IndyCar 2016 – Firestone Grand Prix St. Petersburg
March 13, 2016 – St. Petersburg, Florida) Clear racing conditions greeted the 9 teams and 22 drivers for what would prove to be a near-Penske podium sweep. Last year’s winner, Juan Pablo Montoya in the #2 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, took the checkered flag…edging out his teammate, Simon Pagenaud in the #22 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, by 2+ seconds after passing him late in the race. Montoya and Pagenaud together were credited with leading 92 out of the 110 lap race…such was their domination of the field. Spoiler Ryan Hunter-Reay in the #28 Andretti Autosports Honda held onto a 0.4 second edge over Helio Castroneves in the #3 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet to claim the #3 spot and last podium position.
Only two yellow flags were called during the race – tying the course record for least number of caution flag events. While the first event was a touch and go, the second one, initiated by Carlos Munoz impacting Graham Rahal on Lap 57, forced a backup of ten cars.
From a bird’s eye view: The presence of a Honda in the top three finishers had us reflecting on the changes made to the Aerokits which were introduced last season. We direct you to http://www.indycar.com/Videos/2016/03/03-14-Professor-B-aero-kit-2016-updates for a more detailed discussion of these revisions in the off season.
You Are There: Ever wondered what it was like to be in a race car, hurtling around the St. Petersburg track at qualifying speeds? Well the IndyCar organization is more than happy to oblige. Take a ride via Ryan Hunter-Reay’s Visor Cam at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN2ggfP09mc
A Sport’s Responsibilty: Following extensive examination, Will Power (who would have been the pole-sitter for this race), was diagnosed with a slight concussion and will now be subject to IndyCar’s concussion protocol before he will be clear to race again. This will protect not only Mr. Power but also those with whom he competes.
Who Are Those Guys?: Two drivers stood out in our review of this race – Mikhail Aleshin (who finished 5th) and Takuma Sato (who finished 6th). Mikhail Aleshin in the #7 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda started in position 17 and ended in position 5…a mere 10 seconds behind Montoya. What held him back? Five pit stops versus three for the winner. Absent these, Aleshin could have led the field by a full minute at the finish. This is a driver and a team to watch.
Similarly, Takuma Sato in the #6 A.J. Foyt Enterprises Honda started in position 10 and ended in position 6…about 26 second behind the winner. And again, the difference in pit stops – five versus three. He too had a good shot at winning. Better luck next race.