Post-eclipse washout at IMS provides little information heading into May

By ZECH YODER

As beautiful as the week began with clear skies, warm temperatures, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience of witnessing a total solar eclipse, the remainder of the week was dreary, filled with rain, rain, and more rain.

Cars were on the track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway doing demonstration runs for the more than 50,000 people who observed the eclipse at the track. Anticipation was building for the Indianapolis 500 Open Test that was to take place at IMS on Wednesday and Thursday. Unfortunately, weather limited the test to just a few hours.

Teams were on track Wednesday morning for several hours to get up to speed with their cars and the track. After the initial session, the rookie and reorientation session was run for those either new to Indianapolis or who had run limited ovals in the last 12 months. That is when rain began breaking up the session with several yellow flags. Eventually, the track dried and was open to all the teams, but for only a short stint as the rain came back. Constant rain washed out Wednesday afternoon and Thursday, and with more rain forecasted on Friday, the Open Test was ultimately canceled.

The biggest story of the test was Kyle Larson, who will make his first Indianapolis 500 attempt this May. The 31-year-old and 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Champion is a generational racing talent and often compared to the likes of A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti for his ability to excel in anything with four wheels. Like Foyt and Andretti, Larson grew up racing midgets and sprint cars. Unlike Foyt and Andretti, Larson’s journey led him to full-time stock car racing in NASCAR. From his early years in NASCAR, many hoped Larson would make an Indianapolis 500 attempt, particularly because he drove for Chip Ganassi. However, it was Rick Hendrick and a partnership between Hendrick Motorsports and Arrow McLaren that enabled Larson to make the Indy attempt.

With limited testing on Wednesday, it was hard to assess the field. Joseph Newgarden ended the test on top with a speed of 228.811 mph. Kyle Larson was second at 226.384 and the rest of the top 5 was Scot Dixon, Alex Palou, and Colton Herta.

Although it was hard to determine who will have speed come May from the limited test, I think those who finished in the top 5 should all be considered legitimate contenders. Newgarden got the Indianapolis 500 monkey off his back last May, and I expect him to be extremely fast. Alex Palou, the reigning INDYCAR Champion, dominated the early stages of last year’s Indianapolis 500 before a collision on pit road likely ruined his opportunity at a win. Dixon, a past 500 Champion, is always a threat to win.

Others to watch are Marcus Ericsson, the 2021 Indianapolis 500 Champion, who posted the 14^th quickest time, and Pato O’Ward, who has challenged for the win the last couple years, despite finishing the test in the middle of the pack.

May is fast approaching. Cars will take to the track for the Sonsio Grand Prix May 9 to 11. Then it is on to the 108^th Running of the Indianapolis 500.

Zech Yoder is a local resident, an attorney at Adler Attorneys in Noblesville, and a lifelong race fan.