Tag: NTT Indycar Series

Race Day! 500 Miles to Go

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Today’s schedule:

 
xSCHEDULE (All times local):
5 a.m.-1 p.m.: Ticket and Credentials Office Open

6 a.m.-4 p.m.: Public Gates Open

7 a.m.: Snake Pit presented by Coors Light Gates Open

8:15 a.m.: Snake Pit – Jauz Begins

8:45 a.m.: Borg-Warner Trophy March to the Bricks Begins from IMS Museum

8:55 a.m.: Borg-Warner Trophy Reaches Checkpoint 1 – South Pit Gate

9 a.m.: DJ Slater Begins on Pagoda 3 Stage

9:05 a.m.: Borg-Warner Trophy Reaches Checkpoint 2 – Pagoda Plaza

9:15 a.m.: Snake Pit – Valentino Khan Begins

10:10 a.m.: Borg-Warner Trophy arrives at Yard of Bricks

10:25 a.m.: “On The Banks Of The Wabash,” Purdue University Band

10:30 a.m.: Cars to Grid

10:30 a.m.: Snake Pit – Subtronics Begins1

0:37 a.m.: Green Flag and Indy 500 Winners Lap

10:44 a.m.: Honorary Starter Receives Green Flag from IU Health Patient – Trackside Stage10:54 a.m.: Historic Cars Lap1

0:55 a.m.: All Cars on the Grid

11:25 a.m.: Military Appreciation Lap

11:47 a.m.: Driver Introductions Begin

12:10 p.m.: U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team Begins Descent12:18 p.m.: Invocation, Archbishop Charles C. Thompson, Archdiocese of Indianapolis

12:19 p.m.: Rifle Volley and “Taps”

12:21 p.m.: “God Bless America,” Angela Brown

12:25 p.m.: National Anthem, Jewel

12:27 p.m.: Flyover – U.S. Air Force F-16 Vipers, 49th Fighter Wing

12:29 p.m.: “Drivers To Your Cars,” Grand Marshal Stephanie Beatriz

12:36 p.m.: “Back Home Again in Indiana,” Jim Cornelison

12:38 p.m.: “Drivers Start Your Engines,” Roger Penske

12:45 p.m.: Green Flag, 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge

12:50 p.m.: Snake Pit – Kaskade Begins

2:20 p.m.: Snake Pit – John Summit Begins

HONORARY STARTER: Adam Driver

TICKETS: Reserved seats available at various prices from $69-$144. $50 for General Admission only, no grandstand access and no Snake Pit entry. Kids 15 and under are admitted free when accompanied by a General Admission adult ticketholder. All Snake Pit presented by Coors Light attendees must also hold a valid Indianapolis 500 Race Day ticket. Fans will not be admitted to the track with just the Snake Pit wristband. All Snake Pit attendees must be at least 18 years old.

PUBLIC GATES OPEN (6 a.m.-4 p.m.): Gate 1, Gate 1B.1, Gate 1C, Gate 2, Gate 3, Gate 4, Gate 5N, Gate 5B, Gate 6N, Gate 6S, Gate 6B, Gate 7, Gate 7S, Gate 7N, Gate 9, Gate 10, Gate 10A, Gate 11A, Gate 11B, Gate 11C and Gate

12.PARKING: All Indianapolis 500 Race Day parking is SOLD OUT.

It is race day at last. The gates just opened to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the first of the 325,00 fans expected are entering the gates.

Each race day is more precious to me than the last one. I don’t know how many more I have.

I am still sticking with my pick of Pato o’Ward to win the race today. Next come the drivers who gave been fastb in the two practice sessions since qualifications, Alex Palou, Scott Dixon, Takuma Sato, and Will Power.

The weather forecaast calls for moistly sunny skiwes with a high of 77 degrees. Clouds may roll in from the southeast later today, but no rain will interfere with the race.

From @Indycar_Wxman:

I spent time after I arrived at the track walking through the pits. It is a magical place in the dark on race morning. I cafeel the ghosts of Shaw, Vukovich, Rose, and the counrtless other drivers who endeavored to win the greatest race in the world.

Here are some of the photos from this morning. Enjoy the race. I’ll be back after the checkered flag with some quick thoughts and have a complete wrap up tomorrow.

Legends Day

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Today’s schedule: From IMS

 
INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, May 26, 2023) –
Information about 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge Legends Day presented by Firestone on Saturday, May 27:SCHEDULE (All times local):

8 a.m.-3 p.m.: Public Gates Open

9-10 a.m.: Starting Field Autograph Session, Pagoda Plaza

10:30 a.m.: Public Drivers’ Meeting, Pit Road in front of Tower Terrace

Noon-1 p.m.: Veteran Driver Autograph Session A, Pagoda Plaza Chalet

1:30-2:30 p.m.: Veteran Driver Autograph Session B, Pagoda Plaza Chalet

TICKETS: General Admission tickets are $10 with free admission for children 15 and under when accompanied by a paying adult.

PUBLIC GATES OPEN (8 a.m.-3 p.m.): Gate 2, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 7, Gate 7S, Gate 10, Gate 10A.

PARKING: Fans can purchase parking in Lot 2 on-site for $10, while supplies last. There is free parking in the 5th and Hulman lot inside the facility. Free ADA parking will be in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway parking lot. Free parking for Legends Day presented by Firestone is located inside at 5th and Hulman, in the South Carousel Lot for motorcycle parking and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum Lot for ADA parking.

Like Carb Day, but to a mych larger extent, Lrgrnds Day is a shadow of its former self.

The only recofnixable elements are the autograph session and the public drivers’ meeting. This year t looks like the track has brought back an autograph session for former drivers.

We don’t see vintaqge cars on track anymore, and I have no idea why. The day used to honor a former winner or great driver, That tradirtion just suddenly stopped.

Fans used to be able to just hang out at the track all day. Now everyone needs to leave by 3 pm.

The Speedway’s reason for the new schedule is to het the track ready for the race tomorrow. It seems as if they did ne under the old schedule. I think it’s more of an economy move.

Still, it is a day at IMS in May. That counts for something. I would prefer the day more lived up to its name.

Sato Fastest on Carb Day

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Two time winner Takuma Sato turned the fastest lap in the final tuneup for Sunday’s Indianapolis 500.

The two hour session had four stoppages, an unusually high numbe. Two were for track inspections. Another was for Katherine Legge, who stopped on the back stretch with a wheel nut issue. The final yellow came when Devlin DeFrancesco cut a tire.

The Arrow McLaren cars struggled today. Alexander Rossi’s car returned to the garage and returned to the pits. Felix Rosenqvist went to the garage and didn’t return. Tony Kanaan was the fastest on the team in 11th. Pato O’Ward was 15th.

Ganassi cars had three in the top 10 with Sato, Scott Dixon second, and Alex palou fourth.

Team Penske had Will Power third, Josef Newgarden ninth ans]d Scott Mclaughlin 10th.

Kyle Kirkwood was fifth fastest Colton Herta seventh for Andretti. Sato, Dixon, Power, and Palou were also the four quickest in Monday’s practice.

Results:

Indianapolis 500 Preview

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Itr is almost time at last. One of the most antiucipated 500s in a while is a little more than 48 hours away. On a personal level, this will be my 56th 500 in person. The other day I realized that I first listened to the 500 on the radio 70 years ago. Here is a very old man’s preview of the 107th running.

There are son many storylines here. Tony Kanaan’s final race, the Rahal situation, Abel Motorsports, and most likely a two team battle for the win.

Kanaan’s Last Lap

Tony Kanaan has been a fan favorite since his rookie year. He led lasp in each of his first seven races. His passing on restarts is legendary. His win in 2013 was one of the most popular victories at the Speedway. Kanaan starts ninth and is with a team that can win. I’m not sure he will, but look for a top 10 finish.

Foyt

Is A J Foyt Racing back? Santino Ferrucci starts fourth and rookie Benjamin Poedersen rolls off 11th in the best starting spots for the team in a decade. How thye race is another question. Ferrucci has a strong career record at IMS, and if the team execurtes in the pits, he could be in the mix all day.

Abel Motorsports

When this entry was announced with R C Enerson, it was written off as the caqr to be bumped. They missed the open tes, and Enerson had to complete his rookie test on the opening day of practice. Yet Enerson safely qualified 28th. A top 20 finish will be a big wn for the team, which has full time aspirations.

The Rahal Dilemma

Rahal Lanigan Letterman Racing suffered through a May malady that at one time or another has affected every team. No speed, no answers led to a frustrating week of practice and a near last row lockout.Graham Rahal. bumped from the field, will race on Sunday in the Dreyer anhd Reinbold car in place of the injured Stefan Wilson. Katherine Legge, the only team car to qualify safely, is another car to watch. Rahal will advance. it what he does. How far forward he can advance will depend on how the race unfolds.

Andretti Factor

Andretti Autosport cars seem to have lost the competitve edge they had showed through the first four races.Kyle Kirkwood is thier best qualifier at 15th. Kirkwood is happy with his car for the race. Romain nGrosjean and Colton Herta have a lot of work to do from their start in row 7.

Kirkwood could possibly get in position to bother the contenders and may end upm in the top 10. I think he is a year away from being a serious threat for the win.

McLaren vs. Ganassi

I see the race coming down to a battle between Alex Palou and Scott Dixon for Ganassi and Pato O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist for Arrow McLaren. Both Honda and Chevy have shown very strong this month, but I tink Chevy has a bit of an edge. Palou will lead a lot of laps early, and O’Ward will get into contention by mid race.

Several drivers yesterday believe the weather will detrmine how much passing there will be. The forecast calls for 79 degrees and cloudy. That sounds perfect to me. Expect close racing, and hope that the forecast holds.

The drivers expect closer racing if not more passing.

In the end, I’m sticking with my preseason piuck of Pato O’Ward to win. He has been knocking on the door all season, and it his time.

//

Carb Day

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Today’s schedule

 


8 a.m.-6 p.m.: Public Gates Open

11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Final Practice

2:30-4 p.m.: Indy 500 Pit Stop Competition

3:30 p.m.: Miller Lite Carb Day Concert Gates Open

4 p.m.: Miller Lite Carb Day Concert featuring Bryan Adams and special guest Soul Asylum

HONORARY STARTER: Miller Lite Carb Day Concert headliner Bryan Adams

TICKETS: General Admission tickets are $40, with free admission for children 15 and under when accompanied by a paying adult.

PUBLIC GATES OPEN (8 a.m.-6 p.m.): Gate 1, Gate 2, Gate 3, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 6N, Gate 6B, Gate 7, Gate 7S, Gate 9, Gate 10, Gate 10A, Gate 11A, and Gate 12.

PARKING: Limited free parking is located in Lot 7 (North 40) and Lot 7 (North 40) for ADA. Paid parking is $20 in Lot 1B, Lot 2, Lot 3G and Main Gate, and $75 in Gate 1, while supplies last. Paid ADA parking is $20 in Lot 3P, Lot 2 and Hulman Lot. Paid motorcycle parking is $20 in South Carousel lot. Bicycle parking is located outside Gate 1, Gate 6 and Gate 9.

My review will be up between 8 and 9 this morning. Enjoy the day. I cannot wait rfor Sunday.

Kirkwood- Homework and Calculated Moves for a Successful Race

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A relaxed Kyle Kirkwood talks about the 500

Kyle Kirkwood.studies past5 races to watch what other drivers did and how situations developed. He watches past 500s just from the aeoscreen era since those are the nones relevant to him.

Races before the aeroscreen ‘”…takes up a little too much of your time…,” he said during today’s media availability.

Kirkwood, inhis first year with Andretti Autosport, thinks the amount of passing on Sunday will depend on the weathe rather than the downforce.

“”This place is more weather dependent than downforce dependent. if the weather is cool and it’s crisp, and it’s cl;oudy and thentrack temperaturestays down the racing will be great. But if it gets hot you’re not going to seea lot of passing regardles of the downforce,” he said.

Kirkwood said The 500 is a”very calculated race.”

“I feel like if you push too hard to try and get something done.. it ususally doesn’t work out for you.”

“Four, five, six cars ahead, and you’re planning your passes off that, rather than just the guythat’s directly in front of you.”

Kirkwood feels he has a good race car and was disappointed in not making the Fast 12. He is stilloptimistic starting from 14th.

107th Running of the Indianapolis 500presented by Gainbridge Fast Facts  

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Photo and Information from Indycar/IMS

Race weekend: Friday, May 26 – Sunday, May 28
Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a 2.5-mile oval
Race distance: 200 laps / 500 miles
Firestone tire allotment: Thirty-four sets for use throughout the event. Twitter: @IMS @IndyCar, #Indy500 #ThisIsMay, #IndyCar
Event website:www.ims.com
INDYCAR website: www.indycar.com
2022 race winner: Marcus Ericsson (No. 8 Huski Chocolate Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
2023 NTT P1 Award winner: Alex Palou (No. 10 The American Legion Honda), 2:33.7037, 234.217 mph (four laps)

NBC race broadcast: Sunday, May 28 (11 a.m. ET) Mike Tirico serves as host for NBC’s telecast of the 107th Indianapolis 500 alongside Danica Patrick. Leigh Diffey will be the play-by-play announcer with analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe. The pit reporters are Marty Snider, Kevin Lee, Dave Burns and Dillon Welch. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Steve Letarte will provide commentary and reports from around IMS throughout pre-race and race coverage. Universo will provide a Spanish-language telecast with Frederik Oldenburg and Sergio Rodriguez providing commentary on Universo and streaming on TelemundoDeportes.com and the Telemundo Deportes app. Veronica Rodriguez will provide on-site reports from IMS.

Peacock Live Streaming: The NTT INDYCAR SERIES Carb Day practice session, Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge, AES Indiana 500 Festival Parade, Indianapolis 500 race broadcast and Indy 500 Victory Celebration will stream live on Peacock, NBC’s direct-to-consumer livestreaming product.

INDYCAR Radio Network broadcasts: Miller Lite Carb Day: 11 a.m. ET Friday; Race Day: 10 a.m. Sunday. Mark Jaynes is the chief announcer alongside analyst Davey Hamilton. Paul Page will provide commentary. Nick Yeoman (Turn 1), Michael Young (Turn 2), Jake Query (Turn 3) and Chris Denari (Turn 4) are the turn announcers with Ryan Myrehn, Alex Wollf, Rob Blackman and Scott Sander on pit road.

At-track schedule (all times local):
FRIDAY, MAY 26 11 a.m.-1 p.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice (120 minutes), Peacock 2:30-4 p.m. Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge, Peacock

SATURDAY, MAY 27 10:30-11 a.m. Indianapolis 500 Public Drivers’ Meeting, INDYCAR.com Noon – AES 500 Festival Parade, Peacock

SUNDAY, MAY 28 10:30 a.m. – Cars to the Grid 11:47 a.m. – Driver Introductions 12:14 p.m. – Indy 500 Pre-Race Ceremonies 12:29 p.m. – “Drivers to Your Cars” 12:38 p.m. – Command to Start Engines 12:45 p.m. – 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge (200 laps/500 miles), NBC/Peacock

RACE NOTES
* The Indianapolis 500 will be the 107th 500-mile INDYCAR SERIES race conducted on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s oval. 
Ray Harroun won the inaugural race in 1911. 
Marcus Ericsson won the race in 2022.

* Nine drivers entered have won the Indianapolis 500. Helio Castroneves has won the race four times (2001, 2002, 2009 and 2021) while Takuma Sato (2017 and 2020) has won twice. Scott Dixon (2008), Tony Kanaan (2013), Ryan Hunter-Reay (2014), Alexander Rossi (2016), Will Power (2018), Simon Pagenaud (2019) and Marcus Ericsson (2022) are the other former winners in the field.

* There have been five different winners in the first five NTT INDYCAR SERIES races this season. Marcus Ericsson (Streets of St. Petersburg), Josef Newgarden (Texas Motor Speedway), Kyle Kirkwood (Streets of Long Beach), Scott McLaughlin (Barber Motorsports Park) and Alex Palou (IMS road course) have won races in 2023. The record for most different winners in a season is 11 in 2000, 2001 and 2014

. * Four Indianapolis 500 rookie drivers qualified for the race: Agustin Canapino, RC Enerson, Benjamin Pedersen and Sting Ray Robb.

* Alex Palou won the NTT P1 Award with the fastest four-lap average for a pole winner at 234.217 mph. Twenty-one drivers have won the race from the pole – most recently Simon Pagenaud in 2019.

* Team Penske has 18 wins at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the most of any team. Andretti and Chip Ganassi Racing have won five times while A.J. Foyt Enterprises and Rahal Letterman Racing have won twice. Meyer Shank Racing has one win.

* Alex Palou has a chance to join Will Power and Simon Pagenaud as a winner on both the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and the famed 2.5-mile oval in the same season. Power accomplished the feat in 2018, while Pagenaud did it in 2019 – both sweeping the Month of May.

Boles: Come Early Sunday, Be Patient

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Speedway president Doug Boles encourages fans to get to IMS early Sunday for the 107th running of the Indiamnpolis 500. A crowd of 325,000 is expected. Boles said less than 5,000 reserved seats remain unsold and that infield parking is sold out. He believes by race day there could vbe just thousand seats left.

“If you don’t already have a parking pass, find another place to park,” Boles said.

Uber and Lyft riders will be dropped off and and poicked up at 10th and Polco.

Attendance will be the largest since the 100th running in 2016, it willbe the best attended race in 25 years, excepting 2016.

” I can tell you that this year’s crowd is going to be the best crowd that we’ve had in the last 25 years with the exception of 2016. And last year, you heard that same story. The crowd that we had last year, we are going to be significantly more dense in terms of our population ,” Boles explaine

Entry is expectred to be easier on race day with the use of new walk throiugh gates. Fans will not have to empty their pockets of items. if the detectoers sense something unusual, the fan will undergo a secondary screening.

Boles and the security personnel present emphasized the ban on drones at the speedway.

NTT Data will provide real time updates on the Indycar app to show fans which gates are the least busy, and fans are encouraged to go to those gates for faster entry. The technolgy will also informspectators which cioncession stands have the shortest lines a swell. The system displays red, yellow, or green dots to indicate the staus of the gates and concesion stands.

Chief Upchurch of the Speedway Police Department said that there will be 1,100 security personnel present on Sunday.

More than 28 local, stae, and federal agencies coordinate to ensure fan safety for the race.

After the race, Boles emphasized that fans need patience when leaving. The first priority is pedestrians. He expects it will take two and a half hours to get everyone out of the track.

“When everybody at the exact same time wants to get out there’s only so many roads. So it does take a little while. We just ask peopleto have patience with coming in. But especially getting out. We’ll hear 15 inutes after the race has stopped why aren’t we moving? Well, first of all, we have to give 325,000 pedestrians out before we allow the roads immediately near the Speedway, especially north of 16th Street to have cars on them.”