#12 Will Power cheering the crowd on after his victory in the Kohler Grand Prix at Road America. [Dave Jensen Photo]
A very happy George Bruggenthies, track president and general manager of Road America, met the media in a post-race conference and he was smiling from ear-to-ear. ‘It was a beautiful race, especially considering the morning weather. It was likely the largest event hosted at RA. It helps to have great local support from Gehl, Kohler and Menards.” He also looked to the future and noted that the three-year title-sponsorship contract with Kohler will see next year’s race run on June 25, 2017, and that the facility may undergo even more construction than the $4.5 million spent on three projects this year. “We’d like to expand the scoring and timing and the press area in the future.” As to changes needed to accommodate Indy Car racing, Bruggenthies noted that RA had to add some debris fencing and cable for today’s race. And, George, has Bernie Ecclestone called yet about a Formula One race here after today? “They can come here any time,” he smiled. Does anyone have Bernie’s cell phone number?
• Pagenaud remains the series’ points leader with 375, followed by: Castroneves (301), Power (294), Dixon (285) and Newgarden (283).
• Tire decisions regarding wear and choice of compounds (Reds or Blacks-stickers or scuffs) brought the question of whether the track should change the curbs or surface to limit tire wear. Will Power said, “It’s good as it is. The lower grip surface gives the fans better racing and lets the drivers drive the car more. We just need to manage the wear factor.”
• Seventeen of the 22 starters completed all 50 laps on the long 4.048 mi course.
• The race counted just one full-course caution (for 4 laps) when Conor Daly slid into the Turn 1 barrier after something broke on his Dale Coyne Honda. Daly admitted that at first he thought Hunter-Reay bumped him as he was exiting pit road but after seeing the replay knows that something broke.
• Winner Will Power led a race-high 46 laps while Rahal and Pagenaud each led two.
• Ryan Hunter Reay moved to fourth in the last few laps and said “There was some pretty dirty stuff going on out there,” as he battled with, Castroneves, Newgarden, Montoya and Kimball for non-podium spots.
• The high-speed RA circuit became a learning place for Gabby Chaves as he was penalized twice for speeding on pit road.
• Pre-race speculation became reality as tire/fuel stops were taken about every 12 laps.
• Listening to the cars move around the course on the parade lap, when the facility is almost quiet, is one of the joys of being on the RA grounds. One can hear the crowds cheering in Turn 5 and then again as the field approaches Turns 12 and 14. When the drivers notice the crowd on their cool-down laps, Lights driver Zach Veach said, “When you’re going that slow, you almost feel like you should wave back at them.” Then you know the track is something special.
• Road America has worked hard over the years to keep its facility looking fresh and up-to-date. So, for 2016, fans will see three areas that have been rebuilt in order to make for a better RA fan experience. The track’s new 7,500 sq. ft. Paddock Shop and Fan Engagement Center, now open year-around, has been totally rebuilt and modernized to the point that it is on a par with shops in many sports stadiums like Miller Park in Milwaukee. It is a space that encourages fans to gather, shop and learn about Road America’s history. Also redone was the winner’s circle, located in the central paddock area, it features a 16×10 ft. video screen and backdrop. The structure was designed to look like the pagoda that housed the scoring and media facilities in the track’s early years. A major redoing of the main gate entrance on Highway 67 also presents a more welcoming “face” for the facility with its stonework and information screen.
• Indy Car owner Sam Schmidt missed the weekend events at Road America, but for a good reason. Schmidt, a quadriplegic, is driving the Arrow Semi-Autonomous Motorcar (SAM) on the bottom half of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb using head and eye movements to turn and accelerate the 2016 Chevrolet Corvette. Last month on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, Schmidt drove the car to a top speed of 152 mph in the SAM car. As at Indy, Schmidt will have former Indy car driver and four-time Pikes Peak winner Robby Unser as his co-pilot. The hill climb is celebrating its 100th anniversary and its 94th running this year.
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