The Track
Built during the post-WWII era in the early 1950s, 4+ mile Road America has hosted many different racing series in its history, from the NASCAR Cup Series all the way to Stadium Super Trucks. Starting in 1982, the track began hosting IndyCar, then known as CART, and continued to do so until 2007. After a nine-year break, IndyCar returned to Elkhart Lake, reestablishing the track as a fan favorite.
The narrow front straight at Road America measures over three-quarters of a mile, giving drivers the rare chance to reach speeds in excess of 200 mph on a road course. Turn 1 is a 90-degree right-hander with some extra concrete runoff area to allow for two and three-wide battles. Turn 2 is actually just the small straight between Turns 1 and 3, which sends drivers downhill before sending them 90 degrees to the right once more.
Drivers then make their way through the small kink that is Turn 4 down the “Moraine Sweep”, a lengthy straight ending in a big opportunity at Turn 5. It’s a hard left through 5 and a quick trip uphill to Turn 6, another left-hander. After a short straight, Turn 8 sends drivers back to the left before the long arc that is Turn 9. Better known as the “Carousel”, drivers must control their cars around the famously flat turn.
Turn 10 is the exit of the Carousel, and prepares drivers and their cars to roar through the Wisconsin forest. Perhaps the most famous turn on the entire circuit, Turn 11 is a high-speed kink known for its treacherous past. Turn 12, also known as “Canada Corner” sends drivers to the right towards the front straight. After that, drivers will win through Turn 13 into Turn 14, a right-hander that spits drivers back out to the finish line. Right before the finish line, a large hill presents the final obstacle before the completion of a four-mile lap of Road America.
Championship Standings
With another dominant victory at Detroit, Alex Palou extended his championship lead to 51 points.
- Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing – 273 points
- Marcus Ericsson, Chip Ganassi Racing – 222 points
- Josef Newgarden, Team Penske – 203 points
- Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing – 194 points
- Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren – 191 points
Race Predictions – Road America
Still winless on the season but coming off of a solid Month of May and an impressive run at Detroit, I think Alexander Rossi cashes in for his second win at Road America on Sunday. Josef Newgarden will come just short of a repeat victory, and Ganassi rookie Marcus Armstrong will grab his first career podium.
- Alexander Rossi, Arrow McLaren
- Josef Newgarden, Chip Ganassi Racing
- Marcus Armstrong, Chip Ganassi Racing
How to Watch (All Times in EST)
- Practice 1: Friday, 6/16 – 4:00 p.m. on Peacock
- Practice 2: Saturday, 6/17 – 10:55 a.m. on Peacock
- Qualifying: Saturday, 6/17 – 1:55 p.m. on Peacock
- Sonsio Grand Prix at Road America: Sunday, 6/18 – 1:00 p.m on USA (55 laps, green flag at 1:30)
All IndyCar sessions are covered live by IndyCar Radio, which can be found on the official IndyCar mobile app or on SiriusXM Channel 160.
For a list of international broadcasters, click here.
