Colton Herta has been fast all weekend, and today’s Qualifying for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. He landed on the pole in a qualifying session that was not lacking drama. The Team Penske cars were not exactly on-pace all weekend, but three out of four of them advanced into Round Two, with Scott McLaughlin being the lone exception.
Music City Grand Prix Saturday Wrap-Up
Posted in IndyCar on August 7, 2021 by OilpressureSaturday Mid-Afternoon Music City Update
Posted in IndyCar on August 7, 2021 by Oilpressure
The good news for Alexander Rossi is that he was second-quick in this afternoon’s Practice Two. He was about half a second behind Colton Herta’s quick time of 1:15.3529, and was consistently quick throughout the practice. The bad news for Rossi was that he went into Turn Ten way too hot on cold red tires, and smacked the tire barrier with the right front of his car. In the process, he destroyed his front wing and bent his suspension.
Day Two of the Music City Grand Prix
Posted in IndyCar on August 7, 2021 by Oilpressure
Good morning from a now-sunny, but still slightly damp Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. Overcast skies were welcomed yesterday, as it kept temperatures down in the low 80s. Sunny skies and warmer temperatures were expected today, but it was raining as we woke up in our west Nashville home about twenty minutes from the track. While I’m all for cooler temps, I don’t want to see any more rain this weekend. An unexpected shower popped up around noon yesterday. That’s enough.
Music City Grand Prix Friday Wrap-Up
Posted in IndyCar on August 6, 2021 by Oilpressure
After spending the afternoon at different vantage points on the temporary circuit for the Inaugural Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, I’ve become certain on a few matters. First of all, despite what many of the locals fear – I have no reservations at all, having cars cross the Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Cumberland River. That stretch of road is so wide, I don’t foresee any problems whatsoever. After all, Milka Duno hasn’t driven in the series for years.
Welcome to the Big Machine Music City GP
Posted in IndyCar on August 6, 2021 by Oilpressure
Welcome to Nashville and the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. We are in the media center located in the bowels of Nissan Stadium, hone of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. Shortly after we arrived, Dario Franchitti drove the Corvette Pace Car leading a ceremonial opening lap featuring hometown driver Josef Newgarden and Scott Dixon. These were the first laps ever taken by racing machines on this track.
Nashville Preview
Posted in IndyCar on August 6, 2021 by Oilpressure
After almost a year of hype and hoopla, the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is finally here. There has been more hype for this new race than any I can remember – and I don’t think it is because I am a Nashville resident. It seems the entire racing community has been anticipating this race for months. The question is – can any event live up to such hype? With what the event organizers have done within their control, I think it can. They have tried to make the fan experience as fulfilling as possible in their planning.
Taking a Lap of the Music City Grand Prix
Posted in IndyCar on August 4, 2021 by Oilpressure
Before getting started, I have a medical update on my wife, Susan. As most of you know, Susan was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer thirteen months ago. After six months of grueling chemo, then surgery in February followed by oral chemo and radiation – her treatments were completed in early June. She had her first post-treatment scans this past Monday. Tuesday morning, we learned the results of her scan. I am ecstatic to announce that her scans on Monday were clear!
In fact, her oncologist used the M-word (miracle). While it’s a little to early to proclaim her to be cured, this is a very good sign. She has no treatments or anything cancer-related scheduled in her immediate future. Her next scans are scheduled for November 9. Thanks for indulging me as I try to keep everyone updated on her condition. This news will make this race weekend more special than it already was going to be. – GP
The track for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is finally built and in place. Still, there has never been an IndyCar wheel turned on it. That won’t happen until Friday afternoon at 3:10 local time, for Practice One. IndyCar drivers will be given a total of an hour and fifteen minutes on Friday, and another forty-five minutes on Saturday to learn all of the nuances of a track no one has been on before trying to qualify late Saturday afternoon.
Oilpressure 