| Race weekend: Friday, June 18 – Sunday, June 20 Track: Road America, a 4.014-mile, 14-turn permanent road course (clockwise), in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin Race distance: 55 laps / 220.77 miles Media links: Entry List | Driver Video Quotes | Pre-Event Video Conference Transcript (Dixon and Pagenaud) Push-to-pass parameters: 200 seconds of total time with a maximum time of 20 seconds per activation. Firestone tire allotment: Seven sets primary, four sets alternate for use during the race weekend. One additional set of primary tires may be used by teams fielding a rookie driver. Teams must use one set of primary and one set of new (sticker) alternate tires for at least two laps in the race. Twitter: @RoadAmerica @IndyCar, #REVGROUPGP, #IndyCar Event website: www.roadamerica.com INDYCAR website: www.indycar.com 2020 race winners: Scott Dixon (No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda) and Felix Rosenqvist (No. 10 NTT DATA Chip Ganassi Racing Honda) 2020 pole winners Josef Newgarden (No. 1 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet), 1 minute, 45.5191 seconds, 136.964 mph and Pato O’Ward (No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet), 1:44.8971, 137.758 mph Qualifying record: Dario Franchitti, 1:39.866, 145.924 mph, Aug. 19, 2000 NBC Sports telecasts: Qualifying: Midnight ET Saturday, NBCSN (taped); Race: Noon ET Sunday, NBCSN (live). Kevin Lee will serve as the lead announcer for NBCSN’s REV Group Grand Prix telecast alongside analyst Townsend Bell. Peacock Premium Live Streaming: All NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice sessions and qualifying will stream live on Peacock Premium, NBC’s direct-to-consumer livestreaming product. INDYCAR Radio Network broadcasts: Mark Jaynes is the chief announcer alongside analysts Davey Hamilton and Nick Yeoman. Jake Query and Michael Young are the turn announcers with Ryan Myrehn and Joel Sebastianelli in the pit lane. The REV Group Grand Prix will air live on network affiliates, SiriusXM 205, indycar.com and the INDYCAR Mobile app powered by NTT DATA. All NTT INDYCAR SERIES practices and qualifying are available on SiriusXM 205, indycar.com and the INDYCAR Mobile app. At-track schedule (all times Eastern Time): Friday, June 18 5 – 5:45 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 1, Peacock Premium Saturday, June 19 11:10 – 11:55 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 2, Peacock Premium 2:30 – 3:45 p.m. – Qualifying for the NTT P1 Award (Three rounds of knockout qualifying), Peacock Premium/NBCSN (Taped, midnight, June 20) 5:30 – 6 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Final Practice, Peacock Premium Sunday, June 20 12:05 p.m. – Driver introductions 12:38 p.m. – Command to start engines 12:45 p.m. – REV Group Grand Prix (55 laps/220.77miles), NBCSN (live) Race notes: · There have been seven different winners in eight NTT INDYCAR SERIES races this season. Alex Palou (Barber Motorsports Park), Colton Herta (Streets of St. Petersburg), Scott Dixon (Texas Motor Speedway-1), Pato O’Ward (Texas Motor Speedway-2, Raceway at Belle Isle Park-2), Rinus VeeKay (Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course-1), Helio Castroneves (Indianapolis 500) and Marcus Ericsson (Raceway at Belle Isle Park-1) have all won in 2021. The modern era record (1946-2021) for most different winners in a season is 11 in 2000, 2001 and 2014. · There have been nine different winners in the last 10 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races (Will Power, Josef Newgarden, Alex Palou, Colton Herta, Scott Dixon, Pato O’Ward, Rinus VeeKay, Helio Castroneves and Marcus Ericsson) The only repeat winner in that stretch is O’Ward (Texas-2, 2021 and Belle Isle-2, 2021). · The REV Group Grand Prix will be the 32nd INDYCAR event conducted at Road America since it hosted its first INDYCAR event in 1982. · Sebastien Bourdais, Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden, Will Power and Alexander Rossi are the only entered drivers who have won an INDYCAR race at Road America. Rossi won in 2019, Newgarden won in 2018, Dixon won in 2017 and the first race of 2020’s doubleheader. Power won in the INDYCAR SERIES return in 2016 – the first race at the track since 2007 when Bourdais won at Road America. Mario Andretti, Michael Andretti and Emerson Fittipaldi have the most wins by an INDYCAR driver at the track (three). · Twenty drivers entered this weekend have previously raced in INDYCAR SERIES events at Road America. Nine of those drivers have led laps at the track (Sebastien Bourdais 92, Josef Newgarden 91, Will Power 60, Alexander Rossi 54, Pato O’Ward 43, Scott Dixon 42, Graham Rahal 5, Marcus Ericsson 2 and Simon Pagenaud 2). Eight drivers have won the Road America race from the pole: Mario Andretti (1983, 1984 and 1987), Danny Sullivan (1989), Paul Tracy (1993), Jacques Villeneuve (1995), Bruno Junqueira (2003), Sebastien Bourdais (2007), Will Power (2016) and Josef Newgarden (2018). · Drivers who have won at Road America have gone on to win the INDYCAR championship six times in the same season: Mario Andretti (1984), Michael Andretti (1991), Jacques Villeneuve (1995), Alex Zanardi (1997), Cristiano da Matta (2002) and Sebastien Bourdais (2007) and Scott Dixon (2020). · Team Penske has won five times at Road America (1989, 1992, 1993, 2016 and 2018) and is one of three current teams with wins at the track. Chip Ganassi Racing has also won five times at Road America (1997, 2001, 2017, 2020-Race 1 and 2020-Race 2), while Andretti Autosport won its first race in 2019. Newman/Haas Racing won a record 10 times at Road America. · Rookies Romain Grosjean, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Magnussen, Scott McLaughlin and Cody Ware will race an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car at Road America for the first time this weekend. Magnussen and Ware will make their series debuts. |
Tag: Road America
Magnussen in for Rosenqvist at Road America
Former Formula 1 driver Kevin Magnussen (above) will drive the number 7 Arrow McLaren SP car for the injured Felix Rosenqvist this weekend at Road America. Rosenqvist suffered injuries in a crash during the first race last Saturday in Detroit. Road America will be the second race Rosenqvist will miss.
Magnussen drove for McLaren and Haas in F1. He currently drives for Chip Ganassi Racing in IMSA as one of the drivers of the DPi Cadillac team. Magnussen’s team won the IMSA race at Detroit last Saturday.
The team’s announcement on Twitter:
Following an evaluation by the INDYCAR Medical Team, Felix Rosenqvist has not been cleared to race at this weekend’s REV Group Grand Prix at Road America.
Felix will continue to be supported by the team as he progresses in his recovery… https://t.co/nVFcXB7PFF
Felix will be replaced for the REV Group Grand Prix by Kevin Magnussen, who will be making his INDYCAR debut. Magnussen made 19 starts for the McLaren Formula 1 team in 2014, including a career-best finish of second at the Australian Grand Prix that year. https://t.co/deZpO5a6E7
Felix will be replaced for the REV Group Grand Prix by Kevin Magnussen, who will be making his INDYCAR debut. Magnussen made 19 starts for the McLaren Formula 1 team in 2014, including a career-best finish of second at the Australian Grand Prix that year. https://t.co/deZpO5a6E7
Cody Ware Makes Indycar Debut at Road America
It’s been talked about for awhile, and finally Cody Ware will get his chance to drive in an Indycar race. The announcement from Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing:
Plainfield, IL (June 15, 2021) – NASCAR driver Cody Ware will be making his NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut this weekend at Road America with Dale Coyne Racing with RWR aboard the team’s No. 52 Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) entry.
Ware, who drives full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for Rick Ware Racing (RWR), got his first taste of an Indy car earlier this year during a test day with the team at Sebring International Raceway. He also turned his first laps at Road America two weeks ago as part of a rookie test day.
“To be a part of an NTT INDYCAR SERIES race is such an honor, and a surreal experience for me. I never would’ve thought that I would ever go down the open wheel route for a multitude of reasons,” expressed Ware. “But thanks to RWR, Dale Coyne Racing, and Biohaven / Nurtec ODT I am getting an opportunity to compete at the highest level of open wheel motorsport in the US. Road America is an ideal place to make my debut and I am so excited to learn and soak it all in. Having two great teammates such as Romain Grosjean and Ed Jones will help take some of the edge off the learning curve if only a little.”
In addition to his time in the NASCAR Cup and the Xfinity Series this season, Ware finished fourth in the LMP2 Class at the 24 Hours of Daytona earlier this year. The 25-year-old driver has a diverse racing pedigree, taking home rookie of the year honors in the 2014 Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America series and claiming the 2019/2020 LMP2 Asian Le Mans Championship.
“What started as a 3-4 race sponsorship to roll out a marketing program for BioHaven and Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, turned into a full-season sponsorship commitment with the No. 51 Honda,” shared Rick Ware, Owner of Rick Ware Racing and co-entrant, Dale Coyne Racing with RWR. “Thanks to their continued partnership, we’re excited to add a few races for the No. 52 entry, starting with Road America this weekend.”
Cody Ware will take to the track on Friday, June 18 for his first official NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice session. The REV Group Grand Prix goes green at 11:45am local time on Sunday, June 20, 2021.
Road America Allows Fans Paddock Access
From Road America moments ago:
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FANS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE PADDOCK AT THE 2021 REV GROUP GRAND PRIX PRESENTED BY AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE AND IMSA SPORTS CAR WEEKEND ELKHART LAKE, Wis., May 26, 2021 – As the NTT INDYCAR REV Group Grand Prix presented by American Medical Response welcomes fans again at America’s National Park of Speed, June 17-20, attendees will also be able to access the paddock free of charge. Additionally, at this year’s IMSA SportsCar Weekend, August 5-8, all fans will once again be welcome in the paddock, where race teams and drivers prepare the cars that compete on the 4-mile, 14-turn circuit. Tickets are now available for both events at www.roadamerica.com “We are fortunate that our fans understood the situation we faced last season, and now they have the opportunity to get closer to the action at Road America,” said Mike Kertscher, Road America’s President and General Manager. “So don’t wait, get your tickets online now, print them at home and get ready for an action-packed summer at America’s National Park of Speed.” The REV Group Grand Prix presented by American Medical Response weekend schedule, June 17-20, will also be bolstered by Vintage Indy and the Radical Cup series, plus two junior development series of the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires, including the Indy Pro 2000, and USF2000, of which many drivers of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES are graduates. Additionally, all first responders including Police, Fire, and EMS will receive FREE access for the entire NTT IndyCar Series REV Group Grand Prix presented by American Medical Response weekend by showing proof of active status at the gate in the form of a department-issued ID or badge. The IMSA SportsCar Championship and IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, August 5-8, will be one of the most incredible weekends of sports car racing in the world. Fans will get to see the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race on Saturday, with the WeatherTech® SportsCar Championship race on Sunday, plus races from the IMSA Porsche Carrera Cup North America and the Mazda MX-5 Cup. Every general admission ticket includes walk-in access to the paddock. Bicycles must be walked in the paddock, and due to space considerations, golf cart access may be restricted in high-traffic areas. Tickets are available, and fans are welcome. Additional event details, ticket pricing, and camping information can be found at www.roadamerica.com or by calling 800-365-7223. Anyone 16-years-old and under is FREE with a paying adult at the gate. Racing runs rain or shine. To plan your visit, check out Road America’s Frequently Asked Questions webpage at www.roadamerica.com/faq ### |
| About Road America: Established in 1955, Road America is conveniently located between Milwaukee and Green Bay in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The world’s best racers have competed at this legendary four-mile, 14-turn road circuit for over 65 years. Along with over 500 events held seasonally at the 640-acre facility, several major weekends are open to the public, which include the IndyCar Series, the MotoAmerica Series, three vintage racing events, numerous Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) events, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and NASCAR. Road America’s park-like grounds offer amazing viewing opportunities, numerous camping options, fantastic concessions, and high-speed excitement to hundreds of thousands of spectators each year. Fans can also stay and play in cabins conveniently on the grounds and find all sorts of souvenirs, collectibles, and apparel at the 7,500 sq. ft Paddock Shop. Affectionately known by many as America’s National Park of Speed, Road America can accommodate groups of all sizes, including weddings and corporate events in the Tufte Conference Center. In addition to public race weekends, Road America offers various group event programs, including geocaching, disc golf, and off-road adventure tours, karting, and the Road America Motorcycle and Driving Schools. For more information, visit http://www.roadamerica.com Follow Road America on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube or call 800-365-72 |
Legge Injured, More Pics from Road America, and Other News
Photo above: Scott Dixon celebrates career win number 49 Saturday
Former Indycar driver Katherine Legge suffered a broken left leg and and sprained right wrist in a testing accident at Paul Ricard circuit in France today. Legge was testing for th eupcoming European leMans Series race for the Richard Mille racing Teamin an Oreca 07-Gibson. She made contact with the guardrail. Legge never lost consciousness and was flown to a nearby hospital. The leg will require surgery.
Legge has many fans in the Indycar community. We wish her a speedy recovery.
Chuck Hulse 1927-2020
On Monday Chuck Hulse, the oldest living driver to have driven both front engine and rear engine cars, died at age 93. he first race in the Indianpolis 500 in 1962, finishing 21st. the following year he finisghed 6th. In 1964 he suffered an eye injury in a sprint car accident at New Bremen and missed the rest of that year and 1965.
he was slated to drive the Dean Van Lines Special with chief mechanic Clint Brawner. Because of his injury Hulse was replaced by Mario Andretti, who turned to be pretty good.
Hulse returned in 1966, finishing 20th in the 500. In the 1967 race he finished 7th despite crashing on the last lap. he then retired from racing.
In 60 Indycar starts Hulse with a best finish of second at Phoenix and Sacramento.
A Note from Road America
Dave Kallman of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted today that Road America turned no one away last weekend during the REV Group Indycar Grand Prix because their temperature was too high.
A few More Pics from Last Weekend
Tomorrow my Iowa preview including some tips for going to the track.
Quick Thoughts- GMR Race 2
First, I want to send best wishes to George and Susan Phillips as Susan begins her journey to recover from cancer. This issue hits me hard. I know they will be fine in the end. I’m glad I got to spend some time with them this weekend. they are such great people.
I though history might be made today. There was, but not the history I expected. The youngest front row in history. I’m sure someone has stats on this, but it may have been the youngest top 3 starters in history.
This was a day for the younger generation to shine. Pato O’Ward and Colton Herta on the front row had less than two full years of experience between them, and third place starter Alex Palou is a rookie. The duel at the end between O’Ward and seconds year driver Felix Rosenqvist was compelling. Rosenqvist has been close to winning before. he nearly nipped Dixon at mid Ohio last year. This is probably the most patient race I’ve sen Rosenqvist drive.
It was an exciting finish to what was mostly a processional race. Two younger drivers, one Honda, one Chevy, battling in the closing laps, made for great drama.. I happened to be in the right spot at the right time at the end to catch the photos in this piece. The main photo is after.
Before:
Scott Dixon didn’t go four for four on the season, but the Ganassi team did. The pit bobble bug hit Dixon today. His car didn’t seem to have the pace it had Saturday.
Colton Herta missed the pole, but he had his fourth top 10 and third top 5 of the season. Herta is now second in the point standings. Maybe the television crew could talk about him more than they talk about Ferrucci now?
I watched the replay of yesterday’s start. It seemed O’Ward brought the field to the line a little slow. that usually leads to the cahos that occurred after the green flag. The restarts looked to be at the correct pace.
Alexander rossi finally got the result that everyone had expected to see all season. A series of unfortunate events has seen Rossi finishing at the bottom of the field. Third place must feel like a victory to him.
Charlie Kimball had a good weekend for A. J. Foyt Racing with an 11th on saturday and a 10th yesterday. Kimball could have a decent season. The team is showing more consistency this year.
I’m not sure what Will Power was doing at the start. It’s too bad NTT Indycar Series officials could only issue one penalty. I think the penalty of going to the rear of the field is too light, especially when it is assessed that early in the race. It allowed Power to go off strategy and take the lead at one point. I think a drive through at least would be more appropriate.
All in all, it was great to be back at a race.
Safety Protocols
I saw a lot of social media concerns about what was seen on television and posts from the track about lack of social distancing and people not wearing masks. From what I observed, masks were not as prevalent as I expected. Some track personnel weren’t even wearing one. I had mine on when i was walking about, but took it off when I was with people I knew to safe. Some people I saw never wore one all weekend.
As for distancing, there were some large groups of people who seemed to be together both days. The track signage said family groups could be together. I assumed that meant living in the same household. Groups were bigger than that. the top of hill in utrn 5, the most popular viewing spot, was pretty packed on Saturday. yesterday the crowd was lighter and more spread out there. I watche d yesterday from turn 7. A decent amount of people, not a huge group by any means, spread out in their groups. Groups gave each other plenty of space.
The track did everything it could as far as signage and PA announcements. track personnel could not police the entire area. What Road America could have done is sell fewer tickets to this event. Compliance was left up to each individual. Sadly, many chose to not follow the protocols. I don’t believe the track is at fault. their efforts were commendable, but as i said, they couldn’t force anyone to follow their guidelines.
I’m interested to see how Iowa handles distancing in their grandstands next weekend. From what i saw, I just don’t see how IMS can hold the 500 next month. There will be more than three times as many people as there were at Road America. I don’t expect to see better compliance than I saw this weekend.
Dixon Goes for Sweep and History
Good morning from Road America as we prepare for race 2 of the GMR Grand Prix weekend. I hope for another race as entertaining as yesterday’s was.
Today’s schedule: (All times Eastern)
Scott Dixon could become the third driver in Indycar history to win 50 races. He now is within three of tying Mario Andretti for second place on the all time list. Dixon is also looking to win the first four races of the year. Today could also be just the third time that a driver has swept a doubleheader weekend. Dixon did that in Toronto in 2013 and Graham Rahal won both days in Detroit in 2017.
Another three on the line today is whether Jack Harvey can get his third consecutive front row start. Harvey has started second for the last two races, but his fortunes in the races themselves have turned out well. He is in the second qualifying group today, which increases his chances for the pole.
Questions for the day- Will Conor Daly’s car be ready for qualifying? It was severely damaged in his contact with Pato O’Ward yesterday. Will Josef Newgarden bounce back from the pit bobble that cost him the win yesterday? Will Team Penske win their fourth pole of the season.
Some fans yesterday respected the social distancing guidelines while many others didn’t seem to care. Road America would have been wise to perhaps sell fewer tickets to this event. Masks are hit and miss. I did see more people wearing them yesterday. I will talk about this more tomorrow.
Enjoy the race, wash your hands, and wear your mask in public.
Quick Thoughts- GMR Grand Prix Race 1
We could see history tomorrow. Scott Dixon could win his 50th race. Only two other drivers have reached and surpassed that number.
The second half of the race was quite interesting. Newgarden’ s stall in the pits began to turn the race around. The yellows really made for an exciting finish.
What is going on with Team Penske pit stops? They have had problems e every race this year. They aren’t the only team with pit issues, but the bar is much higher for them. I wonder if the compressed event schedules are contributing to the pit errors.
Drive of the day goes to Alex Palou. The rookie’s podium finish came after starting 14th, having a long pit stop, and making a nice pass on Ryan Hunter-Reay.
Ryan Hunter-Reay and Colton Herta are not being mentioned much, but they are quietly having very good seasons. Herta is third in points and Hunter-Reay is sixth.
Today pretty much ends Alexander Rossi’s title hopes. It was his second straight finish in the twenties.
Conor Daly’s crew has a long night ahead of them repairing his car for tomorrow. Daly may skip qualifying and start last. His accident is the bad part of double headers. My concern is a car getting badly damaged next Friday in the first Iowa race. Would that team be done for the weekend?
After no cautions for two years, today’s race tried to make up for all that lost time. The three cautions came within seven laps of each other.
Turn five saw lots of passing and attempted passing, lots of tire smoke from locked brakes, and several near collisions.
I hoe tomorrow’s race, on NBC, is just as entertaining as today’s race was.
I will have just post tomorrow, in the morning. I will be driving back to Indianapolis as soon as tomorrow’s race is over. Thanks for following along this weekend.
Power’s Strong Last Lap Nips Harvey for P1in Practice
With Power did a Will Power thing, laying down his quickest lap on the final lap of practice
He nipped Jack Harvey who looked to lead the session until the final seconds.
Power will lead Group 2 I qualifying this afternoon and Harvey will lead Group 1.
AlexaThe nder Rossi finished eighth in the session.
The top 5-
Power
Harvey
Rosenqvist
Hunter-Reay
Scott Dixon was near the bottom of the charts the entire session.
Notes
Much larger crowd today. Still not an abundance of masks or distancing.
I am having issues uploading photos and data. I apologise for the lack of information.
Still very few vendors on site.
Fuel and tire management will be crucial in today’s race. This is a tough track to undercut on pit strategy.
Back after qualifying.
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 