(Photo of Takuma Sato by Doug Matthews for Penske Entertainment)
Takuma Sato lived up to his “no attack, no chance” motto on “Fast Friday” at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, turning the fastest Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge practice lap since 1996 on the eve of the start of qualifying. Two-time “500” winner Sato led the six-hour session with a lap of 38.3382 seconds, 234.753 mph in the No. 11 Deloitte Honda fielded by Chip Ganassi Racing, the ninth-fastest practice lap in Indy 500 history. The eight fastest practice laps at Indy were turned in 1996, led by Arie Luyendyk’s speed of 239.260. Sato’s best lap came during a four-lap qualifying simulation early in the six-hour session that he had to abandon after coming within a hair’s width of touching the SAFER Barrier in Turn 4. “The beginning of the run, first time today, was really too light,” Sato said. “The middle run, we had more downforce, and I was getting more comfortable. By the end of the day, I think I wanted to try to find the limit again, so we went to a little bit sketchy one (setup) again, so I had to lift in Turn 4. But overall, I think we were very satisfied with our performance.” This was the second time this week Sato was the fastest driver, as he led the first day of practice Wednesday at 229.439. Speeds climbed today due to the extra turbocharger boost, which added approximately 100 more horsepower to the Honda and Chevrolet engines. That boost setting also will be available during PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying on Saturday and Sunday. 2020 Indy 500 pole sitter Marco Andretti was second today at 234.202 in the No. 98 KULR/Curb Honda fielded by Andretti Herta w/Marco & Curb-Agajanian. Rinus VeeKay was third at 234.171 in the No. 21 Bitnile.com Chevrolet fielded by Ed Carpenter Racing. Reigning “500” winner Marcus Ericsson took the fourth spot at 234.029 in the No. 8 Huski Ice Spritz Honda fielded by Chip Ganassi Racing. Pato O’Ward rounded out the top five at 233.796 in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. Saturday’s action starts with practice from 8:30-9:30 a.m., separated into two groups. Qualifying takes place from 11 a.m.-5:50 p.m., with spots 13 through 30 in the field of 33 determined. The 12 fastest drivers Saturday will return Sunday to compete for the coveted NTT P1 Award through two rounds of qualifying, while the four slowest cars also will be back on track Sunday to grab one of the final three spots in the field in Last Chance Qualifying. (Thank you to INDYCAR/IMS)
Takuma Sato lived up to his “no attack, no chance” motto on “Fast Friday” at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, turning the fastest Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge practice lap since 1996 on the eve of the start of qualifying. Two-time “500” winner Sato led the six-hour session with a lap of 38.3382 seconds, 234.753 mph in the No. 11 Deloitte Honda fielded by Chip Ganassi Racing, the ninth-fastest practice lap in Indy 500 history. The eight fastest practice laps at Indy were turned in 1996, led by Arie Luyendyk’s speed of 239.260. Sato’s best lap came during a four-lap qualifying simulation early in the six-hour session that he had to abandon after coming within a hair’s width of touching the SAFER Barrier in Turn 4. “The beginning of the run, first time today, was really too light,” Sato said. “The middle run, we had more downforce, and I was getting more comfortable. By the end of the day, I think I wanted to try to find the limit again, so we went to a little bit sketchy one (setup) again, so I had to lift in Turn 4. But overall, I think we were very satisfied with our performance.” This was the second time this week Sato was the fastest driver, as he led the first day of practice Wednesday at 229.439. Speeds climbed today due to the extra turbocharger boost, which added approximately 100 more horsepower to the Honda and Chevrolet engines. That boost setting also will be available during PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying on Saturday and Sunday. 2020 Indy 500 pole sitter Marco Andretti was second today at 234.202 in the No. 98 KULR/Curb Honda fielded by Andretti Herta w/Marco & Curb-Agajanian. Rinus VeeKay was third at 234.171 in the No. 21 Bitnile.com Chevrolet fielded by Ed Carpenter Racing. Reigning “500” winner Marcus Ericsson took the fourth spot at 234.029 in the No. 8 Huski Ice Spritz Honda fielded by Chip Ganassi Racing. Pato O’Ward rounded out the top five at 233.796 in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. Saturday’s action starts with practice from 8:30-9:30 a.m., separated into two groups. Qualifying takes place from 11 a.m.-5:50 p.m., with spots 13 through 30 in the field of 33 determined. The 12 fastest drivers Saturday will return Sunday to compete for the coveted NTT P1 Award through two rounds of qualifying, while the four slowest cars also will be back on track Sunday to grab one of the final three spots in the field in Last Chance Qualifying. (Thank you to INDYCAR/IMS)
(Photo of Marcus Ericsson by Joe Skibinski/Penske Entertainment)
If Day 2 practice on Thursday at The Speedway is any indication, Marcus Ericsson could start the defense of his 2022 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge victory from the front of the field. Ericsson turned the top lap, 39.1974 seconds, 229.607 mph, during the six-hour session under sunny skies at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the No. 8 Chip Ganassi Racing Huski Ice Spritz Honda. It was the fastest lap so far in two days of on-track activity this week, topping the 229.439 set Wednesday by Ericsson’s teammate and two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato. Not only was Ericsson fastest overall with the benefit of an aerodynamic tow, but he also was the speediest car running alone, with a best "no-tow" lap of 224.414. 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner Scott Dixon ended up second at 229.186 in the No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing PNC Bank Honda, as CGR went 1-2 on the time sheets for the second straight day. The top four drivers Thursday are all past “500” champions, as 2019 winner Simon Pagenaud was third at 228.681 in the No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing AutoNation/SiriusXM Honda. 2018 winner and reigning series champion Will Power was fourth at 228.577 in the No. 12 Team Penske Verizon Chevrolet. Power also was second fastest on the “no-tow” list, running 224.283 alone on the 2.5-mile oval. Colton Herta rounded out the top five overall at 228.240 in the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda fielded by Andretti Autosport with Curb-Agajanian. Speeds will jump during the next practice from noon-6 p.m. ET Friday. The Honda and Chevrolet engines that power the field will feature approximately 100 more horsepower due to increased boost levels that also will be available during PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying on Saturday and Sunday. Public gates open at 10 a.m. for “Fast Friday.”
If Day 2 practice on Thursday at The Speedway is any indication, Marcus Ericsson could start the defense of his 2022 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge victory from the front of the field. Ericsson turned the top lap, 39.1974 seconds, 229.607 mph, during the six-hour session under sunny skies at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the No. 8 Chip Ganassi Racing Huski Ice Spritz Honda. It was the fastest lap so far in two days of on-track activity this week, topping the 229.439 set Wednesday by Ericsson’s teammate and two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato. Not only was Ericsson fastest overall with the benefit of an aerodynamic tow, but he also was the speediest car running alone, with a best "no-tow" lap of 224.414. 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner Scott Dixon ended up second at 229.186 in the No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing PNC Bank Honda, as CGR went 1-2 on the time sheets for the second straight day. The top four drivers Thursday are all past “500” champions, as 2019 winner Simon Pagenaud was third at 228.681 in the No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing AutoNation/SiriusXM Honda. 2018 winner and reigning series champion Will Power was fourth at 228.577 in the No. 12 Team Penske Verizon Chevrolet. Power also was second fastest on the “no-tow” list, running 224.283 alone on the 2.5-mile oval. Colton Herta rounded out the top five overall at 228.240 in the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda fielded by Andretti Autosport with Curb-Agajanian. Speeds will jump during the next practice from noon-6 p.m. ET Friday. The Honda and Chevrolet engines that power the field will feature approximately 100 more horsepower due to increased boost levels that also will be available during PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying on Saturday and Sunday. Public gates open at 10 a.m. for “Fast Friday.”
(Photo of Takuma Sato by Joe Skibinski/Penske Entertainment)
After the first practice day was rained out on Tuesday, past winners Takuma Sato (No. 11 Chip Ganassi Racing Deloitte Honda) and Scott Dixon (No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing PNC Bank Honda) both topped 229 mph as Chip Ganassi Racing drivers took four of the top seven spots on the speed chart in the first day of practice Wednesday for the 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. Two-time “500” winner Sato led with a top lap of 39.2261 seconds, 229.439 mph, turned in the final two hours under sunny skies and air temperatures in the mid-70s. 2008 Indy 500 winner Dixon was second at 229.174 on a lap turned in the first 10 minutes of the day. This is Sato’s first “500” outing with the powerful Ganassi team. He won the race in 2017 with Andretti Autosport and in 2020 with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. “The organization is very impressive,” Sato said. “Everything is in the right place and the right people. They use their resources and make the most of it. Preparation is simply impressive.“ Santino Ferrucci (No. 14 A.J. Foyt Racing Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet) was third at 228.977. 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion and current series points leader Alex Palou was fourth at 228.720 in the No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing The American Legion Honda. Scott McLaughlin was fifth at 228.473 in the No. 3 Team Penske Pennzoil Chevrolet. Reigning “500” winner Marcus Ericsson rounded out the four-car Chip Ganassi Racing team in seventh at 227.701 in the No. 8 Huski Ice Spritz Honda. Practice resumes from noon-6 p.m. ET Thursday. Public gates open at 10 a.m. (Thank you to INDYCAR Media/IMS)
After the first practice day was rained out on Tuesday, past winners Takuma Sato (No. 11 Chip Ganassi Racing Deloitte Honda) and Scott Dixon (No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing PNC Bank Honda) both topped 229 mph as Chip Ganassi Racing drivers took four of the top seven spots on the speed chart in the first day of practice Wednesday for the 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. Two-time “500” winner Sato led with a top lap of 39.2261 seconds, 229.439 mph, turned in the final two hours under sunny skies and air temperatures in the mid-70s. 2008 Indy 500 winner Dixon was second at 229.174 on a lap turned in the first 10 minutes of the day. This is Sato’s first “500” outing with the powerful Ganassi team. He won the race in 2017 with Andretti Autosport and in 2020 with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. “The organization is very impressive,” Sato said. “Everything is in the right place and the right people. They use their resources and make the most of it. Preparation is simply impressive.“ Santino Ferrucci (No. 14 A.J. Foyt Racing Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet) was third at 228.977. 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion and current series points leader Alex Palou was fourth at 228.720 in the No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing The American Legion Honda. Scott McLaughlin was fifth at 228.473 in the No. 3 Team Penske Pennzoil Chevrolet. Reigning “500” winner Marcus Ericsson rounded out the four-car Chip Ganassi Racing team in seventh at 227.701 in the No. 8 Huski Ice Spritz Honda. Practice resumes from noon-6 p.m. ET Thursday. Public gates open at 10 a.m. (Thank you to INDYCAR Media/IMS)
(Indianapolis Motor Speedway)
The stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES begin preparation this week for the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on May 28. There are 34 entries set to contest the 33 starting spots for this year’s edition of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” including nine former winners. Marcus Ericsson delivered a stellar performance last year by fending off a late charge by Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren to claim his maiden “500” win, which gave team owner Chip Ganassi his fifth victory in the race as a sole team owner. Other former winners aiming for a spot in the race this year include four-time winner Helio Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021), two-time winner Takuma Sato (2017, 2020), plus single winners Scott Dixon (2008), Tony Kanaan (2013), Ryan Hunter-Reay (2014), Alexander Rossi (2016), Will Power (2018) and Simon Pagenaud (2019). The record for winners in one field is 10, set in 1992. Castroneves earned a spot with A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears in the most prestigious club in motorsports – four-time winners of the Indianapolis 500 – with his emotional victory May 30, 2021, in the No. 06 AutoNation/Sirius XM Honda fielded by Meyer Shank Racing. A record-breaking fifth would put Castroneves alone at the top with the most victories. Castroneves and Kanaan are both 48 years old, and a victory by either would make them the oldest winner in “500” history, a record held by Al Unser, who won the 1987 edition just five days shy of his 48th birthday. Ericsson has a chance to become the first back-to-back winner since Castroneves accomplished the feat in 2001 and 2002. If Ericsson secures a repeat win, he would earn a bonus of $420,000 courtesy of BorgWarner, the namesake of the Indy 500 trophy. The field includes seven past INDYCAR SERIES champions: Dixon, Hunter-Reay, Kanaan, Josef Newgarden, Pagenaud, Alex Palou and Power. Katherine Legge returns to The Speedway this month for the first time since 2013. A two-time starter of the "500," she will drive a one-off entry as the fourth car for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Four drivers will compete for top rookie honors, including multiple Argentina touring car champion Agustín Canapino, along with last year’s INDY NXT by Firestone race winners Benjamin Pedersen and Sting Ray Robb. RC Enerson, who narrowly missed making the field of 33 in 2021, is back for another run but this time with Abel Motorsports, an INDY NXT by Firestone team making its first attempt at the “500.” Practice opens Tuesday, May 16 and runs through Friday, May 19. PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21, followed by a two-hour practice Monday, May 22. The traditional final two-hour practice takes place on Miller Lite Carb Day, on Friday, May 26. Live Race Day coverage begins on NBC, Telemundo Deportes on Universo and the INDYCAR Radio Network at 11 a.m. (ET), with the green flag set for 12:45 p.m. (Thank you to IMS Media)
The stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES begin preparation this week for the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on May 28. There are 34 entries set to contest the 33 starting spots for this year’s edition of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” including nine former winners. Marcus Ericsson delivered a stellar performance last year by fending off a late charge by Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren to claim his maiden “500” win, which gave team owner Chip Ganassi his fifth victory in the race as a sole team owner. Other former winners aiming for a spot in the race this year include four-time winner Helio Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021), two-time winner Takuma Sato (2017, 2020), plus single winners Scott Dixon (2008), Tony Kanaan (2013), Ryan Hunter-Reay (2014), Alexander Rossi (2016), Will Power (2018) and Simon Pagenaud (2019). The record for winners in one field is 10, set in 1992. Castroneves earned a spot with A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears in the most prestigious club in motorsports – four-time winners of the Indianapolis 500 – with his emotional victory May 30, 2021, in the No. 06 AutoNation/Sirius XM Honda fielded by Meyer Shank Racing. A record-breaking fifth would put Castroneves alone at the top with the most victories. Castroneves and Kanaan are both 48 years old, and a victory by either would make them the oldest winner in “500” history, a record held by Al Unser, who won the 1987 edition just five days shy of his 48th birthday. Ericsson has a chance to become the first back-to-back winner since Castroneves accomplished the feat in 2001 and 2002. If Ericsson secures a repeat win, he would earn a bonus of $420,000 courtesy of BorgWarner, the namesake of the Indy 500 trophy. The field includes seven past INDYCAR SERIES champions: Dixon, Hunter-Reay, Kanaan, Josef Newgarden, Pagenaud, Alex Palou and Power. Katherine Legge returns to The Speedway this month for the first time since 2013. A two-time starter of the "500," she will drive a one-off entry as the fourth car for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Four drivers will compete for top rookie honors, including multiple Argentina touring car champion Agustín Canapino, along with last year’s INDY NXT by Firestone race winners Benjamin Pedersen and Sting Ray Robb. RC Enerson, who narrowly missed making the field of 33 in 2021, is back for another run but this time with Abel Motorsports, an INDY NXT by Firestone team making its first attempt at the “500.” Practice opens Tuesday, May 16 and runs through Friday, May 19. PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21, followed by a two-hour practice Monday, May 22. The traditional final two-hour practice takes place on Miller Lite Carb Day, on Friday, May 26. Live Race Day coverage begins on NBC, Telemundo Deportes on Universo and the INDYCAR Radio Network at 11 a.m. (ET), with the green flag set for 12:45 p.m. (Thank you to IMS Media)
(IMSA)
After a slow start to the weekend, with Sebastien Bourdais suffering a braking issue that sent the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R into a crash at Turn 6 during Friday’s practice session, Bourdais, co-driver Renger van der Zande and their Chip Ganassi Racing crew regrouped and put together a perfect race day to take their first win of the 2023 season at the Motul Course de Monterey Powered By Hyundai N at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Van der Zande ran second in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race when racing resumed with 41 minutes remaining following the final full-course caution of the two-hour, 40-minute contest. He powered to the outside of the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Racing Cadillac driven by Alexander Sims through Turns 3 and 4 before edging ahead up the hill leading to the Rahal Straight. The bright yellow No. 01 Cadillac was never again headed as the final segment of the race ran green to the finish. Van der Zande built a lead as large as 5.5 seconds before Nick Tandy in the No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963 cut it in half as the two GTP class prototypes negotiated traffic. But he was never seriously challenged, crossing the line 3.882 seconds ahead of the Porsche shared by Tandy and Mathieu Jaminet. Sims and Pipo Derani finished third in the No. 31 Cadillac. The next round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, June 22-25. The 6-hour contest at Watkins Glen International is also the third of four races in the 2023 IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup. Watch the Race Highlights here. (Thank you to John Oreovicz/IMSA Wire Service)
After a slow start to the weekend, with Sebastien Bourdais suffering a braking issue that sent the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R into a crash at Turn 6 during Friday’s practice session, Bourdais, co-driver Renger van der Zande and their Chip Ganassi Racing crew regrouped and put together a perfect race day to take their first win of the 2023 season at the Motul Course de Monterey Powered By Hyundai N at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Van der Zande ran second in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race when racing resumed with 41 minutes remaining following the final full-course caution of the two-hour, 40-minute contest. He powered to the outside of the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Racing Cadillac driven by Alexander Sims through Turns 3 and 4 before edging ahead up the hill leading to the Rahal Straight. The bright yellow No. 01 Cadillac was never again headed as the final segment of the race ran green to the finish. Van der Zande built a lead as large as 5.5 seconds before Nick Tandy in the No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963 cut it in half as the two GTP class prototypes negotiated traffic. But he was never seriously challenged, crossing the line 3.882 seconds ahead of the Porsche shared by Tandy and Mathieu Jaminet. Sims and Pipo Derani finished third in the No. 31 Cadillac. The next round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, June 22-25. The 6-hour contest at Watkins Glen International is also the third of four races in the 2023 IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup. Watch the Race Highlights here. (Thank you to John Oreovicz/IMSA Wire Service)
(IMSA
Steven Thomas and Mikkel Jensen overcame a pair of pit stop miscues in the No. 11 TDS Racing ORECA LMP2 07 to win Sunday’s Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) portion of the Motul Course de Monterey and take the LMP2 championship lead in the process. They finished 5.095 seconds ahead of Ben Keating and Paul-Loup Chatin in the No. 52 PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports ORECA. (Thank you to Mark Robinson/IMSA WIre Service)
Steven Thomas and Mikkel Jensen overcame a pair of pit stop miscues in the No. 11 TDS Racing ORECA LMP2 07 to win Sunday’s Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) portion of the Motul Course de Monterey and take the LMP2 championship lead in the process. They finished 5.095 seconds ahead of Ben Keating and Paul-Loup Chatin in the No. 52 PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports ORECA. (Thank you to Mark Robinson/IMSA WIre Service)
(IMSA)
Kay Van Berlo caught and passed Andy Lally for the lead with 23 minutes remaining and went on to win the GTD class Sunday in the Motul Course de Monterey Powered by Hyundai N, the fourth race of the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. With 45 minutes remaining in the two-hour, 40-minute race, van Berlo and the No. 91 Kellymoss with Riley Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) he co-drove with Alan Metni emerged from the pits behind Lally in the No. 44 Magnus Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 he shared with John Potter. Shortly after that, van Berlo passed Lally for the lead. “With one hour to go, everything settled and I was like, ‘Oh, we’re in P2 and the car in front of us is on slightly older tires,’” van Berlo said. "I thought we could actually go and win here. … I was just waiting and waiting and waiting while defending the car behind me. I had one opportunity and went for it.” Bill Auberlen eventually passed Lally to finish second in the No. 97 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 he co-drove with Chandler Hull. “We’re on a little bit of a roll,” Auberlen said. “The Porsches had us, but at least I could race somebody. I could get in there and get close. I wasn’t just getting dropped.” The Kellymoss with Riley team car, the pole-winning No. 92 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) co-driven by Alec Udell and Julien Andlauer, rallied to finish third, securing a banner weekend for a team that expanded into the WeatherTech Championship this season from the Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America. (Thank you to Jeff Olson/IMSA WIre Service)
Kay Van Berlo caught and passed Andy Lally for the lead with 23 minutes remaining and went on to win the GTD class Sunday in the Motul Course de Monterey Powered by Hyundai N, the fourth race of the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. With 45 minutes remaining in the two-hour, 40-minute race, van Berlo and the No. 91 Kellymoss with Riley Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) he co-drove with Alan Metni emerged from the pits behind Lally in the No. 44 Magnus Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 he shared with John Potter. Shortly after that, van Berlo passed Lally for the lead. “With one hour to go, everything settled and I was like, ‘Oh, we’re in P2 and the car in front of us is on slightly older tires,’” van Berlo said. "I thought we could actually go and win here. … I was just waiting and waiting and waiting while defending the car behind me. I had one opportunity and went for it.” Bill Auberlen eventually passed Lally to finish second in the No. 97 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 he co-drove with Chandler Hull. “We’re on a little bit of a roll,” Auberlen said. “The Porsches had us, but at least I could race somebody. I could get in there and get close. I wasn’t just getting dropped.” The Kellymoss with Riley team car, the pole-winning No. 92 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) co-driven by Alec Udell and Julien Andlauer, rallied to finish third, securing a banner weekend for a team that expanded into the WeatherTech Championship this season from the Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America. (Thank you to Jeff Olson/IMSA WIre Service)
(IMSA)
Jules Gounon (No. 79 WeatherTech Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 he co-drove with Daniel Juncadella) took advantage of others’ missteps to claim victory in GTD PRO. Gounon moved into first place with 37 minutes left when Ross Gunn (No. 23 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage GT3) and Antonio Garcia (No. 3 Corvette Racing Corvette C8.R GTD) were issued penalties of stop plus two minutes and 50 seconds for taking improper wave-bys during the race’s final full-course caution period. The penalties pushed Gounon into the GTD PRO lead. “We knew we would have difficulty on pace this weekend,” Gounon said. “We know we were not the fastest car, so we focused on what we could control. It was not one fast lap, but the entire race." Ben Barnicoat held on for second place with co-driver Jack Hawksworth, keeping the No. 14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 atop the GTD PRO standings with its 14th consecutive podium finish. The No. 79 Mercedes teammates are second, 41 points behind the leaders. The pole-winning No. 9 Pfaff Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) co-driven by Klaus Bachler and Patrick Pilet rallied from an early penalty to finish third. (Thank you to Jeff Olson/IMSA WIre Service)
Jules Gounon (No. 79 WeatherTech Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 he co-drove with Daniel Juncadella) took advantage of others’ missteps to claim victory in GTD PRO. Gounon moved into first place with 37 minutes left when Ross Gunn (No. 23 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage GT3) and Antonio Garcia (No. 3 Corvette Racing Corvette C8.R GTD) were issued penalties of stop plus two minutes and 50 seconds for taking improper wave-bys during the race’s final full-course caution period. The penalties pushed Gounon into the GTD PRO lead. “We knew we would have difficulty on pace this weekend,” Gounon said. “We know we were not the fastest car, so we focused on what we could control. It was not one fast lap, but the entire race." Ben Barnicoat held on for second place with co-driver Jack Hawksworth, keeping the No. 14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 atop the GTD PRO standings with its 14th consecutive podium finish. The No. 79 Mercedes teammates are second, 41 points behind the leaders. The pole-winning No. 9 Pfaff Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) co-driven by Klaus Bachler and Patrick Pilet rallied from an early penalty to finish third. (Thank you to Jeff Olson/IMSA WIre Service)
(INDYCAR/Penske Entertainment)
Alex Palou (No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing American Legion Honda) and his team employed a potent combination of speed and strategy to win the GMR Grand Prix on Saturday on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, the Spaniard’s first victory of the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. 2021 series champion Palou, who started third, finished 16.8006-seconds ahead of runner-up Pato O’Ward in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner Alexander Rossi finished third in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, his first podium result with the team he joined this season after seven years at Andretti Autosport. “We honestly knew we had a fast car since P1 (first practice) yesterday,” Palou said. “The car has been amazing all weekend. Once we knew we were starting on reds (Firestone alternate tires), I think we knew we were going to fight for the win. Amazing work by these guys. I just had to execute.” Watch the Race Highlights from Motorsports on NBC here. (Thank you to INDYCAR Media)
Alex Palou (No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing American Legion Honda) and his team employed a potent combination of speed and strategy to win the GMR Grand Prix on Saturday on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, the Spaniard’s first victory of the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. 2021 series champion Palou, who started third, finished 16.8006-seconds ahead of runner-up Pato O’Ward in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner Alexander Rossi finished third in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, his first podium result with the team he joined this season after seven years at Andretti Autosport. “We honestly knew we had a fast car since P1 (first practice) yesterday,” Palou said. “The car has been amazing all weekend. Once we knew we were starting on reds (Firestone alternate tires), I think we knew we were going to fight for the win. Amazing work by these guys. I just had to execute.” Watch the Race Highlights from Motorsports on NBC here. (Thank you to INDYCAR Media)
(James Black/Penske Entertainment)
Pato O’Ward (No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet) finished second on Saturday.
Pato O’Ward (No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet) finished second on Saturday.
(Photo by Joe Skibinki/Penske Entertainment)
Alexander Rossi finished third in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, his first podium result with the team he joined this season after seven years at Andretti Autosport.
Alexander Rossi finished third in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, his first podium result with the team he joined this season after seven years at Andretti Autosport.
(INDYCAR/Penske Entertainment)
Matteo Nannini drove to his first career INDY NXT by Firestone victory, holding off fellow series rookie Louis Foster in a compelling duel Saturday on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Nannini, from Italy, drove his No. 75 Juncos Hollinger Racing machine from the pole to the victory by .3909 of a second over the No. 26 Copart/USF Pro Championship car of Foster, fielded by Andretti Autosport. Nannini led all 35 laps of the INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix despite unyielding pressure from Foster over the last quarter of the race. (Thank you to INDYCAR Media)
Matteo Nannini drove to his first career INDY NXT by Firestone victory, holding off fellow series rookie Louis Foster in a compelling duel Saturday on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Nannini, from Italy, drove his No. 75 Juncos Hollinger Racing machine from the pole to the victory by .3909 of a second over the No. 26 Copart/USF Pro Championship car of Foster, fielded by Andretti Autosport. Nannini led all 35 laps of the INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix despite unyielding pressure from Foster over the last quarter of the race. (Thank you to INDYCAR Media)
(Photo of Marco Bezzechi by AE Special Contributor Whit Bazemore)
Drama, clashes, glory and a title twist: #GP1000 had it all. Bezzecchi bounced back as Bagnaia bounced through the gravel, turning the Championship story on its head after an action-packed French GP. Take a minute to catch your breath after what was an incredible SHARK Grand Prix! Marco Bezzecchi (No. 72 Mooney VR46 Racing Team) takes a special place in history as the race winner at the 1000th FIM Grand Prix after a stunning break for glory in front of a record crowd at Le Mans, and there was drama, drama, drama throughout the field. First, Bezzecchi is now just one point behind Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (No. 1 Ducati Lenovo Team) after the Italian crashed out of the race in a dramatic clash with Maverick Viñales (No. 12 Aprilia Racing)… gravel trap shouting match included, but both riders ok. Then, Jorge Martin (No. 89 Prima Pramac Racing) vs Marc Marquez (No. 93 Repsol Honda Team) lit up the fight for second in a tough but fair tussle, but that then ended in late-race heartbreak for the Marquez as he slid out. For the French fans, however, it did mean Johann Zarco (No. 5 Prima Pramac Racing) was then promoted to a glorious home podium after some impressive Sunday pace, giving the 278,805 record crowd even more to cheer about. Watch the Race Highlights from Motorsports on NBC here. (Thank you to MotoGP.com)
Drama, clashes, glory and a title twist: #GP1000 had it all. Bezzecchi bounced back as Bagnaia bounced through the gravel, turning the Championship story on its head after an action-packed French GP. Take a minute to catch your breath after what was an incredible SHARK Grand Prix! Marco Bezzecchi (No. 72 Mooney VR46 Racing Team) takes a special place in history as the race winner at the 1000th FIM Grand Prix after a stunning break for glory in front of a record crowd at Le Mans, and there was drama, drama, drama throughout the field. First, Bezzecchi is now just one point behind Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (No. 1 Ducati Lenovo Team) after the Italian crashed out of the race in a dramatic clash with Maverick Viñales (No. 12 Aprilia Racing)… gravel trap shouting match included, but both riders ok. Then, Jorge Martin (No. 89 Prima Pramac Racing) vs Marc Marquez (No. 93 Repsol Honda Team) lit up the fight for second in a tough but fair tussle, but that then ended in late-race heartbreak for the Marquez as he slid out. For the French fans, however, it did mean Johann Zarco (No. 5 Prima Pramac Racing) was then promoted to a glorious home podium after some impressive Sunday pace, giving the 278,805 record crowd even more to cheer about. Watch the Race Highlights from Motorsports on NBC here. (Thank you to MotoGP.com)
(Photo of Jorge Martin by AE Special Contributor Whit Bazemore)
French Kiss.
By Whit Bazemore
Bend. The hugely popular French Grand Prix in Le Mans, held on the famed, permanent 2.57mi Bugatti Circuit, is almost always one of the most unpredictable races on the MotoGP calendar. The fickle weather can play a part, as do the track’s fast, sweeping turns — most with romantic French names such as Raccordement, Garage Vert, La Chappell, and the most romantic of all for us hardcore racing people, the decidedly non-French named, Dunlop Curve.
This year, MotoGP headed to France under something of a black cloud. Serious injuries had blighted the first four races and had left the sport with several of its main championship protagonists out due to long recoveries, including the sport’s biggest talent, biggest star, and the wearer of the so-called “black hat,” Marc Marquez.
Many inside the sport have felt that MotoGP’s efforts to copy F1 by introducing a Saturday afternoon sprint race had played a role in these crashes, mostly by condensing the weekend schedule in such a way that race weekend bike development had been too severely compromised. It is an argument with much merit. Additionally, the bikes themselves, are now much more difficult to perfect and are now only “perfect” in an extremely narrow window in the best of times. In MotoGP, however, the window for compromise is also extremely small, if it exists at all.
Also at issue leading up to the French GP were the ongoing problems of race stewardship. Led by former racing hero, all round nice guy, and multiple World Champion Freddie Spencer, the stewards have come under increasing criticism in recent years, primarily due to inconsistent decision making. Add to that, their very existence tends to “deaden” the racing action, and one can rightfully wonder, in the famous words of David Byrne, “How did we get here?” Recent decisions by the stewards to punish racers for making non-crash-inducing contact had left many wondering the purpose of it all. Also, some crashes this season were punished more severely than others, leading to public outcry from many racers.
The steward's negative impact on the actual product, the on-track action, was never more apparent than at the Spanish GP two weeks ago, when KTM rider Brad Binder said post-race that he decided against a last-lap, last-turn pass on race winner Pecco Bagnaia because he felt “some contact might occur and he would then be punished by the stewards.” This robbed the sport and its fans of the very definition of what MotoGP is all about: the best, bravest, and fastest road racers giving 100% to win and to become racing heroes to all. Instead, we had a racer who was afraid — not of crashing, not of injury — but of throwing away a second place due to a decision made by others in a room watching the race, and allowing their opinions of right and wrong dictate an outcome. It is not Binder’s fault — he felt he could have won the race, but not without some contact with Bagnaia. It would have been epic, such as it has been several times, pre-stewards, in the past.
This is a disgusting reality of today’s racing. There is no other word.
So, what would the French GP bring?
A Friday meeting between all the riders and the stewards attempted to clear the air and address the issues. The results and comments post meeting were mixed. Some felt it was a waste of time, while other riders actually felt they were heard.
The real answer is to look at history, and realize that racing is best when it is “self policed.” Respect from one’s competitors is everything, and in MotoGP, there will never, ever be a Senna — Prost situation. Never. Although one could rightfully argue that the Rossi — Marquez incident at Sepang in 2015 was in fact a Senna — Prost situation, the odds of that happening again at high speed are very, very slim. The sport seems different. The price from all the other riders would be too high. Let them race without outside interference. It is called racing after all. No one is so stupid to compete without knowing full well the possible realities of this sport.
The French weekend was full of drama, and full of hard, close racing. Marquez was back from injury, and despite having basically no racing miles this season, featured strongly on what is essentially a noncompetitive Repsol Honda. Marc raced hard for second against a future MotoGP Champion, fellow Spaniard Jorge Martin, before losing the front with one and a half laps to go. Nevertheless. he was very happy with the result, and has three weeks to be fit for Mugello.
Championship leader Pecco Bagnaia was involved in an early crash with Maverick Vinales, which resulted in some, ahem, “fisticuffs.” Not Donnie, Bobby, and Cale 1979 Daytona-style fisticuffs, but more the type AJ Foyt might have branded “European kinda fighting” had he been witness to something similar back in the day. It was harmless, but the points Bagnaia lost to eventual race winner, “underdog” Marco Bezzecchi were not harmless. He still leads the Championship by one point.
Frenchman Johann Zarco rounded out the podium for the French fans, giving them something more personal to cheer about other than simply great racing.
This was the 1000th MotoGP race ever. It seems appropriate that the largest ever race day crowd turned out to watch it: 279k + mad and passionate French fans.
All issues aside — over anxious stewards, too much aero technology, too many injured riders, not enough passing (which was definitely not an issue this weekend), no public hard core rivalries (this will occur again in due time, naturally, sooner rather than later) — if the next 1000 races are anything at all like the 2023 French GP, we are all in for more of the same: the best motorsport on this Earth.
Race 1001, in three weeks, on the imposing Mugello circuit in Italy. Don’t you dare miss it!
French Kiss.
By Whit Bazemore
Bend. The hugely popular French Grand Prix in Le Mans, held on the famed, permanent 2.57mi Bugatti Circuit, is almost always one of the most unpredictable races on the MotoGP calendar. The fickle weather can play a part, as do the track’s fast, sweeping turns — most with romantic French names such as Raccordement, Garage Vert, La Chappell, and the most romantic of all for us hardcore racing people, the decidedly non-French named, Dunlop Curve.
This year, MotoGP headed to France under something of a black cloud. Serious injuries had blighted the first four races and had left the sport with several of its main championship protagonists out due to long recoveries, including the sport’s biggest talent, biggest star, and the wearer of the so-called “black hat,” Marc Marquez.
Many inside the sport have felt that MotoGP’s efforts to copy F1 by introducing a Saturday afternoon sprint race had played a role in these crashes, mostly by condensing the weekend schedule in such a way that race weekend bike development had been too severely compromised. It is an argument with much merit. Additionally, the bikes themselves, are now much more difficult to perfect and are now only “perfect” in an extremely narrow window in the best of times. In MotoGP, however, the window for compromise is also extremely small, if it exists at all.
Also at issue leading up to the French GP were the ongoing problems of race stewardship. Led by former racing hero, all round nice guy, and multiple World Champion Freddie Spencer, the stewards have come under increasing criticism in recent years, primarily due to inconsistent decision making. Add to that, their very existence tends to “deaden” the racing action, and one can rightfully wonder, in the famous words of David Byrne, “How did we get here?” Recent decisions by the stewards to punish racers for making non-crash-inducing contact had left many wondering the purpose of it all. Also, some crashes this season were punished more severely than others, leading to public outcry from many racers.
The steward's negative impact on the actual product, the on-track action, was never more apparent than at the Spanish GP two weeks ago, when KTM rider Brad Binder said post-race that he decided against a last-lap, last-turn pass on race winner Pecco Bagnaia because he felt “some contact might occur and he would then be punished by the stewards.” This robbed the sport and its fans of the very definition of what MotoGP is all about: the best, bravest, and fastest road racers giving 100% to win and to become racing heroes to all. Instead, we had a racer who was afraid — not of crashing, not of injury — but of throwing away a second place due to a decision made by others in a room watching the race, and allowing their opinions of right and wrong dictate an outcome. It is not Binder’s fault — he felt he could have won the race, but not without some contact with Bagnaia. It would have been epic, such as it has been several times, pre-stewards, in the past.
This is a disgusting reality of today’s racing. There is no other word.
So, what would the French GP bring?
A Friday meeting between all the riders and the stewards attempted to clear the air and address the issues. The results and comments post meeting were mixed. Some felt it was a waste of time, while other riders actually felt they were heard.
The real answer is to look at history, and realize that racing is best when it is “self policed.” Respect from one’s competitors is everything, and in MotoGP, there will never, ever be a Senna — Prost situation. Never. Although one could rightfully argue that the Rossi — Marquez incident at Sepang in 2015 was in fact a Senna — Prost situation, the odds of that happening again at high speed are very, very slim. The sport seems different. The price from all the other riders would be too high. Let them race without outside interference. It is called racing after all. No one is so stupid to compete without knowing full well the possible realities of this sport.
The French weekend was full of drama, and full of hard, close racing. Marquez was back from injury, and despite having basically no racing miles this season, featured strongly on what is essentially a noncompetitive Repsol Honda. Marc raced hard for second against a future MotoGP Champion, fellow Spaniard Jorge Martin, before losing the front with one and a half laps to go. Nevertheless. he was very happy with the result, and has three weeks to be fit for Mugello.
Championship leader Pecco Bagnaia was involved in an early crash with Maverick Vinales, which resulted in some, ahem, “fisticuffs.” Not Donnie, Bobby, and Cale 1979 Daytona-style fisticuffs, but more the type AJ Foyt might have branded “European kinda fighting” had he been witness to something similar back in the day. It was harmless, but the points Bagnaia lost to eventual race winner, “underdog” Marco Bezzecchi were not harmless. He still leads the Championship by one point.
Frenchman Johann Zarco rounded out the podium for the French fans, giving them something more personal to cheer about other than simply great racing.
This was the 1000th MotoGP race ever. It seems appropriate that the largest ever race day crowd turned out to watch it: 279k + mad and passionate French fans.
All issues aside — over anxious stewards, too much aero technology, too many injured riders, not enough passing (which was definitely not an issue this weekend), no public hard core rivalries (this will occur again in due time, naturally, sooner rather than later) — if the next 1000 races are anything at all like the 2023 French GP, we are all in for more of the same: the best motorsport on this Earth.
Race 1001, in three weeks, on the imposing Mugello circuit in Italy. Don’t you dare miss it!
(IMS/Chevrolet)
A hardtop convertible Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - in Red Mist Metallic with two-tone Jet Black and Sky Cool Gray with Torch Red accents on the interior - will lead the field to the green flag for the 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 28, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Spider-design forged aluminum wheels finished in Tech Bronze and a Carbon Aero package - providing 734 pounds of downforce at 186 mph - complete the Corvette pace car's look. Corvette has paced “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” more times than any other car. The 2023 race marks the 34th time for Chevrolet to pace dating back to 1948 and the 20th time overall and since 1978 for the Corvette. The 2023 Corvette Z06 is powered by a 5.5L LT6 with 670HP, making it the highest-horsepower naturally aspirated V8 ever to ever hit the market in any production car.
A hardtop convertible Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - in Red Mist Metallic with two-tone Jet Black and Sky Cool Gray with Torch Red accents on the interior - will lead the field to the green flag for the 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 28, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Spider-design forged aluminum wheels finished in Tech Bronze and a Carbon Aero package - providing 734 pounds of downforce at 186 mph - complete the Corvette pace car's look. Corvette has paced “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” more times than any other car. The 2023 race marks the 34th time for Chevrolet to pace dating back to 1948 and the 20th time overall and since 1978 for the Corvette. The 2023 Corvette Z06 is powered by a 5.5L LT6 with 670HP, making it the highest-horsepower naturally aspirated V8 ever to ever hit the market in any production car.
Our dearly departed billboard at Road America. As most of you know, Peter coined the phrase "America's National Park of Speed" and gifted it to the track. -WG
The overall vision of Road America grew out of the dreams of Clif Tufte, a highway engineer, who chose 525 acres of Wisconsin farmland outside the Village of Elkhart Lake for the track. The natural topography of the glacial Kettle Moraine area was utilized for the track and for fan viewing areas, sweeping around rolling hills and plunging through ravines. Since opening in 1955, countless facility improvements have been made over the years, but the 4.048-mile, 14-turn road course itself is virtually the same today as it was when it was first laid out. Now in 2023, an entirely new track surface stands ready for racers and enthusiasts alike. - Road America
Editor's Note: You can access previous issues of AE by clicking on "Next 1 Entries" below. - WG