Pit Pass Indy

Journalist Bruce Martin gives racing fans an inside look at the exciting world of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in this fast-paced podcast, featuring interviews with the biggest names in the sport.

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify

GMR Grand Prix Review and Indy 500 Practice Begins

They are on the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as the “Month of May” for the 105th Indianapolis 500 is underway. The action kicked off last Saturday with 20-year-old Rinus VeeKay of The Netherlands winning the GMR Grand Prix on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. VeeKay started seventh, was able to track down Romain Grosjean of France and use some brilliant strategy and a fast pit stop toward the end of the race to claim his first career IndyCar victory. VeeKay became the sixth-youngest driver to win in IndyCar history.

The Dutch driver also gave Ed Carpenter Racing its first-ever victory at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was also a fitting “Welcome Home” for ECR team partner Tony George, whose family used to own the Indianapolis Motor Speedway before selling it to Roger Penske on November 4, 2019.

VeeKay’s win continues a trend that began with Alex Palou getting his first career win the season-opening Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama on April 18. Pato O’Ward got his first-career IndyCar win in the XPEL 375 at Texas Motor Speedway on May 2.

Now, the focus turns to the 105th Indianapolis 500 as practice for the world’s greatest race began on Tuesday, May 18 and runs through “Fast Friday.” It’s Armed Forces Qualifying Day on Saturday, May 22 followed by the final day of qualifications on Sunday, May 22 featuring Last Chance Qualifying for the final Row 11 from 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 pm Eastern Time.

The run for the pole and the starting order for the first three rows will be determined in Fast Nine Qualifying from 3:00 to 3:45 p.m. Eastern Time. A final two-hour practice for the field of 33 will follow from 5-7 p.m.

Pit Pass Indy will keep you up to speed on this year’s Indianapolis 500 with another action-filled lineup that includes guests Rinus VeeKay, Scott Dixon, Jimmie Johnson, Arie Luyendyk, Ed Carpenter and Dale Coyne.

Sponsors

In the world of racing, "Penske" means performance ... and winning. For good reason. Since 1966, Team Penske has won 44 national championships, 17 IndyCar alone. And last year, Team Penske recorded its second-straight NASCAR Cup Series championship and won its record 19th Indianapolis 500. Those are results that are tough to top.

Recent Episodes

View All

Indy 500 Open Test Wrap-up with Kyle Larson, Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin

Pit Pass Indy | S:5 E:30
Show host Bruce Martin was at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this week for the two-day Indy 500 Open Test at on Wednesday April 23 and Thursday A...
Listen to Indy 500 Open Test Wrap-up with Kyle Larson, Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin

IndyCar Series Champions Alex Palou and Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing. Also, Pato O’Ward, Graham Rahal and Scott McLaughlin

Pit Pass Indy | S:5 E:29
Show host Bruce Martin has another packed episode of Pit Pass Indy Presented by Penske Truck Rental wrapping up the 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long ...
Listen to IndyCar Series Champions Alex Palou and Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing. Also, Pato O’Ward, Graham Rahal and Scott McLaughlin

More from the 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach with 6-time Long Beach winner Al Unser, Jr, 2-time Long Beach winner Will Power, Dale Coyne Racing teammates Rinus VeeKay and Jacob Abel, and Arrow McLaren driver Christian Lundgaard

Pit Pass Indy | S:5 E:28
Show host Bruce Martin has another packed episode of Pit Pass Indy Presented by Penske Truck Rental from the 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach o...
Listen to More from the 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach with 6-time Long Beach winner Al Unser, Jr, 2-time Long Beach winner Will Power, Dale Coyne Racing teammates Rinus VeeKay and Jacob Abel, and Arrow McLaren driver Christian Lundgaard

Long Beach Grand Prix winner Kyle Kirkwood, and ‘Remembering Jon Edwards’ with Tony Kanaan and IndyCar’s Dave Furst

Pit Pass Indy | S:5 E:27
Show host Bruce Martin has an exclusive interview with Kyle Larson of Andretti Global after he won the 50th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Apri...
Listen to Long Beach Grand Prix winner Kyle Kirkwood, and ‘Remembering Jon Edwards’ with Tony Kanaan and IndyCar’s Dave Furst