2023 R4: HOT DIGGITY DANGIT IT'S ROBERT E. LEE GP OF ALABAMA

[John]

[MonteCristo]

Back home again in Alabama, and it seems that I can see...

The gleaming moonshine, still burning my throat all night...

[Everso Biggyballies]

I cant say the word Alabama without singing a bit of this.

[MonteCristo]

Practice:

Jack Harvey spun. Helio Castroneves crashed. Romain Grosjean’s engine let the smoke out. Will Power crashed.

The opening practice session for the Children’s of Alabama Indy GP wasn’t lacking in drama as the 75-minute frame featured a number of slowdowns and a pair of stoppages among the NTT IndyCar Series field, and once it was over, Team Penske made a statement with Scott McLaughlin’s No. 3 Chevy producing a 1m06.6610s lap and teammate Power claimed third at the checkered flag with a 1m06.8985s run in the No. 12 Chevy. Between them was Andretti Autosport’s Colton Herta with a 1m06.8193s in the No. 26 Honda.

Report and times: https://racer.com/2023/04/28/mclaughlin ... -practice/

[MonteCristo]

Qualifying:

Grosjean’s pole lap of 1m05.8396s was challenged on the last lap by Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou, who helped Honda to sweep the front row with a 1m05.9130s tour in the No. 10 entry. Team Chevy claimed the second row with Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward in the No. 5 with his 1m05.9382s lap and Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin, who posted a 1m05.9515s in the No. 3 car as the top four were separated by a scant 0.1119s.

Ganassi’s Scott Dixon captured fifth in the No. 9 Honda with a 1m06.0723s run, and in a welcome turn of fortunes for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Christian Lundgaard took the final spot in the Fast Six with a 1m06.1601s in the No. 45 Honda.

https://racer.com/2023/04/29/grosjean-k ... ycar-pole/

[John]

Let's gooooo

[Vassago]

Grosjean held off Palou in wheel-to-wheel action but still a long way to go.

Rosenqvist spun on the opening lap and tumbled right down to the back of the field.

[Vassago]

McLaughlin profits from the timing of the first caution and jumps into 2nd place right behind Grosjean.

[Vassago]

McLaughlin briefly jumped Grosjean after the second stop but Grosjean passed him back for the virtual lead.

[John]

Great win for Mac. Another good race from RoGro and this time he didn't wreck or get wrecked. Good recovery from Felix.

[Vassago]

Grosjean lost pace in the last stint other than that one moment that allowed McLaughlin through.

[MonteCristo]

Looked like a few bits of decent racing. Nothing amazing, but better than F1.

Nice work by MacLaughen!

[Everso Biggyballies]

One day RoGro will won of these pesky races.


The 30 minute version is not up yet so for the time being, 5 minute highlights are better than nowt.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Peoples Champion Sting Ray Rob didnt have much luck, suffering a mechanical DNF, but he was happy his misfortune helped out those in strategy holes. Such a thoughtful guy.

[Manfred Cubenoggin]

Pretty entertaining. I said many years ago in a PM with PT that I'd take an Indycar race over an F1 GP any day. Seems to hold true here in 2023.