TheGrand Prix of Indianapolis,also known as theIndyCar Grand Prixis anIndyCar Seriesrace held on the combined road course at theIndianapolis Motor SpeedwayinSpeedway, Indiana.The race was first held in 2014 and is typically held on a Saturday in mid-May, two weekends prior to theIndianapolis 500.The race serves as a lead-in to the Indianapolis 500, and includes support races from theRoad to Indy,includingIndy NXT,USF Pro 2000 ChampionshipandUSF2000 Championship.
 | |
 | |
| IndyCar Series | |
|---|---|
| Venue | Indianapolis Motor Speedway |
| Corporatesponsor | Sonsio Vehicle Protection(Month of May) Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.(summer) |
| First race | 2014 |
| Distance | 207.315 miles (333.641 km) |
| Laps | 85 |
| Previous names | Grand Prix of Indianapolis(2014) Angie's List Grand Prix of Indianapolis(2015–2016) INDYCAR Grand Prix(2017-2019) GMR Grand Prix(2019-2023) Harvest Grand Prix(2020 summer) Big Machine Spiked Coolers Grand Prix(2021 summer) |
| Most wins (driver) | May Race:Will Power(3) Simon Pagenaud(3) Summer Race:Scott Dixon(2) |
| Most wins (team) | May Race:Team Penske(5) Summer Race:Chip Ganassi Racing(2) |
| Most wins (manufacturer) | May Race: Chassis:Dallara(9) Engine:Chevrolet(6) Summer Race: Chassis:Dallara(4) Engine:Honda(3) |
The race is run on a newer, modified layout of the circuit previously used for theFormula OneUnited States Grand Prix,and later theMoto GPmotorcycle event.From 2014 to 2016, the race was known as the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, and from 2015 to 2016 it was sponsored byAngie's List.For 2017, the Angie's List title sponsorship was dropped, and the race name was changed to the IndyCar Grand Prix. This was done in order to reduce confusion with the previous Formula One grand prix race that used to be held there, and to emphasize to fans that the race was part of the American-based IndyCar Series.[1]As of 2024, the race is known as theSonsio Grand Prixfor sponsorship reasons. A second road course race, theGallagher Grand Prixwas held during the summer as a support race for theNASCAR Cup SeriesVerizon 200 at the Brickyard.That race was run from2020until2023.
Background
edit
In 2012, Hulman & Co., then parent company of theIndianapolis Motor Speedway,hired Boston Consulting Group to evaluate its business operations.[2]In their report, one of their suggestions was to explore the possibility of hosting an IndyCar Series race on the road course at Indy.[3]The modernFIA Grade Oneinfield road coursehad opened in 2000, and was initially used for theUnited States Grand Prixfrom 2000 to 2007. Later, it was used forMoto GP,andGrand Am.The layout for the infield road course was originally designed in 1992 by Kevin Forbes during the reconstruction of theBrickyard Crossinggolf course.[4]It had already gone through some various improvements, most notably in 2008 when the "Snake Pit" segment was added in the infield of oval turn one. Indy cars had never raced on the road course layout, sticking only to theoval circuitfor theIndianapolis 500,but their support series, theIndy Lights,had raced there four times. Occasionally Indy cars used the Indianapolis road course as a test facility, since many teams are headquartered in the Indianapolis area.Dan Wheldonnotably tested theDW12chassis at the course in September 2011.
In September 2013, an IndyCar feasibility test was conducted on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.[5][6]The test yielded positive results. Speculation immediately began to grow about a possible race for 2014, either as a May "doubleheader" event with the Indy 500, or a stand-alone race in the fall. The inaugural race was announced on October 1, 2013, and was scheduled for early May.[7]The decision was made to utilize the course in a clockwise layout, and to re-work certain parts of the track.
Course changes
editIn October 2013, a construction project began to reconfigure the road course layout in order to the make the circuit more competitive, better for fans, and more suited forIndy cars.The entire road course portion was repaved, while several segments were modified. Corner one of road course was changed to a 90-degree turn with a raised curb on the inside. The road course portion inside oval turn four was revised to bypass two slow turns, and effectively lengthened the Hulman Boulevard backstretch. At the end of the Hulman Blvd. backstretch, a new 90-degree left corner leads to a new series of faster turns behind theMuseum.Rather than follow original corner 13 (oval turn 1) like the U.S. Grand Prix did, the IndyCar circuit mimics the motorcycle course, and utilized the "Snake Pit" infield complex. Two of the tighter, sharper, corners (utilized by the motorcycles) were bypassed and replaced with a single 90-degree right turn leading to the pit entry. The new course distance measures 2.439 miles (3.925 km).
Schedule
editFrom 2014 to 2019, and again since 2021, the IndyCar Grand Prix has been scheduled for the Saturday two weeks before theIndianapolis 500.The race effectively serves as an "opening weekend" for the month of May activities at the Speedway. The race is on the Saturday that was once used for Indy 500pole day(1952–1997 & 2001–2009), and in other years the opening day of practice (1998–2000 & 2010–2013).
Saturday was selected for the race due to the fact that the Sunday two weeks before the Indy 500 is usuallyMother's Day(a day usually avoided by motorsports). In addition, the track is closed on Sunday to allow crews to convert the track back to the oval layout, and to allow teams to convert their cars from road course to oval configuration. Practice for the Indy 500 on the oval begins the following day on Monday or Tuesday.
On April 6, 2020, theIndyCar Seriesannounced that as part of revisions to the2020 seasondue to theCOVID-19 pandemic,it would add a third event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to the schedule known as theIndyCar Harvest GPon the road course. Later, it was expanded to become a doubleheader on October 2–3. Its naming pays tribute to theHarvest Auto Racing Classic,and served as a support event accompanying the inaugural Indianapolis 8 Hour of theIntercontinental GT Challengecircuit. It was the second road course race at IMS for the 2020 season, alongside the GMR Grand Prix (which was moved to July 4 as part ofNASCAR'sBrickyard 400weekend).[8]
For2021,the GMR Grand Prix moved back to its normal date in early May, with the pandemic-induced meeting held during theNASCARVerizon 200weekend continuing. During the NASCAR weekend, the race is an early afternoon Saturday event with the NASCAR XfinityShell 150as the nightcap.Big Machine Spiked Coolerssponsored the first event.[9]
On April 29, 2022, theArthur J. Gallagher & Co.was named sponsor of the summer race.[10]
On November 1, 2023,Sonsio Vehicle Protectionwas named the sponsor of the May race.[11]
Past winners
editIndyCar Series
editMay
edit| Season | Date | Driver | Team | Chassis | Engine | Race Distance | Race Time | Average Speed | Report | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laps | Miles (km) | |||||||||
| 2014 | May 10 |  Simon Pagenaud
|
Sam Schmidt Motorsports | Dallara(1) | Honda(1) | 82 | 199.998 (321.85) | 2:04:24 | 96.463 mph (155.242 km/h) | Report |
| 2015 | May 9 |  Will Power
|
Team Penske | Dallara(2) | Chevrolet(1) | 82 | 199.998 (321.85) | 1:42:42 | 116.842 mph (188.039 km/h) | Report |
| 2016 | May 14 | Simon Pagenaud
|
Team Penske | Dallara(3) | Chevrolet(2) | 82 | 199.998 (321.85) | 1:50:19 | 108.784 mph (175.071 km/h) | Report |
| 2017 | May 13 | Will Power
|
Team Penske | Dallara(4) | Chevrolet(3) | 85 | 207.315 (333.641) | 1:42:58 | 120.813 mph (194.430 km/h) | Report |
| 2018 | May 12 | Will Power
|
Team Penske | Dallara(5) | Chevrolet(4) | 85 | 207.315 (333.641) | 1:49:46 | 113.318 mph (182.368 km/h) | Report |
| 2019 | May 11 | Simon Pagenaud[12]
|
Team Penske | Dallara(6) | Chevrolet(5) | 85 | 207.315 (333.641) | 2:00:28 | 103.254 mph (166.171 km/h) | Report |
| 2021 | May 15 |  Rinus VeeKay
|
Ed Carpenter Racing | Dallara(7) | Chevrolet(6) | 85 | 207.315 (333.641) | 1:47:09 | 116.096 mph (186.838 km/h) | Report |
| 2022 | May 14 |  Colton Herta
|
Andretti AutosportwithCurb Agajanian | Dallara(8) | Honda(2) | 75* | 182.925 (294.389) | 2:01:56 | 90.008 mph (144.854 km/h) | Report |
| 2023 | May 13 |  Álex Palou
|
Chip Ganassi Racing | Dallara(9) | Honda(3) | 85 | 207.315 (333.641) | 1:47:57 | 115.234 mph (185.451 km/h) | Report |
| 2024 | May 11 | Álex Palou
|
Chip Ganassi Racing | Dallara(10) | Honda(4) | 85 | 207.315 (333.641) | 1:45:27 | 117.956 mph (189.832 km/h) | Report |
Notes
- 2022:Race delayed by approx. 45 minutes due tolightningand shortened due to two-hour time limit.
NASCAR Weekend
edit| Season | Date | Driver | Team | Chassis | Engine | Race Distance | Race Time | Average Speed | Report | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laps | Miles (km) | |||||||||
| 2020 | July 4* |  Scott Dixon
|
Chip Ganassi Racing | Dallara(1) | Honda(1) | 80 | 195.12 (314.02) | 1:41:59 | 114.789 mph (184.735 km/h) | Report |
| 2021 | August 14 | Will Power
|
Team Penske | Dallara(4) | Chevrolet(3) | 85 | 207.315 (333.641) | 1:49:38 | 113.458 mph (182.593 km/h) | Report |
| 2022 | July 30 | Alexander Rossi
|
Andretti Autosport | Dallara(5) | Honda(2) | 85 | 207.315 (333.641) | 1:48:39 | 114.483 mph (184.243 km/h) | Report |
| 2023 | August 12 | Scott Dixon
|
Chip Ganassi Racing | Dallara(6) | Honda(3) | 85 | 207.315 (333.641) | 1:51:24 | 111.647 mph (179.678 km/h) | Report |
Intercontinental GT Challenge Weekend (Harvest GP)
edit| Season | Date | Driver | Team | Chassis | Engine | Race Distance | Race Time | Average Speed | Report | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laps | Miles (km) | |||||||||
| 2020 | October 2 | Josef Newgarden
|
Team Penske | Dallara | Chevrolet | 85 | 207.315 (333.641) | 01:44:28 | 119.060 | Report |
| October 3 | Will Power
|
Team Penske | Dallara | Chevrolet | 75 | 182.925 (294.389) | 01:32:08 | 119.115 | ||
Support races
edit
Indy NXT / Indy Lights
editTheIndy NXT Indianapolis Grand Prixis a pair of twin races in theIndy NXTseries, held on the combined road course at theIndianapolis Motor Speedway.For the first three years of its existence, theIndy Pro Serieswas contested onoval tracksonly. All Indy Pro Series races were run as support to IRL/IndyCar Series events. Road course and street course events were added to both series in 2005, and the series was renamed to Indy Lights beginning in 2008.
The race was first introduced as theLiberty Challenge(2005–2007) and was held as a support race to theFormula OneUnited States Grand Prixat Indianapolis. The Liberty Challenge was the first Indy Pro Series race which was not run as support to anIndyCar Seriesweekend. This move allowed the Indy Pro Series drivers valuable exposure in front of the Formula One teams and fans. Some drivers, such asGraham Rahal,ran this race as a one-off, while running full-time in other series (such as theAtlantics). The U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis ended after 2007, and the Liberty Challenge event was put on hiatus.
An Indy Lights (now Indy NXT) race on the Indianapolis road course was revived in 2014 as part of the new IndyCar Grand Prix weekend. However, the original Liberty Challenge name was dropped. In addition, the race was now being contested on the newer 2.439-mile road course layout used by the IndyCar Series.
USF Pro 2000 Championship
edit
U.S. F2000 National Championship
edit| Season | Date | Winning Driver | Winning Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | May 9 | Will Owen
|
Pabst Racing Services |
| May 10 | Adrian Starrantino
|
JAY Motorsports | |
| 2015 | May 8 | Nico Jamin
|
Cape Motorsports withWayne Taylor Racing |
| May 9 | Nico Jamin
|
Cape Motorsports withWayne Taylor Racing | |
| 2016 | May 13 | Anthony Martin
|
Cape Motorsports withWayne Taylor Racing |
| May 14 |  Parker Thompson
|
Cape Motorsports withWayne Taylor Racing | |
| 2017 | May 12 | Oliver Askew
|
Cape Motorsports |
| May 13 | Oliver Askew
|
Cape Motorsports | |
| 2018 | May 11 | Alexandre Baron
|
Swan-RJB Motorsports |
| May 12 | Kyle Kirkwood
|
Cape Motorsports | |
| 2019 | May 10 | Braden Eves
|
Cape Motorsports |
| May 11 | Braden Eves
|
Cape Motorsports | |
| 2020* | September 3 |  Eduardo Barrichello
|
Pabst Racing |
| September 4 | Eduardo Barrichello
|
Pabst Racing | |
| Reece Gold
|
Cape Motorsports | ||
| 2021 | May 14 | Yuven Sundaramoorthy
|
Pabst Racing |
| Yuven Sundaramoorthy
|
Pabst Racing | ||
| May 15 | Kiko Porto
|
DEForce Racing | |
| 2022 | May 13 |  Alex Quinn
|
Velocity Racing Development |
| May 14 | Alex Quinn
|
Velocity Racing Development | |
| Alex Quinn
|
Velocity Racing Development | ||
| 2023 | May 12 | Sam Corry
|
Velocity Racing Development |
| May 13 | Simon Sikes
|
Pabst Racing | |
| Lochie Hughes
|
Jay Howard Driver Development |
- 2015:Three races were held in 2015. Due to severe weather at theNOLArace, that event was cancelled. The race was made up and moved to Indianapolis, utilizing the same grid.
- 2020:Due to the logistics of attempting to hold theRoad to Indy(USF2000 and Pro 2000) events on the NASCAR Brickyard weekend, following the cancellation of the traditional May meeting caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was moved to a stand-alone date in September. Indy Lights was not held as the series did not compete in 2020.
Race summaries
edit2014
edit
The month of May atIndianapolisopened with the Inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis on the Speedway's road course. With the field lined up for astanding start,polesitterSebastián Saavedra's car stalled. A huge crash resulted, involving Saavedra,Carlos Muñoz,andMikhail Aleshin,showering debris along the frontstretch and into the pit area.
Late in the race,Simon PagenaudledRyan Hunter-Reay.Both drivers were low on fuel, and trying to nurse their cars to the finish.Hélio Castroneves,who had pitted for fuel, was charging through the field, and looking to run down the leaders. Pagenaud held off the challenge, and crossed the finish line just ahead of Hunter-Reay and Castroneves. Pagenaud's car ran out of fuel on the cool down lap. Series rookieJack Hawksworth,who earned his first front-row start, led a field-high 31 laps and finished seventh.
2015
editWill Powerwon the pole position for the second annual Angie's List Grand Prix of Indianapolis, continuing a dominating trend in 2015 forPenske Racingduring qualifying. Penske cars qualified first, third, fourth, and fifth, withGanassi'sScott Dixon(2nd) situated on the outside of the front row.
At the start, a multi-car tangle in turn one sawScott Dixonspin out in front of the entire field.Hélio Castroneves(in his milestone 300th Indy car start) was involved in contact, as wasJosef Newgarden,and others.Will Powertook the lead and dominated the race, leading 65 of 82 laps. Power became the fifth different winner in as many races for 2015.
For the second race in a row,Graham Rahalhad a spirited run to finish second. After the final round of pit stops, Rahal was able to close within two seconds of the lead, but was unable to catch Power in the final few laps. The races was slowed for only one yellow to clean up the incident on lap 1.
2016
editSimon Pagenaudbecame the first two-time winner of the Angie's List Grand Prix of Indianapolis. Pagenaud started from the pole position and led 57 of the 82 laps. After a caution came out on lap 38,Conor Dalycame to the lead for a total of 14 laps while the field was cycling through different pit stop strategies. On the final series of pit stops, Pagenaud executed a very fast in-lap and out-lap, including a lightning fast 6.7-second pit stop. He emerged as the leader, and led the final 14 laps to victory. Cold temperatures and cloudy, windy conditions made for one of the coldest Indy car races in Speedway history.
It wasTeam Penske's second consecutive win in the Grand Prix, and 18th overall win at Indy.
2017
editWill Powerstarted from the pole position and led 61 of 85 laps en route to victory. The race went the entire distance caution free.Hélio Castronevesled 24 laps, but slipped to fifth at the finish after their tire strategy did not work out favorably. After his final pit stop, Castroneves slipped from second to fifth in the waning laps on the primary black tires, while all the other leaders were on the option red tires.
2018
editWill Powerwon the IndyCar Grand Prix for the second year in a row, and third time overall. Power started on the pole position and led 56 of the 85 laps. Power chased down leaderRobert Wickensto take the lead on lap 51 with a daring pass on the outside of turn one. When a full-course caution came out on lap 56 due to a spin byJosef Newgarden,all the leaders headed to the pits for their final pit stops. Power edged Wickens to the blend line by about two feet, to be the lead out of the pits. Powers held offScott Dixonand Wickens for the victory.
Power's victory was the milestone 200th Indy car victory forPenske Racing,and two weeks later, Power would sweep the month by winning theIndianapolis 500.
2019
editIn wet and rainy conditions,Simon Pagenaudwon the IndyCar Grand Prix for the third time, and matchingWill Power's accomplishment from a year earlier, swept the month of May by winning theIndianapolis 500two weeks later. Pagenaud charged from sixth place to first over the final 18 laps. With two laps to go, race leaderScott Dixonled Pagenaud as they approached the end of the Hulman Boulevard backstretch. Dixon slid a little wide in turn 7, and Pagenaud took the lead in turns 8–9. Pagenaud pulled out to a two-second victory.
2020 (NASCAR Weekend)
editDue to theCOVID-19 pandemic,the GMR Grand Prix was moved from its traditional May date to July 4 weekend. It became part of theNASCARBig Machine Hand Sanitizer 400weekend, and was part of a doubleheader on Saturday with thePennzoil 150of theXfinity Series.Scott Dixondominated the race, running away from the field after a full-course caution shuffled the standings on lap 36. Dixon had made his second pit stop under green on lap 33, but three laps laterOliver Askewcrashed hard in turn 14. The leaders subsequently pitted under the caution, allowing Dixon to cycle up to the front of the pack. After the green came back out, Dixon chased down leaderGraham Rahaland took the lead on lap 48. Despite Rahal only making two pit stops - compared to three by Dixon - Dixon was able to cruise over the final twenty laps, and he won by 19.9469 seconds. It was Dixon's first victory (after three second places) in the GMR Grand Prix, and Dixon's first victory at theIndianapolis Motor Speedwaysince winning the2008 Indianapolis 500.
2020 (Intercontinental GT Weekend - two races)
edit
Also because ofthe pandemic,and race cancellations, two races were added as part of theIntercontinental GT Challengeweekend 8 Hours of Indianapolis in October, and the first race meeting of the season open to spectators. The first race of the Harvest GP doubleheader was held on Friday October 2. The race was scheduled for 85 laps, and rookieRinus VeeKaywon the pole position.Colton Hertagrabbed the lead on the first lap from the third starting position. VeeKay was able to take the lead on lap 7, then led the next 15 laps. Later in the race, Herta was back in the lead withJosef Newgardenchasing him down. Going into turn one on lap 60, Newgarden made a decisive pass, and Herta locked up the tires and overshot the turn. The leaders then made their final pits stops, with Newgarden coming back out as the leader. Newgarden led the final 25 laps to victory, and was able to close the gap in the championship hunt as points leaderScott Dixonmanaged only a ninth-place result.
The second race of the Harvest GP doubleheader was held on Saturday October 3. The race was scheduled for 75 laps (down from 85 laps on Friday).Will Powerstated from the pole position and led all 75 laps, scoring his fourth win on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Power took the lead as the start, and pulled out to comfortable lead. After the final round of pit stops,Alexander RossiandColton Hertawere battling for second place. Herta passed Rossi, then set his sights on power. With Power's tires starting to go away, Herta closed the gap to less than half a second. Power held on to win by only 0.8932 seconds in the caution-free event.
History
edit
The addition of the Grand Prix of Indianapolis established two Indy car races in the Indianapolis area. It was the first time since 1970 that multiple Championship/Indy car races are being held in the greater Indianapolis area. Through 1970, the Indy 500 was accompanied by theHoosier Hundredat theIndiana State Fairgrounds,which at the time was a National Championship event. TheHoosier Grand PrixatIndianapolis Raceway Parkwas held as a USAC Champ Car race from 1965 to 1970.
When theIndianapolis Motor Speedwaywas under construction in 1909, the original plans included acombined road courselayout.[13]This would have allowed for both oval track and road course events. According to historianDonald Davidson,some initial grading appears to have been completed for what would have been a 5-mile layout, but plans for the road course were scrapped during construction.[14]It was not until 1998 that plans for a road course layout at the facility were revived, when theUnited States Grand Prixwas announced.
In 1990, a street circuit in downtown Indianapolis was proposed,[15][16]with a goal of attracting a Formula One or CART Indy car race. The layout encompassed roads near theHoosier DomeandIndianapolis Zoo.The plan never materialized.
The 2020 season marked four races were held in Indianapolis, with the three road course events –one during the NASCAR and two during the Intercontinental GT Challenge meeting– as a result of pandemic-related postponements. For 2021, the two races are held during the Month of May and the NASCAR weekend.
References
edit- ^"Angie's List Out as Grand Prix Sponsor".
- ^Mickle, Tripp (2012-10-26)."Hulman & Co. Hires Boston Consulting Group To Evaluate Businesses, Including IndyCar".Sports Business Daily.Retrieved2013-11-19.
- ^Fryer, Jenna (2013-03-02)."AP Exclusive: Family told to keep IndyCar, IMS".AP. Archived fromthe originalon 2014-05-17.Retrieved2013-11-19.
- ^"Course Designer Describes Speedway's New Home For Formula One".IndyF1 via WayBackmachine. Archived fromthe originalon 1999-10-13.RetrievedAugust 6,2020.
- ^Oreovicz, John (2013-09-04)."Bet on an IndyCar road race at Indy soon".ESPN.Retrieved2013-09-10.
- ^"Board approves Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course event for May 2014".IndyCar Series.September 26, 2013.RetrievedSeptember 26,2013.
- ^Cavin, Curt (October 1, 2013)."IndyCar officials provide details for revised 2.434-mile IMS road course".Indianapolis Star.Gannett Company.RetrievedOctober 1,2013.
- ^Brown, Nathan."IndyCar's latest schedule change: three races added, including one at IMS; Detroit canceled".Indianapolis Star.Retrieved2020-04-11.
- ^Speedway, Indianapolis Motor."NASCAR, INDYCAR Teaming Up for Historic Brickyard Weekend".indianapolismotorspeedway.Retrieved2020-09-30.
- ^"Gallagher, Penske Entertainment, and Team Penske Announce Multi-Year Agreement".Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.Retrieved2022-04-29.
- ^Speedway, Indianapolis Motor."Sonsio Named Title Sponsor of May Grand Prix Race at IMS".indianapolismotorspeedway.Retrieved2023-11-01.
- ^Horner, Scott (May 11, 2019)."Simon Pagenaud charges late to win the 2019 IndyCar Grand Prix".Indianapolis Star.RetrievedMay 11,2019.
- ^The Talk of Gasoline Alley.May 12, 2005. Network Indiana.
- ^The Talk of Gasoline Alley.July 25, 2014.WFNI.
- ^"Indianapolis Street Circuit at RacingCircuits.net".Archived fromthe originalon 2016-03-04.Retrieved2014-02-17.
- ^"Indianapolis Street Track Info".silhouet.
External links
edit| Preceded by Indy Grand Prix of Alabama |
IndyCar Series Grand Prix of Indianapolis (Month of May) |
Succeeded by Indianapolis 500 |
| Preceded by Music City Grand Prix |
IndyCar Series Gallagher Grand Prix (NASCAR meeting) |
Succeeded by Bommarito Automotive Group 500 |