Round 14: revised calendar. Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Oct 25.
Round 14: revised calendar. Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Oct 25.
After a long off-season, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg would normally have been the season opener but because of the Covid-19 pandemic it was decided to cancel the race, which was scheduled for March 15. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca also decided to cancel this season's finale, the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey, scheduled for 20th September.
In May a revised calendar was announced, with the season starting on June 6 at TMS and after successful negations between Mayor Rick Kriseman, promoters Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC and Firestone, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg was reinstated as the season finale, to be held on October 25th.
Because of the pandemic, the majority of races this season have been held behind closed doors, however up to 20k fans will be allowed to attend this weekend's race.
Going into this weekend's race the big question is, will it be Scott Dixon takes his 6th Driver's Championship, or will it be Josef Newgarden who takes his 3rd, as well as back to back Driver's Championships?
Three-time Australian Supercars champion, New Zealander Scott McLaughlin, makes his IndyCar debut for Team Penske. Pre Covid-19, he was to have made his debut in May on the IMS road course, having tested pre-season for Penske at COTA. After such a long gap, this will be a baptism of fire.
Race History:
This year's race will be the 16th running on the current course and the 15th as an IndyCar event. The race was first held as part of the SCCA Trans-Am Series, on the downtown waterfront circuit, from 1985-1990 but when local residents and businesses complained about the noise it was cancelled. It returned briefly from 1996-1997 on a new course around Tropicana Field.
After a second hiatus, the event returned in 2003 but as a Champ Car race, using a modified layout of the original 1985–90 waterfront circuit. In 2004, the event was cancelled due to a dispute between the promoters but returned in 2005, this time as part of the IRL IndyCar Series, making this the first non-oval event for the Indy Racing League.
Some trivia:
The driver with most wins: 3, Hélio Castroneves, 2006, 2007, 2012.
The team with most wins: 9, Team Penske, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019.
Track layout:
1985-1990 Waterfront Circuit
Current Circuit
Length: 1.8 Miles (2.9 Km)
Turns: 14
Lap record:
Jordan King 1:00.0476, 107.914 Mph (173.670 km/h).
Ed Carpenter Racing,
Dallara IR18-Chevy IndyCar V6.
Verizon IndyCar Series.
Last year's race Race report:
https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/n...Bvalue%5D=2243
Pole:
Will Power, 1:00.4594, 107.179 Mph, (153.808 Km/h)
Team Penske,
Dallara IR18-Chevy IndyCar V6.
Winner:
Josef Newgarden,
Team Penske,
Dallara IR18-Chevy IndyCar V6.
Laps 110
Distance 198 Miles (318.65 Km)
Race Time 2:04:18.258
Average Speed 95.572 Mph, (169.117 Km/h)
Fastest lap: Josef Newgarden, Team Penske,lap 52. 61.7350 sec, 104.965 mph (168.924 km/h)
Caution periods: 2
Laps 11: 20 - 22, 26 - 33.
Race Broadcast:
NBC.
Sunday, Oct 25. 2:30pm ET. 6:30pm UTC
After a long off-season, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg would normally have been the season opener but because of the Covid-19 pandemic it was decided to cancel the race, which was scheduled for March 15. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca also decided to cancel this season's finale, the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey, scheduled for 20th September.
In May a revised calendar was announced, with the season starting on June 6 at TMS and after successful negations between Mayor Rick Kriseman, promoters Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC and Firestone, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg was reinstated as the season finale, to be held on October 25th.
Because of the pandemic, the majority of races this season have been held behind closed doors, however up to 20k fans will be allowed to attend this weekend's race.
Going into this weekend's race the big question is, will it be Scott Dixon takes his 6th Driver's Championship, or will it be Josef Newgarden who takes his 3rd, as well as back to back Driver's Championships?
Three-time Australian Supercars champion, New Zealander Scott McLaughlin, makes his IndyCar debut for Team Penske. Pre Covid-19, he was to have made his debut in May on the IMS road course, having tested pre-season for Penske at COTA. After such a long gap, this will be a baptism of fire.
Race History:
This year's race will be the 16th running on the current course and the 15th as an IndyCar event. The race was first held as part of the SCCA Trans-Am Series, on the downtown waterfront circuit, from 1985-1990 but when local residents and businesses complained about the noise it was cancelled. It returned briefly from 1996-1997 on a new course around Tropicana Field.
After a second hiatus, the event returned in 2003 but as a Champ Car race, using a modified layout of the original 1985–90 waterfront circuit. In 2004, the event was cancelled due to a dispute between the promoters but returned in 2005, this time as part of the IRL IndyCar Series, making this the first non-oval event for the Indy Racing League.
Some trivia:
The driver with most wins: 3, Hélio Castroneves, 2006, 2007, 2012.
The team with most wins: 9, Team Penske, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019.
Track layout:
1985-1990 Waterfront Circuit
Current Circuit
Length: 1.8 Miles (2.9 Km)
Turns: 14
Lap record:
Jordan King 1:00.0476, 107.914 Mph (173.670 km/h).
Ed Carpenter Racing,
Dallara IR18-Chevy IndyCar V6.
Verizon IndyCar Series.
Last year's race Race report:
https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/n...Bvalue%5D=2243
Pole:
Will Power, 1:00.4594, 107.179 Mph, (153.808 Km/h)
Team Penske,
Dallara IR18-Chevy IndyCar V6.
Winner:
Josef Newgarden,
Team Penske,
Dallara IR18-Chevy IndyCar V6.
Laps 110
Distance 198 Miles (318.65 Km)
Race Time 2:04:18.258
Average Speed 95.572 Mph, (169.117 Km/h)
Fastest lap: Josef Newgarden, Team Penske,lap 52. 61.7350 sec, 104.965 mph (168.924 km/h)
Caution periods: 2
Laps 11: 20 - 22, 26 - 33.
Race Broadcast:
NBC.
Sunday, Oct 25. 2:30pm ET. 6:30pm UTC