The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix was a nice comeback for the Honda engines. In the two day event Honda powered cars took both of the poles and won the race. The Belle Isle circuit on the Detroit River saw some unusual occurrences during the course of the event, including the pace car crashing on the pace lap of the second race on Sunday.
In the first leg of the GP on Saturday, Marco Andretti led the field to the green flag on the first lap but it was Scott Dixon who quickly took control of the race. The New Zealander held off challenges from Andretti and Ryan Hunter-Reay to take the checkered flag. Hunter-Reay finished second and Alexander Rossi was third. The Honda-powered cars took the first six finishing spots. Will Power in seventh was the top finishing Chevy.
On Sunday, it was Alexander Rossi starting from the pole with rookie Robert Wickens starting next to him. On the Parade lap the beautiful 2019 Corvette ZR1 Pace Car hit the wall while trying to lead the field down to the starting line. GM Executive Vice President of Marketing was behind the wheel which goes to show that no matter what your title is you should leave the driving to the pros. Official IndyCar Pace Car driver Oriol Servia drove the back up Pace car when needed for the rest of the race. The start of the race was delayed 34 minutes.
Rossi grabbed the lead and was in charge most of the race. Late in the race Ryan Hunter-Reay started pressing his teammate. With eight laps to go something let go in Rossi’s rear end and he came to an abrupt halt. Hunter-Reay flew by him and led the final eight laps to claim his first victory since the Iowa race in 2015. With a second and a first to his credit, it was a big weekend for Hunter-Reay. Will Power made a late charge and finished second.
Power also claimed the current championship point leadership. Scott Dixon is right behind him, and Rossi is in third place. Next is on to Fort Worth Texas this coming Saturday night for the DXC Technology 600 at the Texas Motor Speedway.
No Eagles at the White House
Donald Trump revoked an invitation to the NFL Champion Philadelphia Eagles Football Team to come to the White House for a meet and greet with him. A number of players declined to attend and the idea of the team sending a small delegation to the event didn’t appeal to the President so it was canceled.