NBC Sports race telecast: 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, May 13, NBC (live). Leigh Diffey is the play-by-play announcer for NBC’s coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, alongside analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe. Peacock live streaming: All NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice sessions and qualifying will stream live on Peacock, NBC’s direct-to-consumer livestreaming product. NBC’s GMR Grand Prix race telecast will be simulcast on the streaming service. The INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix will be streamed live on Peacock with practice and qualifying shown on INDYCAR LIVE. INDYCAR Radio Network broadcasts: Mark Jaynes is the anchor alongside driver analyst Davey Hamilton. Jake Query, Nick Yeoman and Michael Young are the turn announcers. Ryan Myrehn and Rob Blackman are the pit reporters. The GMR Grand Prix race (3 p.m. ET), INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix (12:55 p.m. ET Saturday) and all NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone 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, MAY 12 (All times are local) 9:30-10:45 a.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice (75 minutes), Peacock 11-11:50 a.m. INDY NXT by Firestone practice, INDYCAR LIVE 1-2 p.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice (45 minutes), Peacock 2:20-2:40 p.m. INDY NXT by Firestone qualifying, INDYCAR LIVE 4 p.m. Qualifying for the NTT P1 Award (three rounds of NTT INDYCAR SERIES knockout qualifications), Peacock SATURDAY, MAY 13 11:15-11:45 a.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES warmup, Peacock 1:05 p.m. INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix “Drivers, start your engines” 1:10 p.m. INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix (35 laps/55 minutes), Peacock 3:30 p.m. NBC on air 3:39 p.m. “Drivers, start your engines” 3:45 p.m. GMR Grand Prix (85 laps/207.3 miles), NBC (Live) NTT INDYCAR SERIES Notes: Scott McLaughlin became the fourth winner in as many NTT INDYCAR SERIES races this season as he outdueled Romain Grosjean to win the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix on April 30 at Barber Motorsports Park. 2022 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge winner Marcus Ericsson leads Pato O’Ward by three points heading into the critical Month of May, which has more than 100 points on offer over the next four three with races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The GMR Grand Prix will be the 14th INDYCAR SERIES event conducted on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course. Active race winners who are expected to compete are Alexander Rossi, Colton Herta, Rinus VeeKay, Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden, Simon Pagenaud and Will Power. ACTIVE RACE WINNER WINS SEASONS Will Power 5 2015, 2017, 2018 (GMR Grand Prix); 2020 (Harvest Grand Prix-2); 2021 (Gallagher Grand Prix) Simon Pagenaud 3 2014, 2016, 2019 (GMR Grand Prix) Scott Dixon 1 2020 (GMR Grand Prix) Josef Newgarden 1 2020 (Harvest Grand Prix-1) Rinus VeeKay 1 2021 (GMR Grand Prix) Colton Herta 1 2022 (GMR Grand Prix) Alexander Rossi 1 2022 (Gallagher Grand Prix) Four NTT P1 Award winners have won the GMR Grand Prix from the pole: Will Power in 2015, 2017 and 2018 and Simon Pagenaud in 2016. Power also won the second Harvest GP race from the pole in 2020. ACTIVE POLE WINNER POLES SEASONS Will Power 6 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020 (GMR Grand Prix and Harvest Grand Prix-2) 2022 (GMR Grand Prix) Felix Rosenqvist 2 2019, 2022 (Gallagher Grand Prix) Pato O’Ward 1 2021 (Gallagher Grand Prix) Romain Grosjean 1 2021 (GMR Grand Prix) Rinus VeeKay 1 2020 (Harvest Grand Prix-1) Simon Pagenaud 1 2016 Sebastian Saavedra 1 2014 Six drivers have competed in every INDYCAR SERIES race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course – Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden, Simon Pagenaud, Will Power, Graham Rahal and Takuma Sato. All but Sato are entered this year. Marcus Ericsson, Josef Newgarden or Kyle Kirkwood can solidify their chance at the PeopleReady Force For Good Challenge’s $1 million prize by winning at Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Ericsson (Streets of St. Petersburg) and Kirkwood (Streets of Long Beach) have won on street circuits while Newgarden has a win on an oval (Texas Motor Speedway). A win on a road course would make one of them one step closer to earning a $500,000 bonus and a matching $500,000 donation for a chosen charity. Scott McLaughlin is also eligible for the bonus but already has a road course win at Barber Motorsports Park. Team Penske has eight wins on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020-Race 2, 2020-Race 3, 2021-Race 2). Andretti Autosport swept the races in 2022 while Ed Carpenter Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing and Arrow McLaren are the only other teams to win at the track. Ed Carpenter Racing won in 2021-Race 1 with Rinus VeeKay. Chip Ganassi Racing won with Scott Dixon in 2020-Race 1, and Arrow McLaren won the inaugural race in 2014 with Simon Pagenaud when it was known as Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. Four NTT INDYCAR SERIES Rookie of the Year contenders – Marcus Armstrong, Agustin Canapino, Benjamin Pedersen and Sting Ray Robb – are entered. All will race an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time. Twenty-three of the drivers entered in the event have competed in INDYCAR SERIES races on the IMS road course. Fifteen entered drivers have led laps in the GMR Grand Prix: Will Power 210, Scott Dixon 69, Simon Pagenaud 68, Colton Herta 50, Romain Grosjean 44, Graham Rahal 36, Rinus VeeKay 33, Josef Newgarden 25, Felix Rosenqvist 19, Pato O’Ward 5, Alexander Rossi 2, Marcus Ericsson 11, Scott McLaughlin 5, Jack Harvey 1 and Alex Palou 1. Milestones: Scott Dixon will attempt to make his 310th consecutive start, the second-longest streak in INDYCAR SERIES history….Dixon will also attempt to make his 350th start with Chip Ganassi Racing. INDY NXT by Firestone Notes: INDY NXT by Firestone will conduct the first of two race events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2023 with a 35-lap race on Saturday, May 13. Denmark’s Christian Rasmussen took the series points lead with his win April 30 at Barber Motorsports Park. The field for the INDY NXT Grand Prix will be the largest INDY NXT by Firestone field at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course since 25 cars started the Liberty Challenge in 2007. Danial Frost is the only driver in the current field who has won an INDY NXT by Firestone race at IMS. Four other drivers – Rasmus Lindh, Christian Rasmussen, Reece Gold and Louis Foster – have visited victory lane in ladder series. The 2023 season features a deep and talented field with INDY NXT race winners such as Frost, Hunter McElrea and Rasmussen joining a promising rookie class that includes Jamie Chadwick (three-time W Series champ), Foster (USF Pro 2000 champ), Jagger Jones (USF2000 Rookie of the Year) and rising stars Nolan Siegel and Gold (USF Pro 2000). Other contenders include returning drivers Jacob Abel, Kyffin Simpson and Ernie Francis Jr. A new qualifying format will place a premium on banking a quick lap around the 2.439-mile road course. Teams will have a single 20-minute session with a limited guarantee of eight minutes of green flag running, depending on whichever comes first. If an entry does not set a time, their order will be based on entrant points. |
GMR Grand Prix Schedule
It’s race week at IMS. Here is the Indycar/Indy NXT schedule for Friday and Saturday:
All Times Eastern
Friday, May 12:
9:30-10:45 Indycar Practice 1 Peacock
11-11:50 Indy NXT Practice
1-2 Indycar Practice 2 Peacock
2:20-:40 Indy NXT Qualifying
4-5:15 Indycar Qualifying Peacock
Satuyrday, May 13
11:15-11:45 Indycar Warm up Peacock
1:10-2:05 Indy NXT Race (35 laps or 50 minutes) Peacock
3:45 Green flag- Indycar GMR Grand Prix (85 laps) NBC, Peacock Coverage begins at 3:30
GMR GP Wrap Up- This is What Racing is All About
Last night I had the kind of restless sleep that is usually reserved for the night before then Indianapolis 500. It was one of my last mornings to sleep in, but I awoke before 5 AM still excited about the race. I began to watch the replay of the GMR Grand Prix. my heart was racing just thinking about watching it. The first lap set the tone for the race.
Yesterday’s race is what racing is all bout- fighting changing conditions, making snap tire decisions, passing, taking risks. Many races these days are run somewhat on the conservative side, but yesterday’s show was a fun damn the point standings full speed ahead race. I can’t recall a race that exciting and intriguing.
Some fans have compared the GP to Nashville last year. I thought that was just slapstick follies. Fontana in 2015 had lots of action, but the rain Saturday added an element of tension to the event.
I hope we have a tone for a 500mile race that will be just as incredible. This race will stick with me for a long time.
Aeroscreen’s First Rain Test
The aeroscreen had its first test of performing in the rain. Reviews from the drivers are mixed. In a post race interview Conor Daly, who finished fifth, said,
“…the water just stayed in the center of the
screen, and I don’t know why, but even as you went faster,
which you would hope it would clear, it didn’t. Again, I can’t
say anything.”
Runner-up Simon Pagenaud suggested a wiper.
“I mean, if we had a wiper, it would probably help, but that
was the first real race with the aeroscreen, so you got to
give credit to INDYCAR. The safety is amazing, but in
these conditions you would need a wiper like they do in the
sports cars.
It’s very similar to a wind screen you have on a sports car.
There’s a (inaudible) wiper. It’s possible, and it would
probably help in these conditions.”
Will Power had a different perspective.
“Actually, I didn’t have much problem with
the rain. The worst part for me was when it was half wet.
We’re on drys, and you have kind of that gritty just dirt on
top of water. That was when I struggled to see a little bit,
but in the full wet, I mean, the biggest problem for me was
the spray from the cars.
There’s really nothing can you do about that with
open-wheel cars. It’s just going to be a lot of spray.”
When the aeroscreen was under development, what would happen during rain was one of my concerns. Unfortunately, there was no good way to test for this situation. Now that Indycar has some feedback, they will look for ways to improve visibility in wet conditions.
Rosenqvist Begins to make His Case
Felix Rosenqvist is in a contract year and it is widely assumed that he is fighting for his job. he has qualified well this season, with one pole and three Fast Six appearances, but has faded in several of the races. Yesterday he started and ended sixth despite a collision with teammate Pato O’Ward on lap 42. Rosenqvist has climbed into the top half of the standings. He needs a good showing on May 29 to help his position on the team.
Ericsson: Adversity is My Friend
This is nopt a direct quote from Marcus Ericsson, but it could be. In last year’s victory at Nashville, he ran into the back of Sebastien Bourdais, causing his car to get airborne. After serving a penalty and thanks to some timely cautions, he ended up in victory circle.
Saturday Ericsson started 18th and found himself in the lead nearing the halfway point during a caution. He stayed out hoping the race would be called at the and made official at the 43 lap mark. The race continued and Ericsson was forced to pit on lap 47. He dropped far down the standings, but came back to finish fourth.
Like 2021, Ericsson is one of those drivers you don’t really notice who is suddenly in contention. I think he will have a great second half of the season.
Thanks for following along this weekend. I will have a photo gallery up on The Pit Window on Facebook and on @tutorindie and @Pit WindowToo on Twitter in a bit.
Singin’ in the Rain- Herta’s Early Stop Pays Off
Some quick thoughts on a wild day at IMS:
The GMR Grand Prix was a two-hour long endurance race. I felt I was at the Rolex 24 for most of the race. Some quick thoughts. I will follow up with more tomorrow.
Honda finally broke through with a victory.
The race was not the prettiest I’ve ever seen, but gosh it was entertaining. Strategy changed almost every lap, contenders spun, came back, and spun again. Teams gambled, and some won while others lost. The drama and intrigue made for a fascinating event.
As we saw in 2019, this race is helped by rain.
A Good Day for Some Rookies
Four rookies had their best finishes of the year today. Callum Ilott was eighth, Christian Lundgaard ninth, David Malukas 12th, and Tatiana Calderon came home 15th. Calderon led a lap.
I can’t recall a race before today in which Will Power was on the pole and didn’t lead a lap.
Power has finished third or fourth in every race this season.
ECR Figuring Out Road Courses
Ed Carpenter Racing seems to have gotten a handle on road courses. The team has been in three Fast Six rounds and has twqo top five finishes.
Conor Daly’s fifth place today was his first top five in five years. Daly started fourth.
Rinus VeeKay has a pole and a fourth place start and finished third at Barber.
In 2019 Simon Pagenaud showed how good he was on a wet track, winning the GMR Grand Prix with a last lap pass. Today in less than ideal conditions he finished second after starting 20th. Definitely the driver of the day.
Alex Palou worked his way back to 18th after his early spin. He was not able to get his lap back because of the way the yellows fell. This track has been a difficult one for Palou. Last summer he finished last when his engine expired.
Thanks for following along. i will have more tomorrow on this wild race.
Ericsson Fastest in Morning Warm Up
Marcus Ericsson turned the quickest lap in the final warm-up session for the GMR Grand Prix. Ericsson edged Callum Ilott by 0.113 seconds. Pole sitter Will Power was ninth and Alex Palou, who starts second, was eighth.
Six Honda cars were in the top 10 in the thirty -minute practice, which ran green the entire way.
Reminder- the green flag time has been moved up to 3:07 pm Eastern to avoid as much of the thunderstorms as possible. The documentary The Club will still air at 2 pm on NBC.
The chance of rain may cause some teams to rethink their starting tire choices.
Some photos from the warmup.
Sato pit stop.
Will Power
Notes
Caesar’s Sportsbook has taken over the spot where the memorabilia show used to be. It is a betting parlor. I’m not sure if I like this idea.
The race will go on if there is only rain. Lightning will cause a red flag. I believe a halt for lightning will be at least thirty minutes. 44 laps will be an official race.
Results
Race Day- Wet or Dry?
Today’s Schedule
- May 14 – $40 for General Admission. $50 for flex ticket seating in Northwest Vista (Sections 11-20), Southwest Vista (Sections 1-10), Tower Terrace (Sections 37-47 and 75-79) and Paddock (Sections 9-14). Children 15 and under are admitted free with flex ticket paying adult. Reserved seats range from $41-105.
Public Parking: Parking for the GMR Grand Prix is available in a variety of locations around the track:
- May 14 – paid public parking is available in Lot 1A, Lot 2 and Main Gate parking lots for $20. Gate 1 Lot (Parcel B) parking is available for $50. Motorcycle parking is also available at South Carousel Lot for $20. Paid ADA parking is available in Lot 3P and Lot 2. Free parking is located in Lot 7 (North 40).
SATURDAY, May 14 (General Admission $40; Reserved Seats Start at $41)
7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Public Gates Open
8:05-8:50 a.m. USF2000 Race 2
9:10-10 a.m. Indy Pro 2000 Race 2
10:30-11 a.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warmup Peacock
11:15-11:55 a.m. USF2000 Race 3
12:10-1 p.m. Indy Pro 2000 Race 3
1:20-2:15 p.m. Indy Lights Race 2 (35 laps or 55 minutes) Peacock
2:40-3:05 p.m. Silver/Bronze Badge Grid Walk
3:30 p.m. Ninth GMR Grand Prix (85 laps) NBC, Peacock
5:45 p.m. GMR Grand Prix Post-Race Track Invasion
Weather is the word for the day. Thunderstorms are predicted for late morning and scattered storms may visit the track this afternoon.
The latest from @Indycar_Wxman:
It looks like rain may come after 4 pm which will add intrigue to the event. Will someone go to rain tires before the rain comes? Who dives into the pits first?
The grid has several drivers starting farther back than usual. It should be an interesting race watching them climb to the front. I an going to be watching Colton Herta, Scott Dixon, and Simon Pagenaud work their way forward.
Will Power and Alex Palou should battle for the win. Palou and Josef Nwgarden saved a set of reds by starting the Fast Six on blacks before switching to reds
Whichever way the weather turns out, it should be a fascinating race.
I’ll be back after the morning warm up.
Power Still Indy’s King of The Road
If it’s early May in Indianapolis, you will find Will Power on the pole. Power won his fourth GMR Grand Prix pole and fifth on the IMS road course. Power snatched the pole from Alex Palou on the final timed lap of the Firestone Fast Six. His time of1:09.766 beat Palou by 0.043 seconds.
The pole was Power’s 64th of his career. He is just three behind Mario Andretti’s record of 67.
The entire qualifying ran without issues. Only one Honda, the car of Alex Palou, made it to the final round. The rest of the Fast Six, in order, are Josef Newgarden, Conor Daly, Pato O’Ward, and Felix Rosenqvist.
Some pole contenders struggled during qualifying. Colton Herta and Rinus VeeKay did not make it out of the first round. Herta will start tomorrow’s race in row 7 and VeeKay in row 8. Jack Harvey, who usually qualifies well at this track, will start 9th Saturday.
The 2021 polesitter, Romain Grosjean, starts 10th.
Unfamiliar Territory
Simon Pagenaud starts 20th and Scott Dixon starts 21st. Pagenaud won the pole at the GMR Grand Prix in 2016 and has won the race three times. Dixon has won once and is usually a top finisher. Watch for this pair to move forward tomorrow.
Notes
The scoring pylon showed the time remaining in each round. This is something that wasn’t always done in the past. I’m glad they had it up there.
I found a lot of nice shirts while making a brief pass through of the merchandise shop behind the pits. If anyone has a dresser I can have, I will add to my T-shirt collection.
The speed difference for the starting grid from first to 27th is 1.68 seconds.
Palou had the fastest lap in qualifying, 1:09.411 in round 2.
Thanks for following along today. I will have some follow up on today tomorrow morning.
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The Pit Window by Mike Silver 