Tag: Road America

So It Can Be Done

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I knew the IMSA Weather Tech Schedule, but the Road America date didn’t register with me as falling during the Olympics. Why? because NBC had made a huge point to Indycar and NASCAR that they needed to put all their resources and personnel into the Olympics. Neither series would have a race on the network for three weeks. Yet, on the second week of the international quadrennial sports festival, here we have an IMSA race exclusively on Peacock.

Is IMSA can have a race exclusively on peacock, why couldn’t Indycar of Nascar have put on an event during this time? None of the Indycar or NASCAR talent outside of Leigh Diffey is in Paris. Georgia Henneberry, who usually works the pits for Indycar, was at road America doing her usual excellent job.

Apparently IMSA isn’t worried about ratings as much Indycar or NASCAR is, but the bar of expectations is not high for a peacock only event anyway. So, an Indycar race this weekend was possible.

I was grateful to have a race to watch this weekend, but allowing this race during the Olympics shoots down NBC’s argument that racing was not possible during this time.

As a result, Indycar will cram five races into a four week period, somewhat neutralizing the welcome break from a packed summer schedule. I jus think NBC wasn’t upfront about why the three week break was necessary. It’s obvious from yesterday that the network had the capacity to show races from Indycar and NASCAR.

Another Penske Win

Team Penske is having quite the season across all series. A 1-2 finish yesterday added to its Indianapolis 500 front row lockout and race win, its podium sweep at Road America, pole at Le Mans, and WEC victories.

The race itself was a disjointed affair with a plethora of caution periods interrupting periods of really good racing in the GTP and GT classes.

The pit reporting was outstanding. Georgia Henneberry and Chris Willner had timely interviews with drivers which provided context to the on track action.

I felt commercial breaks were way too frequent and much too long, especially with minimal side by side breaks. There were enough caution periods that all the advertising obligations could have been met before the final segment of the race. The three minute full screen break with 11 minutes to go and the outcome in doubt was a disservice to viewers.

Road America Wrap Up- Should We Spread Out the Crown Jewels?

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Another outstanding Road America event ended with a great race a little more than 24 hours ago. I have seen a lot of comments today on social media about post Road America depression. I still get post 500 depression at the end of May- I have for more than n50 years. After the htiurd Road America race in the cy=urreent series, in 2017, I had a weird feeling leaving the track. A couple of days later, I realized it was post race depression.

I don’t get this feeling after every race. It is a given after Indy; I have also felt it each time after the two times I have been to Long Beach; and now, every time I leave Road America. Maybe it’s Crown Jewel Syndrome. Indycar’s three Crown Jewel races- Long Beach, the Indianapolis 500, and Road America- occur in a span of 65 days. That is a lot of emotion crammed into slightly more than two months. Maybe that is the source of thefeelings following the last event.

Perhaps Indycar should spread the Crown Jewels out a little more. I would love to see Road America in September. I bet the place looks spectacular with the leaves changing colors. I realize there are many reasons why this will never happen, but it might stave off some depression among fans.

Here is a quick review of the weekend.

The Race

The Sonsio Grand Prix of Raod America was an intricuing race. There was drama in the first half of the race with cars driving off track, and the different pit strategies.

Will Power probably needed a second half yellow to make his strategy work, but it was a brilliant drive to see him dart in and out of the pits and actually lead after starting 22nd.

Speaking of needing a yellow in the second half of the race, Colton Herta’s crew put him in a vulnerable spot asking him to go 15 laps on a tank of fuel yet maintain a leading pace. For a team and driver that despeartely needed a win, it was a questionable move.

I don’t know what else can be said about Alex Palou. there is no better driver in the series right now, nor has there been since he won the season finale at Laguna Seca last year. Including that race Palou has finished in the top eigtht nine straight races. Only at St. Pete in March has Palou finished outside the top 5.

While many fans are wondering if he will stay with Ganassi for 2024 (doubtful), my friend Tony dizinno pointed out that we should probably worry more that he leaves Indycar.

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The Crowd

If you thought there wer a lot of people at road America yesterday, you were right. I hear dthird hand thatb it was arecord crowd for the track, possibly by as much as 10% above the previous mark. I sensed it all weekend. In talked to a friend after qualifying, who said the crowd reminded him of the 2017 race day crowd. I could not disagree.

Yesterday I watched the warmup from the the top of the nturn 5 hill. Normally it is crowded, but I can always find a space for my golf cart. Yesterday it was atight squeeze to fit my vegicle into a tiny space by the road.

I watched the start of the race from the turb 7 area. The concession stand there is usually one of the easier ones to get something to eat quickly. Sunday the line stretched to the cart parking entry and kept growing. The workers handled it well. =they make food to order, and despite the demand, things moved smoothly.

I watched the end of the race from turn 3. It’s a great spot for restarts as you see the field come down the hill from turn 2.

The Atmosphere

Road Anerica is for race fans. People coma and watch the races, no matter which series. They have a good time, and nthey have fun, but this track is all about the racing. I see that atmosphere at sports car races, but the atmosphere is unique to Indycar events. I have heard fans at dinner talking about the next day’s races and thqt they want to get to the track for the first race.

Thanks for following along this weekend. I will be on here just occasionally the rest of this week, then be back to get ready for Mid Ohio at the end of next week.

Quick Thoughts- Road America

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Jusrt a few quick notes before I head home. i willhave a full wrap up tomorrow.

Are we seeing the second coming of Scott Dixon? A;lex Palou is the collest customer since Dixon. Seven wins in 55 races. 19 top 5s. Palou has won three of the last four races, and he has been inn the top five innthe last seven races. He has extended his lead to 74 points over Marcus Ericsson.

The race was better than I expected. I was surprised it came down to a fuel race rather than a tire race.

Great drives-

Scott Dixon to fourth from 23rd.

Will Power from 22nd to13th.

Kyle Kirkwood, shiuffled to the back of the field on the opening lap finishing 9th.

A great run by Marcus Armstrong ended with an off track excursion pushed him back to 24th at the end. We haven’t heard the last of him.

Where did Alexander Rossi’s speed go? Rossi led all three practices, but didn’t have the speed for qualifying or the race. A 10th place finish has to be disappointing.

What is it going to take for Colton Herta to win a race? The strategy was one lap off.

Finally a podium for Pato O’Ward. O’ward drove a steady race and didn’t let anything bother him today.

A good day for Rhal letterman Lanigan Racing. Christian Lundgaard finished seventh and Graham Rahal fnished 11th.

Ryan Hunter-Reay was 17th in his ECR debut.

I don’t think Road SAmrica can ever officially sell out, but today’s crowd was about as close as it can come to a full house.

I need to get on the road home. Thanks for following along this weekend. More tomorrow.