2021 Indianapolis 500 Mile race practice/qualifying thread.

Official practice is underway as Rahal leads Dixon in the first sessions.

https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/indy-500-rahal-leads-dixon-in-opening-practice/6511043/

 

Schedule of events - Subject to change due to weather conditions. Most weekend activities on NBC or NBCSN.

TUESDAY, MAY 18
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET
Practice 1

TUESDAY, MAY 18
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET
Practice 2

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET
Practice 3

THURSDAY, MAY 20
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET
Practice 4

FRIDAY, MAY 21
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET
Practice 5

SATURDAY, MAY 22
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM ET
Practice 6

SATURDAY, MAY 22
12:00 PM - 5:50 PM ET
Qualifications - Day 1

SUNDAY, MAY 23
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET
Practice 7

SUNDAY, MAY 23
1:15 PM - 2:30 PM ET
Qualifications - Last Row

SUNDAY, MAY 23
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM ET
Qualifications - Fast 9

SUNDAY, MAY 23
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM ET
Practice 8

FRIDAY, MAY 28
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM ET
Final Practice (Carb Day)

SUNDAY, MAY 30
12:20 PM - 3:30 PM ET
Race

 

Looks like the rain is going to stay near the Gulf coast, so Indy should be dry, though getting hotter.

 

I'd love to hear a young kid ask his father, "Daddy, what's a Carb?"

 

Dixon fast on Wednesday, but he had a tow. Mega-hot this weekend with temps in the '90's with high humidity.

https://racer.com/2021/05/19/dixon-sets-the-pace-in-second-day-of-indianapolis-500-practice/?fbclid=IwAR13jAHSinpAE32gEn-Af8YL9Or0VD6UFgQgPWuXcO9zGazZILSpsMFqCFY

 

The reply would be - "bread, pasta, potato, rice . . . ".

 

So on Carb Day, the 33 drivers sit down at a long table and have a big feast?

 

Right. It's usually catered by Olive Garden. You know, free breadsticks . . .

 

Who is going to be in Indy for the race?

I have 1 silver badge credential I have up for sale. I am letting it go at a big discount vs what I paid for it. I would like it to go to someone who will actually get good use out of it. If anyone is interested in purchasing it pm me.

 

Qualy/Pole Day coverage starts at 2pm Eastern on NBC and then switches to NBCSN at 4pm.

 

Bubble Day. Will gently reminding Roger he’s the senior driver.....

 

Senior driver or no, Power is a streaky driver, prone to bonehead mistakes and then
losing his cool on pit lane.

When his qualifying for the Indy Grand Prix didn't go so well last week, he got out of the
car and berated his engineers and crew in front of a live TV audience carrying on like a
spoiled six year old.

Frankly, I'm surprised Penske has put up with Power as long as he has considering the depth
of the talent pool at hand.

BHW


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Wow that's nuts - I didn't see it, but I would have figured he was either joking or better than that. He did congratulate Simona De Silvestro when she qualified, so that was cool.

 

Great job by the Great Dixon.

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It seemed like the Fast Nine were either 40-somethings (Dixon, Carpenter, Kanaan, Castroneves, Hunter-Reay) or 20-somethings (Herta, Veekay, Palou). At 30, Marcus Ericsson was the only "in-betweener"!

 

Dixon is a man among boys. Didn't want to know the settings, didn't care. He just goes out and
performs.

BHW

 

Kurt Busch comes to mind.

 

True. The announcers were making a big deal that team drivers would provide valuable information to the other drivers before they hit the pavement. They asked Dixon. His polite answer was everybody drives differently. He just goes out and does his own thing.

 

Didn’t believe Simona had a chance, thought Kimball was going through no question.

 

Pretty appalling...pink slip coming...

 

I had to go look this one up cause I had not heard about it. The pic you posted is from 2011 when he was involved in a wreck. So everyone should not think this happened recently .

Will Power Flips Off Officials - YouTube

 

No, the image was from the 2011 event at New Hampshire where it had rained, officials had the
race restarted even though the track was not dry and a huge start line shunt ensued. Power
had been caught up in the shunt and gestured up to the race control booth.

The instance I am referring to is this years Indy Grand Prix event where Power had issues in
qualifying, came back to the pits, jumped out of his car and laid into his engineers and crew
in front of a live TV audience.

BHW

 

Who do we have as favorites for the 500 this year?

Hard to bet against Scott Dixon as he's been fastest all month. The only way he loses
is if he gets caught up in someone else's issue or a pit miscue.

Young pretenders including Herta, Veekay and Palou are right there.

My dark horses are Helio, Kanaan and Ferrucci.

BHW

 

If betting real money it's hard not to pick Dixon. However, even though the Chevys appear to be a touch slower, the actual race conditions could change that, In that case I would go with Newgarden or Veekay.

 

Thanks for clarifying. I did not get to see this race so did not know anything happened.