The berms around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course were packed with fans. [Joe Jennings Photo]
This wasn’t the Indianapolis race that fans have attended for ninety-seven times; but then it wasn’t supposed to be.
The inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis was designed to open what once was ‘The Month of May’, and it did so in spectacular fashion.
From the crowds assembled around the infield road course, some not quite sure where to go to get the best view, to the standing start that provided a scary beginning to the race, the newly- conceived event was definitely not the 500. And that was sort-of the idea.
Scheduling of the event occurred late in 2013 and brought howls of protest over the off-season from traditionalists who hated to give what has become a ‘Three Weeks of May’ over to another race; ANY other race.
But with the IndyCar schedule somewhat short of races this season, the G.P. fit-in nicely, what with all the teams, crews and equipment in place at 16th and Georgetown, it was a race that was bound to happen.
There was speculation over just how many fans would attend an event that was forced to live in the shadow of the 400-pound gorilla known as the 500. The race was promoted to a more local crowd-base than the 500, and attend they did on a spectacular weather day- in numbers that were much greater than had been hoped for.
The facilities at IMS are second to none for both fans and competitors and a $5million off-season construction project changed a sometimes uncompetitive road course into one that turned the open wheelers into what looked like NASCAR at Bristol on a good day.
Over 50 minutes of the two-hour event were run under four caution flags , as the field proved that racing down straightaways can sometimes involve more contact than going through corners.
Stalled pole-winner Sebastian Saavedra, aggressive Mikhail Aleshin, flying Martin Plowman and frustrated Graham Rahal can attest to how competitive (read combative) the race was. Even Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard wasn’t immune as he suffered a minor soft tissue injury after being struck by a piece of debris from the accident at the start.
Fans remained glued to the berms and bleachers as Ryan Hunter-Reay tried but failed to chase-down winner Simon Pagenaud as the Frenchman won for Sam Schmidt’s underdog team.
So, what do we think? Was the event a good start? Will it be treated with the esteem accorded to the 1911 500?
You’d have to say it was a good start as a large crowd, an exciting race and great weather combined to put a memorable Grand Prix of Indianapolis into the books.
Changes?
Get larger, more modern high-definition video screens and more visible score boards into the infield area. This is a road course race and as the event grows, more berm areas and more infield bleachers will be needed for fans who’d rather roam from corner to corner instead of sitting in a grandstand seat for the entire race.
The drivers say that the straightaway is wide enough for a standing start, but race-winner Pagenaud suggested that maybe the field needs more practice for that type of start to assure a smoother beginning.
Make sure each fan has a detailed course map so not only are fan areas shown, but routes to get to the berms and stands are clearly noted.
And a final, ironic pre-race word from pole-winner Sebastian Saavedra who stalled in front of the field which resulted in the scary beginning to the race.
“It (the standing start) is something I grew up with in Europe, so I do enjoy them. It’s a little more fun for the fans to watch. It’s a dynamic track and I love to drive it.” Too bad he didn’t get a chance to do it today.
NOTES of INTEREST:
- Former Milwaukee Brewers Hall of Famer Robin Yount was among the celebrities in attendance. Yount was once part owner of a Formula Atlantic team.
- Englishman Jack Hawksworth who created a loud roar from the Turn One crowd when he passed Ryan Hunter-Reay for the early lead, finished seventh and was the highest finishing rookie of the race and lead the most laps (31).
- Winner Simon Pagenaud compared the IMS road course to the Magny-Cours Formula One track in his home country of France.
- Winner Pagenaud will turn 30 on May 18. Third-place finisher Helio Castroneves turned 39 today.
- The numbers game: In IndyCar’s first four races in 2014, they have had four winners, from four countries, from four different teams: St. Petersburg-Will Power-Australia-Penske/ Long Beach-Mike Conway-England-Carpenter/ Barber-Hunter-Reay-U.S.-Andretti/ Indy G.P.-Pagenaud-France-Schmidt.
- The Celebration of the Automobile proved popular with pre-race fans as the display of hundreds of vintage and historic cars drew thousands of fans to the Pagoda Plaza infield area. Three-time 500 winner Al Unser was an Honorary Judge for the event and Indy car owner Bobby Rahal entered two vehicles (a 1961 E-Type Jaguar and a 1965 Shelby Mustang).
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