IndyCar: Saturday Morning Report from Sonsio Grand Prix

It is a sunny morning at IMS, where the NTT INDYCAR Series will race in the Sonsio Grand Prix this afternoon.  Temperatures are predicted to be in the high 70s, about ten degrees warmer than yesterday’s qualifying temperature.

We saw a few drivers struggle with qualifying yesterday.  The Andretti Global team missed the Top 12 by one spot, with Colton Herta starting 13th today.  Marcus Ericsson will start 20th and Kyle Kirkwood 21st.

Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward was their highest qualifying driver, starting in the 8th spot today.  His teammate, Christian Lundgaard, who is second in the championship points, will start 14th.

There is frustration in the paddock about the tire rule for this race, but it should make the race a little more challenging for the drivers and exciting for the fans.  Calamities often happen on a pit stop, which would shake up the running order.

Lochie Hughes Wins INDY NXT Race 1

Lochie Hughes, rookie for Andretti Global, won Race 1 from the pole yesterday, holding onto the lead the after two caution periods to lead all 35 laps.  The Australian held off HMD’s Caio Collet to claim his first career victory.

“It is nice to finally get a win, especially around here.  My parents are here, as well, this weekend, and they are not usually here, so I think it’s the first time they’ll see me win in a long time because they don’t come over to America much.  Pretty cool.”

Here is today’s schedule in Eastern Time.

11:32 -11:57 am      NTT INDYCAR Series Warm Up

1:06 pm                        INDY NXT by Firestone Race 2  (35 laps)

4:30 pm                        Sonsio Grand Prix (85) laps

Lucille Dust reporting live from Indianapolis