The open- test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway got underway after a 90-minute delay. The session begun under cool and cloudy conditions. As the two hour time period progressed, temperatures warmed a bit and some sun appeared and the wind got stronger.
Scott Dixon had the quickest lap of 225.622 mph. Dixon ran 20 laps, the fewest of the full time Chip Ganassi Racing team. Jimmie Johnson was sixth fastest in 37 laps, Alex Palou ran seventh in 25 laps, and Marcus Ericsson finished the session 20th, running 31 laps. Tony Kanaan, who is running the 500 only, ran just fourteen laps and ended 21st on the speed chart.
Pato O’Ward on a late session run
The rest of the top 5- Scott Mclaughlin, 223.984; Santino Ferrucci, 223,053; Romain Grosjean, 222.727; and Pato O’Ward, 222.660.
sIx Hondas and four Chevys made up the top ten. Three of the Hondas were from Chip Ganassi Racing.
I talked to Tony Kanaan after practice. He said the conditions were “Okay in the morning, then it got windy and cold. I didn’t do that many laps. It5’s not the same as it’s going to be race week, but it’s good to get a couple things out of the way.”
Tony Kanaan talks to media after the test session
He said “It felt 100% good to be back in the car. I think we can benefit from having five very experienced drivers on the team.”
Kanaan on track
Kanaan plans to run the 500 “As long as they keep bringing me back.” He noted that next year will be his 25th 500.
Currently halfway through the rookie /refresher session, David Malukas is the fastest rookie with a lap at 218.250. Times will vary depending on which phase of the test each driver is in at the moment.
Scott Dixon and Will Power have an opportunity this upcoming Indycar season to tie or pass Mario Andretti in different career categories. Dixon, who has won at least one race every year since 2003, needs one victory to tie Andretti’s career mark of 52 wins, second only to A. J. Foyt. It was a shock that he only won one race last season.
Power is four poles shy of tying Andretti’s career mark of 67 poles, first among Indycar drivers. Power won only one pole last season, at the second IMS road race. His single pole was more of a shock than Dixon’s single first place.
Other Storylines for 2022
How will Romain Grosjean fare with his new team? Can Grosjean have the same success as part of a larger team, Andretti Autosport, as he had with Dale Coyne? Can he keep pace with Colton Herta and Alexander Rossi?
Romain Grosjean
Will we have a third OEM announcement by the time of the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500? If we don’t, it will be at least 2025 until Honda and Chevrolet have another competitor.
Will having 14 races on NBC significantly increase viewership? The deal with NBC is probably the best package Indycar has ever had. I hope it pays huge dividends. If not, there may never be another deal this good.
Can Beth Paretta finalize a deal for the Indianapolis 500? It would be a shame if 2021 was a one time effort. The credibility of the Race for Diversity and Change would suffer if her team is not at IMS in May.
Keep an eye on Ernie Francis, Jr. in Indy Lights as well. I hope he does well enough to get a shot the 500 in 2023. It is just as important to have African American representation in Indycar as it is to have a female presence.
Some predictions:
Season champion- I give a narrow edge to Colton Herta over Pato O’Ward in a tight yearlong battle.
Winners- Eight drivers will win races this season, with Herta and O’Ward winning at least three each. Scott McLaughlin may be the only first time winner in 2022.
David Malukas
Rookie of the Year- This is a tough contest to decide. Christian Lundgaard has better equipment, but David Malukas is more familiar with most of the tracks Indycar will run. I think Malukas will win, but it will come down to the final race.
On September 12 we can all look at this post again and have a good laugh. Thanks for reading my preview series. Now let’s go racing!
Update- Marti is improving as the medical team works out a treatment plan. Thank you all again for your kind wishes and concerns. We will get through this.
Photo: Alex Palouleads Colton Herta at Road America. Joe Skibinski, Indycar
Indycar had itself one heck of a first half- seven different winners, including four first time winners; only two winners over the age of 30; dramatic finishes, and really good racing. Only two drivers have won more than once, and four of the top seven in points are under the age of 25.
Alex Palou holds the trophy for the REV Group Grand Prix. Photo by Joe Skibinski, Indycar
Road America traditionally marks the end of the first half of the season, but with the cancellation of Toronto, which will not be made up, last Sunday was the first race of the season’s second half. The loss of the race, which is not a shock, narrows the field for the championship to three drivers-Alex Palou, Pato O’Ward, and Scott Dixon.
I think the title fight comes down to a battle between Palou, the current points leader, and O’Ward. Only O’Ward and Palou have won more than one race. Palou has led seven of the nine races. Palou has been on the podium five times, O’Ward finished in the top three four times. The 28 point lead Palou enjoys is essentially the difference in points between the two drivers at the Indianapolis 500.
I think Palou will prevail this season. Here’s why.
O’Ward Oddities
Both of Pato’s wins came in the second race of the two double headers. He finished third in the first race of each double header, and he was on pole for the first race in Detroit. In both of his victories, O’Ward overtook Josef Newgarden late in the race.
There are no more double headers this season It seems the Arrow McLaren SP team needs a bit of a longer window to figure things out. I’m not sure O’Ward wins another race in 2021, and he may have trouble holding on to second place in the standings.
The Iceman Lurketh
Six time champion Scott Dixon sits on the verge of history on two fronts. His next win, which is very likely this season, will tie him with Mario Andretti for second place on the career win list with 52. Winning the title will tie him with A. J. Foyt with seven championships.
Dixon has been competitive, as always, but the car looks to be just a step behind the front runners. The Indianapolis 500, despite Dixon winning the pole, did not turn out well. Dixon is 53 points behind, and 49 points of that gap are from the 500. He has come from larger deficits to win take a couple of his titles, but I don’t see it happening this year. Still, dixon will continue an amazing string of finsihes in the top five in points.
More Winners
There will be more drivers winning a race this season. It is inveitable that Josef Newgarden and/or Will Power will win a race before the season ends. Newgarden has won the last two poles and has had victory in his grasp the last two races. He has lost the lead with three laps remaining in Detroit and with two laps left at Road America. Mechanical gremlins and tire strategy have kept Team Penske out of the winner’s circle so far in 2021, but I think we see that situation change in the next three months. It is hard yo believe we are nine races into the season and wondering when a Penske will win a race.
Look for another win by an Andretti Autosport driver as well. Either Colton Herta wins another time, or Alexander Rossi will finally break through. This team has been just as puzzling as Team Penske. Herta has been the only bright spot for the team.
Nice Surprises
The biggest surprise this year is the overall performance of Romain Grosjean. The former F1 driver has won a pole, took a podium spot, and has been overall competitive in his 6 races in 2021. Grosjean is an outstanding qualifier, starting in the top six three times and seventh twice. Missing the Indianapolis 500 and the two Texas races will probably cost him Rookie of the Year since the award is based solely on points. He would win it if the trophy were awarded based on his performance on track.
Scott Dixon had the fastest lap in today’s rain delayed and rain shortened Carb day practice for Sunday’s 105th running of the Indianapolis 500. The session began more than two and a half hours late due to morning rain and ended about ten minutes short of the two hour time limit as more rain moved in.
Dixon parked his car for the day after 45 minutes of running. Colton Herta ended his day about 20 minutes early, Both drivers seemed very happy with their cars. Herta hopes for similar conditions on race day.
Rossi and fuel at Indy- Alexander Rossi experienced a fuel spill before the prasctice session began, delaying the start by about six minutes. Indycar assessed a five minute penalty on the 27 car. Rossi has had issues during the 500 with fueling the car, even in 2016 when he won. A longer than normal pit stop due to a fueling issue may have cost him the race in 2019,
“Let’s hope we got our fuel issues out of the way early in Indianapolis,” Rossi told NBC Sports.
The 2021 front row. Photo by Joe Skibinski, Indycar
Starting in the front row has been a great place to begin the Indianapolis 500 over the last three years. There is no reason to think 2021 will be any different. the cars are basically the same, passing will be difficult, and the front row starting teams have shown great reliability over the course of an entire season.
Forty-four of the 104 Indianapolis 500 Mile Races have been won from the front row. The pole winner has won the most times, 21. Simon Pagenaud is the most recent driver win from the pole in 2019. His win from pole was the first win from the top spot since Helio Castroneves won in 2009. Since 2006, when Sam Hornish, Jr. won at the line from Marco Andretti, the race winner has started on the pole just three more times. In addition to Pagenaud and Castroneves, Scott Dixon won from pole in 2008. Pagenaud’s victory saved the 2010 decade from being just the third decade without a race winner starting from pole. The first decade of the race, 1911-1920, and the 1940s did not see the pole winner in Victory Lane.
Starting second has produced the fewest winners among the the front row starters, 11. That number seems pretty good, but only once since 1970 has the winner come from the middle spot of row 1. Juan Pablo Montoya won from the second starting spot in 2000. The 21 year drought has a decent chance of ending this year with Colton Herta.
The outside of the front row is the preferred starting spot for many drivers. Some say it presents a better approach to the first turn. 12 winners have started third, including Takuma Sato last year
.
A look at the chart below shows that starting places 1-7 have produced 68 of the 104 winners. The most wins further back than that come 15th, where four winners have emerged.
A 500 mile race is long, and many things happen. there have been pole winners who haven’t completed the first lap. Roberto Guerrero in 1992 spun into the the inside fence on the pace lap. Scott Sharp in 2001 crashed in turn 1 of the first lap. There are no guarantees, but if you are playing the odds, the pole and the third place starters are decent wagers.
Don’t play King of the Mountain with Scott Dixon. You will lose. Colton herta and Rinus VeeKay tried to knock Dixon off the pole for next Sunday’s Indianapolis 500. They came close, but couldn’t do it. Dixon won his fourth Indianapolis 500 pole by just 0,0197 seconds, 0.03 miles an hour. Just moments before, Herta had knocked Rinus Veekay off the pole by 0.0966 seconds, 0.1 miles an hour.
Scott dixon pulls in after his pole winning run. Photo by Tim Holle, Indycar
It was a history making front row. It is the youngest front row in history, despite Dixon’s advanced age of 40.. VeeKay is the youngest front row starter in history. Today’s pole is Dixon’s fourth at Indianapolis, tying him for second place all time with A. J. Foyt, Rex Mays, and Helio Castroneves. Dixon also won the pole for the 500 in 2008, 2015, and 2017.
The rest of the Fast nine saw several drivers change spots from yesterday. Helio Castroneves went from sixth to eighth, Tony Kanaan went from third to fifth. Alex Palou moved from seventh to sixth, and Ryan Hunter-Reay went from eighth to fifth.
VeeKay had a big wiggle in turn 1 on his lap, but he saved it to complete the lap. The bobble may have cost him the pole. VeeKay qualified fourth last year and now starts third. He is the fastest Chevy in the field again.
The first three rows have a mix of drivers that represent former series champions and 500 winners and the younger generation of drivers. Five of the first nine drivers are 40 or older and represent six 500 victories. Three are in their early twenties. Marcus Ericsson is 30.
The Last Row- Power’s Close Call
In the Last Chance Shootout, the biggest drama came on Will power’s qualifying run when his right rear tire hit the outside wall. It was a glancing blow and he completed the run to qualify for the middle of the last row. I heard that the tow link was broken, which meant he would have had to withdraw his time to repair it and possibly not have another chance to make the field. next Sunday will be Power’s worst career start will be Power’s worst career start.
Simona DeSilvestro made her qualifying run, then sat in her car for the remaining hour of the Last Chance period to see if she would need to go again. Neither Charlie Kimball nor R C Enerson had anything close to her speed. kimBall took two shots at her time, but didn’t come close.
Kimball had started the 500 for 10 consecutive years through 2020. Enerson, a rookie, and his new team, accomplished a lot just by putting a car together and having it run a qualifying set.
DeSilvestro’s team, Paretta Autosport, is a team consisting 75% or women on the crew, some of whom will be working the pits on race day. It is great to have a woman back in the field for the 500.
Beth Paretta, team owner, watches nervously as Simona DeSilvestro qualifies.Phot by James Black, Indycar Simona DeSilvestro waves to the crowd after clinching the final starting spot. Photo by Joe Skibinski, Indycar
I will have some thoughts on the qualifying weekend tomorrow. I wish to thank everyone for following along this weekend, which set a viewership record. I appreciate all of you.
Paddock, Paddock Penthouse, A Penthouse, B Penthouse , E, E Penthouse, Tower Terrace, Northwest Vista and Deck, Southeast Vista and deck.
Note: only limited sections open in all stands.
Parking:
North 40 is free. All other lots are paid. $10
Four former winners have a shot at the pole this afternoon in the Fast Nine shootout. That is a routine occurrence. Onf ormer winner will fight to make the field. That doesn’t happen often.
Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Helio Castroneves, and Ryan Hunter-Reay earned a chance to run for the pole this afternoon. Dixon had the fastest time yesterday, Kanaan was third, Castroneves sixth, and Hunter-Reay eighth.
I think the pole battle is between Dixon, Kanaan, and Colton Herta. Dixon is favored, but don’t dismiss Herta’s chances.
On the other end of the field, five drivers, including 2018 winner Will Power, need to qualify for the final three spots in the 105th running of the Indianapolis 500. Power had the 31st fastest time yesterday, but the if three of the other four can outrun him, the 2014 series champion will sit out next Sunday. Power, one of the greatest qualifiers in Indycar history, will get one of the spots, but it may be tight. The cars are competing just against each other today, and not against the rest of the field.
Also looking for a spot on next Sunday’s grid are Simona DeSilvestro, Sage Karam, Charlie Kimball, and R C Enerson.
Stay tuned. this will be a fascinating day at both ends of the field.
Some photos from yesterday:
Can Helio Castroneves win another pole?Always nice to see Robert Wickens at the trackSimona DeSilvestro after her first qualifying run.
While Scott Dixon set the bar as the first qualifier, the hotter conditions as the day went on kept his closest challengers at bay. Tomorrow, Dixon will go last. His biggest challengers tomorrow will be Colton Herta ,Tony Kanaan, and Ed Carpenter. I would not be shocked to see Rinus VeeKay or Alex Palou make a strong as well.
Will Power had a tough day today and might have an even tougher day tomorrow. If I understand the rules correctly, power will be the fifth driver on track in the Last chance Shootout. The good news is he will know exactly what he needs. Still, Power sometimes puts a lot of pressure on himself. i hope he doesn’t allow that to get in his way.
It is a great achievement by Chip Ganassi Racing to get all four of their cars in the Fast Nine.
Helio Castroneves seems motivated to prove a point to his former team. he had a great qualifying effort today.
The fast nine by teams:
Gansssi 4
Carpenter 2
Andretti 2
Meyer Shank 1
I wonder how Alex Palou’s car will perform tomorrow after that hard hit he had on his second attempt.
Dalton Kellett played defense by making the late run with time running out. He prevented power from getting another chance.
I’m not sure Simona DeSilvestro has much more speed in that car. It would be a shame to see her miss the race. That team looks to be one of the more organized teams in the garage area.
Top Gun Racing achieved a lot just by having the car make a qualifying run. They don’t seem to have the pace to make the show. I hope they can build on their experience and come back in 2022 with a stronger program.
Disappointing runs- Alexander Rossi, Jack Harvey, Conor Daly, Takuma Sato, Graham Rahal, and Pato O’Ward. I thought a few of theses drivers would in the Fast Nine.
Nice surprises- Ryan Hunter-Reay in the Fast Nine, Ed Jones and Pietro Fittipaldi qualifying 11th and 13th.
Something you don’t see every year- The highest Team penske qualifier was Scott McLaughlin in 17th. Something is not right in this camp.
The drama tomorrow centers on power. Can the former race winner make the field, or will he join other former winners in failing to qualify? Remember Team Penske with former winners Al Unser, Jr. and Emerson Fittipaldi failed to qualify in 1995. Other former winners who have failed to qualify include Bobby Rahal, Johnny Rutherford, and Johnnie Parsons. Parsons did start the 1957 race as a last minute substitute.
Off Track
I hope the video boards and the scoring pylon work consistently tomorrow. For much of the day, timing information and standings were missing. Late in the day it would have been nice to have the time to beat displayed in the upper left corner of the screen.
It seemed to be a normal sized qualification day crowd.. Most people rehearsed for the June 7 lifting of the mask mandate in Marion County. IMS needs to step up enforcement. With general admission seating for the entire facility, social distancing was virtually non existent. IMS should have sold reserved seating for today and tomorrow.
It was nice to see the garage area come to life for the first time this week. there was a lot of energy among the teams, and I saw the most fans in gasoline Alley that i have seen all week.
The Fast Nine:
1
9
Scott Dixon
Chip Ganassi Racing
Honda
231.828
2
26
Colton Herta
Andretti Autosport
Honda
231.648
3
48
Tony Kanaan
Chip Ganassi Racing
Honda
231.639
4
20
Ed Carpenter
Ed Carpenter Racing
Chevy
231.616
5
21
Rinus VeeKay
Ed Carpenter Racing
Chevy
231.483
6
06
Helio Castroneves
Meyer Shank Racing
Honda
231.164
7
10
Alex Palou
Chip Ganassi Racing
Honda
231.145
8
28
Ryan Hunter-Reay
Andretti Autosport
Honda
231.139
9
8
Marcus Ericsson
Chip Ganassi Racing
Honda
231.104
The five who need to qualify tomorrow. The fastest three make the race.
Scott Dixon qualified first and no one has been able to match his four lap average of 231.320 mph. Colton Herza, Tony Kansas, and Ed Carpenter put up a challenge for two laps, but their last two laps brought their average below Dixon’s.
The Fast Nine as of 3:15 Eastern:
Dixon
Herta
Kanaan
Ed Carpenter
Rinus VeeKay
Helio Castroneves
Alex Palou
Ryan Hunter-Reay
Marcus Ericsson
The botzom five, two of whom will miss the race:
Saze Karam
Will Power
Charlie Kimball
Simona De Silverstro
R C Emerson
Qualifications run until 5:50 Eastern. Coverage is currently on NBCSN as well as on Peacock
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 