Due to a powerful storm that moved into the area, officials at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway had to evacuate over 125,000 spectators who had already arrived for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” so the start of the Indianapolis 500 is expected to be delayed.
The Storms Delay Indy 500
As the storm moved in from the west, the speedway’s inside video boards flashed a severe thunderstorm warning. It was predicted to bring strong winds, lightning, and a lot of rain.
At precisely 12:45 p.m. ET, when the race was scheduled to start, the storm’s worst winds were predicted to arrive. The length of the delay was not disclosed, but according to speedway president J. Douglas Boles, organizers are hopeful that a window that opens up after the first round of rain will give them enough time to dry up the track and finish at least 101 laps, which would declare the race official.
Depending on a lot of variables, the track dries in roughly 90 minutes. To expedite the process, Indianapolis Motor Speedway utilized both its own and NASCAR’s track drying equipment. The complete 200-lap race will be held on Monday if the weather continues or if there is not enough time left in the window to run the race.
Kyle Larson And Indy 500 Under Scrutiny
Kyle Larson’s intentions to compete in Sunday night’s Coca-Cola 600 and Indianapolis 500 in Charlotte were also under scrutiny. By competing in both races on the same day, the NASCAR star hopes to become the sixth driver in history to complete “The Double”. Kurt Busch was the last driver to finish all 1,100 kilometers in 2014, while Tony Stewart was the last one to do so in 2001.
For his first Indianapolis 500, Larson, driving for both Arrow McLaren and Hendrick Motorsports, qualified fifth.
Josef Newgarden, the reigning Indianapolis 500 winner, is joined in the front row by Will Power and pole sitter Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske. McLaughlin’s average of 234.220 mph shattered the qualifying record for four laps.
Chevrolet And The Speed Advantage
Following IndyCar’s discovery of illicit push-to-pass software on the three Team Penske vehicles and the disqualification of both McLaughlin’s third-place finish and Newgarden’s victory in the season opener, Newgarden has been working to restore his reputation in the paddock. Newgarden’s strategist, President Tim Cindric, is among the team members who have been suspended for the race.
In 107 runs, only five drivers have emerged victorious in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” for two years in a row.
When the engine manufacturer took the top eight positions on the grid during qualifying, it was obvious that Chevrolet had the speed advantage. However, Honda demonstrated that it can compete in race trim, so there won’t be a clear winner when the gun goes down.
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