IndyCar: Saturday Morning Report from the Brickyard

Good morning from the infamous Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the combined NTT INDYCAR Series, Indy NXT by Firestone,  NASCAR Xfinity Series, and the NASCAR Cup Series weekend.  This is the third time the two Series are racing together at IMS.

Thunderstorms are predicted for most of the day today and it is already storming this morning.   We hope this stops because lightning will delay the scheduled practice and qualifying for the Xfinity Series, NASCAR Cup Series and the Gallagher Grand Prix later today.

The IndyCar race is scheduled for 2:30 pm ET.  It will follow all the Xfinity and NASCAR Cup Series sessions, which might present an interesting track grip due to their Goodyear rubber that will be put down in their practice and qualifying sessions.

IndyCar drivers like the alternative (red) tire this weekend over the primary (black) tire.  We are guessing you will see two stints on the softer tire and one stint on the primary tires for most drivers.

Christian Lundgaard spoke about his expectations for the race. ” I know that Firestone has brought a different red alternate tires this weekend that we ran a few years ago. I think we’ve proven as a team that it doesn’t really matter which tire we’re on here, we’ll be fast. But I think it will be more favorable for a red race tomorrow, which is unlike the May race.”

“I think a lot in terms of strategy can happen tomorrow. If the NASCAR rubber will make a difference for that, potentially yes, potentially no, we don’t know at this point.  But I do think that this is our stronger race in terms of the two Indy GPs.”

When Scott Dixon starts the race today, he will make another milestone in his career by being the first IndyCar driver to make 319 consecutive starts, breaking his tie with Tony Kanaan.  The six-time series champion will start today’s race in a disappointing 16th position.

Here is the schedule for today’s events.  All times in Eastern time.

9:30 – 10 am    Pennzoil at the Brickyard presented by Advanced Auto Parts NASCAR                                             Xfinity Practice

10 – 11 am  Xfinity Series Qualifying

11:30 am – 12:30 pm     NASCAR Cup Series Practice

12:30 – 1:30 pm  NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying

2:30 pm  Green flag for the Gallaher Grand Prix NTT INDYCAR Series Race (85 laps)

5:30 pm  Pennzoil 150 presented by Advanced Auto Parts NASCAR Xfinity Series Race                            (62 laps)

Lucille Dust reporting live from Indianapolis