IndyCar: Friday morning update from Indianapolis

Hello from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway! It is only May in Indiana so the weather is not perfect this early in the month. The cloud cover has moved out and the sun is peeking out over the two and half mile oval track, with temperatures in the mid 50s and the high of 67 predicted for later today. The fact that it could rain today won't effect the racing this weekend, since we are on the road course for the Grand Prix of Indianapolis. This is the fourth time the IndyCars will run on the course that was built for Formula One, which raced here from 2000-2007.

Simon Pagenaud, driving the Menards Team Penske number 1, comes here after winning his first oval race in Phoenix two weeks ago. Pagenaud, who is currently leading the championship points, has won here on the road course twice. The only other winner of this race is his teammate, Will Power, driving the Verizon Team Penske entry.

A big change to the IMS Media facility is that the Chris Economaki press conference room is now part of a gift shop. Economaki was an American motorsports commentator, pit road reporter, and journalist. Economaki was given the title "The Dean of American Motorsports." The press conferences will now be held upstairs on the fourth floor were the media sits.

The IndyCars are now getting ready to hit the track for the first practice of today.

We will keep you updated on the activities…

Lucille Dust reporting live from Indianapolis.