2019 Bommarito Auto Group 500 at Gateway

racer612008 · PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 6:48 am

the NTT IndyCar Series returns to World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway - the 1.25 mile egg shaped oval as it hosts the last oval race of the 2019 season on Saturday night. With only 3 races left in the season & a massive points shakeup at Pocono - Josef Newgarden continues to lead with 535 points, with Alexander Rossi behind by 35 points, Simon Pagenaud behind by 40 points, and Scott Dixon behind by 53 points. Gateway features a massive large support race card this weekend once again with a combined race for NASCAR's K&N Pro Series, Indy Lights & Indy Pro 2000 Championship. The Vintage Indy Registry will also have some hot laps for vintage cars.

Race Information (IndyCar):
Track Length & Type: 1.25 mile egg-shaped oval
Banking: 11 degrees in turn #1 & #2, 9 degrees in turn #3 & #4
Race Distance: 248 laps / 500 kilometers
Track Record: Will Power - 2017 - IndyCar - 189.709MPH

Entry Lists:
NTT IndyCar Series - 22 cars entered
Indy Lights - 8 cars entered
NASCAR K&N Pro Series - 19 cars entered
Indy Pro 2000 Championship - 12 cars entered

Spotter Guides:
NTT IndyCar Series
Indy Lights
Indy Pro 2000 Championship

Essential Links:
Timing & Scoring - (IndyCar)
IMS Radio Network - (LIVE STREAM)
Weather Forecast
Event History
Series Rulebook (IndyCar)
Fantrax IndyCar Fantasy Challenge - driven by Firestone

On-Track Schedule (all times are local to the circuit / US-Central):

Spoiler:

Broadcast (Television / Streaming / Radio) Information:

Spoiler:

Past Winners:

Spoiler:

2018 Race Highlights:

Visor Cam:
Graham Rahal - 2018

mclaren2008 · PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 10:50 am

only 3 races left :8:

F1 still has 9 and NASCAR hasn't even started a championship race

Ian-S · PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 11:00 am

Indycar needs to drop this stupid "our fans like football too" stance, no I don't and I don't know anybody who does like both Motorsport and football, in a related point they also need to stop chasing after the "casual fan" who may "accidentally" tune into to the race on TV, people don't "accidentally" tune in to a channel nowdays, there are so many viewing options that you either know what you want to watch or you watch something on a streaming service, nobody channel hops anymore.

If they dropped these unsubstainable policies and concentrated on making the on track product as good as it can be, people will make the effort to attend an event, the reason nobody turns up is because the on track product is shit in almost everybody but a true diehard fans eyes, if the "casual viewer" they're so interested in changing after doesn't see 1500 overtakes in 3 laps and cars flying into the next county every two laps, they loose interest.

Beezle · PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 12:55 pm

Ian-S wrote:

Indycar needs to drop this stupid "our fans like football too" stance, no I don't and I don't know anybody who does like both Motorsport and football, in a related point they also need to stop chasing after the "casual fan" who may "accidentally" tune into to the race on TV, people don't "accidentally" tune in to a channel nowdays, there are so many viewing options that you either know what you want to watch or you watch something on a streaming service, nobody channel hops anymore.

If they dropped these unsubstainable policies and concentrated on making the on track product as good as it can be, people will make the effort to attend an event, the reason nobody turns up is because the on track product is shit in almost everybody but a true diehard fans eyes, if the "casual viewer" they're so interested in changing after doesn't see 1500 overtakes in 3 laps and cars flying into the next county every two laps, they loose interest.

this

electrodevo · PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 1:43 pm

Ian-S wrote:

Ithe reason nobody turns up is because the on track product is shit in almost everybody but a true diehard fans eyes,

Meh... random schedules from older times.
1977 Indycar schedule: 15 scheduled events
1987 Indycar schedule: 15 scheduled events
1994 Indycar schedule: 16 scheduled events
2019 Indycar schedule: 17 scheduled events

As a Midwest US-centered series, it kind of makes sense to wrap up by late October (as was typical in the past). It's more about finding locations where snow isn't going to accumulate. Wrapping up in late September is not *that* different from the past in that sense.

Of course, if they wanted to, sure, they could race the southern US courses where snow is rare, if the fans will show up. However, I suspect one real reason for the earlier wrap up is cost control, to be honest. Another reason might be TV convenience, the series still gets a boost when it's on a major network ratings wise, and there's no way Indycar will override a football game of any kind.

racer612008 · PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 2:25 pm

I dislike Miles stance on the schedule, hurts tracks in the States (Fontana and Houston for ex.), hurts chances for international races (i.e. early year only) and makes it hard on crew members.

Number of race weekends are on costs tho, just wish it was possible for a bump to 18 to 20 weekends a yr

TV is a huge key why tho, Networks aren't as willing for FTA races because of football. IndyCar isn't the only series looking at this type of format now as well these days (V8 Supercars wants to move the winter races out of AFL + NRL conflict zones)

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Vassago · PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 2:28 pm

Ian-S wrote:

Indycar needs to drop this stupid "our fans like football too" stance, no I don't and I don't know anybody who does like both Motorsport and football, in a related point they also need to stop chasing after the "casual fan" who may "accidentally" tune into to the race on TV, people don't "accidentally" tune in to a channel nowdays, there are so many viewing options that you either know what you want to watch or you watch something on a streaming service, nobody channel hops anymore.

If they dropped these unsubstainable policies and concentrated on making the on track product as good as it can be, people will make the effort to attend an event, the reason nobody turns up is because the on track product is shit in almost everybody but a true diehard fans eyes, if the "casual viewer" they're so interested in changing after doesn't see 1500 overtakes in 3 laps and cars flying into the next county every two laps, they loose interest.

Easier said than done. Los Angeles didn't have a NFL football team for 25 years and they were still scared to put IndyCar races in California in October (obviously college football is king with USC, Cal & UCLA too). These days even golf has moved one of its majors so the season-ending playoffs happen in August and don't overrun the football season. If golf is doing that with all their money available then IndyCar stands no chance of making a run at October races anytime soon.

Jeff · PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 2:51 pm

The schedule does feel a bit short though. Two races a few weeks apart at Indy and back to back races at Detroit and that's at least a quarter of the schedule right there. While I don't watch football, hockey starts in October, and I manage to watch Preds/CBJ along with MotoGP and F1, so if someone wants to watch the race, they'll find the time.

I thought about going to Gateway, but it's a 4 1/2 hour drive each way and I leave work Saturday morning at 7am, and probably wouldn't get home until 3am Sunday, and with no sleep.

Ian-S · PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 10:25 pm

It's not so much the low number of races but the comparatively early season end, by the time the 2020 season starts six months have passed, that's too long of a gap, especially for a series chasing casual fans.

LucasWheldon · PostPosted: Fri Aug 23, 2019 1:32 am

they should be taking the cars and drivers to Asia and Australia and do a parallel Indy Asian Series

sennadesillva · PostPosted: Fri Aug 23, 2019 5:52 am

There's way too many good points put up by several people to reply to all of them but I do want to point out this simple fact. Dan Wheldon passed away on October 16th. It wasn't all that long ago that we had races that late into the calendar year. I think that's what us, more dedicated fans of the sport, are comparing it to. Sure there might not have been any more races during a season 15, 25 or 40 years ago but there also wasn't, literally, half a year between races. (Eh, maybe there was at one point, but i didnt check every single schedule back to 1979) That there is what kills a fan base ESPECIALLY today where the news cycle/meme's/viral video stuff out there is constantly changing. For the younger generation now it seems if your out of the social media spot light for 6 months your washed up or irrelevant.

(side note: I'm only 33 myself, and i realize what i said doesnt apply to everyone in that age range. I'm just giving my perspective on it as an American fan who's been watching since i was in diapers haha)

racer612008 · PostPosted: Fri Aug 23, 2019 7:31 pm

Practice #1 ongoing

broadcasts on NBC Gold & IMS Radio Network

Bob Jenkins was on the IMS Radio broadcast slightly - while there to call the race on the PA

Newgy fastest at a 182MPH avg. but Power is starting to turn up the wick

racer612008 · PostPosted: Fri Aug 23, 2019 7:46 pm

Firestone has brought a different left side tire for this weekend, in hopes for more fall off

racer612008 · PostPosted: Fri Aug 23, 2019 7:53 pm

Chris A · PostPosted: Fri Aug 23, 2019 7:54 pm

PT just said there was a lot of 'unfair' criticism of Sato on social media this week.

PT literally suggested Sato should be suspended on-air last weekend. The way he said it was fair IMO, and I sort of agreed. But I just find this to be a weird walk-back.

racer612008 · PostPosted: Fri Aug 23, 2019 7:58 pm

I do think Sato at the very least needs to be sat down - and then the whole damn field as well because several need to learn more respect, but there has been some overboard shit on socials too

-

Radio broadcast just had a shoutout to Oswego after a interview with Davey Hamilton on his role with Harding / returning to the Classic once again :flag:

racer612008 · PostPosted: Fri Aug 23, 2019 8:00 pm

*looks at T&S*

please insert my quote from every other oval race this year about Marco's oval car

racer612008 · PostPosted: Fri Aug 23, 2019 8:01 pm

Alot of teams doing some qualy runs

Chris A · PostPosted: Fri Aug 23, 2019 8:04 pm

Ferrucci and Ericsson top the session 1-2. Wow.

racer612008 · PostPosted: Fri Aug 23, 2019 8:07 pm

TBK-Light.com

2019 Bommarito Auto Group 500 at Gateway

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