top of page
Writer's pictureDan Jones

IndyCar preview: GMR Grand Prix

Updated: Jun 10

Written by Danny Jones, Edited by Sasha Macmillen

Pato O'Ward testing at the Indianapolis Circuit (Credit: Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

IndyCar returns to Indianapolis to officially begin the Month of May traditions, as the series builds up to the 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500. As has been the case for several years, the drivers will blast around the Road Course on Saturday, with qualifying taking place on Friday.


The Month of May had an extra treat this year, with the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama kicking the month off at Barber Motorsports Park, which was won by Pato O’Ward, who was able to put his disappointing start to the season behind him, and win his first road course event. Alex Palou finished 2nd and took the championship lead, whilst Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin finished 14th and 6th respectively.


However, the man to watch out for this weekend will be Will Power. The Australian has finished in the top 4 in every race so far in 2022, and has won at the Indianapolis Road Course an incredible 5 times, and looks set to be the man to beat. Romain Grosjean has also had success at the circuit, picking up his first pole at the GMR Grand Prix last year, and finishing 2nd in both Indy Road Course races in 2021.


Rinus VeeKay was disappointed to finish 3rd in Barber, after picking up pole, but losing out to Pato O’Ward and Alex Palou in the pit phase, but did pick up his 1st win at this event 12 months ago. Colton Herta has been the driver that needs to pick up form, but the Indy GP has not traditionally been a good event for the Californian over the years.


One driver change for the weekend, as Juan Pablo Montoya starts preparing for the Indy 500, and will drive the #6 Arrow McLaren SP to warm-up for practice and the Indianapolis 500, with J.R. Hildebrand, Marco Andretti, Tony Kanaan, Santino Ferrucci, Sage Karam and Ed Carpenter competing next week, as well as Stefan Wilson, who was announced as the critical 33rd entry.


An earlier start time, on one of the best road courses of the year, and the one most similar to European circuits. The Month of May kicked off in Alabama, and the Indy GP will kick off the formal festivities leading up to the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500, what is there not to miss?


Comments


bottom of page