Rounds 7 and 8. Chevrolet Dual in Detroit, June 1-3, 2018.

**bjohnsonsmith** · 30 May 2018, 17:46 (Ref:3825693)

Rounds 7 and 8. Chevrolet Dual in Detroit, June 1-3, 2018.

No sooner has the chequered flag waived at Indy but the next two rounds of the season are upon us.

Back in 2014, Detroit was the first of three double headers on the IndyCar calendar. Now, The Chevrolet Dual in
Detroit is the only double header left on the IndyCar calendar.

Detroit was originally the venue for the F1 Detroit Grand Prix, held from 1982-1988. It was dropped from the F1 calendar after 1988, when F1's governing body FISA declared the temporary pit area sub standard and because of the drivers dislike of the event due to track disintegration, which was particularly bad that year. It was planned to move the F1 event to Belle Isle in 1989 but no agreement was finalised and F1 went to Phoenix and Detroit became a CART event, with the race held on a slightly modified version of the F1 track.

In 1992, the event finally moved to Belle Isle, where it was held up to and including 2001. In 1998 the track was extended from 2.1 mi (3.4 km), to 2.36 mi (3.80 km). The race was revived from 2007-2008, as part of the IRL's IndyCar Series, using the original CART layout but with Turn 8 tightened. However, it was cancelled from 2009-2011 due to the downturn in Detroit's automotive industry and the city's economic problems.

The race was revived again in 2012 and since 2013 the track has reverted to the 1998-2001 CART layout, with changes to Turn 3 and 7 and The Strand.

Some Trivia:
Hélio Castroneves got his first CART win at Detroit in 2000, driving a Reynard 2Ki-Honda HR-0 V8t, for Marlboro Team Penske and has won the Detroit Grand Prix the most times: 2000, 2001 and 2014.

The team with the most wins, 7. Team Penske: 1991, 1994, 2000, 2001, 2014, Race 1 and 2.

1982-1988 F1 track layout:

1992-1997 Original CART track layout:

1998-2001 CART track layout layout:

2007-08 and 2012 layout:

Current layout:

Length: 2.35 Mile (3.78 km)
Turns: 14

Lap record:
Takuma Sato, 4 Jun 2017.
1:13.6732, 114.831 mph (184.802 kmh).
Andretti Autosport,
Dallara DW12-Honda HI17RTT V6 Indy, Verizon IndyCar Series.

Last year, the qualifying for Race 1 was reduced to 1 session due to time constraints. Rahal inherited pole from Castroneves as Castroneves was ruled to have failed to slow for a yellow flag. Castroneves still started second, as his second fastest lap still put him the fastest of his group.

Race 1: Rahal took the lead, however Hinchcliffe who was 5th spun at Turn 1, stalling the car bringing out the first caution period. He was able to rejoin the race as he had managed to avoid any contact. Racing resumed on Lap 5. Around Lap 10, drivers on a three-stop strategy began their pit stops, including Castroneves and Newgarden. Around Lap 20, drivers on a two-stop strategy began their pit stops, including Rahal and Dixon. After the pit cycle was complete, Castroneves and Newgarden had inherited the first two spots, with Rahal some six seconds adrift.

The second caustion period came on Lap 25 when Daly and Kimball made contact. Daly retired but Kimball was able to make it back to the pits to repair the front wing. Newgarden pitted under the caution, with the top five now Castroneves, Rahal, Takuma Sato, Rossi, and Hinchcliffe.

Racing resumed on Lap 31 and five laps later, Castroneves pitted for a second time, giving Rahal the lead. Sato pitted soon after, moving Rossi up to second and Hinchcliffe up to third. Drivers on a two-stop strategy began to pit just after Lap 45. After that cycle of stops, Rahal held the lead over Castroneves, though Castroneves still had to make his final stop, which would put Dixon into second place and Hinchcliffe third. The order would stay the same for the remainder of the race, as Rahal crossed the line just over six seconds ahead of Dixon. Hinchcliffe managed to just stave off a hard charging Josef Newgarden, to complete the podium.

Rahal's victory made him the seventh driver in seven races to win during the 2017 IndyCar Series season. For Rahal, it was his fifth career victory and his first on a street circuit since his first win at St. Petersburg in 2008.

Race 2: Sato took pole breaking the track record and took the race lead, followed by Hunter-Reay, Rahal, Castroneves and Hinchcliffe. However, Hinchcliffe decided to pit on Lap 6 but was given a drive-thru for going to fast in pit-lane.

On Lap 10, Rahal passed Hunter-Reay for second place, meanwhile those drivers on a three-stop strategy began to pit, including Dixon who lost a large amount of time due to a fueling issue, which dropped him down to 18th. Castroneves and Hunter-Reay were both forced onto the three-stop strategy after the two made contact, as Castroneves attempted a pass, resulting in flat tyre for Castroneves and Hunter-Reay suffering front wing damage. They emerged from their stops 18th and 19th respectively. The front runners were now Sato, Rahal and Will Power, who had greatly benefited from the Castroneves/Hunter-Reay incident.

On Lap 22, those on a two-stop strategy began to pit, including Sato, Rahal, Power, Pagenaud, and Rossi. Rahal was able to overtake Sato and eventually took the lead from Newgarden, who was on the three-stop strategy, when he pitted on Lap 29.

The last cycle of pitstops came on Lap 45 with Rahal able to keep the lead but Newgarden on his three-stop strategy, now moved into second ahead of team mate Power.

On lap 66, with the race in its closing laps, Hinchcliffe came to a halt in Turn 2, bringing out the first caution of the race. At the same time, Spencer Pigot's engine blew, ending his race. Race Control decided to red flag the race for clean-up, to allow for a green flag finish. Racing resumed with 2 laps to go but despite the field being bunched up, the top five did not change.

Rahal completed his domination of the weekend, winning by just over a second from Newgarden. In doing so, Rahal became the first driver to sweep the doubleheader weekend at Detroit and the first driver to win a doubleheader since Dixon at Toronto in 2013. It also marked the first time in his career that Rahal won consecutive races. He also became the first driver during the 2017 IndyCar Series season to win a second race.

Race 1
Pole:
Graham Rahal, 114.374 Mph (184.067 kmh).
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
Dallara DW12-Honda HI17RTT V6 Indy,

Last year's winner:
Graham Rahal,
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
Dallara DW12-Honda HI17RTT V6 Indy.

Laps: 70
Distance: 164.5 Miles (264.737 km)
Race Time: 1:35:49
Average Speed: 103.015 mph (165.786 km)
Caution periods: 2
Caution Laps: 6

Race 2
Pole:
Takuma Sato. 1:13.6732, 114.831 mph (184.802 kmh)
Andretti Autosport,
Dallara DW12-Honda HI17RTT V6 Indy.

Last year's winner:
Graham Rahal,
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
Dallara DW12-Honda HI17RTT V6 Indy.

Laps: 70
Distance: 164.5 Miles (264.737 km)
Race Time: 1:33:36
Average Speed: 105.442 mph (169.69 km)
Caution periods: 1
Caution Laps: 2

Race broadcast:
NBCSN.
Race 1 June 2, 3:30pm ET
Race 2 June 3, 3:30pm ET

S griffin · 30 May 2018, 18:04 (Ref:3825697)

So as Indy ends, we’re onto the Detroit GP. Nothing like the F1 circuit in the 80s, that had to go to make way for Phoenix and Indycars have always enjoyed the Detroit GP. The Belle Isle circuit was a welcome addition in 92 but had to go after 98, then surprisingly came back in 07, then dropped again in 09, then made another return in 2012 and now it has a cemented place on the calendar

Last year’s was just the one the Detroit public needed, great win by Rahal, as plenty of action happened behind. This twin race format has been a success. It’s always good to see the facts and figures in Indycars

Purist · 1 Jun 2018, 02:43 (Ref:3825951)

Thankfully, when CART ran downtown in 1989-91, they omitted that chicane on the front straight.

**bjohnsonsmith** · 2 Jun 2018, 17:06 (Ref:3826259)

Race 1 qualifying:

Marco Andretti ends a 5 year drought and gets his first pole position since Pocono 2013, can he translate that into a win? His last was at the 2011 Iowa Corn Indy 250. Honda dominated the Fast 6, with Will Power's the only Chevy powered car in 6th.

1 Marco Andretti, Andretti Herta. Dallara/Honda. 1m14.8514s
2 Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing. Dallara/Honda. 0.5672s
3 Robert Wickens, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. Dallara/Honda. 0.4753s
4 Alexander Rossi, Andretti Autosport. Dallara/Honda. 0.6432s
5 Ryan Hunter-Reay, Andretti Autosport. Dallara/Honda. 0.4837s
6 Will Power, Team Penske. Dallara/Chevrolet. 0.8696s
7 Takuma Sato, Rahal Letterman Lanigan. Dallara/Honda. 0.5406s
8 Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan. Dallara/Honda. 0.9759s
9 James Hinchcliffe, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. Dallara/Honda. 0.6888s
10 Max Chilton, Carlin. Dallara/Chevrolet. 1.1882s
11 Ed Jones, Chip Ganassi Racing. Dallara/Honda. 1.0362s
12 Spencer Pigot, Ed Carpenter Racing. Dallara/Chevrolet. 1.2916s
13 Simon Pagenaud, Team Penske. Dallara/Chevrolet. 1.1585s
14 Josef Newgarden, Team Penske. Dallara/Chevrolet. 1.3409s
15 Tony Kanaan, AJ Foyt Enterprises. Dallara/Chevrolet. 1.2226s
16 Zach Veach, Andretti Autosport. Dallara/Honda. 1.4643s
17 Sebastien Bourdais, Dale Coyne Racing. Dallara/Honda. 1.3691s
18 Santino Ferrucci, Dale Coyne Racing. Dallara/Honda. 1.9017s
19 Gabby Chaves, Harding Racing. Dallara/Chevrolet. 1.3797s
20 Jordan King, Ed Carpenter Racing. Dallara/Chevrolet. 2.0561s
21 Matheus Leist, AJ Foyt Enterprises. Dallara/Chevrolet. 1.5668s
22 Charlie Kimball, Carlin. Dallara/Chevrolet. 2.3553s
23 Rene Binder, Juncos Racing. Dallara/Chevrolet. 3.7594s

**bjohnsonsmith** · 2 Jun 2018, 20:04 (Ref:3826301)

Unfortunately missed the start but Andretti is leading. Sounds like some drivers made early stops.

**bjohnsonsmith** · 2 Jun 2018, 20:10 (Ref:3826304)

That three way view is superb.

**bjohnsonsmith** · 2 Jun 2018, 21:10 (Ref:3826311)

2nd FCY as Ferucci stuffs it into the tyre wall at Turn 7. Looks like Kimball clipped his left rear.

**bjohnsonsmith** · 2 Jun 2018, 23:58 (Ref:3826326)

Congrats to Dixon.

Unfortunately, again, I missed the end of the race but what I saw of it, it looked pretty good. Looking forward to tomorrow, when it will get my undivided attention.

**bjohnsonsmith** · 3 Jun 2018, 00:01 (Ref:3826327)

Result Race 1:

Honda dominated but there is a chance of rain tomorrow and Firestone have a new wetweather tyre.

1 Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing. Dallara/Honda. 1h39m24.6189s
2 Ryan Hunter-Reay, Andretti Autosport. Dallara/Honda. 1.8249s
3 Alexander Rossi, Andretti Autosport. Dallara/Honda. 4.1771s
4 Marco Andretti, Andretti Herta. Dallara/Honda. 11.5191s
5 Takuma Sato, Rahal Letterman Lanigan. Dallara/Honda. 11.8757s
6 Ed Jones, Chip Ganassi Racing. Dallara/Honda. 13.7649s
7 Will Power, Team Penske. Dallara/Chevrolet. 15.0733s
8 Robert Wickens, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. Dallara/Honda. 21.4715s
9 Josef Newgarden, Team Penske. Dallara/Chevrolet. 21.5622s
10 Spencer Pigot, Ed Carpenter Racing. Dallara/Chevrolet. 21.9523s
11 James Hinchcliffe, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, Dallara/Honda. 22.3158s
12 Zach Veach, Andretti Autosport. Dallara/Honda. 23.0621s
13 Sebastien Bourdais, Dale Coyne Racing. Dallara/Honda. 23.3441s
14 Tony Kanaan, AJ Foyt Enterprises. Dallara/Chevrolet. 26.1877s
15 Matheus Leist, AJ Foyt Enterprises. Dallara/Chevrolet. 26.5471s
16 Jordan King, Ed Carpenter Racing. Dallara/Chevrolet. 27.0156s
17 Simon Pagenaud, Team Penske. Dallara/Chevrolet. 29.8038s
18 Gabby Chaves, Harding Racing. Dallara/Chevrolet. 33.7246s
19 Charlie Kimball, Carlin. Dallara/Chevrolet. 34.0911s
20 Max Chilton, Carlin. Dallara/Chevrolet. 34.8584s
21 Rene Binder, Juncos Racing. Dallara/Chevrolet. 3 Laps
22 Santino Ferrucci, Dale Coyne Racing. Dallara/Honda. Contact
23 Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan. Dallara/Honda. Contact

**bjohnsonsmith** · 3 Jun 2018, 14:51 (Ref:3826527)

Watching qualifying and it's been chucking the rain down and is currently red flagged.

Edit: qualifying has resumed.

**bjohnsonsmith** · 3 Jun 2018, 17:39 (Ref:3826570)

Race 2 qualifying:

Honda dominate the top 6 again, with Will Power the only Chevy powered car in 3rd. Tony Kanaan, spun on his out-lap and damaged his front wing and failed to post a time in the 12-minute session and will subsequently start 22nd.

1 Alexander Rossi, Andretti Autosport. Dallara/Honda. 1m33.3143s
2 Robert Wickens, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. Dallara/Honda. 0.3462s
3 Will Power, Team Penske. Dallara/Chevrolet. 0.5152s
4 Ed Jones, Chip Ganassi Racing. Dallara/Honda. 0.6113s
5 Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing. Dallara/Honda. 0.6401s
6 James Hinchcliffe, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. Dallara/Honda. 0.8227s
7 Zach Veach, Andretti Autosport. Dallara/Honda. 1.3321s
8 Simon Pagenaud, Team Penske. Dallara/Chevrolet. 0.9172s
9 Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan. Dallara/Honda. 1.7113s
10 Ryan Hunter-Reay, Andretti Autosport. Dallara/Honda. 1.1878s
11 Jordan King, Ed Carpenter Racing. Dallara/Chevrolet. 1.8231s
12 Marco Andretti, Andretti Herta. Dallara/Honda. 1.2332s
13 Santino Ferrucci, Dale Coyne Racing. Dallara/Honda. 2.1521s
14 Gabby Chaves, Harding Racing. Dallara/Chevrolet. 2.2902s
15 Spencer Pigot, Ed Carpenter Racing. Dallara/Chevrolet. 3.0570s
16 Sebastien Bourdais, Dale Coyne Racing. Dallara/Honda. 2.3549s
17 Max Chilton Carlin, Dallara/Chevrolet. 3.6653s
18 Matheus Leist, AJ Foyt Enterprises. Dallara/Chevrolet. 2.7296s
19 Josef Newgarden, Team Penske. Dallara/Chevrolet. 4.9898s
20 Takuma Sato, Rahal Letterman Lanigan. Dallara/Honda. 3.7708s
21 Charlie Kimball, Carlin. Dallara/Chevrolet. 6.0454s
22 Tony Kanaan, AJ Foyt Enterprises. Dallara/Chevrolet
23 Rene Binder, Juncos Racing. Dallara/Chevrolet

Speedblood · 3 Jun 2018, 18:08 (Ref:3826576)

It was quite an entertaining race yesterday, not much passing at the front but some good moves elsewhere. Was interesting to see the 2 strategies being played out between Hunter-Reay on 3 vs most others on 2. Is rain still forecast for race 2?

**bjohnsonsmith** · 3 Jun 2018, 19:41 (Ref:3826588)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedblood

It was quite an entertaining race yesterday, not much passing at the front but some good moves elsewhere. Was interesting to see the 2 strategies being played out between Hunter-Reay on 3 vs most others on 2. Is rain still forecast for race 2?

It's dry and very sunny.

**bjohnsonsmith** · 3 Jun 2018, 19:47 (Ref:3826590)

The Pace Car has crashed on the parade lap. It lost it on Turn 3 and hit the wall on the left hand side of the track.

Edit: The driver and passenger are ok but the field is backed up behind the Pace Car, waiting for the track to be cleared.

BudLightJaguar · 3 Jun 2018, 19:47 (Ref:3826592)

I can't believe what I see now. Safety car crashed!

Edit: Pace car to be correct, this not FIA sanctioned race

tux · 3 Jun 2018, 19:47 (Ref:3826593)

Ummmm what do you say about that? 😂😂😂

**bjohnsonsmith** · 3 Jun 2018, 19:54 (Ref:3826596)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tux

Ummmm what do you say about that? 😂😂😂

Cautions breed cautions?

gert · 3 Jun 2018, 20:03 (Ref:3826605)

Someone just made a fool out of himself ?

Akrapovic · 3 Jun 2018, 20:05 (Ref:3826607)

That was hilarious.

Edit: Immediately followed by a Chevy advert that said "Every dent tells a story".

Yes. Yes it does.

Armco Bender · 3 Jun 2018, 20:13 (Ref:3826609)

Why don't pace car/safety car drivers wear helmets?.
I've always thought its a bad look and they do crash occasionally.

**bjohnsonsmith** · 3 Jun 2018, 20:17 (Ref:3826610)

Who was driving the Pace Car?

BudLightJaguar · 3 Jun 2018, 20:17 (Ref:3826611)

Here we go again, now Oriol Servia behind the wheel.

How come this takes so long? I'm sure they had five of those Vettes in the garage.

gert · 3 Jun 2018, 20:20 (Ref:3826614)

The 4 others are only there "for the show" ?

**bjohnsonsmith** · 3 Jun 2018, 20:27 (Ref:3826616)

The yellow comes out but not for the Pace Car.

gert · 3 Jun 2018, 20:29 (Ref:3826617)

Great race so far.
We've had 2 laps completed, half of which was an actual race lap.
And we're already on the 6th commercial break.

The broadcast station must be loving this

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