Tag: NTT Indycar Series

Honda Indy Toronto Schedule

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It’s Race Week. After a two week break, Indycar returns with five races in four weeks. here is ths coming weekend’s schedule for Toronto, which returns to the schedule for the first time since 2019. Note that the race is only on Peacock this week.

 Friday All Times Eastern

TimeSeriesSession
GATE HOURS7:30 AM – 5:00 PM 
8:00 AM – 8:30 AMUSF2000Practice 1
8:45 AM – 9:10 AMIndy Pro 2000Practice 1
9:25 AM – 10:00 AMPorsche Carrera CupPractice 1
10:15 AM – 11:35 AMNASCAR Pinty’s SeriesPractice 1 & Qualifying
11:50 AM – 12:20 PMSports Car Championship CanadaPractice 1
12:30 PM – 1:30 PMNTT INDYCAR SERIESAutograph Session
12:35 PM – 12:55 PMUSF2000Qualifying 1
1:10 PM – 1:40 PMPorsche Carrera CupPractice 2
1:55 PM – 2:15 PMIndy Pro 2000Qualifying 1
2:30 PM – 3:45 PMNTT INDYCAR SERIESPractice 1 Peacock
4:00 PM – 5:20 PMNASCAR Pinty’s SeriesRace

Saturday

TimeSeriesSession
GATE HOURS7:30 AM – 5:00 PM 
8:00 AM – 8:20 AMUSF2000Qualifying 2
8:35 AM – 8:55 AMIndy Pro 2000Qualifying 2
9:10 AM – 9:40 AMPorsche Carrera CupQualifying 1
10:00 AM – 11:00 AMNTT INDYCAR SERIESPractice 2 Peacock
11:15 AM – 11:45 AMSports Car Championship CanadaQualifying
12:00 PM – 12:45 PMUSF2000Race 1
1:00 PM – 1:45 PMIndy Pro 2000Race 1
2:00 PM – 3:15 PMNTT INDYCAR SERIESQualifying Peacock
3:30 PM – 4:15 PMPorsche Carrera CupRace 1
4:30 PM – 5:10 PMSports Car Championship CanadaRace 1

Sunday

GATE HOURS 8:45 AM – 5:00 PM 

9:45 AM – 10:25 AMUSF2000Race 2

11:05 AM – 11:35 AM NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm-Up Peacock

11:40 AM – 12:20 PM Indy Pro 2000Race 2

12:35 PM – 1:15 PM Sports Car Championship Canada Race 2

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM Porsche Carrera Cup Race 2

2:40 PMNTT INDYCAR SERIES Driver Introductions

3:30 PM NTT INDYCAR SERIES Honda Indy Toronto Peacock

HY-VEE INDYCAR RACE WEEKEND TO FEATURE FREE FAMILY FRIDAY ON JULY 22

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A news release from Iowa Speedway:

July 07, 2022 | By Iowa Speedway

Fans will have the opportunity to experience the opening day of Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway free of charge during “Free Family Friday” on July 22. 

Gates will open at 2:00 pm CT and no tickets will be required to enter the venue on Free Family Friday. All grandstand seating areas will be first-come, first-served general admission viewing throughout the course of the day. The rising stars of Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires will host the first practice of the weekend from 2:15-3:05 pm CT before the NTT INDYCAR SERIES first practice session on track from 3:30-5:00 pm. At approximately 5:30 pm, track crossing areas will open up and all fans will be able to access the race track as well as the infield paddock area, including the garages where all of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and Indy Lights teams work on their cars throughout the weekend. 

CLICK: 2022 Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend Schedule 

Throughout the evening on Free Family Friday, fans will be able to enjoy a unique behind-the-scenes experience, both in the infield and in the Midway area across the track and behind the grandstands. 

The Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend Friday Night fun at Iowa Speedway will include:

  • Track Walk – Fans will be able to walk around the 7/8 of a mile Iowa Speedway oval on the actual racing surface
  • All-Driver Autograph Session – Fans are invited to meet and get autographs from all NTT INDYCAR SERIES and Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires drivers in front of their individual garages in the paddock from 6-7 pm
  • Visit Victory Lane – Fans can visit the Victory Lane area at Iowa Speedway and take pictures on the podium, just like the Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend race winners
  • Connect with Paddock Partners – Check Out the Firestone Tires, AMR Safety Team and INDYCAR Technical Inspection areas in the paddock and learn more about what they do on race weekend
  • Live Music – Experience the concerts on the Turn 4 Stage, located behind the grandstands above Turn 4, featuring live music from both Cody Carter and Damon Dotson on Friday afternoon/evening
  • Great Food – Fans can purchase a Friday night feast from any of the 50 food trucks that will be positioned in the Midway area as part of the Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend Food Truck Challenge

With three days of turbocharged action, July 22-24, Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend will feature the only doubleheader race event on the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule. Saturday’s series race will feature the Hy-VeeDeals.com 250 presented by DoorDash, and Sunday’s action will be highlighted by the Hy-Vee Salute to Farmers 300 presented by Google. Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires will also compete on Saturday of race weekend. The three-day festival will include an incredible music lineup as well with both Tim McGraw and Florida Georgia Line in concert on Saturday and Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton performing live on Sunday. 

Tickets for Saturday and Sunday activities during Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend are still available and can be purchased online at www.hyveeindycarweekend.com or by calling the race ticket office at (641) 417-6007. Access to all concerts and fan activity and display areas is included with each valid race weekend ticket. Fans are encouraged to purchase Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend tickets quickly as limited seating options are still available.

Mid Ohio Wrap Up

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Scott McLaughlin leads Alex Palou and Colton Herta. Indycar photo by Joe Skibinski

I hope everyone had a good day yesterday. I have a few more thoughts about Mid Ohio. I watched the replay yesterday, and it confirmed my thoughts from Sunday. Today I’ll explore some of the after effects of the Honda Indy 200.

Andretti Drama Continues

The on track intramural bumping and banging between the Andretti teammates resulted in some harsh words from one driver post race and a team meeting. One media member was asked to delete a recording which he had every right to make, and a driver interview was cut short by team PR.

We may never know what was said in the team meeting, but I don’t think we’ll see a mid season driver change. It would be too complicated to do with sponsor commitments. The team has been in a state of dysfunction all year, and Sunday it boiled over.

Another Good Crowd

Attendance this weekend appears to have continued the season long trend of improved attendance at Indycar events. I though Saturday’s crowd was quite large and Sunday the esses seemed very packed.

Toronto should have a really good crowd as the race returns for the first time since 2019. Iowa will be a key race for attendance. Will the festival concept draw more fans? Are ovals outside IMS sustainable?

Is Newgarden Still the Favorite?

Josef Newgarden

Although he lost a couple of points to leader Marcus Ericsson, many still regard Josef Newgarden as the favorite to win the championship. The reason is the three oval races coming up. Newgarden has won three times at Iowa and twice at Gateway. Toronto is almost a must win for Ericsson.

Rookie of the Year Battle Still Tight

Christian Lungaard leads David Malukas by 14 points after Sunday. Malukas seems to be coming on strong and I think he will eventually pass Lundgaard.

David Malukas

Lundgaard’s lead has stayed between 13 and 19 points over the last few races, but Malukas is making great strides while Lundgaard seems to be treading water The rookie title may come down to the last race at Laguna Seca.

Photo Gallery

A few photos from the weekend.

Colton Herta leads Rinus VeeKay and Felix Rosenqvist toward turn 4
Pato O’Ward lost a huge opportunity to gain ground in the standings with his second straight DNF
Practice 2 begins
Waiting for practice to start

Quick Thoughts- Honda Indy 200

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Scott McLaughlin is 2022’s second multiple race winner. He won the season opener in St. Pete.

Today at Mid Ohio was team day. Teams as a whole either had a great day or an awful one. Mistakes were made. The pace car stayed busy. I don’t think it was the best race of the year, but it was quite entertaining, especially from modpack back.

Very Good Days

Team Penske cars finished first, third, and seventh.

Chip Ganassi Racing finished second, fifth, and sixth.

Meyer Shank finished eightth and tenth.

Ed Carpenter Racing finished fourth and Dale Coyne Racing with HMD finished ninth.

Not So Good Days

A. J. Foyt Racing lost Kyle Kirkwood early and then Tatiana Calderon a few laps later. Kirkwood was firmly in the top 10 at the time of hois spin.

Arrow McLaren SP’s promisinfg day went south when Felix Rosenqvist’s car stopped on trackmjust six laps into the race. Pole sitter Pato O’Ward began having gear troubles about halfway through the race and stalled exiting the pits.

Andretti Drama

Has Alexander Rossi already checked out of the team? He collided with teammates Romain Grosjean,Colton Herta, and Devlin DeFrancesco, pushing eaqch one off the track.

I would love to listen in on the team debrief tonight.

Will Power

He started 21st, spun on the first lap, passed eighteen cars on track and finished third. It was exciting to watch him slice his way to the front. He gained seven points on leader Marcus Ericsson. No question who the Driver of the Day is.

Is a Yellow for Safety or Team Convenience?

Should Indycar wait to throw a yellow so all teams can pit under green? When tatiana Calderon stopped in turn four, some cars had pitted and others were just about to. Pato O’Ward’s stalled car neaqr pit exit forced their hand.

I think if a car is disabled and a yellow is warranted, it needs to wave as soon as possible. Pit windows should not be a consideration. If a yellow comes while you’re in the poits, it’s the breaks of the game.

I will have a follow up story tomorrow. I am heading back to Indy now,Thanks for following along this weekend.

Malukas Quickest in Morning Warmup

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David Malukas led tahe Indycar field in the just completred morning warmup for the Honda Indy 200 at Mid Ohio. Malukas turned his fast lap of 1:07:7110 late in the session. Alex Palou finished second, o.24 seconds behind Malukas. Pole sitter Pato O’Ward was 17th.

Josef Newgarden set the early pace as he started the session on the red alternate tire. Points leader Marcus Ericsson, Palou, and Romain Grosjean also led at different times.

I like Palou’s chances today. It is rare that the defending series champion doesn’t win a race the following year.

The top 12:

Race Day at Mid Ohio

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Today’s Schedule:

Festival Gate Hours: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM 

TimeSeriesSession
8:30 AM – 9:15 AMPorsche Sprint ChallengeRace 2
9:45AM – 10:15AMNTT INDYCAR SERIESWarm-Up Peacock
10:35AM – 11:35AMIndy LightsRace Peacock
12:00 PMNTT INDYCAR SERIESDriver Introductions
12:55 PMNTT INDYCAR SERIESRace (80 Laps) NBC, Peacock
3:00 PM-3:45 PMStadium Super TrucksRace 2

Starting lineup

Today’s Honda Indy 200 has a lot at stake. The top three in the standings are starting 13th , 14th, and 21st. The next three in the points start 3rd, 5th, and 7th. The standings may shuffle at the end of the day.

Points leader Marcus Ericsson has one job this afternoon – stay ahead of Will Power and Joisef Newgaqrden. Ericsson starts 13th and Newgarden, third in points, is next to him on the grid. Power, 27 points behind Ericsson, has a more challenging task from 21st.

Pato O’Ward hopes to turn his first pole of the season into his second victory of the year. O’Ward needs a win to stay in the title fight. He is currently fourth in the standings 45 points behind Ericsson.

A Great Day for Rookies?

David Malukas, Kyle Kirkwood, and Callum Ilott start eighth, ninth, and tenth respectively. All have been fast in practice and occasionally in qualifying, but they have few good results in the race. Today could be a good day for all three rookies. Malukas seeks his first top 10 of the year. Kirkwood has a 10th at long Beach and Ilott finished eightth at the GMR Grand Prix on the IMS road course.

It should be an interesting race with some ususal race contenders starting mid pack. Mid Ohio tends to be a track position race. The number and length of caution periods may embolden some drivers to go off strategy, which can be risky at this track.

Back after the morning warm up.

O’Ward Pole Ties Series Record

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Some quick thought on today’s qualifying. A more detailed story will comer later tonight.

Pato O’Ward is the ninth different pole winner in the nine Indycar races in 2022. The last time nine different drivers won poles for the first nine races was 1961.

O’Ward on track

O’Ward thinks that Will Power would have been a threat for the pole had he not received a penaltty in Round 1 for interference.

The top three in points were eliminated in Round 1. Points leader Marcus Ericsson will start 13th, Will Power lines up21st, and Josef Newgarden will stat 14th. O’Ward sits fourth in point, 45 points behind Ericsson. Tomorrow is a hiuge opportunity for the Arrow McLaren SP driver.

Rookies Shine

Three rookies made the second round and two just missed advancing to the final round.

Kyle Kirkwood earned his best starting spot of the season. He starts ninth, justmissing the Fast Six.

Kyle Kirkwood

David Malukas continues to improve and will be eighth on the grid Sunday.

Callum Ilott starts 10th.

………………………………………………………………………………………….

Scott Dixon has his bestb road course starting position in fifth.

Nice to see Simon Pagenaud make the Fast Six. The Meyer Shank team has struggled in qualifying this year.

Back later with more about today’s very interesting qualifying.