All posts by Christopher DeHarde

By Christopher DeHarde, Staff Writer INDIANAPOLIS — Many drivers that came up through the road racing ranks either embrace oval racing or have an intense dislike for it but Marcus Ericsson seems to have fallen into the former category ahead of Sunday’s 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500. The Swede qualified 13th in the 33-car field and was the fastest car for Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and their affiliated entries on the first day of qualifying. For Ericsson, this was an enjoyable new experience. “Last weekend, qualifying, I thought that wasRead More

By Christopher DeHarde, Staff Writer INDIANAPOLIS— It all came down to a last second slingshot for the crown jewel event of Indy Lights, but Oliver Askew beat fellow Andretti Autosport driver Ryan Norman to the win for the Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The race got off to a bit of a rocky start as Jarett Andretti spun his car under the yellow before the race started and Aaron Telitz pulled into the pits with a broken axle that took five laps to fix for the 2016 Indy ProRead More

By Christopher DeHarde, Staff Writer INDIANAPOLIS — “I told those guys it’s either going to go back on the wrecker or we’re going to take the checkered flag first so luckily it was the latter half of that.” Tyler Courtney only led seven laps of the 64th and final Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds but they were the laps that counted as the Indianapolis native racked up a win at one of the crown jewels of the month of May in Indianapolis. Chris Windom led the first five lapsRead More

By Christopher DeHarde, Staff Writer INDIANAPOLIS– Qualifications and post-qualifying practice for the 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500 are finished and there were a lot of storylines and observations that came out of this past weekend that are worth looking at. Between McLaren and Fernando Alonso missing the race to Juncos Racing’s successful rebuild, it’s all under review. Starting from the front of the field and working back, it must be noted that Simon Pagenaud’s performance in the Fast Nine Shootout was massive, especially at a time where some are questioningRead More

By Christopher DeHarde, Staff Writer INDIANAPOLIS — Sage Karam’s month at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway had many peaks and valleys, but the 24-year-old managed to find the pace to qualify 31st for the 103rd Indianapolis 500. After confidence in his No. 24 Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Chevrolet became hard to find, the 2013 Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires champion had teammate and former Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, J.R. Hildebrand drive it on Fast Friday. Karam’s struggles on Saturday included very light wall contact. That meant that Sunday’s LastRead More

By Christopher DeHarde, Staff Writer INDIANAPOLIS — Juncos Racing were the epitome of a roller coaster ride leading up to qualifying for the 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500. Lose a sponsor in the days before practice opened at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Crash on Fast Friday. Stay up all Friday night preparing the car to qualify on Saturday. Run three incomplete qualifying attempts Saturday afternoon. Stay up all Saturday night further preparing the car for Sunday. Skip Sunday morning practice before the rain came down. Qualify 33rd and bump FernandoRead More

By Christopher DeHarde, Staff Writer INDIANAPOLIS– One year after failing to make the 2018 Indianapolis 500, James Hinchcliffe has more qualifying drama ahead of the 2019 Indianapolis 500. Hinchcliffe drove the No. 5 Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda to a first lap speed of 228.159 mph during his first qualifying attempt. While going through Turn 2, the 2016 Indianapolis 500 polesitter lost control of his car and hit the SAFER barrier exiting the corner. He was evaluated and cleared to drive but his team had a mountain to climb getting theRead More

By Christopher DeHarde, Staff Writer INDIANAPOLIS– What a difference a year makes. A reversal of fortune for Pippa Mann at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway meant that she qualified 30th for the 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500 instead of being on the outside looking in. Mann’s No. 39 Clauson-Marshall Racing Driven 2 Save Lives Chevrolet qualified at 12:27 in the afternoon with a four lap average of 227.244 mph. That average put her in 17th position at the time. However, the weather conditions grew cooler as the late afternoon shadows beganRead More

By Christopher DeHarde, Staff Writer Qualifying for the 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500 begins shortly. Positions 1-30 are locked in today, 36 cars going for 33 spots. Scroll down for later attempts, this is being updated as each car completes an attempt. First up is Conor Daly in the No. 25 Andretti Autosport Honda. Lap 1: 228.839 mph Lap 2: 228.192 mph Lap 3: 227.687 mph Lap 4: 227.419 mph Average: 227.921 mph-Provisional Pole Spencer Pigot in the No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet Lap 1: 230.800 mph Lap 2:Read More

By Christopher DeHarde, Staff Writer INDIANAPOLIS– Only six cars went out for morning practice ahead of qualifying for the 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500 and Fernando Alonso was fastest of them all in the three-part session. The Spaniard turned a fastest lap of 228.065 mph in his 13 laps in the No. 66 McLaren Chevrolet entry. Second quickest was Jordan King in the No. 42 Rich Energy Honda for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. The biggest story was Kyle Kaiser in the No. 32 Juncos Racing entry. After crashing the team’sRead More