INDYCAR Grand Prix Fast Facts
Race weekend: Friday, May 11 – Saturday, May 12
Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course (clockwise)
Race distance: 85 laps / 207.315 miles
Entry List: INDYCAR Grand Prix (PDF)
Push-to-pass parameters: 200 seconds of total time with a maximum time of 20 seconds per activation.
Firestone tire allotment: Seven sets primary, four sets alternate (Note: An eighth set of primary tires is available to any car fielding a rookie driver.)
Twitter: @IMS @IndyCar, #INDYCARGP, #IndyCar
Event website: www.ims.com
INDYCAR website: www.IndyCar.com
2017 race winner: Will Power (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet)
2017 Verizon P1 Award winner: Will Power (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet),1:07.7044, 129.687 mph
Qualifying lap record: Will Power, 1:07.7044, 129.687 mph, May 12, 2017 (Set in Round 3 of knockout qualifying)
ABC race broadcast: Saturday, May 12 (3:30 p.m. ET, live)
Allen Bestwick will be the play-by-play announcer for ABC’s broadcast of the INDYCAR Grand Prix alongside analysts Eddie Cheever and Scott Goodyear. Pit reporters are Rick DeBruhl, Dr. Jerry Punch and Jon Beekhuis.
Radio broadcasts: The Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network is led by chief announcer Mark Jaynes, with analyst Anders Krohn. Turn reporters are Jake Query and Nick Yeoman, with Rob Howden and Michael Young reporting from the pits.
All Verizon IndyCar Series races are broadcast live on the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network, Sirius 214, XM 209, IndyCar.com, indycarradio.com and on the INDYCAR Mobile app. Verizon IndyCar Series qualifying is broadcast on Sirius 214, XM 209, IndyCar.com, indycarradio.com and the INDYCAR Mobile app. Verizon IndyCar Series practices are broadcast on IndyCar.com, indycarradio.com and the INDYCAR Mobile app.
Video Streaming: All practice sessions and qualifying for the INDYCAR Grand Prix will stream live on RaceControl.IndyCar.com and on the INDYCAR YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/indycar).
At-track schedule (all times local):
Friday, May 11
9:15-10 a.m. – Verizon IndyCar Series practice #1, streaming on RaceControl.IndyCar.com (Live)
12:30-1:15 p.m. – Verizon IndyCar Series practice #2, streaming on RaceControl.IndyCar.com (Live)
4:30 p.m. – Qualifying for the Verizon P1 Award (three rounds of Verizon IndyCar Series knockout qualifications), streaming on RaceControl.IndyCar.com (Live)
Saturday, May 12
11:15-11:45 a.m. – Verizon IndyCar Series warmup, streaming on RaceControl.IndyCar.com (Live)
3:30 p.m. – ABC on air
3:43 p.m. – “Drivers, start your engines”
3:50 p.m. – INDYCAR Grand Prix (85 laps/207.315 miles), ABC (Live)
Race Notes:
* The INDYCAR Grand Prix will be the fifth Indy car event conducted on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course. Simon Pagenaud and Will Power are the only drivers to win on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Pagenaud won the inaugural race in 2014 and again in 2016, Power won the race in 2015 and 2017.
* Simon Pagenaud, Will Power and Sebastian Saavedra are the only drivers to have won the pole position on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Saavedra claimed the pole in 2014, Power in 2015 and 2017 and Pagenaud in 2016.
* Three Verizon P1 Award winners have won the race from the pole: Will Power in 2015 and 2017 and Simon Pagenaud in 2016.
* Helio Castroneves will make his 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series season debut at Indianapolis. He is the only driver to finish in the top 10 in every race held on the IMS road course.
* Fifteen drivers have competed in every Indy car race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course – Marco Andretti, Sebastien Bourdais, Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon, James Hinchcliffe, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Tony Kanaan, Charlie Kimball, Juan Pablo Montoya, Carlos Munoz, Josef Newgarden, Simon Pagenaud, Will Power, Graham Rahal and Takuma Sato. All but Montoya and Munoz are entered this year.
* Rookies Kyle Kaiser, Jordan King, Matheus “Matt” Leist, Zach Veach and Robert Wickens will race Verizon IndyCar Series cars on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course for the first time this weekend. Kaiser, the 2017 Indy Lights champion, won at the circuit in Indy Lights last season, while Wickens won on the IMS road course in Formula BMW USA in 2006 when the circuit had a different configuration.
* Eighteen of the drivers entered in the event have competed in Indy car races on the IMS road course. Nine entered drivers have led laps: Will Power 126, Simon Pagenaud 63, Helio Castroneves 46, Ryan Hunter-Reay 18, Graham Rahal 11, James Hinchcliffe 4, Charlie Kimball 3, Sebastien Bourdais 1 and Scott Dixon 1.
* Tony Kanaan seeks to start his 287th consecutive race this weekend, which would extend his Indy car record streak that began in June 2001 at Portland. Kanaan will attempt to make his 347th Indy car start, which ranks third on the all-time list. Only Mario Andretti (407) and A.J. Foyt (369) have made more starts than Kanaan.
* Scott Dixon has made 228 consecutive starts heading into the weekend, which is the second-longest streak in Indy car racing. Andretti Autosport’s Marco Andretti has made 204 consecutive starts, which is the fourth-longest streak in Indy car racing.
* Scott Dixon, the longest-tenured driver for Chip Ganassi Racing, is fourth on the all-time Indy car victory list with 41 wins. St. Petersburg race winner Sebastien Bourdais is sixth on the all-time list with 37 wins and Will Power ranks ninth on the all-time list with 32 wins.
INDYCAR GRAND PRIX PRE-EVENT QUOTES:
JOSEF NEWGARDEN (No. 1 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, Verizon IndyCar Series points leader): “It’s been really great to have some time off before Indianapolis, but we’ve definitely been hard at work still. My team put together a really strong car at our last road course event at Barber, which won us the race. Now, we’re headed to the INDYCAR GP and the guys have put together what I’m sure will be another super-fast No. 1 Verizon Chevrolet. I’m feeling really good about it. Really, I’m excited for the whole month of May in Indianapolis. There’s really nothing like it and I know the whole team is ready to put on a great show at our next two races.”
HELIO CASTRONEVES (No. 3 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet): “I’m back! I’m so excited to be back with Team Penske at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in INDYCAR. I’ve been really enjoying my time with the team’s IMSA program, but I’m really excited to jump back into the No. 3 Verizon Chevrolet. We have a great team of guys put together for both the INDYCAR GP and the Indianapolis 500. I’m ready to kick off the month with a road course race and get some time in the car with the new aero kit. More importantly, I’m excited to go out there and put on a great show for the fans there.”
MATHEUS “MATT” LEIST (No. 4 ABC Supply AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet): “I’m excited for my first month of May in INDYCAR. It’s a pleasure to be here and I’m looking forward to the month. I’m happy with the performance of the car so far and I think we have great potential here at the Indy road course. We had a tough qualifying in Barber, but the race was pretty good, so I think we had a decent pace there. We’ll try to carry the momentum to Indy and have a great month here. Personally, the Indy road course is a track I really like, last year I got my first podium in Indy Lights here (finished third) so I’m looking forward to the race.”
JAMES HINCHCLIFFE (No. 5 Arrow Electronics SPM Honda): “Like I’ve kind of been saying all year, we’re going to every racetrack for the first time with these new kits, and obviously, the INDYCAR GP is no different. We kind of had a half test day here earlier in the year – kind of hampered by weather a little bit – that didn’t go super well for us. We’ve seen that before this year, and as a team, we’ve managed to fight back, so we’re just going to try and do what we’ve been doing: stay focused, keep our heads down and deal with whatever issues come up on a race weekend. At the end of the day, it’s May; we’re excited to finally be kicking off the month on track in the Arrow Electronics car. Fingers crossed we can keep up the level of performance, if not raise it another level.”
ROBERT WICKENS (No. 6 Lucas Oil SPM Honda): “I’m really excited to get the month of May started. It’s going to be my first! First, we have to get through the INDYCAR GP. I wasn’t able to do the test here a few weeks ago because of an (off-track) injury, but I think we’ve made some good steps after the testing James (Hinchcliffe) had. I think, if everything runs smoothly, we’ll score some good points in the Lucas Oil car and try to keep this momentum we have going.”
SCOTT DIXON (No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda): “The (INDYCAR) Grand Prix is becoming a really cool tradition here in Indianapolis to start off the month of May. Any time you can add a race, especially when you don’t have to leave home, it’s a win, I think. The focus is definitely on the road course this weekend, but with the recent delayed testing on the oval we did last week, I think everyone is also thinking about the big one, as well, later this month on Memorial Day weekend. I don’t think we’ve had the start to the season we’d hoped for in the PNC Bank car, but it’s a great time to get a strong result and get things going the right direction this weekend.”
ED JONES (No. 10 NTT DATA Chip Ganassi Racing Honda): “I’m really looking forward to the INDYCAR Grand Prix. It’s going to be quite a bit warmer there this weekend than when we were last here. A few of the first races haven’t gone our way this season, but there is a lot of potential and I’m excited for us putting a whole race together. The whole team at Chip Ganassi Racing has done a great job so far this season with pit stops and strategy and everything. We are on the right track and hope to start getting the results soon.”
WILL POWER (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, 2017 INDYCAR Grand Prix winner): “After a couple weeks off, I’m ready to get back at it. We had a rough go of it at Barber, but we’re putting it behind us. The month of May is such a special time in Indianapolis and I’m really excited to go back there. Last year we won the INDYCAR GP in the No. 12 Verizon Chevy and I see no reason we can’t do it again. Historically, it’s been one of our better tracks as a team, and I think we will be really strong and I know we’re going to have a good shot at winning there again.”
TONY KANAAN (No. 14 ABC Supply AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet): “There is always a big anticipation for the Grand Prix because it is the race just before the (Indianapolis) 500. I love the road course and I’m excited to be back and expecting good things. You’re at the Speedway so it’s always a cool race. In the past, we used to stay here the whole month, but then they shortened the month of May, and now by adding the Grand Prix, the month of May came back in my opinion. I’m really excited to be back.”
GRAHAM RAHAL (No. 15 United Rentals Honda): “I always think that the INDYCAR Grand Prix is one of the more important races of the year, just to get the momentum going for May and the Indy 500, and I certainly think that will be the case this time around as well. We have had a good start to the year. I have been pleased with the performance of our team on race day. Obviously, we need to keep working on that and I need to work on making less mistakes myself in qualifying. It will be really important for the United Rentals team to have a strong May and collect a lot of points and then carry on from the Grand Prix into the Indy 500 and then on to Detroit. Normally Detroit is where we really start getting good. Hopefully, we can start that process a little earlier this year. I have always loved this place. It is definitely unique. I think we are going to be pretty strong. It’s got long straightaways, a flowing section of corners and this track allows you to go race for sure and make a lot of passes so it’s an ideal track.”
SEBASTIEN BOURDAIS (No. 18 Team SealMaster Honda): “This will be my fifth INDYCAR Grand Prix and I have to be honest, the first couple of years, finishing fourth, I was a bit disappointed. The last two years we had decent cars, but things just didn’t go our way. I like the design of the circuit. There are a couple of good passing zones, but like all road and street courses, qualifying will be very important. The SealMaster Honda No. 18 has shown good pace the first four races of the season and we’re in the championship hunt, but we know we have our work cut out for us.”
JORDAN KING (No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Fuzzy’s Vodka Chevrolet): “I feel confident going into the INDYCAR Grand Prix this weekend and there is definitely a bit of buzz around Indianapolis about it, as well. This is the first circuit I have been able to spend a day testing at prior to the race weekend, so I am sure that will help. We were really quick at the test and we are looking to continue where we left off with the Fuzzy’s Vodka car.”
SPENCER PIGOT (No. 21 Preferred Freezer Service Chevrolet): “It is always the best time of the year when we get to race around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Obviously we have the Indianapolis 500, but first, we get to race the road course for the INDYCAR Grand Prix. Ed Carpenter Racing is really excited to go back to the GP where we had a really strong race last year. Hopefully, we can have similar pace and competitiveness this year in the Preferred Freezer Services car and start off the Month of May strong.”
SIMON PAGENAUD (No. 22 Menards Team Penske Chevrolet): “It’s the Month of May in Indianapolis. What more can you say? The whole series really rallies around the month and INDYCAR does a great job of really giving the fans a lot to do with two races. The INDYCAR GP is always a lot of fun and it’s a race myself and the No. 22 Menards Chevrolet team are really comfortable with. We won that race a few years ago and are ready to do it again. My team has been working hard to prepare great cars for the month and we saw a lot of really great speed at the recent test at Indianapolis. I really just can’t wait to get back on track in Indiana.”
CHARLIE KIMBALL (No. 23 Fiasp Chevrolet): “As much as we look forward to 500 miles at the end of May, I always enjoy the challenge of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course to kick off the month. I’ve had three fifth-place finishes and strong qualifying sessions here for the INDYCAR Grand Prix, and I hope to move up to the podium this weekend for Carlin’s debut. I think the entire Carlin team has been rolling with some momentum the past few weeks, from a strong finish for the No. 23 team in Long Beach to close qualifying lap times in Barber. Of course, this is an entirely different animal, but I know we’ll all be working hard to start the month on a high note.”
ZACH VEACH (No. 26 Group One Thousand One Honda): “The month of May is finally here! The INDYCAR GP is always special as it’s the final race before the Indy 500. We had a great test here about a month ago and I’m very excited to see what we can accomplish this weekend. The last two races have been personal bests for me in one aspect or another and I hope to keep that progress going for our whole Group One Thousand One team.”
ALEXANDER ROSSI (No. 27 NAPA AUTO PARTS Honda): “The month of May is finally here! I am so excited to kick it all off with the INDYCAR GP as it is one of my favorite tracks on the calendar. We had a very successful test there last month and I’ll be looking to translate that into a strong result to get the month off to a positive start for the NAPA Racing team.”
RYAN HUNTER-REAY (No. 28 DHL Honda): “The INDYCAR GP kick starts the month of May at IMS, so it’s important to get the momentum rolling for the Indy 500. Coming off our P2 finish at Barber, the No. 28 DHL team is headed in the right direction. We’ve finished this race in second and third, so we’ll be working hard to get on that top step of the podium.”
TAKUMA SATO (No. 30 Mi-Jack / Panasonic Honda): “The INDYCAR GP is quite fun. The long straight and the heavy braking areas provide a lot of opportunities for drivers to overtake, so it is usually a very exciting race. We had a productive test day on the road course in March, and look forward to the opportunity to have a strong race and make up some ground in the championship. Obviously, it is an important race for the 500, so we want to have a good, strong event to have good momentum for the month of May. The section from the main straight, which is the opposite direction that we use for the Indy 500 is something that reminds me of my Formula One days. Going from the speedway to the road course is always unique, so that’s my favorite part.”
KYLE KAISER (No. 32 NFP / Juncos Racing Chevrolet): “I’m glad the INDYCAR Grand Prix weekend is here. I’ve been itching to get back to racing since Long Beach. Last year, we had success in Indy Lights winning the Indy GP, so this is a track I’m very familiar with and enjoy driving. The team has continued to work very hard and improve the car and I’ve been working hard to improve on the progress we’ve built after our previous races. I’m ready to get back behind the wheel and continue to enjoy this incredible opportunity.”
MAX CHILTON (No. 59 Gallagher Chevrolet): “I love the month of May and getting back out on track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I think the INDYCAR Grand Prix is such a great way to kick off the month before we all switch into 500 mode. My first year on the IMS road course, I finished mid-pack and by last year we’d worked our way into the top 10 with a seventh-place finish, so it’s definitely turned into a track that I really enjoy and one that suits my driving style. It’s really exciting to be a part of Carlin’s first month of May Indy car experience and I’m really hoping we can have some good results for the No. 59 Gallagher Chevrolet.”
MARCO ANDRETTI (No. 98 U.S. Concrete / Curb Honda): “The GP is a very important race for us because it helps to set the momentum for the big one – the Indy 500. We had a decent test on the Indy road course; we look to qualify in Firestone Fast Six and get a podium finish. I think so far this season, we’ve had the pace to do that.”
Sources: Curt Cavin/Verizon IndyCar Series PR