Tag: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Just four track days left. One of them is kind of a big deal.

Qualifying weekend attendance was just over 90,000, the best crowd in a while .Attendance was around 5,000 more than 2023.

 Information about 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge practice track activity Monday, May 20 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

SCHEDULE (All times local):

11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Public gates open

1-3 p.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice

TICKETS: General Admission tickets are $25. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. The General Admission ticket will provide the opportunity to move between the IMS infield viewing mounds and first-come, first-served access to selected grandstands to view racing action from different vantage points.

PUBLIC GATES OPEN (11 a.m.-3 p.m.): Gate 2, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 7, Gate 7S, Gate 10, and Gate 10A.

PARKING: Free parking is located in the N Lot for vehicles and in the South Carousel Lot for motorcycle parking. ADA parking is available in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway West Museum Lot, Tower Lot, and Flag Lot.

CASHLESS OPERATIONS: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a cashless facility. Fans should be prepared to complete their ticket, credentials, parking, concession and merchandise purchases with ease during their event via debit or credit card.

Tap-to-pay phone payments will be accepted, as will credit and debit transactions. Cash-to-Card machines, which convert paper money onto a temporary debit card, will be located in Pagoda Plaza and outside Turn 1 by concessions stand 7. These funds can be spent inside the venue, outside the venue, online or anywhere in the world where Mastercard/Visa debit cards are accepted.

MUSEUM: The IMS Museum is closed for a major renovation, reopening in April 2025. To learn more, please visit imsmuseum.org/renovation.

In 1988 Team Penske locked out the front row. Rick Mears on the pole, Danny Sullivan in the middle, and Al Unser, Sr. on the outside.

Today a similar scenario is a very good possibility. Chevrolet powers nine of the 12 cars eligible for the pole today, and yesterday Team Penske set the three fastest times, with Will Power on the provisional pole. Power has to be considered the favorite to win the top spot, but I would not count out Scott McLaughlin’s chances today.

Who could spoil the Penske front row party? One of the Mclaren drivers, Alexander Rossi, fourth yesterday, or Pato O’Ward, who recovered from an early issue to salvage 10th place yesterday afternoon.

Among the Honda drivers, Kyle Kirkwood came closest to spoiling the Chevy party, but he could only manage fifth place, a half second from the front row.. Felix Rosenqvist has qualified well this season and could move up to row two, Takuma Sato seems to have a great car, but I’m not sure how well he will qualify.

Last Chance

The four cars vying for the three final spots in the field have a less daunting task today. They each only have to beat three cars instead of 30.

For time Saturday it appeared we would see another Rahal versus Coyne shootout, and it essentially is. Marcus Ericsson of Andretti is the lone outsider in basically a rematch of the 2023 last chance rematch.

I think Nolan Siegel will be the one missing the show. Since his crash on Thursday, the car has not shown any speed. Hoiw much downforce dare they remove to make the rookie comfortable enough to challenge for a palce on the grid?

McLaren Turnaround

Yesterday morning, Arrow McLaren had a series of misadventures which I chronicled here. To review, the nfirstb half of their day went like this:

Kyle Larson aborted his run after a plenum issue. He just completed a run and is currentlyn sixth.

Alexander Rossi pulled his car out of line to keep it cool. He has since placed the car fourth provisionally.

Pato O’Ward pulled his car out of line, then made a run. He had the same issue as Larson, but O’Ward finished the four laps. He is currently 32nd.

Callum Ilott qualified at his appointed time and had aa solid run. His car was disqualified in tech for a non compliant rear wheel offset. He has not made another attempt as of this moment.

The afternoon went much better.

Alexander Rossi, Kyle Larson, and Pato O’Waard qualified in the top 12. Rossi, the only driver not having issues, was fourth, Larson earned the sixth spot, and O’Ward squeezed into the 10th position.

Ilott requalified in 15th.

I think hey will have a better day today, and Pato is a dark horse for the front row.

Plenum Problems

One thing that could stand in the way of Chevrolet success today is if the plenum issues from Saturday returns. Will it hit different teams than it did yesterday? Did Chevy resolve the problem overnight?

This will be something to watch for this afternoon.

Weather fd\rom @Indycar_Wxman

INDIANAPOLIS (Saturday, May 18, 2024) – Information about 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge practice and PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying track activity Sunday, May 19 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway: SCHEDULE (All times local): 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Public gates open Noon-1 p.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice (Top 12) 1-2 p.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice (Last Chance) 3:05-4:05 p.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying (Top 12) 4:15-5:15 p.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying (Last Chance) 5:25-5:55 p.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying (Firestone Fast Six) Qualifying rounds on NBC, 3-6 pm Eastern TICKETS: General Admission tickets are $35. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. The General Admission ticket will provide the opportunity to move between the IMS infield viewing mounds and first-come, first-served access to selected grandstands to view racing action from different vantage points. Free entry for all military personnel with a valid military ID. PUBLIC GATES OPEN (10 a.m.-6 p.m.): Gate 1, Gate 2, Gate 3, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 7, Gate 7S, Gate 9, Gate 10, and Gate 10A. PARKING: Free parking is located in Turn 3 and Lot 7 (North 40), in the South Carousel Lot for motorcycle parking and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway West Museum Lot, Tower Lot, Flag Lot and Lot 7 (North 40) for ADA parking. Paid parking is $20 in Gate 1 and $10 in Main Gate, Lot 2, Lot 3G and Lot 3P. Paid ADA parking is $20 in Gate 1 and $10 in Lot 2, Lot 3P and Lot 3G. Bicycle parking is located outside Gate 1, Gate 6 and Gate 9. CASHLESS OPERATIONS: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a cashless facility. Fans should be prepared to complete their ticket, credentials, parking, concession and merchandise purchases with ease during their event via debit or credit card.Tap-to-pay phone payments will be accepted, as will credit and debit transactions. Cash-to-Card machines, which convert paper money onto a temporary debit card, will be located in Pagoda Plaza and outside Turn 1 by concessions stand 7. These funds can be spent inside the venue, outside the venue, online or anywhere in the world where Mastercard/Visa debit cards are accepted. MUSEUM: The IMS Museum is closed for a major renovation, reopening in April 2025. To learn more, please visit imsmuseum.org/renovation.

Qualifying for the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 turned dramatic before it started. Scott Dixon did not present his car as Honda decided to change the engine in the number 9.

Kyle Kirkwood qualified first at 232.764 mph. Scott McLaughlin then blew past Kirkwood with a 233.758 mph average. After Kyffin Simpson set am time, Rinus VeeKay spun in turn 3 on his first lap. the car suffered right side damage. VeeKay has stared the race on the front row the last three years. thjat streak is in jeopardy.

McLaren Miseries

Arrow McLaren was expected to put up a fight against Team Penske for the pole. Their day has gone like this:

Kyle Larson aborted his run after a plenum issue. He just completed a run and is currentlyn sixth.

Alexander Rossi pulled his car out of line to keep it cool. He has since placed the car fourth provisionally.

Pato O’Ward pulled his car out of line, then made a run. He had the same issue as Larson, but O’Ward finished the four laps. He is currently 32nd.

Callum Ilott qualified at his appointed time and had aa solid run. His car was disqualified in tech for a non compliant rear wheel offset. He has not made another attempt as of this moment.

Ganassi’s Qualifying Reign Is Over

Chip Ganassi Racing has had a frustrating week. Linus Lundquist crashed on Wednesday, All the cars have not had the speed they have shown at IMS the last three years.

As of now their positions are-Alex Palou 9th

Marcus Armstrong 11th

Kyffin Simpson 14th

Scottb Dixon 17th

Linus Lundqvist 23rd

Since 2020 no Ganassi car has qualified worse than 14th.

Current standings as of 2:47 pm.

After a fog delay of 30 minutes practice for qualifying began. Just five cars in Groupm1 took advantage of their half hour. Nolan Siegel returned top the track in a backup car after his accident yesterday.

Linus Lundqvist was fastest in Group 1 at 232.525 mph.

Chip Ganassi expressed concern about his team’s performance this week.

Marcus Ericsson did not go out in Group 1. Odd since his car was involved in an accident Thursday.

“We used to be the fastest Honda. We’re not even that right now,” Ganassi said.

Ganassi and Coyne were the only teams to have all of their cars take practice laps.

No cars from Penske, Andretti, Meyer Shank, Rahal, Carpenter, or McLaren saw pit lane this morning.

Alex Palou led Group 2 with a lap of 232,727 mph. He also had the best 4 lap average of the nine cars tha ran this morning. Nolan Siegel’s 4 lap average was only 224 mph.

Next up is qualifying, set to begin on time at 11 am Eastern.

Good morning on a foggy start to the day.

The latest weather from @Indycar_Wxman

Practice groups 9:30-9:30. Each group gets 30 minutes

Qualifying order 11:00-5:50

INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, May 17, 2024) – Information about 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge practice and PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying track activity Saturday, May 18 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway: SCHEDULE (All times local): 8 a.m.-6 p.m.: Public gates open 8:30-9 a.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice (Group 1) 9-9:30 a.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice (Group 2) 11 a.m.-5:50 p.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying TICKETS: General Admission tickets are $35. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. The General Admission ticket will provide the opportunity to move between the IMS infield viewing mounds and first-come, first-served access to selected grandstands to view racing action from different vantage points. Free entry for all military personnel with a valid military ID. PUBLIC GATES OPEN (8 a.m.-6 p.m.): Gate 1, Gate 2, Gate 3, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 7, Gate 7S, Gate 9, Gate 10, and Gate 10A. PARKING: Free parking is located in Turn 3 and Lot 7 (North 40), in the for motorcycle parking and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway West Museum Lot, Tower Lot, Flag Lot and Lot 7 (North 40) for ADA parking. Paid parking is $20 in Gate 1 and $10 in Main Gate, Lot 2, Lot 3G and Lot 3P. Paid ADA parking is $20 in Gate 1 and $10 in Lot 2, Lot 3P and Lot 3G. Bicycle parking is located outside Gate 1, Gate 6 and Gate 9 .CASHLESS OPERATIONS: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a cashless facility. Fans should be prepared to complete their ticket, credentials, parking, concession and merchandise purchases with ease during the event via debit or credit card.Tap-to-pay phone payments will be accepted, as will credit and debit transactions. Cash-to-Card machines, which convert paper money onto a temporary debit card, will be located in Pagoda Plaza and outside Turn 1 by concessions stand 7. These funds can be spent inside the venue, outside the venue, online or anywhere in the world where Mastercard/Visa debit cards are accepted. MUSEUM: The IMS Museum is closed for a major renovation, reopening in Ap