The inaugural Big Truck Music City Grand Prix was a wild and woolly way to run a race, particularly in IndyCar racing. Nashville has been all abuzz as the streets of the city were being prepared to become an automobile racing circuit. Colton Herta took the pole and led the 26 starters to the green flag. The 27 drivers were the most of any race other than the Indy 500. On Lap 19 Will Power tried to slide by his teammate Simon Pagenaud on the inside. They touched and spun which caused a chain reaction involving 11 cars. The red light came on stopping the race while the safety crew attempted to clear the mess and get the race going again. Sebastien Bourdais who was rear ended by Marcus Ericsson was unable to continue as was Takuma Sato, and rookie Jimmy Johnson. Johnson has found the transfer from NASCAR to IndyCar extremely difficult. His best finish in an IndyCar race this season has been 19.
Herta led most of the first half of the race but Marcus Ericsson poured on the coals and passed Herta. Ericsson had been penalized a lap for avoidable contact with Bourdais and had to have his car’s nose and one wing replaced. But there he was leading the field with 5 laps to go. Herta, who was desperately trying to catch Ericsson, banged the wall and brought out another red light. The race had gone on over three hours and featured 2 red lights and 9 yellow lights..
Marcus Ericsson took the checkered flag for the win followed by his teammate Scott Dixon. James Hinchcliffe was third with Ryan Hunter Reay finishing fourth. This was by far the best finish of the year for both these drivers. The whispering is that Hunter Reay will not be with Andretti Autosports in 2022 and may not even be with the series. His last win was at the Go Pro GP of Sonoma in 2018.
Graham Rahal was fifth, Ed Jones finished sixth another season best and championship point leader, Alex Palou was seventh. It was Ericsson’s second win of the season. On the 14th of August it’s back to the IMS road course for the Big Machine Spiked Coolers Grand Prix. It’s part of the Brickyard 400 Super Racing Weekend.
Bob Jenkins
The passing of Indianapolis Motor Speedway announcer Bob Jenkins due to complications of brain cancer marks the end of an era. The 73-year-old native of Richmond Indiana was one of a kind. He was the official radio host and chief commentator of the Indianapolis 500 mile race He was also ESPN’s senior NASCAR anchor, having come to the sports network in 1979. Jenkins loved auto racing and his enthusiasm was evident when he described the on track action or interviewed a member of the racing fraternity. He added excitement and insight to his presentations. Bob Jenkins, rest in peace, you will be missed.
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