Tag: NTT Indycar Series

Fast Friday- Sato Sweeps

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The last 30 minutes of Fast Friday gave us a preview of what tomorrow may bring. There was speed, drama, frustration, and concern. And it isn’t even Bump Day!

Sato set the fastest lap of 234.753 early in the day. Most cars took turns making four lap qualifying runs. At three o’clock Rinus VeeKay had the fastest four lap average 232,898.

A little after 5 Josef Newgarden went out and put up the fastest four lap average. teammate Will Power followed and beat Newgarden.

Marcus Ericsson then went to the top of the four lap chart. Sato then took to the track and posted the nbest average of the day.

If tomorrow is anything like today, get ready for a fun qualifications tomorrow.

Dixon Issue?

Scott Dixon was on a qualifying sim run when he had to cut it short halfway through. He told NBC that there was an issue with the car. Dixon wouldn’t specify the problem, but he said it would put them on the back foot.

More Rahal Woes

The RLL cars continued to struggle today. Their frustration was compounded in the final 15 minutes of the day when Jack Harvey’s car began trailing smoke as he came off turn 2.

Mixed Day for Juncos

Rookie Agustin Canapino had a solid 15th place four lap average. The news wasn’t so great for teammate Callum Ilott.

Team owner Ricardo Juncos decided to switch chassis. he called the car Ilott was driving “dangerous.” The team will switch to the chassis Canapino used in the open test. It is a huge job, but Juncos has been in t5his situation before.

Work begins on the chassis switch

In 2019 Kyle Kaiser crashed on Fast friday. The car was ready for qualifying the next day. Kaiser eventually made the field by bumping Fernando Alonso.

Ilott may miss the morning practice.

Weather for tomorrow looks cool and sunny. Drivers who draw early slots should have an advantage.

I will pos the qualifying order later tonight.

Fast Friday Mid Day Report

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IMS has been very busy today with drivers going out to make simulated qualifying runs. Instead of just tracking fastest laps, we are alsomtracking four lap averages.

The top four lap averages as of 3 pm:

Ed Carpenter Racing looks the strongest overall, and Andretti drivers aren’t far behind.

Takuma Sato has the fastest single lap at 234.753 mph

Current conditions – 80 degrees and cloudy. Tomorrow for quaqlifying the forecast is sunny and 72 degrees., mch different from today.

Notes

Another huge crowd is on hand today. Free parking inside turn 3 was fullt by 10 am.

I talked to Doug Boles a few minutes ago. He told me that Wednesday’s attendance was the biggest practice crowd since they started scanning tickets. Yesterday’s crowd was a little short of a record. He was very happy with the crowd at the GMR Grand Prix last Saturday.

Alexander Rossi just turned in the third best four lap average,

Pato O’Ward went 243 mph in the turn 3 trap. Kirkwood had a speed of 242 through that area.

Back later as things develop.

Verizon Revs Up Fan Experience at Indy 500with Network Upgrades, 5G Multi-View 

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From IMS and Verizon:

 INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, May 19, 2023) – With more than 300,000 fans expected to attend the 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on May 28, Verizon has upgraded the network at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) so attendees can stream and share their experiences quickly and reliably.Verizon also is bringing fans closer to the action with 5G Multi-View, which allows fans at the event to customize their viewing experience in real time. Fans can toggle between seven different camera angles of live action from the track on their phones, including the live TV broadcast.
“Innovation has been at the forefront of IMS’ mission since its inception in 1909,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Verizon 5G Multi-View transforms the way fans watch the Indy 500. Once they’re connected, they’ll never miss a moment of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
“Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network, we’re giving fans the best seat in the house regardless of where they are in the venue,” said Joe Russo, EVP and president of Global Networks and Technology at Verizon. “We’ve also upgraded our network at the venue so fans can always capture and share their experiences quickly and reliably.”
Multi-View is available in the official INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. Fans with a 5G device can switch between the action in the pit to see who’s in the lead coming out of Turn 1. Additional cameras will provide in-car and Turn 3 views, among others.
Verizon Upgrades Network for Race FansLast year, Verizon customers attending the event used 17 TB of data, and Verizon engineers are expecting even greater usage this year. To prepare the area, engineers have deployed additional 4G and 5G service inside the track, throughout the grandstands, Turns 3 and 4, as well as at Gates 9, 10 and 11.
Engineers have used a variety of spectrum to provide these upgraded services. For 5G services, Verizon is using a combination of C-band, its mid-band spectrum designed for excellent coverage and mmWave, its premium, high-band spectrum which allows for massive capacity. Verizon recently announced upgrades to the entire Indianapolis area, where 99% of customers now have access to 5G Ultra Wideband service.
Verizon’s super-fast 5G Ultra Wideband provides a broadband-like connection in more than 91 stadiums and arenas, and is available to more than 200 million people across the U.S.Earlier this year, the popular INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA was reimagined and redesigned. The app enhances the Race Day experience for fans by providing live timing and scoring in near-real time, exclusive livestream videos, and customizable driver and team information, among many other features. It is available internationally for all Android and iOS devices.
Download the INDYCAR app today at the Apple Store or Google Play.The 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 28. Visit IMS.com for tickets and more information on all Month of May events and activities at IMS.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000 and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology and communications services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $136.8 billion in 2022. The company offers data, video and voice services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control. 

Fast Friday- A Hint at the Pole?

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Today’s schedule:

10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Public Gates Open

Noon-6 p.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice Peacock, Indycar Radio 8th

HONORARY STARTERS: Indianapolis Colts’ rookies

TICKETS: General Admission tickets are $15 for Indy 500 practice days. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult.

PUBLIC GATES OPEN (10 a.m.-6 p.m.): Gate 1, Gate 2, Gate 3, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 7, Gate 7S, 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 Museum Lot for ADA parking. Paid parking available in Lot 2, Lot 3G and Main Gate for $10 and Gate 1 for $20. Paid ADA parking in Gate 1 for $20.

Today is usually the fastest say of the year. The horsepower boost adds 50 horsepower to the engines. Speeds above 230 mph should be commonplace.

There is a threat of scattered showers after 2pm which may make the first two hours very busy.

So far the cars of Chip Ganassi Racing and Arrow mcLaren have dominated the tuop 10. I don’t expect that to change. I’m alsokeeping my eye on Team Penske, especially Will Power. Simon Pagenaud had a good day yetsrday, and he could be a factor,

Will Andretti drivers other than Colton herta make some noise today? Kyle Kirkwood was in the top 15 for a while on Thursday. Romain Grosjean is languishing in the 20’s.

Ed Carpenter Racing can never be counted out when it’s time to run for the pole. Comor Daly was sixth yesterday, but he sar rhird for some of the day.

The laresr weather says the best chance for rain is after 5 pm, so it should be another good day for running nd watching race cars.

I’ll be back with updates throughout the day,

Here are some photos I took in the pits yesterday afternoon.

Ericsson Tops Day Two

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Marcus Ericsson ran the fastest lap of the week to lead today’s practice session as the Chip Ganassi Racing fleet continued to flex its muscles. Scott Dixon was second, Takuma sato seventh, and Alex Palou was ninth. Ericsson’s lap of 229.607 beat Sato’s top time yesterday by 0.168 mph.

“I felt like we made some changes overnight that helped me and my feeling in the car. I felt really happy with my racecar and then there we just did some stuff for tomorrow. So preparation for tomorrow Good run in and then measure the key one though, as well. So yeah, very positive day And hats off to the gas the team, you know,”ERicsson said

New to the top 10 today were Simon Pagenaud inthird, Conor Daly sixth, pato O’Ward in eighth, and Alexander Rossi in tenth.Colton Herta improved to fifth today.

Graham Rahal moved up to 12th after his team’s struggles yesterday. Teammate Katherine Legge had the slowest time, 223.934 mph.

Thursday was another beautiful day with perfect weather for racing. The forecast tomorrow calls for possible showers starting around 2 pm. Thatt should make for a very busy first two hours.

All cars get extra boost for qualifying tomorrow which inceases power by about 50 horsepower.

Notes

Another large crowd enjoyed practice. Friday usually draws the largest crowd of practice week. If the first two days of practice are an indication, tomorrow’s attendance could be huge.

Results

Thursday Mid Day at IMS- Ericsson on Top

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WE’ve reached the midway point of the day for practice two. Another ganassi car has the fastest lap of the day. Marcus Ericsson, lastbyear’s winner of the 500, posted a speed of 229.607. That lap tops takuma Sato’s fast time from Wednesday. All four Ganassi cars are in the top 10.

Pato O’Ward sits second at the moment at 227.734 mph. All four Arrow McLaren cars are also in the top 10. Santino ferrucci from A. J. Foyt Racing and Colton Herta from Andretti are the final two top 10 cars. Ferrucci issixth and Herta is eighth.

2014 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay is 12th, backing up his eighth place yesterday.

Callum Ilott, last yesterday, has found some speed and is currently 18th.

The Rahal team’s struggles continue. Katherine Legge leads the team in 26th place.

Earlier today I talked with David Malukas. He is happy with the pace of his car, but he siad they need to correct an oversteer issue. Malukas said he can’t pass anyone as the car was.Malukas is currently15th.

This morbibg Arrow Mb]cLaren announced a partnership with Hendrick Motorsport to allow Kyle Larson to run in the Indianapolis 500 in 2024 and 2025. I wil have a story about this later.

Kyle Larson

I’ll be back after 6 with a wrap up of the day.

Stefan Wilson Focused on 500, Future Can Wait

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Stefan Wilson enters this year’s 500 with a new association and a new teammate. He is thrilled with his situation. The Cusick Motorsports team has paired with Dreyer & Reibold fror 2023, He also has 2014 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay as a teammate.

“Ryan’san amazing teammate. He has just so much experience, I can rely on it. You know, it’s reassuring, you know, you make a change. And you have read on it. And you’re like, Okay, this is my read. And then you like, wait with bated breath. Like, what’s Ryan gonna say about the same change. And then when he comes in and has the same feedback, it’s like, it’s encouraging. It’s encouraging. It’s reassuring that your feedback is pretty, pretty accurate. Yeah, so it’s like a it’s a nice way to check yourself. Because he knows what’s up. He’s one here. So if my feedback matches, and that’s a good thing,” Wilson said.

Wilson was happy with yesterday’s practice.

“We’re close. I think we’re really close. If we can find a little bit more than will be fine,” he said. Wilson was 15th Wednesday, and Hunter-Reay was eighth.

Today the team will work on qualifying setup.

“We’re just gonna put the ball line set up on, see how fast it is. And then tomorrow, I think the weather is gonna come in late. So I think we might get a couple of runs in tomorrow with the qualifying boost.”

Wilson said they are not thinking about future expansion of the program just yet.

“I think right now, we talked about it, we thought about it, but right now it’s not in my mind. I’m just totally focused on the next two weeks. Next weekend, and trying to make the most of this opportunity. I think after that when the dust settles, we’ll think about okay, what do we need? “

Wilson likes the way the team is setup now ansd wants to continue.

” I think this is such a great combo me and Ryan. If I had my choice would be to just keep the same group together and just hold again next year, so that’d be the goal.”

Day 3 at IMS- The Need for Speed

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Today’s schedule

SCHEDULE (All times local):

10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Public Gates Open

Noon-6 p.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice Peracock, Indycar Radio

HONORARY STARTER: Gene’o Riley and Krishawn Hogan, NFL Players’ Association

TICKETS: General Admission tickets are $15. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult.

PUBLIC GATES OPEN (10 a.m.-6 p.m.): Gate 1, Gate 2, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 7, Gate 7S, Gate 10, and Gate 10A.

Another beautiful day is in the forecast for today. Everyone is looking at the Ganassi cars as the ones to beat. Rinus VeeKay turned heads with the quickest no tow speed. In facrt the Ed Carpenter Racing cars were 1,2,and 3 on the no tow chart.

Rinus VeeKay

Callum Ilott’s struggles from the open test continued yesterday. He was 34th fastest and has two days to figure something out. I said in an earlier post that i wouldn’t be surprised to see a full time car bumped. Ilott’s situation is one of the reasons I think bumping when there are 34 cars entered for the race is silly.

What will today bring? Will some slower cars on Wednesday find what they need?

Wednesday’s Results

Sato Tops Wednesday

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Takuma Sato overtook teammate Scott Dixon and paced the first actual practice day for the Indianapolis 500. Dixon set a lap m0f 229.174 in the first nine minutes of the session. Sato beat that late in the day with a 229.439 circuit.

Five cautions for debris halted action at various times, but teams only lost 35 minutes of track time.

Chip Ganasi Racing showed their strength, finishing 1,2, 4(Alex Palou), and 7 (Marcus Ericsson).

Team Penske placed two drivers in the top 10- Scott McLaughlin was fifth and Josef Newgarden had the ninth fastest time.

Andretti Autosport also had two drivers in the top 10. Colton Herta ended the daysixth and Marco Andretti was 10th.

Penske and Andretti have struggled the past couple of years.

David Maluks (L) and Takuma Sato talk about their days

Jack Harvey led Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in 11th. Graham rahal was 13th.

Santino Ferrucci, driving for A. J. Foyt Racing, had the third fastest time, 228.977. Ferrucci said the car was in race trim.

2014 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay put the Dreyer & Reinbold entry into eighth place.

Arrow McLaren struggled today. Alexander rossi and Pato O’Ward were 19th and 20th on the chart.

The weather was perfect for speeds and for the fans. A nice sized crowd was on hand throuf=ghout the day.

It was a great day at IMS, I can’t wait until tomorrow. Practice begins at noon.