IndyCars - Indianapolis: The one time of the year that a right turn is possible and necessary

[MarkyS]

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There are always TWO IndyCar races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway every season. This weekend it’s time for racing at Indy with right turns included and going clockwise around the track, as we do The IndyCar Grand Prix!
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This one uses the Indy Road Course, internal to the great oval. As we said, the cars will run clockwise around the 2.439-mile, 14-turn circuit, which incorporates most of the front straight and its iconic yard of bricks at Start/Finish.
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The weekend is a love-fest for open-wheel fans, as no less than 7 races will be run over two days. They include:

• USF2000, 2 races on Friday and Saturday
• Pro Mazda, 2 races on Friday and Saturday
• Indy Lights, 2 races on Friday and Saturday
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…and, of course, the IndyCars will race on Saturday
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.Those three support series are collectively known as the Mazda Road to Indy - the ladder system that trains young drivers to eventually be able to get into the big cars, with one step at a time, one jump up in performance in each successive series. Making it all even better is the scholarship that a driver can earn with a series championship, enabling him or her to advance to the next series, the ride paid for a season This is HUGE in the motorsports world, and is a big reason why so many young talents from around the world join in the fray.
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Let’s look at them, starting with USF2000:
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USF2000 is the first step on the ladder and the cars will often be the first winged car with slicks that these young drivers will try. Despite their size, the racing is fast and furious with typically huge fields. Such will be the case at the Indy GP. The cars were replaced with an entirely new version in 2017, the Tatuus USF-17, and it has been a wonder, breaking records at all the series venues. Gifted with 175 hp from its 2.0 liter Mazda MZR inline 4 cylinder, the transmissions are paddle-shifted 6-speed sequential boxes and the brakes are Performance Friction Brakes ZR24 4-piston calipers, front and rear, with a driver-adjustable bias - It’s all great stuff to learn to race with. USF2000 has only had 2 races in the season, thus far, at St. Pete, and leaving there, the series points leader was Floridian Kyle Kirkwood for Cape Motorsports - the WINNER of one of those two races.

Kyle Kirkwood

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continued…
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M

[MarkyS]

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Support series…(part 2)…
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Pro Mazda is the middle car on the ladder. Entirely new for this year, it uses the same chassis as the Tatuus-USF17 but comes equipped with a much more powerful engine, much bigger tires and brakes and more wings, creating more downforce. In this iteration the car is the Tatuus PM-18. Even MORE than the USF2000 car, the PM-18 is heads and tails above the car it replaced and it too is shattering track records - sometimes by more than 4 seconds! The field is FULL of very talented kids from all over the globe, wanting to get in on the new car. Any one of ten series drivers at a minimum is capable of a WIN on any given weekend. After 4 races on the 2018 season the points leader coming to Indy is Canadian rookie Parker Thompson, driving for Exclusive Autosport.

Parker Thompson in his PM-18 for Exclusive Autosport

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Indy Lights is the top step on the ladder and a fitting stepping stone to the big cars. The Dallara IL-15 was new in 2015, replacing a decades-old chassis. It has a 450 hp Mazda 2.0 liter turbo-charged engine that is equipped with “push-to-pass” - the button on the steering wheel that releases additional turbo boost for a limited time, adding 50 additional ponies to the engine - just like on the big cars. The tires, wheels, brakes and downforce is all bigger and more than Pro Mazda, as are all the electronics, making the IL-15 a great place to not only train drivers but also their race engineers. The series drivers are superb talents and the proof of that is that so many current IndyCar drivers are very recent Indy Lights drivers. Following 4 races thus far in 2018 the points leader is Mexican teen Patricio O’Ward - winner of 3 of those 4 races.

Pato O’Ward for Andretti Autosport

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Practice has already begun for all three MRTI series, on Thursady, so let’s get this thing going!
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.M

[MarkyS]

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Thursday at Indianapolis - The testing and practice begin…
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First guys on track today were the kids from USF2000 who had two promoter test sessions, followed by the one practice session they will have for the weekend, before qualifying on Friday. A promoter test is essentially a practice, but it is for the benefit of a series that has a lot of turnover, year to year and the race promoter, to ensure drivers are familiar with the track and their cars on that track.

A practice is for the benefit of the drivers and their teams. It is that time when the driver and his engineer tune the car for the specific track configuration, track condition and the weather of a race weekend for optimal performance.
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Here was the order of speed for the P-1 practice session, with times for the TOP FIVE: [R] denotes rookie
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.1 - Kyle Kirkwood [R], Cape Motorsports - time of 01:25.9690s for a speed of 102.134mph

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2 - Lucas Kohl, Pabst Racing - time of 01:26.2033s for a speed of 101.857mph

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3 - Rasmus Lindh [R], Pabst Racing - time of 01:26.2903s for a speed of 101.754mph

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4 - Calvin Ming, Pabst Racing - time of 01:26.3730s for a speed of 101.657mph

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5 - Darren Keane, Newman Wachs Racing - time of 01:26.3996s for a speed of 101.625mph

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6 - Kaylen Frederick, Pabst Racing
7 - Alex Baron, Swan / RJB Motorsports
8 - Jamie Caroline [R], BN Racing
9 - Julian Van der Watt [R], Team Pelfrey
10 - Igor Fraga [R], Exclusive Autosport

11 - Jose Sierra [R], DEForce Racing
12 - James Roe [R], Swan / RJB Motorsports
13 - Kory Enders, DEForce Racing
14 - Michael D’Orlando [R], Team BENIK
15 - Zach Holden [R], DEForce Racing
16 - Kyle Dupell [R], Team Pelfrey
17 - Bruna Tomaselli, Team Pelfrey
18 - Keith Donegan [R], ArmsUp Motorsports
19 - Colin Kaminsky, DEForce Racing
20 - David Osborne [R], Newman Wachs Racing

21 - Manuel Cabrera [R], Exclusive Autosport
22 - Max Peichel [R], ArmsUp Motorsports
23 - Mathias Soler-Obel [R], Sol. O Racing
24 - Sabre Cook [R], Team BENIK
25 - Russ McDonough [R], BN Racing
26 - Oscar DeLuzuriaga [R], Newman Wachs Racing

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Notable:

• Kyle also topped both test sessions so the former Team USA Scholarship winner is on fire. In fact, most of the P-1 TOP FIVE were also TOP FIVE in the tests.

• Pabst Racing keeps their reputation as the Speed Boys, with all 4 of their drivers in the TOP SIX.

• Anyone in the TOP TEN of this group is a possible race WINNER here, and look out also for Kory Enders from DEForce Racing. He can surprise you.

• Irish driver James Roe is debuting this weekend for Swan / RJB Motorsports, on the recommendation of Indy Lights driver Aaron Telitz, who saw James trest at Barber Motorsports Park in April

Kory Enders (left) and James Roe

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USF2000 will qualify in the morning for weekend Race 1, then qualify in the early afternoon for weekend Race 2 and then do Race 1 late in the day. Next, Pro Mazda hold practice…
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M

[MarkyS]

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Thursday at Indianapolis - Pro Mazda come out for testing and practice…
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Following USF2000 the Pro Mazda gang were next to occupy the track, with two tests followed by their own P-1 session.

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

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1 - Oliver Askew [R], Cape Motorsports - time of 01:20.8988s for a speed of 108.536mph

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2 - Parker Thompson [R], Exclusive Autosport - time of 01:20.9240s for a speed of 108.502mph

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3 - David Malukas [R], BN Racing - time of 01:21.0628s for a speed of 108.316 mph

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4 - Sting Ray Robb, Team Pelfrey - time of 01:21.0787s for a speed of 108.295mph

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5 - Rob Megennis [R], Juncos Racing - time of 01:21.1038s for a speed of 108.261mph

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6 - Carlos Cunha, Juncos Racing
7 - Rinus VeeKay[R]), Juncos Racing
8 - Harrison Scott [R], RP Motorsport Racing
9 - Andres Gutierrez [R], Team Pelfrey
10 - Lodovico Laurini [R], RP Motorsport Racing

11 - Kris Wright [R] BN Racing
12 - Nikita Lastochkin, Cape Motorsports
13 - Antonio Serravalle [R], Exclusive Autosport
14 - Charles Finelli, BN Racing / FatBoy Racing!

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Notable:

• Oliver Askew is the 2017 USF2000 Champion and is driving on his scholarship in Pro Mazda. He was P5 and P8 in the test sessions, so he saved his fire for practice.

• Making the TOP FIVE in both test sessions and the practice were Dave Malukas and Parker Thompson, the current points leader, but look out always for Rinus Veekay and Carlos Cunha. Veekay has 2 WINS already this season and Cunha is always fast.

• Kris Wright is pulling double duty in racing as he is also a driver in the IMSA Prototype Challenge series, where he is currently TOP in points in the LMP3 class, and coming off a WIN at Barber Motorsports Park for Extreme Speed Motorsports in their Ligier JS P3.

Kris Wright

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Like USF2000, Pro Mazda is scheduled to do both of their qualifying sessions on Friday morning and then hold their Race 1 of the weeknd on Friday afternoon. Next, the Lights hold Trests and their practice session…

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[MarkyS]

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Thursday at Indianapolis - The Indy Lights hold test and practice…

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As with their fellow MRTI series, the Lights were able to get in two solid test sessions, followed by their one and only practice session for the weekend.

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Here was the order of speed for the Indy Lights P-1 session, with times for all 7 drivers: [R] denotes rookie
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1 - Colton Herta, Andretti Steinbrenner - time of 01:16.6029s for a speed of 114.622mph

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2 - Pato O’Ward [R], Andretti Autosport - time of 01:16.6412s for a speed of 114.565mph

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3 - Aaron Telitz, Belardi Auto Racing - time of 01:16.7886s for a speed of 114.345mph

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4 - Santiago Urrutia, Belardi Auto Racing - time of 01:16.9104s for a speed of 114.164mph

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5 - Dalton Kellett, Andretti Autosport - time of 01:16.9884s for a speed of 114.048mph

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6- Ryan Norman, Andretti Autosport - time of 01:16.9998s for a speed of 114.03mph

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7 - Victor Franzoni [R], Juncos Racing - time of 01:17.0277s for a speed of 113.990mph

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.Notable:

• Colton was also tops in one test and P3 in another. He’s both fast and consistent - the best of both worlds.

• While Victor Franzoni was tail-end Charlie in practice he was P2 in a test. Similarly, Pato was P1 in one test and P7 in the other. It is when you actually compare times you see the truth. The guys are all within less than half a second of each other so if you sneeze you go from P1 to P7. This is a TIGHT group.

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.The Lights will qualify for Race 1 of the weekend in the morning and then race in the early afternoon on Friday. This concluded the on-track activities of the day.

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.M

[MarkyS]

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Friday morning at Indy - USF2000 come out to qualify…
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In the Mazda Road to Indy cars qualify for each race of a multi-race weekend, so that teams have a chance to adjust their set-ups, rather than simply take the 2nd fastest lap to grid subsequent races. It takes more time and effort but it also makes the racing better. USF2000 were first on track today to qualify for Race 1, Season Round 3, of the weekend.
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Here is the way USF200 will grid for Season Round 3, with times for the TOP Six: [R]denotes rookie
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Row 1

Pole - Kyle Kirkwood [R], Cape Motorsports - time of 01:24.7694s for a speed of 103.580mph

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P2 - Alex Baron, Swan / RJB Motorsports - time of 01:24.7834s for a speed of 103.563mph

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Row 2

P3 - Rasmus Lindh [R], Pabst Racing - time of 01:24.7898s for a speed of 103.555mph

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P4 - Jose Sierra [R], DEForce Racing - time of 01:24.8608s for a speed of 103.468mph

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Row 3

P5 - Kaylen Frederick, Pabst Racing - time of 01:24.9292s for a speed of 103.385mph

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P6 - Calvin Ming, Pabst Racing - time of 01:24.9834s for a speed of 103.319mph

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Row 4

P7 - Jamie Caroline [R], BN Racing
P8 - Kory Enders, DEForce Racing

Row 5

P9 - Lucas Kohl, Pabst Racing
P10 - Julian Van der Watt [R], Team Pelfrey

Row 6

P11 - Darren Keane, Newman Wachs Racing
P12 - Igor Fraga [R], Exclusive Autosport

Row 7

P13 - Zach Holden [R], DEForce Racing
P14 - Kyle Dupell [R], Team Pelfrey

Row 8

P15 - James Roe [R], Swan / RJB Motorsports
P16 - Colin Kaminsky, DEForce Racing

Row 9

P17 - Mathias Soler-Obel [R], Sol. O Racing
P18 - Keith Donegan [R], ArmsUp Motorsports

Row 10

P19 - Michael D’Orlando [R], Team BENIK
P20 - Manuel Cabrera [R], Exclusive Autosport

Row 11

P21 - David Osborne [R], Newman Wachs Racing
P22 - Max Peichel [R], ArmsUp Motorsports

Row 12

P23 - Russ McDonough [R], BN Racing
P24 - Bruna Tomaselli, Team Pelfrey

Row 13

P25 - Oscar DeLuzuriaga [R], Newman Wachs Racing
P26 - Sabre Cook [R], Team BENIK
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Notable:

• Off season testing and the two opening rounds at St. Pete makes it clear that the first three rows were going to be contenders, so no surprises.

• Alex Baron from Narbonne, France came to the US in 2013 as F4 France Champion and immediately won 2 races for ArmsUp Motorsports. He quickly moved up to Indy Lights for Belardi in 2014, won a race and three podiums, then disaster, as he was unable to get a visa to return to the US and complete his 2013 season. He is only now getting his career back on track, but WATCH him. He is a phenomenal talent.

• Rasmus Lindh is an international karting champion from Sweden, and tested extremely well in the off-season, besting several veteran drivers. Another guy to watch.

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USF2000 will hold Race 1 later today. Next, Pro Mazda qualify…

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M

[MarkyS]

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Friday Morning at Indy - Pro Mazda hold their first qualifying…
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Just as was the case with USF2000, Pro Mazda will qualify twice today - once for Season Round 5 and once for Season Round 6. This was for Round 5, Race 1 of their weekend.

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Here is the way Pro Mazda will grid for Season Round 5, with times for the TOP SIX: [R] denotes rookie

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Row 1

Pole - Oliver Askew [R], Cape Motorsports - time of 01:19.3319s for a speed of 110.679mph

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P2 - Rinus VeeKay [R]), Juncos Racing - time of 01:19.5588s for a speed of 110.364mph

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Row 2

P3 - Harrison Scott [R], RP Motorsport Racing - time of 01:19.5902s for a speed of 110.320mph

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P4 - David Malukas [R], BN Racing - time of 01:19.4643s for a speed of 110.495mph

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Row 3

P5 - Rob Megennis [R], Juncos Racing - time of 01:19.5909s for a speed of 110.319mph

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P6 - Carlos Cunha, Juncos Racing - time of 01:19.7119s for a speed of 110.152mph

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Row 4

P7 - Andres Gutierrez [R], Team Pelfrey
P8 - Sting Ray Robb, Team Pelfrey

Row 5

P9 - Lodovico Laurini [R], RP Motorsport Racing
P10 - Nikita Lastochkin, Cape Motorsports

Row 6

P11 - Parker Thompson [R], Exclusive Autosport
P12 - Kris Wright [R] BN Racing

Row 7

P13 - Antonio Serravalle [R], Exclusive Autosport
P14 - Charles Finelli, BN Racing / FatBoy Racing!

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Notable:

• 2017 USF2000 Champion Oliver Askew has had a strange and unproductive start to his season, with a best of a P5 at St. Pete. Perhaps he and the Cape Brothers he drives for have turned a corner.

• Brit driver Harrison Scott was the 2017 Euroformula Open Champion and has a WIN in Pro Mazda already, at Barber, in the rain. He and RP Motorsports are new to Pro Mazda this year, but are already proving to be contenders for the title.

• NOT on the grid is Brazilian rookie Rafael Martins for Team Pelfrey. Rafa has been very exciting to watch in the first 4 races. We’ll try to run this down. We know that Rafa is in the pits.

Rafa Martins - missing in action

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.Pro Mazda will qualify for Race 2 a bit later, then run Race 1 this afternoon. Next up, the Indy Lights qualify…

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[MarkyS]

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Friday morning at Indy - Indy Lights hold their one qualifying session of the day…
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Unlike USF2000 and Pro Mazda, the Lights qualified for Race 1 today, will run that race later today and then qualify for Race 2 on Saturday.

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Here is the way Indy Lights will grid for Season Round 5, with times for all: [R] denotes rookie

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Row 1

Pole - Pato O’Ward [R], Andretti Autosport - time of 01:15.4255s for a speed of 116.412mph

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P2 - Colton Herta, Andretti Steinbrenner - time of 01:15.4575s for a speed of 116.362mph

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Row 2

P3 - Victor Franzoni [R], Juncos Racing - time of 01:15.6361s for a speed of 116.087mph

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P4 - Aaron Telitz, Belardi Auto Racing - time of 01:15.7391s for a speed of 115.930mph

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Row 3

P5 - Santiago Urrutia, Belardi Auto Racing - time of 01:15.8118s for a speed of 115.818mph

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P6 - Ryan Norman, Andretti Autosport - time of 01:15.9455s for a speed of 115.614mph

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Row 4

P7 - Dalton Kellett, Andretti Autosport - time of 01:16.4025s for a speed of 114.923mph

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Notable:

• Teammates Pato O’Ward and Colton Herta - 19 and 18 years old, respectively - have been battling for both series and team supremacy. Each has a great racing resume.

• Rookie Brazilian Victor Franzoni is racing in Indy Lights due to WINNING the 2017 Pro Mazda title in a great all-season battle with Australian Anthony Martin. He has been getting better in Indy Lights with each outing and is very, very racy.

• Uruguay’s Santiago Urrutia has TWICE been Indy Lights Vice-Champion and made an effort to get into the big cars this season but fell short on sponsorship. He wants and needs the Lights title to get the scholarship money to advance.

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.The Lights will hold Race 1 later today. Next, the IndyCar come out for their first practice of the weekend…

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.M

[MarkyS]

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Friday at Indianapolis - the big cars hold their P-1 session…

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This is the first of what will be two practice sessions before the IndyCars qualify, later this afternoon.

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

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1 - Will Power, Team Penske - time of 01:10.0866s for a speed of 125.279mph

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2 - Alexander Rossi, Andretti Autosport - time of 01:10.1198s for a speed of 125.220mph

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3 - Jordan King [R], Ed Carpenter Racing - time of 01:10.1551s for a speed of 125.157mph

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4 - Sebastien Bourdais, Dale Coyne Racing w/ Vasser/Sullivan - time of 01:10.1791s for a speed of 125.114mph

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5 - Takuma Sato, Rahal Letterman Lanigan - time of 01:10.1824s for a speed of 125.108mph

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6 - Josef Newgarden, Team Penske
7 - Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing
8 - Spencer Pigot, Ed Carpenter Racing
9 - Ed Jones, Chip Ganassi Racing
10 - Helio Castroneves, Team Penske

11 - Zach Veach [R], Andretti Autosport
12 - Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan
13 - Marco Andretti, Andretti Herta
14 - Zachary Claman DeMelo [R], Dale Coyne Racing
15 - Ryan Hunter-Reay, Andretti Autosport
16 - Robert Wickens [R], Schmidt Peterson Motorsports
17 - Tony Kanaan, A.J. Foyt Enterprises
18 - Simon Pagenaud, Team Penske
19 - Matheus Leist [R], A.J. Foyt Enterprises
20 - James Hinchcliffe, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports

21 - Charlie Kimball, Carlin
22 - Gabby Chaves, Harding Racing
23 - Max Chilton, Carlin
24 - Kyle Kaiser [R], Juncos Racing

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Notable:

• Will Power has WON twice here and holds the current track record in qualifying, so we are not at all surprised that he should be fast.

• Alexander Rossi has had a great season, thus far, and this is just confirmation that its no fluke.

• Rookie Jordan King has been hugely impressive since the first race of the season, as has been rookie Robert Wickens, but in this case Wickens and his Schmidt Peterson teammate James Hinchcliffe have some work to do.

left to right, Will Power, Robert Wickens and James Hinchcliffe

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.The IndyCars will hold another practice, later today and then qualify for Saturday’s race. Next, USF2000 nqualify for Saturday’s Race 2…

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M

[MarkyS]

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Friday Morning at Indy - USF2000 hold a 2nd qualifying session…

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First thing this morning the kids from USF2000 qualified their cars for their Race 1 of the weekend, and that race will be run a bit later today. Following the IndyCar practice, the USF2000 kids came out on track again to qualify for their 2nd race of the weekend, to be run on Saturday.

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Here is the way USF2000 will grid for Season Round 4, with times for the TOP SiX: [R] denotes rookie

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Row 1

Pole - Kyle Kirkwood [R], Cape Motorsports - time of 01:25.0252s for a speed of 103.268mph

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P2 - Lucas Kohl, Pabst Racing - time of 01:25.4458s for a speed of 102.760mph

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Row 2

P3 - Alex Baron, Swan / RJB Motorsports - time of 01:25.4741s for a speed of 102.726mph

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P4 - Jamie Caroline [R], BN Racing - time of 01:25.5152s for a speed of 102.676mph

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Row 3

P5 - Rasmus Lindh [R], Pabst Racing - time of 01:25.5256s for a speed of 102.664mph

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P6 - Calvin Ming, Pabst Racing - time of 01:25.6945s for a speed of 102.462mph

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Row 4

P7 - Zach Holden [R], DEForce Racing
P8 - Jose Sierra [R], DEForce Racing

Row 5

P9 - Darren Keane, Newman Wachs Racing
P10 - James Roe [R], Swan / RJB Motorsports

Row 6

P11 - Kory Enders, DEForce Racing
P12 - Kaylen Frederick, Pabst Racing

Row 7

P13 - Colin Kaminsky, DEForce Racing
P14 - Julian Van der Watt [R], Team Pelfrey

Row 8

P15 - Igor Fraga [R], Exclusive Autosport
P16 - Mathias Soler-Obel [R], Sol. O Racing

Row 9

P17 - Kyle Dupell [R], Team Pelfrey
P18 - Bruna Tomaselli, Team Pelfrey

Row 10

P19 - Max Peichel [R], ArmsUp Motorsports
P20 - David Osborne [R], Newman Wachs Racing

Row 11

P21 - Michael D’Orlando [R], Team BENIK
P22 - Manuel Cabrera [R], Exclusive Autosport

Row 12

P23 - Keith Donegan [R], ArmsUp Motorsports
P24 - Russ McDonough [R], BN Racing

Row 13

P25 - Oscar DeLuzuriaga [R], Newman Wachs Racing
P26 - Sabre Cook [R], Team BENIK

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Notable:

• Though not quite as quick as this morning, this is Kyle’s 2nd pole of the day.

• The international nature of the Mazda Road to Indy is fully on display in the first three rows. In order they are from America, Brazil, France, Great Britain, Sweden and Guyana. USF2000 also has kids from Colombia, Mexico, Ireland and South Africa, this season.

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This grid will race on Saturday morning - first race of the day. Next, Pro Mazda does their 2nd qualifying of the day…

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M

[MarkyS]

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Friday noon at Indy - Pro Mazda qualify for their 2nd race of the weekend…

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We’ve crammed a lot of driving into the morning and it’s finally about Noon - time for the Pro Mazda gang to qualify for Season Round 6, which will be run on Saturday morning.

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Here is the way Pro Mazda will grid for Season Round 6, with times for the TOP SIX: [R] denotes rookie

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Row 1

Pole - Oliver Askew [R], Cape Motorsports - time of 01:20.1683s for a speed of 109.525mph

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P2 - Harrison Scott [R], RP Motorsport Racing - time of 01:20.1936s for a speed of 109.490mph

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Row 2

P3 - David Malukas [R], BN Racing - time of 01:20.2289s for a speed of 109.442mph

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P4 - Rob Megennis [R], Juncos Racing - time of 01:20.2875s for a speed of 109.362mph

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Row 3

P5 - Rinus VeeKay [R]), Juncos Racing - time of 01:20.3457s for a speed of 109.283mph

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P6 - Parker Thompson [R], Exclusive Autosport - time of 01:20.3662s for a speed of 109.255mph

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Row 4

P7 - Carlos Cunha, Juncos Racing
P8 - Andres Gutierrez [R], Team Pelfrey

Row 5

P9 - Sting Ray Robb, Team Pelfrey
P10 - Lodovico Laurini [R], RP Motorsport Racing

Row 6

P11 - Nikita Lastochkin, Cape Motorsports
P12 - Kris Wright [R] BN Racing

Row 7

P13 - Antonio Serravalle [R], Exclusive Autosport
P14 - Charles Finelli, BN Racing / FatBoy Racing!

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Notable:

• This morning, Oliver shattered the old Pro Mazda track record set by Pato O’Ward in 2016 by almost 5 miles per hour. This pole - his 2nd of the day - doesn’t beat his own new record, but it’s close. The new PM-18 car is outstanding, to say the least.

• Teammates Rob Megennis and Rinus VeeKay stayed sharp in the off-season by driving in the Indian MRF Challenge series. Rinus ended the season 3rd in series points.

• It should be no surprise to learn that Nikita Lastochkin in Row 6 was born in Moscow, but American Kris Wright, occupying the same row, was also born in Moscow, 4 years after Nikita.

• Row 7 defines the age range of this season’s field in Pro Mazda. Antonio Serravalle is 15 years old and Charles Finelli is 54 years old.

Antonio Serravalle (left) and Charles Finelli

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This race grid is scheduled to compete on Saturday morning, following the 2nd race of USF2000. Next, the IndyCars hold their 2nd practice of the day…

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M

[MarkyS]

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Friday afternoon at Indy - the big cars hold their 2nd practice session…

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Despite the heat of the day, almost all the cars went faster in the P-2 session than in P-1. The exceptions were Takuma Sato, Scott Dixon, Zach Veach and Zachary Claman DeMelo.

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

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1 - Will Power, Team Penske - time of 01:09.8759s for a speed of 125.657mph

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2 - Jordan King [R], Ed Carpenter Racing - time of 01:09.9122s for a speed of 125.592mph

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3 - Alexander Rossi, Andretti Autosport - time of 01:09.9806s for a speed of 125.469mph

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4 - Robert Wickens [R], Schmidt Peterson Motorsports - time of 01:10.0773s for a speed of 125.296mph

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5 - Simon Pagenaud, Team Penske - time of 01:10.0775s for a speed of 125.296mph

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6 - Helio Castroneves, Team Penske
7 - Sebastien Bourdais, Dale Coyne Racing w/ Vasser/Sullivan
8 - Spencer Pigot, Ed Carpenter Racing
9 - Tony Kanaan, A.J. Foyt Enterprises
10 - Josef Newgarden, Team Penske

11 - Marco Andretti, Andretti Herta
12 - Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan
13 - Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing
14 - Ed Jones, Chip Ganassi Racing
15 - Max Chilton, Carlin
16 - Ryan Hunter-Reay, Andretti Autosport
17 - Takuma Sato, Rahal Letterman Lanigan
18 - James Hinchcliffe, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports
19 - Zach Veach [R], Andretti Autosport
20 - Matheus Leist [R], A.J. Foyt Enterprises

21 - Gabby Chaves, Harding Racing
22 - Charlie Kimball, Carlin
23 - Kyle Kaiser [R], Juncos Racing
24 - Zachary Claman DeMelo [R], Dale Coyne Racing

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Notable:

• Improving a lot over the morning session were Robert Wickens, Simon Pagenaud, Tony Kanaan, Helio Castroneves and Max Chilton, while heading the wrong way were Josef Newgarden, Ed Jones and the four drivers mentioned in the opening header.

• The Andretti Autosport Hondas have been good all year, but with the exception of Alexander Rossi, they are struggling at Indy.

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.The big cars will have knock-out qualifying later this afternoon. Next, we finally get to some racing, as the Indy Lights do Race 1 of their weekend. The grid for this race can be found in post # 8…

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Friday afternoon at Indy - The Lights RACE!..and it’s a big WIN for Colton Herta…

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The Andretti Steinbrenner driver was as far down as P6 in the 7-car field today, but he was also in possession of the best car on the track, and made use of it to take his first WIN of 2018. P2 at the end was Satiago Urrutia for Belardi Auto Racing and P3 was Santi’s teammate, Aaron Telitz.

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The race started with Andretti’s Pato O’Ward on pole heading into Turn 1 in the lead, only to get tapped in the rear by Victor Franzoni for Juncos Racing - just a kiss, but it was enough to upset O’Ward and send him into the grass, as Herta in P2 had to take evasive action not to hit him. He would as a result drop to P6. Taking over the lead was Urrutia, followed by Franzoni, Telitz and a recovering Pato. By the time the cars entered Turn 5 Colton was passing Dalton Kellett for Andretti, and claiming P5. He then went after O’Ward and tried him in Turn 1 on lap 7, but Pato did the over-under and saved the position. Two laps later Colton would make the same move in the same turn and take Pato for P4.

All the while Franzoni was hounding Urrutia for the lead. On lap 11 the Brazilian tried to take the Uruguayan in Turn 12 but over-cooked it and drove off into the grass, dropping all the way to P6 and allowing Telitz to take over P2 with Herta now in P3. On lap 12 Herta would go by Telitz on the outside of Turn 1 in a bold maneuver. He then charged after Santi, setting his 3rd Fastest Lap of the race in the process.

Finally, he caught Santi in Turn 1 on lap 16 in an out-braking maneuver and then stretched away to a comfortable margin of 5.15 seconds at the checkered flag. Points-leader Pato O’Ward was able to come home P4 and maintain his lead in points, as a result.

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Here is your happy podium - That’s Santi Urrutia in P2 on the left, Colton Herta in P1 in the middle and Aaron Telitz in P3 on the right:
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The Lights will qualify Saturday morning and hold Race 2 of the weekend Saturday afternoon. Next, USF2000 hold their first race of the weekend. The grid for this race is in post # 6…

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Friday afternoon at Indy - The kids in USF2000 put on a GREAT show…

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…and the WINNER at the end was Frenchman Alexandre Baron for Swan / RJB Motorsports in his second WIN of the season. P2 was Jupiter, Florida’s Kyle Kirkwood for Cape Motorsports while P3 went to Mexican Jose Sierra for DEForce Racing

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With Kyle Kirkwood on pole the entire huge field of cars all got through Turn 1 on the opening lap without a scratch. Rasmus Lindh for Pabst Racing was able to nip Baron for P2, putting Alex in P3. On lap 3 Lucas Kohl for Pabst and Darren Keane for Newman Wachs came together in the Turn 4/5 complex, putting Lucas in the grass and out, bringing out a full-course caution. On the restart on Lap 7 Alex made a great move in Turn 1, passing Lindh and Kirkwood for P1. Lindh tangled with Kaylen Frederick for Pabst Racing, spinning him and sending him to the pits for a new wing. That allowed Jamie Caroline for BN Racing to take over P3 and Jose Sierra to take over P4.

On lap 8 Oscar DeLuzuriaga for Newman Wachs and Michael d’Orlando for Team BENIK collided in Turn 8, flipping Michael, who ended up on his wheels again. That brought out the 2nd FC caution.The race would resume on lap 12 with only time enough for 4 laps. On lap 12 Jose took Jamie for P3 and Igor Fraga for Exclusive Autosport took P5 from Calvin Ming for Pabst.

On lap 13 Kyle dashed aside Alex up the front straight and took him for P1 in Turn 1 but Baron reclaimed the spot in Turn 5. The two would stay within a car length apart for the next two laps. On lap 14 Igor would get caught out in Turn 5 and drop to P8, allowing Kory Enders for DEForce, Calvin Ming and Julian Van der Watt for Team Pelfrey to get by in order. Alex would complete lap 15 a little less than half a second ahead of Kyle. - a VERY exciting race!

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Notable:

• Baron, who also holds British citizenship, has had visa problems in the past that have kept him from racing in the United States. He ALMOST missed this race for another such problem. Hopefully, this is the last time this keeps this excellent driver from racing.

• This is Jose’s first podium in the series - not likely his last. The Mexican placed 2nd in the 2016-2017 season of Formula 4 Nacam in Mexico.

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Here is your happy podium - That’s Kyle Kirkwood in P2 on the left, Alex Baron in P1 in the middle and Jose Sierra in P3 on the right:
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USF2000 is scheduled to race again on Saturday morning - first contest of the day. Next up, the guys from Pro Mazda hold Race 1 of their weekend. The grid for this race is in Post # 7…

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Friday afternoon at Indy - Pro Mazda BATTLE in Race 1 earns another WIN for Harrison Scott…
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…the 2nd in a row for the English rookie driving for Italian team RP Motorsport Racing. P2, in his best finish in Pro Mazda was 2017 USF2000 Champion Oliver Askew for Cape Motorsports while P3 was Nederlander Rinus VeeKay for Juncos Racing.

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On the opening lap Askew from pole overcooked his entry in Turn 1 and went off into the grass, dropping to P6 as Rinus took P1 and Carlos Cunha for Juncos took P2 from his P6 start, while Harrison took over P3 and David Malukas for BN Racing slotted into P4. On lap 3 David would go after Harrison and take him for the P3 spot. He then set after VeeKay and Cunha, setting Fastest Lap on the process. Rob Megennis for Juncos went off in Turn 5, damaging his wing. He would pit for repairs. Parker Thompson for Exclusive Autosport, who started P11, would take over the P5 spot.

On lap 6 Rob Megennis had a suspension failure that brought out a full-course caution as he left the track for good. On the restart one lap later Carlos attempted to pass Rinus in Turn 1 but, much like Askew, overshot the turn, dropping down the order to P6. David, now in P2, went after Rinus and took him in Turn 7, but two laps later he was called to the pits for a drive-through penalty for exceeding the track limits in his pass. Rinus was again in the lead with Harrison behind him.

For the next 6 laps Rinus was able to keep Scott behind him but on lap 16 the Englishman drove past him in Turn 1. Just at that moment Andres Gutierrez for Team Pelfrey blew his engine on the front straight, bringing out another FC caution. On the lap 20 restart Oliver Askew was able to get by VeeKay to take P2 and Carlos Cunha took Parker Thompson for the P4 spot. 5 laps later the race ended, with the top four were separated by just 1.5950 seconds!

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Notable:

• Thompson’s P5 allowed Rinus Van Kalmthout - VeeKay’s actual name - to take over the top spot in the championship by 2 points.

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

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.Pro Mazda will race again on Saturday morning, following USF2000. Next, the IndyCars qualify!..

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The IndyCars are about to qualify…

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…And that means we are about to present our qualifying explanation page. We do this for those uninitiated in the strange way that IndyCar qualifies on road and street courses. It’s a great way but simple it ain’t. If you already know this stuff, MOVE ON! If not, we do NOT pretend that this will help but if it damages any brain cells you can always get a lawyer and sue.

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So, how does this work? Around ovals qualifying is simple: One car at a time runs the fastest they can for 2 hot laps (after a warm-up lap) and the fastest average speed is the pole sitter, but…

On road and street courses it gets complicated - The Firestone Fast Six
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Qualifying is done in three segments of TEN MINUTES for the first two and SIX MINUTES for the last. Today, there are 24 cars attempting to qualify. In Segment One, the first 12 cars will be sent out for ten minutes. During that time they will run as fast as they can, being timed. The fastest SIX advance to Segment Two. Then, the 12 remaining cars are sent out for ten minutes to do the same. The fastest SIX from that group also advance to Segment Two. The 12 cars that did NOT advance line up in grid spots P13 through P24, based on their times.

In Segment Two, the 12 that advanced once again run as fast as possible for ten minutes. The fastest 6 of this group advance to Segment Three. The other 6 line up on the grid on spots P7 through P12, based on their times.

Segment Three is also known as The Firestone Fast Six. These cars go out and run as fast as they can for only six minutes and then line up P1 through P6 on the grid, based on their times, and that is how pole is set.

Don’t screw it up! - You have to go as fast as you can but you CANNOT afford to over-cook it: If a car causes a red or full course yellow condition in any segment, the car’s best two timed laps of the segment will be disallowed and that car will not be allowed to advance to the next segment. If a car causes two red or full course yellow conditions in any segment, all segment times shall be voided and the car shall not be permitted to participate in the remainder of qualifying.

Qualifying can be very exciting to watch, as it looks like a very fast race going on, but the cars try to stay separated from each other, so as to get the best possible time without someone mucking up their hot laps. You will see the pole switch SEVERAL TIMES from car to car, as the time runs down.

The pole winner not only gets to start on pole but wins the Verizon P1 Award and the valuable series point that goes with it.

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In 2017 Will Power for Team Penske took pole with a record time of 01:07.7044 seconds for a speed of 129.687mph.

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Friday afternoon at Indy - The IndyCars are qualified!..

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…and taking the 51st pole of his incredible career, Will Power for Team Penske gets the prize.

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Here is the way the IndyCars will grid for Season Round 5, with times for the TOP SIX: [R] denotes rookie

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Row 1

Pole - Will Power, Team Penske - time of 01:09.8182s for a speed of 125.761mph

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P2 - Robert Wickens [R], Schmidt Peterson Motorsports - time of 01:09.9052s for a speed of 125.604mph

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Row 2

P3 - Sebastien Bourdais, Dale Coyne Racing w/ Vasser/Sullivan - time of 01:09.9449s for a speed of 125.533mph

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P4 - James Hinchcliffe, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports - time of 01:10.0858s for a speed of 125.281mph

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Row 3

P5 - Jordan King [R], Ed Carpenter Racing - time of 01:10.1326s for a speed of 125.197mph

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P6 - Josef Newgarden, Team Penske - time of 01:10.7276s for a speed of 124.144mph

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Row 4

P7 - Simon Pagenaud, Team Penske
P8 - Alexander Rossi, Andretti Autosport

Row 5

P9 - Spencer Pigot, Ed Carpenter Racing
P10 - Helio Castroneves, Team Penske

Row 6

P11 - Takuma Sato, Rahal Letterman Lanigan
P12 - Tony Kanaan, A.J. Foyt Enterprises

Row 7

P13 - Ryan Hunter-Reay, Andretti Autosport
P14 - Marco Andretti, Andretti Herta

Row 8

P15 - Ed Jones, Chip Ganassi Racing
P16 - Max Chilton, Carlin

Row 9

P17 - Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan
P18 - Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing

Row 10

P19 - Zachary Claman DeMelo [R], Dale Coyne Racing
P20 - Zach Veach [R], Andretti Autosport

Row 11

P21 - Matheus Leist [R], A.J. Foyt Enterprises
P22 - Gabby Chaves, Harding Racing

Row 12

P23 - Charlie Kimball, Carlin
P24 - Kyle Kaiser [R], Juncos Racing

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Notable:

• Wickens was fastest in the Q1 and Q2 sessions and was holding down the pole in the Q3 session when Power stole it in the very last seconds of qualifying.

• Jordan King has been fast through all of the practice sessions and was expected to get into the Fast Six, but in the Q1 session he was sidelined for 8 of the ten minutes with a brake problem and almost didn;t get to put in a time.

• Both Jordan King and Robert Wickens have never raced on the Indy Road Course before. The rookie class of 2018 is hugely impressive.

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.The race is scheduled for broadcast on ABC, starting at 3:30pm EASTERN time on Saturday. This concluded the on-track activity of this busy day.

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Racer magazine’s Marshall Pruett and Robin Miller interview Jordan King…
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RACER: Indy GP Qualifying Report with Jordan King

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.Great kid with a heck of a future.
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IndyCar has released qualifying highlights…
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HIGHLIGHTS: 2018 INDYCAR Grand Prix Qualifications

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Spotter’s Guide - Changes in livery since the Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber…
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Josef Newgarden was in the black and white Hitachi car at Alabama but switched to an all-silver Verizon car for the Indy GP:

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Helio Castroneves rejoins the battle in IndyCars for the Grand Prix and he too is in a silver Verizon car:

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Graham Rahal piloted the Mi-Jack car in Alabama but returns to the United Rentals car with blue on top and white on the bottom:

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Spencer Pigot drove the green Fuzzy’s car at Barber but will be in the blue Preferred Freezer Services car for the month of May:

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.continued…
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