Two-Day Indianapolis 500 Open Test Showcases IndyCar’s Surge In Momentum

The conclusion of a two-day Indianapolis 500 Open Test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway featured four hours of frantic competition. It culminated with 31 of the 32 cars already entered in May 29 106^th Indianapolis running in large packs, making the annual test session look more like Race Day.

It showcased the Indianapolis 500 at its finest as drivers flirted with 230 miles per hour around the 2.5-mile oval one month before it really matters.

This was a test, it was only a test, but don’t tell that to the drivers that ran lap after lap, nose-to-tail and side-by-side in a four-hour session that did not include a single on-track incident.

“I think we’re all paying attention to that pylon,” said Indy 500 rookie Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time Nascar Cup Series champion who is preparing for his first Indianapolis 500. “We’re all trying. As long as the session is green, we’re all trying to be the fastest car out there. When any car was on new tires, people were trying to create a gap, trying to put up a fast lap time.

“I think our cars do have a lot of speed. For myself, it was really just trying to understand how to get that gap and pull up to the group in front of you, pop off a lap.

“It looks nice on the scoreboard, but there were a few cars that could really pass. I think that’s what we’re all deep down inside focused on, and going to debrief and work on, is to figure out how to get off of turns two and four and make better passes.”

Johnson was impressive in his first battle against his Indy 500 competition as he finished eighth with a fast lap of 227.900 miles per hour in the No. 48 Carvana/American Legion Honda.

Johnson’s first Indy 500 effort has created additional interest in one of the greatest sporting spectacles on Earth. But there are plenty of other big names that were on the track on April 20 and April 21.

Team Penske driver Josef Newgarden ended the two-day session as the fastest driver in the No. 2 Shell-sponsored Chevrolet. His fast lap was 229.519 mph as the two-time NTT IndyCar Series champion is attempting to win his first Indy 500.

Takuma Sato of Japan is a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner whose racing career has been backed by the likes of Honda and Panasonic. Sato is a huge name in his native Tokyo and was the second-fastest at 229.427 mph in the No. 51 Honda at Dale Coyne Racing with RWR
RWR
.

One of the most popular drivers in Indianapolis 500 history is Tony Kanaan. The native of Brazil who now lives in Indianapolis is backed by The American Legion in the 106^th Indianapolis 500. He finished third on the speed chart in the No. 1 Honda at Chip Ganassi Racing at 228.767 mph.

Scott Dixon of New Zealand is the most accomplished driver in the NTT IndyCar Series lineup with six series championships and 51 wins. He is just one behind the legendary Mario Andretti for second on the all-time list. AJ Foyt is the career leader with 67 wins.

Dixon was fourth fastest at 228.689 mph in the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing.

Scott McLaughlin is another native of New Zealand and was the greatest driver in Australia Supercars history. Team owner Roger Penske brought him to the United States to join his legendary IndyCar team in 2021. McLaughlin rounded out the top-five in speeds at 228.397 mph.

But wait, there’s more.

Romain Grosjean created a worldwide following when the French-born driver from Geneva, Switzerland was in Formula One and featured prominently in the Netflix
NFLX
Series “Drive to Survive.” Grosjean is an Indy 500 rookie with Andretti Autosport.

Colton Herta is America’s brightest young star and is determined to become the next driver from the United States in Formula One. Another former Formula One driver who is back is two-time Indy 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya of Colombia. He will be driving a third entry for Arrow McLaren SP.

There was one driver missing from Thursday’s final day of testing. It was four-time and defending Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves, who crashed his winning car from last year’s historic fourth Indy victory when he was one of three drivers that had issues on the pit exit lane at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Wednesday’s first day of the test. The other two included Alexander Rossi, winner of the 100^th Indianapolis 500 in 2016 and 2018 Indy 500 winner Will Power.

IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials had to end Wednesday’s session early to address the slick conditions on the pit warmup lane that were created by a sealant used on the asphalt. Maintenance crews worked until after 12 midnight by dragging tractor tires across the surface and using a high-pressure washer. Once Firestone officials rescanned the area, the test resumed on Thursday after it was delayed 4-1/2 hours for rain.

What followed was four hours of high-speed action that sets the Indianapolis 500 apart from other major racing events.

It’s also a reason why ticket sales for this year’s Indianapolis 500 are in high demand, according to Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Penske and IMS President Doug Boles have said ticket demand is the highest since the 100^th Indianapolis 500 was sold-out in 2016. Although both believe this year’s ticket sales won’t reach the 2016 “sellout” level, the 2022 Indianapolis 500 will be the largest crowd since 2016 and much higher than the last time full capacity was allowed in 2019 before the COVID 19 pandemic.

“This is a great time to be out here,” said Penske Entertainment CEO Mark Miles. “You look around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, obviously May is coming. You see the tents being erected out there, transporters coming in and getting ready for the tests. Hundreds of school children out there combing the place.

“May is coming fast, we’re going to be ready. We’re looking forward to a sensational May.”

The only negative entering this year’s 106^th Indianapolis 500 is the entry list is currently at 32 for the 33-car starting lineup. But with one month to go before the first official day of practice for the Indianapolis 500 begins on Tuesday, May 17, Miles “guarantees” a full field.

“Let me just say a lot has been written about having secured 32 cars,” Miles said. “I think we can pretty much guarantee there will be 33 cars in the field. I wouldn’t rule out maybe even one more beyond that.

“I think it’s going to be a full field and I think it’s going to be a hugely exciting race.”

If this week’s Indy 500 Open Test was a sneak preview at the 106^th Indianapolis 500, it could be a blockbuster.