Indycar Grand Prix at Watkins Glen 2017

 The forecast called for a 100% chance of rain so we were expecting an exciting Indycar race in the wet.  It didn't rain, but the Indycars still put on an exciting race.  One young American, Alexander Rossi won for the first time on a road course, and another, Josef Newgarden, hit the pit exit wall and saw his points lead dwindle to just three.  A lot of the strategy came down to car set up for the impending rain that never came.  Those cars that set up for a more wet race were hindered on the straightaways by too much downforce.

 

POLE SITTER:   Alexander Rossi (first career pole)

TOP TEN

1. Alexander Rossi: Coming on very strong at the end of the season.  Sixth in points.
2. Scott Dixon: His second P2 in a row after a few weeks off the podium.
3. Ryan Hunter Reay: His third podium of the year, tying his best finish of the season.

4. Helio Castroneves: Has finished in the Top 10 in all but one race this season.

5. Graham Rahal: His sixth Top 3 in the last 10 races.

6. Will Power: A solid finish has him still in championship contention.

7. Charlie Kimball: His second 7th in a row gives him 5 Top 10s this season.

8. Max Chilton: His sixth Top 10 in 2017.

9. Simon Pagenaud: His lowest finish in the last nine races.

10. Carlos Munoz:  His third Top 10 in a row.

Different Teams:   Andretti Autosport (2), Ganassi (3), Penske (3), Rahal Letterman, A. J. Foyt Racing

Different Countries:   USA (4), New Zealand, Brazil, Australia, Britain, France, Colombia

 4 Chevys   6 Hondas

  

FUN FACTS

 Average Speed:  118.865 mph

Time:  1  hour 42 minutes  4 seconds

Margin of Victory:  0.9514 seconds

Lead Changes:  8 among 6 drivers
Rossi (32), Castroneves (13), Pigot (8), Hunter Reay (4), Dixon (2), Newgarden (1) 

Total Passes:  150 total 141 for position

Fastest Lap:   144.572 by Sebastien Bourdais

4 Cautions for 9 Laps

Most Improved:  Max Chilton 11 positions

Penalties: 2
Charlie Kimball - pit safety infraction
Takuma Sato - Failure to obey race control