By ZECH YODER
Indianapolis Motor Speedway is officially open for the month of May!
This weekend is the Sonsio Grand Prix on the IMS road course. Gates open bright and early at 7:30 a.m. and the NTT INDYCAR Series warm-up begins at 11:15 a.m. The Sonsio Grand Prix will follow at 3:45 p.m.
Last year, eventual series champion Alex Palou dominated the race and scored the first of his series-leading five victories. I expect Palou to be in contention again this year. I also expect Penske to be very good. Will Power is a multiple-time winner on the IMS road course, and Scott McLaughlin is coming off a commanding win at Barber Motorsports Park. The controversy surrounding the Penske push to pass debacle at St. Petersburg will only increase the team’s motivation to win. I think Will Power gets it done at IMS.
The rest of the May Calendar at Indianapolis Motor Speedway looks like this:
- Tuesday, May 14: Practice 9 to 11 a.m., and 1 to 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 15: Practice noon to 6 p.m.
- Thursday, May 16: Practice noon to 6 p.m.
- Friday, May 17: Practice noon to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, May 18: Qualifying Day 1 – 11 a.m. to 5:50 p.m.
- Sunday, May 19: Qualifying Day 2 – Top 12 Qualifying 3:05 to 4:05 p.m.; 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. Last Chance Qualifying 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. Firestone Fast Six Qualifying 5:25 to 5:55 p.m.
- Monday, May 20: Practice 1 to 3 p.m.
- Friday, May 24: Miller Lite Carb Day – Practice 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge 2:30 to 4 p.m. Carb Day Concert 3 to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, May 25: Legends Day and 500 Festival Parade
- Sunday, May 26: RACE DAY! Gates open at 6 a.m.
Cars are on track and I am looking forward to another great month of May. The addition of Kyle Larson will provide additional intrigue and excitement. If you just can’t wait until Tuesday to see Kyle Larson on track, he will compete in the High Limit Racing sprint car series at Kokomo Speedway. See details at highlimitracing.com.
Zech Yoder is a local resident, an attorney at Adler Attorneys in Noblesville, and a lifelong race fan.