With just five races left in the 2023 NTT IndyCar Series season, its time to take to the streets of Nashville for the Music City Grand Prix
The IndyCar race weekend gets started on Friday, August 4th with 1st practice and concludes on Sunday, August 6th with the race.
The drivers will be testing their hands on an 11-turn, 2.1-mile temporary street course going through the streets of Nashville. Keep in mind, this is just the third race ever here and Chip Ganassi Racing has won the previous two.
The race distance for the Music City Grand Prix is 80 laps/168 miles. Out of the 160 combined race laps turned in the past two years, 43% of them were under caution periods.
The inaugural race saw nine cautions for 33 laps. Last year there was one less yellow (8), but more caution laps (36).
With all races in the NTT IndyCar Series, cars have a certain number of push-to-pass parameters. For this race, the drivers have a total time of 150 seconds with a maximum time of 15 seconds per activation.
As far as tires go for this weekend, teams will be given six sets primary, four sets alternate to be used during the event weekend. Teams must use one set of primary and one set of new (sticker) alternate.
When looking at previous winners of this race, look no further than CGR with Marcus Ericsson (No. 9 Honda) in 2021 and Scott Dixon (No. 9 Honda) in 2022.
The record for the fastest qualifying lap belongs to Colton Herta, in the No. 26 Honda at 1:13.6835, 102.601 mph, Aug. 7, 2021.
At-track schedule (all times local)
Friday, Aug. 4
3-4:15 p.m. — Practice #1
Saturday, Aug. 5
10:40-11:40 a.m. – Practice #2
1:45 p.m. – Qualifying for the NTT P1 Award
5:25-5:55 p.m. – Practice #3
Sunday, Aug. 6
11:30 a.m. – Music City Grand Prix Race
IndyCar Series Notes & News
- Milestones: Entering the race on Sunday, Scott Dixon is attempting to make his 318th consecutive start, If he’s successful, Dixon would tie 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan’s series record streak for starts.
- With Dixon’s next win, he will extend his impressive series record for consecutive seasons with at least one win to 19 seasons.
- With Power’s next win, he will tie Michael Andretti for fourth on the all-time victory list (40 wins).
- 2022 IndyNXT Champion Linus Lundqvist will make his first start in the IndyCar series this weekend, driving the No. 60 Honda of Meyer Shank Racing. Lundqvist is filling in for Simon Pagenaud, who is still recovering from a violent accident at Mid-Ohio and has not been cleared to drive.
Keep Your Eye On
Any CGR driver not named Marcus Armstrong
Two races in Nashville, two wins for CGR (2021 – Marcus Ericsson, 2022 – Scott Dixon).
Andretti Autosports
Through two races in Nashville, even though they haven’t come away with a win, they have looked very strong.
Don’t Sleep On
Aforementioned Marcus Armstrong
He’s never driven on the track, but this rookie is capable of anything.
Scott McLaughlin
This Kiwi can drive there’s no doubt about that. Just look at his records on street courses.
Arrow McLaren SP
Heavy season favorite at the start of 2023, still searching for their first win.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan
They are riding momentum coming from the streets of Toronto.
Stay Away
Ed Carpenter Racing
What have you done for me lately?
AJ Foyt Racing
Outside of the Indianapolis 500, have you heard anything from their drivers?
Juncos Hollinger Racing
Not a great track history for this team on street/road courses.
Featured image credit: Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports
