This year’s version of the Grand Prix of Portland was not very scintillating, but that happens. They can’t all be barn-burners. Granted, the race had its moments – but for the wrong reasons. Any excitement was not due to a driver demonstrating superb driver skills, instead the moments came from a couple of bone-headed moves that you might expect to see in US F2000 – not in what is supposed to be the premier open-wheel series in North America.
Random Thoughts on Portland
Posted in IndyCar on September 2, 2019 by OilpressurePortland Preview
Posted in IndyCar on August 30, 2019 by Oilpressure
For the third weekend in a row, the NTT IndyCar Series will race on a different type of circuit. Two weeks ago, they ran the 2.5-mile super-speedway at Pocono. last Saturday night, they ran on the 1.25-mile short oval at Gateway. This weekend, the series will take on the twelve-turn 1.967-mile road course at Portland International Raceway.
Racing Under the Stars
Posted in IndyCar on August 28, 2019 by Oilpressure
By Susan Phillips
There’s something magical about racing at night. The atmosphere is completely different from a daytime race. This night was just about perfect. One of my main complaints about Gateway (now World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway) has always been the heat and humidity, but Saturday night was a great night for racing. There was a really good crowd and the track is very hospitable about allowing the fans on the track after the race. The entire race had an air of excitement. This race has always been well-promoted—you could tell by all the different sponsor signs scattered around the track.
Random Thoughts on Gateway
Posted in IndyCar on August 26, 2019 by Oilpressure
The 2019 edition of the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 was, in my opinion, the best one yet. While World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway has produced some great crowds since the NTT IndyCar Series returned in 2017, it has not produced the best racing. To be frank, they have been somewhat processional and a bit on the boring side.
The Old Guys Get it Done at Gateway
Posted in IndyCar on August 25, 2019 by Oilpressure
If you had Takuma Sato, Ed Carpenter and Tony Kanaan finishing on the podium of Saturday night’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway; I’d like for you to go with me to buy my next lottery ticket. The average age of Saturday night’s podium is 41.33 – this on a night when twenty year-old Santino Ferrucci got agonizingly close to his first IndyCar win.
It’s Race Day at Gateway
Posted in IndyCar on August 24, 2019 by Oilpressure
Good afternoon from a sunny and pleasant World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, just across the river from St. Louis. Like Pocono, there are several vintage cars here. Unfortunately, they ran on the track just before qualifying yesterday and one dropped oil all over the track. There was still lots of oil-dry down on the track when qualifying started and the first ten or so drivers that went out claim that their runs were affected. From what I’ve heard, Conor Daly and Marco Andretti have legitimate gripes, but some of the drivers may just be clinging to an excuse. After all, there’s a reason they were going first anyway.
Friday Gateway Wrap-Up
Posted in IndyCar on August 23, 2019 by Oilpressure
Qualifying teaches you to not to pay too much attention to the first practice. James Hinchcliffe was the slowest car in the afternoon practice session, yet he qualified seventh. Santino Ferrucci was the quickest in practice and he qualified sixth. Marcus Ericsson was second fastest this afternoon, yet he will roll off fourteenth tomorrow night.
