Tag: NTT Indycar Series

Music City GP Makes Track Improvements; Adds Fan Attractions

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The Music City Grand Prix, Indycar’s street race in Nashville August 5-7, announced some track modifications in hopes of improving the racing. I am glad they are taking these steps. Some new fan attractions were also announced. The highlights:

  • Restart zone moving from finish line to start line for Aug. 5-7 weekend featuring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
  • Pro Watercross National Tour, General Jackson Riverboat add buzz to neighboring Cumberland River. 
  • Premium packages, three-day grandstand tickets currently on sale to general public. 
  • The official release from the Grand Prix

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 18, 2022) – A new restart zone will highlight several track modifications for the competitors while fans will enjoy some new entertainment options, including professional jet ski competition, during the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix INDYCAR weekend set for Aug. 5-7 at the Nissan Stadium campus.
 
The most impactful competition alteration for all five series competing in the race weekend – the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Indy Lights, GT America,Trans Am and Stadium SUPER Trucks – will be the shift of the restart zone. 
 
During last year’s inaugural Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, the restarts occurred at the finish line in front of Nissan Stadium but now will move to the long straightaway as the field exits the Korean Veterans Bridge and toward Turn 9. It will be the same zone that was used for the start of each race last season and should provide cleaner restarts and more immediate passing opportunities.
 
Course Improvements
 
Other modifications or changes to the 2.17-mile, 11-turn temporary street circuit include:

  • Turn 11 apex being opened approximately six feet to not only increase the track width but provide better vision for drivers.
  • Transition areas at both ends of the KVB Bridge being smoothed as much as possible to reduce the potential of the cars bottoming coming on and off the bridge.
  • Resurfacing at the Turn 5 apex to minimize the bump.
  • Track width into Turn 9 being reduced to 50 feet to accommodate additional suites in a primary viewing area.
  • Additional gates being added to maximize track crossings at several locations.

Waterfront Additions

While the Korean Veterans Bridge serves as the signature of the track layout, the Cumberland River that it crosses also will be an area with plenty of action during the race weekend. The new additions will be a stop on the Pro Watercross National Tour and the General Jackson Riverboat Experience.

The Pro Watercross series, in conjunction with the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, will stage the inaugural Nashville Invitational event on Friday, Aug. 5, and Saturday, Aug. 6, of race weekend.

The jet ski riders will reach speeds of more than 85 miles per hour competing against each other on a three-quarter mile, closed-course layout on the Cumberland River. Friday’s action will feature slalom competition with the riders racing on adjacent courses. On Saturday, the competitors will go head to head in a more traditional style of racing.

Spectator viewing areas will be located in the Big Machine Music City Fan Zone along the East Bank as well as on the downtown side of the river at 143 First Avenue North. Fan Zone viewing is free with event admission and the downtown location will be free admission.

The General Jackson Riverboat will be the featured water entertainment on Sunday, Aug. 7, in anticipation of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix NTT INDYCAR SERIES race at 2 p.m. CT. 

All-day food and beverage (alcohol not included) will be available on the riverboat, which gives guests the option of a cruise from Opryland or just board at the boat ramp adjacent to the Nissan Stadium campus where it will be moored. The boat is climate controlled with closed-circuit race coverage and private restrooms.  A general admission ticket to roam the grounds and enjoy the race festivities is included in the $349 price.

Fan Enhancements

The Fan Zone also will get several enhancements highlighted by the the relocation of the secondary music stage moving to the footprint closer to the river, heightened bar / gathering experiences, more food trucks, and more sponsor activation areas.

The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix will be a three-day festival of racing and music from Aug. 5-7 featuring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Indy Lights, GT America, Trans Am Series, Stadium SUPER Trucks and Vintage Indy. The musical entertainment is highlighted by nightly on-site concerts featuring prominent artists who will be announced at a later date. For ticket and event information, please visit www.musiccitygp.com.

Entrant 33 Coming Soon: Let’s Stop There

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I’m hearing reports from several sources that the elusive 33rd entry for 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 will be announced soon, maybe later today. I will update this post should the announcement come later today. The entrant will not participate in the open test at IMS next week. It will be through Juncos Hollinger Racing, perhaps in an indirect way. I understand that Paretta Racing will be the entrant with Simona De Silvestro driving again.

I had no doubt that there would be 33 entries. Some traditions need to remain and the look of the 11 rows of three charging to the green flag is one that has to stay. The whole world is watching, and a row with a missing car would not be a good look.

There is some talk of a 34th entry as well. As much as I would like to see a large number of entries, 34 doesn’t excite me. Under the current qualifying format, Saturday’s qualifiers 31, 32, and 33 and any cars that didn’t make the top 33 need to requalify on Sunday. The fastest three of this group on Sunday make the race. Having four cars going for three spots is silly.

I think the Speedway would like an extra entry so they can l\have a more or less legitimate last chance session. If you have read this column for a while, you know my feelings on this segment of Sunday’s program. I do not think it fair for the last row to have to qualify again. This would especially be true if there are just 33 cars. Is starting 31st really better than starting 33rd?

I hope IMS and Indycar can show some flexibility if there are no more than 33 cars. Move the Fast Nine up to the first part of the day then open the track for practice in race trim.

There have been years in the past when no qualifier was bumped. 2022 should be one of those years. If a 34th entry shows up, just let it in the race. To make Sunday dramatic, the entry list needs to be at least 35 cars.

Qualifying on Saturday is exciting as drivers use the multiple attempts tor try to move into the first three rows or try to be one the fastest 33. There has been some great drama on Sunday with a lkarger entry list. In 2019 Kyle Kaiser bumped two time world champion Fernando Alonso on the day’s final attempt. Kaiser suffered a huge crash earlier in the week. The underfunded Juncos team rebuilt the car with a round the clock effort.

Last year the tension revolved around 2018 500 winner Will Power’s struggles to make the field, and veteran Charlie Kimball’s failure to qualify.

One extra car is simply not enough to make a show. I hope the entry list will be complete when the 33rd car is official. If another entry happens to materialize, just let them in. There have been several years when more than 33 cars started the race. We need at least 33 starters. One more won’t hurt.

IMS Open Test Includes Rookie Orientation

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From IMS:

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Teams To Participate in Indy 500 Open Test Wednesday, April 20 and Thursday, April 21 at IMS 

Release from IMS

 In preparation for the 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers will participate in an Open Test from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (ET) Wednesday, April 20 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, April 21 on the famed 2.5-mile oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
On Wednesday, veterans will take to the oval from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., with Rookie Orientation Program and refresher tests from 1-3 p.m. All participants will have the track available from 3-6 p.m. Wednesday. The track is open to all cars from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday.
The Turn 2 Viewing Mounds will be open for public viewing.
The test will be streamed on Peacock Premium for U.S. residents and available on INDYCAR Live! internationally. The INDYCAR Radio Network is also providing coverage.
The schedule: 1 p.m. (ET) Wednesday (veterans), 3 p.m. Wednesday (rookies and those in the refresher program) and 9 a.m. Thursday (selected drivers). Photo and B-roll opportunities will be available on pit lane throughout the test.

NTT INDYCAR SERIES teams and drivers scheduled to participate:
AJ Foyt Racing: Dalton Kellett, Kyle Kirkwood, JR Hildebrand
Andretti Autosport: Marco Andretti, Alexander Rossi, Devlin DeFransceco, Romain Grosjean, Colton Herta
Arrow McLaren SP: Juan Pablo Montoya, Pato O’Ward, Felix Rosenqvist
Chip Ganassi Racing: Scott Dixon, Marcus Ericsson, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Kanaan, Alex Palou
Dale Coyne Racing: David Malukas, Takuma Sato
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing: Santino Ferrucci, Sage Karam
Ed Carpenter Racing: Ed Carpenter, Conor Daly, Rinus VeeKay
Juncos Hollinger Racing: Callum Ilott
Meyer Shank Racing: Helio Castroneves, Simon Pagenaud
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: Graham Rahal, Jack Harvey, Christian Lundgaard
Team Penske: Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin, Will Power
11 a.m.-6 p.m. (ET), Wednesday, April 20
Veteran drivers: 11 a.m.-1 p.m
Rookie Orientation Program and refresher tests: 1-3 p.m.
All drivers: 3-6 p.m.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. (ET), Thursday, April 21
All drivers






Quick Thoughts- Long Beach Grand Prix

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Photo: Josef Newgarden earns a hard -fought win

Today’s race showed that a street course can produce exciting racing. Pit stop strategy got Josef Newgarden to the lead. He then had to defend against three challengers- Colton Herta, Alex Palou, and Romain Grosjean. Newgarden brilliantly defended the lines going into the corners to keep Grosjean at bay.

There was a three -way battle for the lead over the last 20 laps. You just can’t ask for more.

Team Penske has swept the season so far, which should worry the rest of the paddock. Scott McLauglin won the opener at St. Pete. Newgarden has now won two in a row heading to Barber, one of his favorite tracks.

Romain Grosjean

Half a Loaf for Andretti

Andretti Autosport hoped to have a much- needed successful weekend. Herta won the pole, and Alexander Rossi and Grosjean joined him in the Fast Six.

A day that looked like a victory, a potential second podium spot, and a top ten dissolved by the halfway mark.

It almost all got away from them. Grosjean’s second place saved the day. Rossi had two forays into runoff areas and Herta crashed. Rossi did finish eighth after running as high as fourth.

As talented as Herta is, he has difficulty playing catch-up. In Nashville last year he also crashed while trying to chase down the leader.

Johnson’s Weekend of Contact

Jimmie Johnson had arguably his most forgettable weekend of his Indycar career. He had wall in every session but one. Johnson injured his hand in Friday’s practice crash. After the first two races and his sixth place result at Texas, I though we might be seeing some progress. Long Beach is a big setback for Johnson.

Kyle Kirkwood

Top Ten for Kirkwood

Kyle Kirkwood finished 10th today for A, J, Foyt Racing. This will not be his last top ten finish this season. Kirkwood has done a great job qualifying and today the team got a good race result. He was consistent all day.

The other rookies did not have great days. Kirkwood’s teammate Tatiana Calderon finished 16th, her best result to date. The Foyt rookies were the two highest finishing rookies.

The others- Christian Lundgaard (18th), David Malukas ((21st), Callum Ilott (24th), and Devlin DeFrancesco (25th) had contact or mechanical issues. Lundgaard was the only other rookie running at the finish.

Scott Dixon

Dixon has been relatively invisible this season. He started 16th and finished sixth, a decent day for anyone, but below par for a six time champion. Dixon sits fifth in points, but it has been a very quiet fifth. It has been almost a year since Dixon won a race.

Disappointing Days

Besides Herta and Rossi, Scott McLaughlin, Marcus Ericsson, and Simon Pagenaud had hopes for better results.

McLaughlin’s troubles began after two laps of the warmup, when a cracked header ended his practice time. The engine was replaced. He spun exiting the hairpin and recovered to finish 14th but slipped to second in the point standings.

Marcus Ericsson, whom I expected to contend for the win today, spun on lap 66 while fighting for third place and ended up parked in a runoff area for the rest of the day. He will be back and should get a win sometime this year.

Simon Pagenaud did some flower gardening around the fountain and ended the race in 19th. After a promising stat to the weekend on Friday when he led the first practice, Pagenaud seemed to lose some steam with each session. I am puzzled by what I have seen from Meyer Shank Racing this year. I thought they would be much better.

The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach was a success. It returned to its traditional spot on the calendar, drew huge crowds each day, and produced a great race. I will have a weekend wrap up in the morning before heading back to Indy. Thank you all for following along this weekend.

Herta Tops Warm Up; McLaughlin Engine Issue

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Colton Herta had the fastest lap in this mirrning’s warmup session for this afternoon’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. Scott Dixon led most of the session before Herrta put down his quick lap, the only lap in 1:05 range.

Points leader Scott McLaughlin crew discovered a broken header after just two laps and they are changing the engine.

The practice had just one red flag. With about eight minutes left

Graham Rahat slid and his rear wing had slight contact with the wall.

The results:

Race Day at Long Beach

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Can Alexander Rossi become a three time Long Beach winner today?

Today’s Schedule

Sunday, April 10, 2022- All Times Pacific

7:30 AM Spectator Gates Open
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM INDYCAR Warm Up-Peacock
10:45 AM – 11:05 AM Historic IMSA GTP Challenge Race #2
11:10 AM – 11:20 AM Acura NSX Hot Laps
11:25 AM – 11:40 AM Mothers Exotic Car Parade
11:45 AM INDYCAR Pre Race

NOON- NBC coverage begins
12:05 PM INDYCARS to Grid
12:29 PM “Drivers To Your Cars”
12:38 PM “Drivers Start Your Engines
12:45 PM – 3:00 PM ACURA GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH (Race #3 of the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series – 85 Laps) NBC; Post race show on Peacock to follow
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM Stadium SUPER Trucks Race #2
4:20 PM – 5:00 PM Porsche Carrera Cup Race #2

Good morning from Long Beach. The weather looks perfect for racing.

Temperature should be 61 degrees for the morning warmup and 65 degrees at the green flag. Cool conditions make for great racing, right?

Race organizers expect a very large crowd today. Yesterday’s attendance was substantial.

The first four starting spots represent four different teams. The race will come down to strategy, depending on how many caution periods occur. I do not expect a caution free race.

Jimmie Johnson still plans to drive today. We’ll see what happens after the warmup.

Bourdais, Ganassi Win IMSA Race

Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van Der Zende won yesterday’s IMSA race in a Chip Ganassi Racing. Cadillac prototype. Bourdais started on the pole, but 30 minutes into the race he went wide trying to pass a GT car exiting the hairpin. The incident put the team last in class, but they came back to win the event.

LBGP- A Community Event

I said since my first trip to Long Beach that one of the reaLBGP- A Community Eventsons this race id the premier street race is the amount of community buy-in. I was reminded of this yesterday.

I decided to try a new place for breakfast. The dry erase board at the door said race crew members can get certain drinks for $1. It is the little things like this that make a street race a success.

Enjoy the race. I will have a brief report after the warmup, and race story will be out very late tonight in the East, possibly not until tomorrow morning.

Long Beach Qualifying Wrap-up

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Photo: Alex Palou will start third Sunday. He had a quiet day, but like 2021, he snuck into the mix.

Just a few more thoughts about qualifying today.

Felix Rosenqvist backed up his pole at Texas by getting into the Fast Six. He has always been a decent qualifier, but he seems to have become a very good qualifier. Rosenqvist needs to get some good race results.

Will Power and Scott McLaughlin have their worst starting positions of the year, seventh and ninth. Power is still in search of four more poles to tie Mario Andretti for career poles. He won just one pole last year.

Keep an eye on Marcus Ericsson. He fell to eighth today. I thought he had a shot at the pole. Ericsson is still on a roll from his two wins in 2021. He may be a factor in the race.

Kyle Kirkwood advanced to round two. Kirkwood has qualified decently and raced very well. He has gotten the most out of the 14 car. A lot of the car’s improvement is a credit to Kirkwood’s talent. I wonder how much of a contribution Sebastien Bourdais made to the team last year. I’m guessing he also has a lot to do with Kirkwood’s performance.

What happened to the Meyer Shank cars? Simon Pagenaud led Friday’s practice and was strong in this morning’s session. Helio Castroneves looked as if he might also be in the mix. Pagenaud will start 10th and Castroneves 14th.

The Andretti team had a very good day, perhaps its best of the season, but still it could have been much better. Romain Grosjean was on track to win the pole until he stuffed into the tires. Alexander Rossi was caught out by the red flag, then had to take the runoff route on the final timed lap. They are still the team to beat and have the potential to have three cars in the top five tomorrow.

Pato O’Ward has been my biggest disappointment this season. Two poor finishes, badly executed pit stops, and mediocre qualifying is not the mark of someone expected to compete for the championship. He can get a decent result from his 11th starting position, and he needs a top 10 finish.

Jimmie Johnson plans to race to race tomorrow in spite of his fractured hand. His incidents today in practice and qualifying seemed to stem from the injury. I assume a final decision will come after the morning warmup. It might be in his best interests to sit out the race, The irony is that Johnson didn’t run ovals last season because he was concerned about injuries. He sustains an injury on a street course.

Eleven drivers beat the old track record which had stood since 2017. Five drivers had laps in the 1:05 range. I believe Romain Grosjean was also in that time frame, but his times were erased with the red flag.

Look for my Sunday preview tomorrow morning. Thanks for following along this weekend.

Herta on Pole as Andretti Continues Long Beach Mastery

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Tomorrow’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach will begin just where the 2021 race stopped-Colton Herta will lead the field to green flag followed by Josef Newgarden. In a qualifying session which the previous track record shredded to bits, Herta set the new mark of 1:05.3.

Herta and his Andretti Autosport teammates asserted the perennial dominance the team has has had since 2018. Alexander Rossi won the race in 2018 and 2019 from the pole. Herta won here last fall and now has added the pole.

Newgarden did not lead Team Penske in either of the practices, but came on strong during qualifying. Neither Will Power nor Scott McLaughlin advanced to the Fast Six. McLaughlin will be absent from the first row for the first time this season.

Meyer Shank Racing.lookred very strong in practice, but neither Simon Pagenaud nor Helio Castroneves advanced to the final round.

Romain Grosjean led the final practice and appeared to be on his way to the pole. He ran his car into the tire barrier, bringing out a red flag with just two seconds left in the session. The incident moved him to sixth place. The five remaining cars had an opportunity for one more timed lap

Only Felix Rosenqvist and Rosdi took advantage of the time. Rossi’s attempt ended as needed to use the runoff area. Rosenqvisy did not improve.

Qualifying results. Note-Devlin DeFrancesco will start 23rd tomorrow as he serves a six grid place penalty. I will have more thoughts on the day later this evening.

Herta on Pole as Andretti Continues Long Beach Mastery

thepitwindow

Tomorrow’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach will begin just where the 2021 race stopped-Colton Herta will lead the field to green flag followed by Josef Newgarden. In a qualifying session which the previous track record shredded to bits, Herta set the new mark of 1:05.3.

Herta and his Andretti Autosport teammates asserted the perennial dominance the team has has had since 2018. Alexander Rossi won the race in 2018 and 2019 from the pole. Herta won here last fall and now has added the pole.

Newgarden did not lead Team Penske in either of the practices, but came on strong during qualifying. Neither Will Power nor Scott McLaughlin advanced to the Fast Six. McLaughlin will be absent from the first row for the first time this season.

Meyer Shank Racing.lookred very strong in practice, but neither Simon Pagenaud nor Helio Castroneves advanced to the final round.

Romain Grosjean led the final practice and appeared to be on his way to the pole. He ran his car into the tire barrier, bringing out a red flag with just two seconds left in the session. The incident moved him to sixth place. The five remaining cars had an opportunity for one more timed lap

Only Felix Rosenqvist and Rosdi took advantage of the time. Rossi’s attempt ended as needed to use the runoff area. Rosenqvisy did not improve.

Qualifying results. Note-Devlin DeFrancesco will start 23rd tomorrow as he serves a six grid place penalty. I will have more thoughts on the day later this evening.