The fog was clearly evident around the race track, and everything just had a muted, almost colorless landscape at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. During Sunday morning Warm-Up for the IZOD IndyCar Series, the view from the in-car cameras showed just how low and dull was the light. At least it’s dry and warm at 72 degrees F, but the humidity is 91 percent and the fog is thicker than upon first track arrival, and continuing to lower the visibility.
As it was just Warm-Up, nothing much can be construed from the lap times or order. At least eight different drivers led at one point during the half-hour session. Pole Sitter, WILL POWER/Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet turned but five laps, just going out and pitting to check every single thing, and then out again briefly before pitting for good.
All other teams ran double digit laps, but no more than 21. All cars were on course. The session ran with little drama.
SIMONA de SILVESTRO/Nuclear Clean Air Entergy Areva Chevrolet and JAMES HINCHCLIFFE/GoDaddy.com Andretti Autosport had a nose-to-tail brush, driving Hinch off into a side road; but there didn’t seem to be any apparent damage. She ended up twenty-third, with Hinch coming in P12.
At the end, RYAN HUNTER-REAY/DHL Andretti Autosport Chevrolet was on top at 1:01.9530, followed by CHARLIE KIMBALL/NovoLog Flex Pen Honda, SCOTT DIXON/Target Chip Ganassi Honda; JR HILDEBRAND/National Guard Panther Racing Chevrolet; and TAKUMA SATO/ABC SupplyCo/A.J. Foyt Racing Honda.
The IndyCar Starting Lineup just released. The entire Fast Six drivers list Alternates. Nine drivers list Primary Tires for starting, and the rest Alternative. But popular thought is, based on weather forecast, they’ll be going out on rains.
So … it’s a waiting game with the radar.
The in-car cameras for the race are in the cars of: de Silvestro; RHR; Power; and GRAHAM RAHAL/Midas/Big-O Tires Rahal Letterman Lannigan Racing Honda. Schmidt Peterson’s team was to have had one, but it didn’thappen at the last moment. “Maybe next race.”
And now for something completely different. F1 driver, MARK WEBBER/Red Bull Racing, was on my mind this morning after the Malaysian Grand Prix and all that drama. Reminded me of something he had said earlier this week, when asked what five people with whom he would like to have dinner. One of the five was ROGER PENSKE, “an inspirational legend.”
Now, back to IndyCar. Throughout the paddock and environs, fans are here, there and everywhere. IndyCar is known for being fan-friendly.
