If you read my Friday Preview post here, you probably gathered that I was not too excited about attending the Gallagher Grand Prix on the IMS road course. After missing last year’s race last summer, all I had to draw from was the 2021 race that was not heavily attended due to COVID restrictions still in place. The media center was also at 30% capacity, so things had an odd feel to them. I’ve already mentioned several times how I was shocked to see IndyCar banished to the Museum parking lot for a makeshift paddock. All in all, the 2021 race had something of a surreal feel to it. That probably explains why we were not all that excited about going this year.
Archive for August, 2023
Random Thoughts on the Gallagher Grand Prix
Posted in IndyCar on August 14, 2023 by OilpressureAn Enjoyable Extra IMS Weekend
Posted in IndyCar on August 13, 2023 by Oilpressure
By Susan Phillips
Good Sunday morning from our Indy-area hotel in Plainfield by the airport. We started staying here race-weekend last year, when I ended up missing Indy because I was in the hospital. But George came, and I don’t say that in a jabbing way. I wanted him to come. But since then, we’ve been staying in Plainfield anytime we come up here. It’s cheaper and the drive is not as bad as it sounds. I guess I just let the secret out.
Gallagher Grand Prix Wrap-Up
Posted in IndyCar on August 12, 2023 by Oilpressure
Over the years, the IMS road course has produced a few duds. Today was not one of them. If you are a true racing fan, this race had practically everything. If you like crashes (which I don’t) there was a pile-up on the first lap, which took Josef Newgarden out of the running and all but sealed the championship for Alex Palou. It also featured a bold move by a second-year driver, looking for a job on the opening lap.
It’s an August Race Day at IMS!
Posted in IndyCar on August 12, 2023 by Oilpressure
It always sounds a little disingenuous to say race Day at IMS, when the GMR Grand Prix runs in May. It sounds downright surreal to say it in August. But an IndyCar race will run at IMS today, so that’s what it really is.
A Surprising Fast Six for Qualifying
Posted in IndyCar on August 11, 2023 by Oilpressure
Good afternoon from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway! I can’t tell you how good it is to say (type) that. We were about an hour delayed leaving Nashville. I had plans of stopping at The Workingman’s Friend for a burger before going to the track, but we crossed the bridge into Indiana about an hour and a half before Qualifying was to begin. That meant that the burger was out, and we went straight to the track.
Gallagher Grand Prix Preview
Posted in IndyCar on August 11, 2023 by Oilpressure
As you read this, Susan and I are most likely headed north to Indianapolis, for the Brickyard Weekend (I think it’s still called that). Technically, we are heading up to attend the Gallagher Grand Prix on the IMS road course.
What Will MSR Reveal on Friday?
Posted in IndyCar on August 9, 2023 by Oilpressure
On Monday afternoon, I saw where Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) was planning an announcement for Friday morning at IMS. Being the positive and upbeat person that I am, I was hoping this would be to announce that Simon Pagenaud would be returning to the car this weekend. Then I saw the time of the scheduled announcement (11:00 am) and the time of the first IndyCar practice for the weekend (9:00 am), and I realized that was probably not it. Plus, I had put my theory out to a group text I’m in with people more on the inside than I am. They weren’t surer what the announcement was to be, but that didn’t stop them from quickly telling me how wrong I was.
Oilpressure 