the storm clouds, rain and storms complicated and shortened the 500 Mile classification from Indianapolis. Some problems that fortunately Álex Palou solved with a good lap to the most iconic oval in the world. It was just one tryas happened to almost all of the rest of the 33 participants, but enough, to be placed fourth, behind VeeKay, O’Ward and Rosenqvist. The Dutchman left a record of 233.655 miles per hour, for the 232.774. Nothing significant and more so considering that in the race, in addition to speed, consumption, degradation, rhythm, strategies… Countless details that can decide the 200 laps will come into play.
But much better to face all those challenges from the front. The Spanish is the first Honda engine in a session monopolized by Chevrolet. It is Ganassi’s first car also, the best of his team.
In addition, the champion’s team was solid after one lap. Following the Spaniard were his teammates Tony Kanaan and Jimmie Johnson, with Marcus Ericsson and Scott Dixon eighth and ninth, within the top-10 and among the top twelve who will fight for pole position on Sunday. This year the traditional Fast-9 disappears and in its place there is a round with the best 12 on Saturday from which six advance. The rest of the contenders sneaked in besides those listed are Carpenter Racing’s Ed Carpenter, Andretti’s Romain Grosjean and Penske’s championship leader Will Power and Dale Coyne Racing’s Takuma Sato.
Scott McLaughlin, 24th, and Colton Herta, 25th, suffered from the best of the year according to points, the latter having problems in his first attempt, which had to be aborted. Two delayed positions that are significant in terms of the championship and that greatly complicate their options for such a prestigious race and that also distributes twice the points. Josef Newgarden survived, with the 14th position. And as an example of the complexity of the American race, it should be noted that the 2021 champion, Helio Castroneves, finished in 26th place.
