ABC Supply 500 Pre-Race Observations

By Christopher DeHarde, Staff Writer

LONG POND, PA — Sunday’s ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway for the Verizon IndyCar Series has the potential to be a great race but quite unpredictable. Saturday’s afternoon practice session was rained out so everyone only had an hour of practice before the race.

INDYCAR approved a new wicker for use on the front wings and most competitors took advantage of using it. Conor Daly has no wicker on the right front wing while each of the three Penske cars has the elongated original wicker on the right front wing and are using the new extended wicker on the left front wing. All other competitors are using the new pieces on both front wings.

Will Power won the pole ahead of Josef Newgarden while Andretti Autosport’s Alexander Rossi and Ryan Hunter-Reay occupy row two.

A few drivers without rides were in the paddock over the weekend. Stefan Wilson, Sage Karam and Helio Castroneves are here, Castroneves notable for being a Shell ambassador since they are on Simon Pagenaud’s car this weekend.

Speaking of Pagenaud, he is the only Team Penske driver that has not yet won a race. With the championship winding down, the 2016 series champion has a closing window for victory.

Rossi and Hunter-Reay are looking to capitalize on past near-wins at The Tricky Triangle. Both finished third the last two years (Rossi in 2017, Hunter-Reay in 2016) and will do everything in their power to close their gap to championship points leader Scott Dixon.

Dixon will start the race in 13th and with teammate Ed Jones in 12th, this could be a worry for the Chip Ganassi Racing pair. However, with 200 laps ahead, there will be a lot of time for them to move up.