IndyCars - Gateway: Racing in the shadow of the Arch

MarkyS · 2018-08-24T02:30:51.014Z

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The Indycars return to Madison, Illinois, 1 mile from the famous St. Louis Gateway Arch, to run the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 on the 1.25-mile oval at Gateway Motorsports Park.
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The Gateway Arch is visible to all those sitting on the top row of the Westside grandstands but actually the racing for the IndyCars will not be in its shadow, as this will be a night race. This is the 2nd race for the Indycars at Gateway, following their very successful 2017 return to the track after an absence of 14 years.

The track is a capsule-shaped oval, and much like Twin Ring Motegi in Japan, the North end of the oval is considerably larger than the South end:

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The guys at Gateway are going to make sure this is a great experience for area fans by including some exhibitions and three support races, along with the IndyCar race. Those support races will be a NASCAR K&N Pro Series race on Friday, and a Pro Mazda race and an Indy Lights race on Saturday, just prior to the IndyCar race.

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Let’s take a look at that support racing:

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K&N Pro Series - This is a regional oval-track stock car series sanctioned by NASCAR. The cars are older Cup or Xfinity cars with composite or steel bodies - the team’s choice - and the engines are either team-built or spec engines - again, the team’s choice. This is a training ground for NASCAR and some of the biggest names in the sport got their start here, but no IndyCar guys are here, so we will wish them safe and happy racing and concentrate on the open-wheel stuff, instead.

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K&N cars in action

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continued…

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MarkyS · 2018-08-24T02:34:45.357Z

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Support racing…

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Pro Mazda - The mid-level of the ladder system known as the Mazda Road to Indy, Pro Mazda uses the same Tatuus chassis as the entry level, USF2000, but the cars have a much more powerful engine, the tires and wheels are substantially bigger, the wings and aero are substantially more effective and the brakes are substantially more effective. This iteration is all new for 2018 and the racing as a result has been phenomenal, with broken track records by multiple seconds at every track the series has gone to. Because everyone was starting fresh with a new car many new teams and drivers entered the series for 2018 and they too have been phenomenal, with at least 10 series drivers capable of WINS on any given weekend.

The current points leader is rookie Rinus VeeKay from the Netherlands, a product of USF2000 driving for Juncos Racing. Canadian Parker Thompson led the series for Exclusive Autosport for much of the mid-season but he had a string of bad luck while VeeKay has compiled four race WINS in a row and now leads the series by a solid 25 points. But as Thompson can tell you, with three races left to run, racing fortunes can turn on a dime.

Rinus Veekay

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Indy Lights - The top step of the MRTI ladder, Indy Lights is a perfect vehicle to step from and go to IndyCars. The Dallara IL-15 handles much like the big cars and its 450 hp MZR-R 2.0 liter turbo-charged engine also has push-to-pass, which momentarily adds an additional 50 horsepower - just like the big cars. The brakes, tires, aero and electronics are all a cut above Pro Mazda, making the car also a great training ground for race engineers to also step into IndyCars. The real testimony to the integrity and worth of the series are the many Lights drivers who are already driving in IndyCars, right now.

The current points leader is Mexican teen Patricio O’Ward, driving for Andretti Autosport. Already an IMSA prototype series Champion - PC class, 2017 - O’Ward has 7 WINS so far this season - the last two in a sweep at Mid-Ohio. His closest rival is teammate Colton Herta, who once led the series points, but is now 32 points behind Pato due to his own misfortune at a few races. But again, with 3 series races left to run, anything can still happen.

Pato O’Ward

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Friday will be a day of practice and qualifying for all series racing and the K&N boys will race. Saturday will be race day for the open-wheel contingents. The big question is going to be WEATHER. Rain is forecast for both days, but in waves very early and very late in the days, with huge times of dry in between. With a little luck everything can be fit in between the rain. Let’s hope so.

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Let’s get this thing going!

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MarkyS · 2018-08-25T00:55:12.428Z

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Friday at Gateway - Pro Mazda hold practice…

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Practice is that event where the driver and the car’s engineer work together to maximize the car for the particular track configuration, the track condition on race weekend and the weather expected for the weekend. It is essential to have a practice in order for the team to realize the most performance during the race.

The first of the series to practice are the guys from Pro Mazda. As this is an oval race a lot of the field that would race on road and street courses is taking the weekend off and the field is down to the 11 cars that want the oval experience or the points - or both.

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Here was the order of speed for the P-1 practice session for Pro Mazda, with times for the TOP FIVE: [R] denotes rookie

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1 - Rinus VeeKay [R]), Juncos Racing - time of 00:31.6486s for a speed of 142.186mph

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2 - Oliver Askew [R], Cape Motorsports - time of 00:31.8495s for a speed of 141.290mph

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3 - Parker Thompson [R], Exclusive Autosport - time of 00:32.3209s for a speed of 139.229mph

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4 - Rob Megennis [R], Juncos Racing - time of 00:32.4543s for a speed of 138.657mph

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5 - David Malukas [R], BN Racing - time of 00:32.4674s for a speed of 138.601mph

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6 - Nikita Lastochkin, Cape Motorsports
7 - Harrison Scott [R], RP Motorsport Racing
8 - Moises de la Vara [R], DEForce Racing
9 - Charles Finelli, FatBoy Racing!
10 - Sting Ray Robb, Team Pelfrey
11 - Mathias Soler-Obel [R], RP Motorsport Racing

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Notable:

The TOP SEVEN car are all serious about their future in IndyCars and all are podium or race-winning drivers, and that is why they are here for the oval. It matters.
Parker Thompson was the clear WINNER of the Freedom 90 at Lucas Oil Raceway last May - the only other oval on the 2018 Pro Mazda calendar.
VeeKay’s time is unofficially under the track record - as expected.

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Next, the Indy Lights hold practice…

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MarkyS · 2018-08-25T01:13:34.251Z

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Friday evening at Gateway - The Indy Lights hold practice…

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Just like Pro Mazda before them, the Lights came out for a half-hour practice session.

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Here was the order of speed for the P-1 practice session for the Indy Lights, with times for all: [R] denotes rookie

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1 - Colton Herta, Andretti Steinbrenner - time of 00:27.8755s for a speed of 161.432mph

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2 - Ryan Norman, Andretti Autosport - time of 00:27.9447s for a speed of 161.032mph

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3 - Pato O’Ward [R], Andretti Autosport - time of 00:28.0171s for a speed of 160.616mph

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4 - Victor Franzoni [R], Juncos Racing - time of 00:28.1530s for a speed of 159.841mph

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5 - Santiago Urrutia, Belardi Auto Racing - time of 00:28.2252s for a speed of 159.432mph

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6 - Dalton Kellett, Andretti Autosport - time of 00:28.3397s for a speed of 158.788mph

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7 - Aaron Telitz, Belardi Auto Racing - time of 00:28.3487s for a speed of 158.737mph

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Notable:

Colton Herta suffered a thumb injury a few weeks ago that hampered his racing to some degree but he may be past it now. However a few hot laps doesn’t equal a race distance.
Ryan Norman has been improving all year and has become a legitimate podium contender. He may be ready to WIN his first Lights race.
Belardi seems to still be struggling compared to the Andretti guys and even potent drivers like Urrutia and Telitz are not able to compete as they should.

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Next, the big cars hold their first practice of the day…

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MarkyS · 2018-08-25T01:45:07.287Z

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Friday evening at Gateway - the IndyCars hold their P-1 practice session…

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Following both MRTI series the big cars held what is hoped to be the first of two practice sessions today, with qualifying sandwiched in between.

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Here is the order of speed for the P-1 session of the IndyCars, with times for the TOP FIVE: [R] denotes rookie

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1 - Alexander Rossi, Andretti Autosport - time of 00:24.4003s for a speed of 184.424mph

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2 - Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing - time of 00:24.6207s for a speed of 182.773mph

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3 - Sebastien Bourdais, Dale Coyne Racing w/ Vasser/Sullivan - time of 00:24.6339s for a speed of 182.675mph

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4 - Tony Kanaan, A.J. Foyt Enterprises - time of 00:24.6651s for a speed of 182.444 mph

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5 - Ed Jones, Chip Ganassi Racing - time of 00:24.6759s for a speed of 182.364mph

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6 - Ryan Hunter-Reay, Andretti Autosport
7 - Spencer Pigot, Ed Carpenter Racing
8 - Zach Veach [R], Andretti Autosport
9 - James Hinchcliffe, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports
10 - Josef Newgarden, Team Penske

11 - Will Power, Team Penske
12 - Simon Pagenaud, Team Penske
13 - Ed Carpenter, Ed Carpenter Racing
14 - Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan
15 - Gabby Chaves, Harding Racing
16 - Marco Andretti, Andretti Autosport
17 - Pietro Fittipaldi [R], Dale Coyne Racing
18 - Charlie Kimball, Carlin
19 - Max Chilton, Carlin
20 - Matheus Leist [R], A.J. Foyt Enterprises

21 - Takuma Sato, Rahal Letterman Lanigan

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Notable:

Alexander Rossi continues to come on strong in his bid to take his first championship, but Scott Dixon, currently leading in the points, is certainly NOT giving it away.
Five of the TOP SIX cars are Hondas, with Tony Kanaan the only Chevy in that group.
Absent from the grid is Robert Wickens, injured in a horrific crash at Pocono and in the hospital with undetermined injuries. His team, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, has elected NOT to replace him with someone else in the # 6 Lucas Oil Honda for Gateway.
Wickens has proven to be a top performer, despite his rookie status, but with him off the track the top performing rookie here is Zach Veach, looking for yet another TOP TEN finish - his goal for all the remaining races.

Rookies Robert Wickens (left) and Zach Veach

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Next the IndyCars should hold qualifying…

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MarkyS · 2018-08-25T02:19:01.529Z

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Friday evening at Gateway - The IndyCar qualifying has been cancelled…

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Due to the shortening of the day for weather, it has been determined that the time left for running on the track should be devoted to another practice session for the IndyCars, rather than qualifying, so the grid will be set based on series points, instead.

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Here is the way the IndyCars will grid for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500: [R] denotes rookie

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Row 1

Pole - Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing

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P2 - Alexander Rossi, Andretti Autosport

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Row 2

P3 - Josef Newgarden, Team Penske

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P4 - Will Power, Team Penske

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Row 3

P5 - Ryan Hunter-Reay, Andretti Autosport

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P6 - Simon Pagenaud, Team Penske

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Row 4

P7 - Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan
P8 - James Hinchcliffe, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports

Row 5

P9 - Sebastien Bourdais, Dale Coyne Racing w/ Vasser/Sullivan
P10 - Marco Andretti, Andretti Autosport

Row 6

P11 - Ed Carpenter, Ed Carpenter Racing
P12 - Ed Jones, Chip Ganassi Racing

Row 7

P13 - Takuma Sato, Rahal Letterman Lanigan
P14 - Spencer Pigot, Ed Carpenter Racing

Row 8

P15 - Tony Kanaan, A.J. Foyt Enterprises
P16 - Zach Veach [R], Andretti Autosport

Row 9

P17 - Charlie Kimball, Carlin
P18 - Matheus Leist [R], A.J. Foyt Enterprises

Row 10

P19 - Gabby Chaves, Harding Racing
P20 - Max Chilton, Carlin

Row 11

P21 - Pietro Fittipaldi [R], Dale Coyne Racing

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Notable:

With this type of grid it definitely helps some guys and hurts others this weekend, based on the P-1 session. Helped are Graham Rahal, Takuma Sato, and Simon Pagenaud, while hurt are Zach Veach, Tony Kanaan and Gabby Chaves. Other will certainly complain or breath a sigh of relief. It is what it is.

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NOTE: Both the Lights and Pro Mazda were also supposed to qualify today and they too may grid based on points, but that word hasn’t yet come through. When we have a grid for each - however they are formed - we will post them.

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Next, the IndyCars hold a final practice…

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MarkyS · 2018-08-25T02:46:13.111Z

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Friday night at Gateway - the IndyCar hold a final practice…

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…and it had some strange guys at the top. Final practice was held at night, just like the race will be and the times are just a bit under the times from this evening’s P-1 session.

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Here was the order of speed for the P-2 session, with times for thew TOP FIVE: [R] denotes rookie

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1 - Alexander Rossi, Andretti Autosport - time of 24.5821s for a speed of 183.060mph

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2 - Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing - time of 24.5872s for a speed of 183.022mph

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3 - Pietro Fittipaldi [R], Dale Coyne Racing - time of 24.6854s for a speed of 182.294mph

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4 - Ed Jones, Chip Ganassi Racing - time of 24.6889s for a speed of 182.268mph

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5 - Zach Veach [R], Andretti Autosport - time of 24.6913s for a speed of 182.250mph

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6 - Ryan Hunter-Reay, Andretti Autosport
7 - Tony Kanaan, A.J. Foyt Enterprises
8 - Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan
9 - Sebastien Bourdais, Dale Coyne Racing w/ Vasser/Sullivan
10 - Will Power, Team Penske

11 - Marco Andretti, Andretti Autosport
12 - Josef Newgarden, Team Penske
13 - Takuma Sato, Rahal Letterman Lanigan
14 - Simon Pagenaud, Team Penske
15 - James Hinchcliffe, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports
16 - Gabby Chaves, Harding Racing
17 - Spencer Pigot, Ed Carpenter Racing
18 - Ed Carpenter, Ed Carpenter Racing
19 - Max Chilton, Carlin
20 - Matheus Leist [R], A.J. Foyt Enterprises

21 - Charlie Kimball, Carlin

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Notable:

While Alexander and Scott are no surprise Pietro Fittipaldi in the TOP FIVE is a bit of a surprise, but look at his times - he is competitive.
Ed Jones and Zach Veach both showed speed in the P-1 session so they are a bit of a surprise but not that much. These Lights guys are both fast guys.
Tony Kanaan is also back in the top tier while Graham Rahal and teammate Takuma Sato have both improved over the P-1 session.
Josef Newgarden managed to brush the wall in the P-2 session but kept going to the pits, keeping the session going

Josef Newgarden

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This was the last on-track activity of the day.

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MarkyS · 2018-08-25T20:40:38.867Z

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Saturday morning at Gateway - Pro Mazda holds a 2nd practice…

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Some of the stuff that was supposed to happen on Friday has been put off until today and that includes a 2nd practice and qualifying for Pro Mazda and Indy Lights. First, the Pro Mazda practice…

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Here was the order of speed for the P-2 session of Pro Mazda, with times for the TOP FIVE: [R] denotes rookie

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1 - Rinus VeeKay [R]), Juncos Racing - time of 00:31.9616s for a speed of 140.794mph

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2 - Harrison Scott [R], RP Motorsport Racing - time of 00:32.0210s for a speed of 140.533mph

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3 - Oliver Askew [R], Cape Motorsports - time of 00:32.2255s for a speed of 139.641mph

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4 - Parker Thompson [R], Exclusive Autosport - time of 00:32.2312s for a speed of 139.616mph

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5 - Rob Megennis [R], Juncos Racing - time of 00:32.3285s for a speed of 139.196mph

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6 - David Malukas [R], BN Racing
7 - Moises de la Vara [R], DEForce Racing
8 - Mathias Soler-Obel [R], RP Motorsport Racing
9 - Sting Ray Robb, Team Pelfrey
10 - Nikita Lastochkin, Cape Motorsports
11 - Charles Finelli, FatBoy Racing!

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Notable:

This is Harrison Scott’s first drive since his spectacular upside-down crash at Toronto, in which he was not injured but his car was…badly. He is anxious to do well, here.
Scott’s other oval appearance at Lucas Oil Raceway for the Freedom 90 was going well for an oval rookie, but he and Dave Malukas took each other out, late in the race.

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Next, the Lights hold their 2nd practice of the weekend…

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MarkyS · 2018-08-25T21:18:28.484Z

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Saturday morning at Gateway - the Indy Lights hold their P-2 session.

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Following the Pro Mazda boys the 7 Indy Lights cars presented for their final practice session before qualifying, later today.

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Here was the order of speed for the P-2 session of Indy Lights, with times for all: [R] denotes rookie

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1 - Pato O’Ward [R], Andretti Autosport - time of 00:28.0001s for a speed of 160.714mph

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2 - Ryan Norman, Andretti Autosport - time of 00:28.1477s for a speed of 159.871mph

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3 - Colton Herta, Andretti Steinbrenner - time of 00:28.1633s for a speed of 159.782mph

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4 - Dalton Kellett, Andretti Autosport - time of 00:28.2665s for a speed of 159.199mph

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5 - Victor Franzoni [R], Juncos Racing - time of 00:28.2899s for a speed of 159.067mph

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6 - Santiago Urrutia, Belardi Auto Racing - time of 00:28.3201s for a speed of 158.898mph

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7 - Aaron Telitz, Belardi Auto Racing - time of 00:28.5993s for a speed of 157.347mph

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Notable:

The shared data from the P-1 session has elevated all the Andretti cars to the TOP FOUR,. with Ryan Norman hanging on to his P2 spot while Pato and Colton swap spots. Improving was Dalton Kellett.

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Next, Pro Mazda qualifies for today’s race…

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MarkyS · 2018-08-25T22:00:52.708Z

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Saturday, mid-day at Gateway - Pro Mazda qualify…

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Qualifying for the MRTI cars on the oval is exactly as the big cars would have done, had they qualified: Each car goes out one at a time, runs a warm-up lap followed by two hot laps. The speed from those two laps is averaged and the fasted driver is on the pole, with everyone else lining up in order of speed.

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Here is way that Pro Mazda will grid for their race today, with times for the TOP SIX: [R] denotes rookie; the time is for two laps added together; the speed is the average of those two laps

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Row 1

Pole - Harrison Scott [R], RP Motorsport Racing - time of 01:04.4064s for a speed of 139.738mph

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P2 - Rinus VeeKay [R]), Juncos Racing - time of 01:04.4925s for a speed of 139.551mph

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Row 2

P3 - Moises de la Vara [R], DEForce Racing - time of 01:05.3451s for a speed of 137.730mph

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P4 - Rob Megennis [R], Juncos Racing - time of 01:05.3636s for a speed of 137.691mph

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Row 3

P5 - Oliver Askew [R], Cape Motorsports - time of 01:05.7979s for a speed of 136.782mph

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P6 - David Malukas [R], BN Racing - time of 01:06.0152s for a speed of 136.332mph

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Row 4

P7 - Mathias Soler-Obel [R], RP Motorsport Racing
P8 - Sting Ray Robb, Team Pelfrey

Row 5

P9 - Nikita Lastochkin, Cape Motorsports
P10 - Charles Finelli, FatBoy Racing!

Row 6

P11 - Parker Thompson [R], Exclusive Autosport

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Notable:

Championship contender Parker Thompson began to have engine management problems at the end of the practice session and that carried over into qualifying. Parker was not able to put in any time. His horrible luck continues.
This is Harrison Scott’s first Pro Mazda pole.

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Next, Indy Lights qualify…

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MarkyS · 2018-08-25T22:37:31.787Z

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Saturday afternoon at Gateway - Indy Lights qualify…

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Just as with Pro Mazda, the procedure is one warm-up lap followed by the two hot laps that define the speed for qualifying.

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Here is the way that Indy Lights will grid for their race today, with times for all: [R] denotes rookie

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Row 1

Pole - Colton Herta, Andretti Steinbrenner - time of 00:56.5771s for a speed of 159.075mph

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P2 - Ryan Norman, Andretti Autosport - time of 00:56.6379s for a speed of 158.904mph

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Row 2

P3 - Pato O’Ward [R], Andretti Autosport - time of 00:56.7329s for a speed of 158.638mph

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P4 - Aaron Telitz, Belardi Auto Racing - time of 00:56.8138s for a speed of 158.412mph

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Row 3

P5 - Dalton Kellett, Andretti Autosport - time of 00:56.8623s for a speed of 158.277mph

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P6 - Victor Franzoni [R], Juncos Racing - time of 00:56.8959s for a speed of 158.184mph

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Row 4

P7 - Santiago Urrutia, Belardi Auto Racing - time of 00:56.9252s for a speed of 158.102mph

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Notable:

This is Colton’s 3rd pole of the season and gives him one more valuable series point, trying to catch up to Pato O’Ward.
Ryan Norman tested here recently and his excellent consistency through practice and qualifying bode well for the race. He is seeking his first Indy Lights WIN in this, his sophomore season.
Santi Urrutia is very good here. Look for him to make quick gains in the race.

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Next, Pro Mazda race! The grid for that race is in post # 10.

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MarkyS · 2018-08-25T23:55:11.131Z

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Spotter’s guide - Changes in livery since Pocono…

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Only four IndyCars are changing their livery this race:

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Josef Newgarden was in the Hitachi car at Pocono but returns to the silver Verizon car this race at Gateway:

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Graham Rahal goes from a car touting Bobby Rahal Automotive Group to a Mi-Jack-sponsored car for Gateway:

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Simon Pagenaud was in an all-white Shell / Chevy Group car for Pocono but returns to the familiar Menard’s car for St. Louis:

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Marco Andretti was in the US Concrete car for Pocono but is in the Military-to-Motorsports car for Gateway:

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MarkyS · 2018-08-26T00:26:39.579Z

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Saturday afternoon at Gateway - The Pro Mazda guys race…

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The Pro Mazda podium was set early in the race and with it, likely the championship. At the finish, Nederlander Rinus VeeKay cemented his points lead with his 7th WIN of the season and 5th WIN in a row for Juncos Racing. P2 was teammate Rob Megennis in another great drive for the New Yorker while P3 went to English rookie Harrison Scott for RP Motorsport Racing.

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On the opening lap Rinus Veekay quickly passed pole-sitter Harrison Scott and Rob Megennis followed him through. That set the podium. By lap 7 the closest points rival for VeeKay, Parker Thompson for Exclusive Autosport, was into P9 from his P11 start. By lap 36 Parker took the next spot from David Malukas for BN Racing. A battle then developed for P6 between Nikita Lastochkin for Cape Motorsports, Mathius Soler-Obel for RP Motorsport Racing, Parker Thompson and David Malukas. On lap 43 Nikita faltered and was passed by Mathius, Parker and David in that order.

Two laps later Parker was by Soler-Obel for P6 and that was as far as he could advance. Rob Megennis spent the end of the race catching up to and worrying Rinus VeeKay, but didn’t have time to make a pass.

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Notable:

While mathematically still open, this WIN for VeeKay and Thompson’s bad luck in qualifying have pretty much given the title to Rinus. He needs to fail to start at Portland to NOT take the title.

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Here is your happy podium - That’s Rob Megennis in P2 on the left, Rinus VeeKay in P1 in the middle and Harrison Scott in P3 on the right:

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With this result, here are the TOP FIVE in points leaving Gateway:

1 - Rinus VeeKay 366
2 - Parker Thompson 319
3 - Oliver Askew 258
4 - David Malukas 252
4 - Carlos Cunha 252

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Next up for Pro Mazda are the two season finales at Portland, in support of the return of the IndyCars there, Aug 30-Sept 2. Next the Indy Lights hold their race. The grid for this race is in post # 11.

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MarkyS · 2018-08-26T02:39:20.688Z

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Saturday afternoon at Gateway - The Indy Lights race!

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The Lights race had a lot of great racing and a barn-burner of a finish that had the crowd on hand glad they came early, today. At the end, taking his first series WIN was Andretti Autosport’s Ryan Norman. P2 was his teammate and pole sitter, Colton Herta for Andretti Steinbrenner while P3 went to points-leader Patricio O’Ward, making for an all-Andretti podium.

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At the start of the race Santi Urrutia for Belardi Auto Racing made bold outside moves to go from P7 to P3 before the first lap was over, while Pato O’Ward slipped from P3 to P5, behind Aaron Telitz for Belardi. On lap 2 Pato took P4 from Aaron and then set after Santi in P3. After a few stabs ar him on the inside he decided to simply go around him on the outside and took P3 on lap 8.

That set up a big battle for P4 between the two Belardi guys, Urrutia and Telitz. They traded the position several times between them, using every inch of track to do it. By lap 54 Santi claimed the spot for good. In the mean time Herta and Norman moved away from the pack until they were all alone and only a few car-lengths apart. Herta set Fastest Lap trying to keep Norman at bay, but shortly afterwards Ryan re-set Fastest Lap as he closed up the gap between them.

On lap 89 Ryan was beside Colton but Herta was able to hold him off. On lap 70 Ryan took the high line around Herta and made it stick. For the next five laps Colton would make feints and thrusts, trying to regain the P1 spot but even though at times they were side-by-side or inches apart, the Ohioan was not to be denied his first WIN.

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Here is your happy podium - That’s Colton Herta in P2 on the left, Ryan Norman in P1 in the middle and Pato O’Ward in P3 on the right:

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With this result here are the TOP FIVE in points leaving Gateway:

1 - Pato O’Ward 428
2 - Colton Herta 403
3 - Santiago Urrutia 353
4 - Ryan Norman 314
5 - Victor Franzoni 302

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The next outings for Indy Lights are the two season finales at Portland, in support of the return of the IndyCars there, Aug 30-Sept 2. Next, it’s time for the IndyCars to race. The grid for this is in post # 6.

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MarkyS · 2018-08-26T05:30:14.726Z

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Saturday night at Gateway - the final oval race of the season for the IndyCars…

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The Bommarito Automotive Group 500 for 2018 will be remembered for the many on-track passes - though not at the front - and the differing duels and strategies that all played out at the very end of the race to conspire to feature the top three guys in points being all on the podium, together. Taking his 35th IndyCar WIN and 3rd of the season was Will Power for Team Penske. P2 was Alexander Rossi for Andretti Autosport who emerged at the position at the last moments of the race and held it against a hard-charging Scott Dixon for Chip Ganassi, who finished P3, only a few feet off Rossi’s tailpipe.

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Scott Dixon, from pole, led the first half of the race with Will Power in tow and Alexander Rossi always nearby, at times up as far as P2. On the opening lap Sebastien Bourdais for Dale Coyne Racing found the wall all by himself, bringing out the first caution of the day. For most of the rest of the race it was caution-free, allowing drivers to choose to run a three-stop strategy or a four-stop strategy.

Power took the lead on lap 150 and was in the lead for most of the race from then on but late in the race the only other caution occurred, as Ryan Hunter-Reay for Andretti Autosport had what seems to be fuel pressure problems. The full-course yellow to retrieve him allowed the track to be cleaned, opening up more passing lanes, and allowed drivers to commit to one strategy or the other - conserve fuel and go to the end or go all out and duck in for a splash.

Rossi chose to conserve and dropped down the order to as deep as P8 while Power and Dixon both chose to go for a late splash. As it turned out, both strategies were rewarding, as Power re-assumed the lead after his splash and Dixon returned in P3 while Rossi, remaining on track, moved up on both of them. It was just a matter of fractions of a second that determined how much the reward was for each man.

Another great short oval race, with suspense to the end.

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Notable:

Many drivers ran all out and had great races, as a result. Spencer Pigot went from a P14 start to a P6 finish. Pietro Fittipaldi went from P21 to P11 and Zach Veach went from P16 to finish P5 - the most on-track position gains of all and his 2nd best finish of the year.
Relatively speaking the driver with the worst night of the TOP FOUR in points was last year’s race winner, Josef Newgarden, who finished in P7 from his P3 start, and dropped from 3rd to 4th in points, as a result.
The TOP FOUR drivers in points all now have 3 WINS apiece - remarkable parity in this series. With two races left to run - Portland and Sonoma - any one of them can still take the title.

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Your happy podium - That’s Alexander Rossi in P2 on the left, Will Power in P1 in the middle and Scott Dixon in P3 on the right:

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With this result, here are the TOP FIVE in points leaving Gateway:

1 - Scott Dixon 568
2 - Alexander Rossi 542
3 - Will Power 500
4 - Josef Newgarden 490
5 - Ryan Hunter-Reay 421

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The next race for the IndyCars will be the return to the natural road course at Portland International Raceway, after many years absence from the schedule, Aug 30 to Sept 2. The full slate of Mazda Road to Indy series will also be their for their season finales.

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