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

Mark Montieth, author of ‘VUCKOVICH The Man Who Wouldn’t Lift’

Pit Pass Indy | S:4 E:63
Show host Bruce Martin has a special Pit Pass Indy, featuring an exclusive interview with Mark Montieth, an author and former sportswriter at The ...
Listen to Mark Montieth, author of ‘VUCKOVICH The Man Who Wouldn’t Lift’

Borg-Warner Trophy Special Edition with back-to-back Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden, IMS President Doug Boles and BorgWarner’s Michelle Collins

Pit Pass Indy | S:4 E:62
Show host Bruce Martin has a special Borg-Warner Trophy edition of Pit Pass Indy, featuring exclusive interviews with back-to-back Indianapolis 50...
Listen to Borg-Warner Trophy Special Edition with back-to-back Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden, IMS President Doug Boles and BorgWarner’s Michelle Collins

Catching up with Team Penske engineer David Faustino

Pit Pass Indy | S:4 E:61
Show host Bruce Martin has an exclusive interview with one of the hidden heroes of IndyCar, it’s Team Penske’s David Faustino, the longtime engine...
Listen to Catching up with Team Penske engineer David Faustino

Get to know Borg-Warner Trophy engraver Reid Smith

Pit Pass Indy
Show host Bruce Martin has an exclusive interview with the engraver of the famed Borg-Warner Trophy that immortalizes the winner driver of the Ind...
Listen to Get to know Borg-Warner Trophy engraver Reid Smith