Round 5: The 108th running of the Indianapolis 500. May 14 - 26.

[NaBUru38]

I watched the international feed on Disney's Star+.

[broadrun96]

EARLY forecast is calling in to doubt the double getting done and the 500 running at all on Sunday. Thunderstorms and heavy rain predicted

[skycafe]

Rain, BO!

[broadrun96]

McLaren and Hendrick discussing Larsen and rain with back up drivers for both 500 and 600. Apparently there's some talk of TK getting refresher time or what I think is a better choice, United Autosports driver, some kid named Siegel.

Hendrick considering keeping Harvick on call like he did for N Wilkesboro but he could actually run in the 600. Sounds like Rick is leaning towards letting the call get late if they think there is a chance to finish the 500 on Sunday and Larson could miss out on points. NASCAR also seems keen to push for Larson to run the 500 and work out how to get in the 600. Nice to see NASCAR knows the PR of making it work over being in the way

[v8supes]

Makes sense imo because Larson is already in the "playoffs" so the loss would purely be more "stage points"

[GT3_Fan]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

EARLY forecast is calling in to doubt the double getting done and the 500 running at all on Sunday. Thunderstorms and heavy rain predicted

Honestly for the past decade all you really need to do is watch the last 10 laps of the race and that would be it. This ain't your early 1990s Indy 500 that I love and remember. I guess weather will put in some unpredictability in this for the laps before the 190th.

[chavez]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

I watched the international feed on Disney's Star+.

The NBC graphics package is similar to the international feed but has several enhancements.

International viewers of IndyCar (and NASCAR) have been getting a raw deal for many years.

Looking forward to Sunday when the international feed suddenly cuts way to a random shot to avoid showing something that the international viewers aren't allowed to see.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by GT3_Fan

Honestly for the past decade all you really need to do is watch the last 10 laps of the race and that would be it. This ain't your early 1990s Indy 500 that I love and remember. I guess weather will put in some unpredictability in this for the laps before the 190th.

Well you would be massively incorrect as multiple of the latest runnings have included off strategy wins and those who have driven through issues or slowly tweaked the car better for the day than quali. But it appears to be your mantra that only things in rose colored glasses are spectacular and everything new sucks. Makes me wonder why you bother then if it sucks. When an F1 or Indy race sucks I just turn it off and go do something else, see why I rarely watch WC races any more but that's as much the ridiculously bad tv than the racing but neither are great

[bjohnsonsmith]

This is Sunday's current weather forecast from weather.com.

[codename_47]

Is there actually any issue with Larson running the 600 on Sunday night then flying back to Indy for the 500 on the Monday?

[broadrun96]

Doubt it other than if he were to win and any required press or functions but NASCAR would make it work. And the forecast makes Mon even worse

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by GT3_Fan

Honestly for the past decade all you really need to do is watch the last 10 laps of the race and that would be it. This ain't your early 1990s Indy 500 that I love and remember. I guess weather will put in some unpredictability in this for the laps before the 190th.

The point of the first 160 laps is to let drivers choose their strategy depending on pace and caution periods. Then the final 40 laps determine who chose the right strategy.

[Tourer]

YouTube preview of the race from Motorsport.com & Autosport. Half hour long with following segments:
0:00 Indy 500 Race Preview
1:44 Penske's Sweeps the front row
3:03 McLaughlin's Pole
5:12 Does Power Have an Advantage?
6:32 Penske's Strategy for the Race
9:58 A Chance for a Back-to-Back Winner
10:35 Helio Castroneves Chances?
12:15 Who can Challenge Penske?
15:33 Kyle Larson Attempt at the Double
17:50 Nolan Siegel Efforts
20:32 Marcus Ericsson's Thoughts
30:29 Our Picks for the Indy 500

[broadrun96]

Well TK appears out of Larson's seat if he has to leave for the 600, guess they'll have to have Siegel ready? Guessing he's hanging out with McLaren as a United driver. Wonder where Zak will be for the weekend.

[joeb]

It still looks like a couple rounds of rain for race day. There could be a window to get some running in, but not sure how much. And we aren't just looking at rain, but severe storms possible, which means they will be extra careful with a couple hundred thousand people sitting in the stands.

[broadrun96]

It's looking slightly better, wonder who will try to race the rain incoming and try to hold on longer hoping for red, last to pit could be the winner of a short race

[v8supes]

Did we ever get an answer as to if Kyle Larson will race the 500 or the Coke 600 IF the race runs long?

[broadrun96]

Believe that will be a race day and likely in race decision, Hendrick sounds like he's willing to sub for him in the 600 if Larson is running well late. Wouldn't be surprised to see him park it if it's late and he's way back

[broadrun96]

Allgaier on standby if needed to start the 600, believe once he starts Larson is out even if he gets there later. Interestingly the updated forecast has rain likely in Indy and possible in Charlotte. Could he still do the double on Monday but I would guess a delayed race in Charlotte would be a day race but who knows.

[broadrun96]

Current forecast at the zoo

[Adam43]

Looks like it will stay clear for the pageantry.

[v8supes]

Im really hoping they can get the full race in. I know 101 laps would be an "official" race but it feels anticlimactic.

[broadrun96]

Yeah, it's gonna be wet soon. And behind that is warning madness, tornado watches inching that direction

[fieldodreams79]

Yikes. I guess Larson is gonna be doing a non rain dance but that looks imminent.

And found this gem:
https://x.com/nascarman_rr/status/17...USx7XTYSg&s=19

[Adam43]

It’s looking like it’ll be nasty. Time to hide for a bit.

Or have a sleep with a beer in your hand.