Round 5: Angie's List Grand Prix of Indianapolis

[bjohnsonsmith]

Round 5: Angie's List Grand Prix of Indianapolis, 7 - 9 May, 2015.

Last year was the first time in the history of American Open Wheel Racing and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that the IMS hosted the first of two consecutive rounds, of the IndyCar series in the Month of May; the Grand Prix of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis 500.

The race took place on a modified layout of the circuit previously used for the F1 United States Grand Prix, from 2000 - 2007 and currently used by the MotoGP, Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix. The race was run clockwise, the opposite direction to the Indianapolis 500 and it also featured a standing start. However, pole sitter Sebastián Saavedra stalled as the lights went out and was hit by Carlos Munoz and Mikhail Aleshin, showering the track with carbon-fibre and resulting in a restart. The inaugural event was eventually won by French driver Simon Pagenaud, driving for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports.

Layout:


Length: 2.439 Miles (3.925 Kms)

Turns: 14
Lap record: Scott Dixon, May 10, 2014. 1:10.4062, 124.711 Mph (200.703 km/h). Chip Ganassi Racing, Dallara DW12-Chevrolet, Verizon IndyCar Series.

Last year's winner:
Simon Pagenaud
Schmidt Peterson Motorsports
Dallara DW12-Honda
Laps: 82
Distance: 199.998 Miles (321.85 Km)
Race Time: 2:04:24.0261
Average Speed: 96.463 Mph (155.242 Km/h)


TV Coverage:
ABC
Green flag at 3:30p.m. ET.

[fieldodreams79]

I couldn't bring myself to watch this one last year. Just seemed "wrong" then and still does.

Maybe I'll change my mind...

[cos]

This "TBA" driver is going to have a busy time - currently down to drive the #18 and #19.

[NaBUru38]

Last year's race was interesting, although it had too many caution breeds.

[BudLightJaguar]

Are they going to try a standing start this year? Or did they learn their lesson?

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by BudLightJaguar

Are they going to try a standing start this year? Or did they learn their lesson?

I don't think there was a lesson to be learnt, it was one of those things that can happen at the start of a race. Whether they attempt it again, I don't know, I haven't found anything to say one way or another but I'd like to see it given another go.

[cos]

No standing starts anywhere this year I think.

[Burp]

Yea I think they've abandoned standing starts for now. Shame really

[Salamus]

Originally Posted by Burp

Yea I think they've abandoned standing starts for now. Shame really

They aren't doing standing starts anymore...too dangerous. The anti-stall on these cars is terrible.

[Burp]

What I dont get though is not many drivers stall leaving the pits so why can't they get off the grid?

[Yannick]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

I couldn't bring myself to watch this one last year. Just seemed "wrong" then and still does.

Maybe I'll change my mind...

Well, the way I see it, this event is just the successor of the F1 race on the same track. Nothing more and nothing less. In the 80s, IndyCars took over the USGP West at Long Beach, too, and it's been a success ever since.

The Grand Prix of Indianapolis is going to be especially interesting from a technical point of view: since this track requires a low downforce setup and it's the first time that is required of the new aero kits, different teams will go for different solutions. And given how tight the field is at the time, there might even be a surprise winner.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by Yannick

Well, the way I see it, this event is just the successor of the F1 race on the same track. Nothing more and nothing less. In the 80s, IndyCars took over the USGP West at Long Beach, too, and it's been a success ever since.

The difference is these are IndyCars racing at THE speedway in May on a roval; this is not correct, IMO.

I am no "Speedway/Open Wheel Purist", but there's no need to replace the F1 event at this track as they did in LB. F1 left LB and there was a void, so in comes IndyCar. F1 left the speedway, you still got the 500. This would be like the Rolex 24 leaving Daytona, so they race the stockcars on the roval 2 weeks before the 500. Nonsense I say.

I am not attempting to rain on anyone's parade here and I am sure it will be as entertaining as the other events this year. If one can find enjoyment in this race, so be it. It just feels so wrong, IMO.

[D.R.T.]

Understand that perspective. That said - the traditional month of May was no longer financially viable for teams or the series.

This ensures more bang for the buck for the series, sponsors and teams whilst being at Indy.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

The difference is these are IndyCars racing at THE speedway in May on a roval; this is not correct, IMO.

I am no "Speedway/Open Wheel Purist", but there's no need to replace the F1 event at this track as they did in LB. F1 left LB and there was a void, so in comes IndyCar. F1 left the speedway, you still got the 500. This would be like the Rolex 24 leaving Daytona, so they race the stockcars on the roval 2 weeks before the 500. Nonsense I say.

I am not attempting to rain on anyone's parade here and I am sure it will be as entertaining as the other events this year. If one can find enjoyment in this race, so be it. It just feels so wrong, IMO.

CART did an excellent job of replacing LB as an F1 event.

This is going to be the 2nd running of this race and barring last year's start, I hope it works out.

The idea of running a race on the infield track was criticized last year because it was deemed gimmicky and it was argued, it would detract from the 500 and hit ticket sales.

If this race can garner interest in AOWR/IndyCar, which it sorely needs, great and if it does turn out to be a gimmick, then that's what it is.

[fieldodreams79]

I am being Debbie Downer, an attitude that has turned me away from other sub forums here, so my apologies. This race could garner more interest in the sport and perhaps the old May format for the 500 is a bit antiquated - I just don't see it or like it.

I sincerely hope y'all enjoy the race. Maybe I'll watch but more than likely, I'll see you for the 500.

[Nikki Katz]

I'd love to see standing starts, but not in the current car. If they got the gearbox fixed then great, but I don't see that happening any time soon. Rolling are better for IndyCar now.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Nikki Katz

I'd love to see standing starts, but not in the current car. If they got the gearbox fixed then great, but I don't see that happening any time soon. Rolling are better for IndyCar now.

I liked the idea of a alternating standing and rolling starts at the double headers, it was a bit gimmicky but it added variety, otherwise no double header no standing start.

[NaBUru38]

Saavedra stalled because he was too aggressive with the clutch. Drivers could adjust the progressiveness, and apparently several of them didn't take time to do that.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Qualifying is underway and IndyCar are streaming it.

http://racecontrol.indycar.com/

[bjohnsonsmith]

Will Power has broken Scott Dixon's lap record with a time of 1:09.4886 during qualifying for the fast 6 and gets pole.

[Burp]

I suppose due to the fact that its a low downforce circuit we didn't see the lap record beaten by that much

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Burp

I suppose due to the fact that its a low downforce circuit we didn't see the lap record beaten by that much

Scott Dixon's previous record was 1:10.4062 and Will Power's new record is 1:09.4886, that's the best part of a second quicker.

[Burp]

Oh, article I read said it was only beaten by 0.2sec. Must get more reliabe information source, Lol

[bjohnsonsmith]

That was an awful start, they weren't even aligned properly and then Dixon spins at turn one and chaos ensues and we have the first yellow of the day.

[BudLightJaguar]

That looked bizarre. Some of the drivers chose a different route.