Scholarship Sunday last week at MRLS, it's Showdown Sunday today at Sonoma Raceway as Simon Pagenaud and Will Power battle it out for the Indycar title. Power won the title back in 2014, this would be Pagenaud's first.
:So who holds the advantage? Pagenaud has a lead of 44 points after securing pole position for today's race and the basic equation to become champion is finish 5th or better, Power can not match him with that outcome. So it's fairly safe? Not at all, Indycar, well motorsport in general can throw you some curveballs, 'like some %&8!£$ taking you out' as Power quipped on the media luncheon on Thursday afternoon. The turn one-two combination has a habit of causing some chaos on the first lap so a clean start for both is essential, especially for Power starting back in fourth.
Today's on track action starts with a 30 minute warm up at 11:30 / 19:30 live on Race Control and the race from 15:30 / 23:30 live on BT Sport ESPN. Clear blue skies, busy paddock, teams are prepping for the warm up, speaking of warm, the temperature could hit the early 90's / low 30's (depending on what you use) during the race.
Today's on track action starts with a 30 minute warm up at 11:30 / 19:30 live on Race Control and the race from 15:30 / 23:30 live on BT Sport ESPN. Clear blue skies, busy paddock, teams are prepping for the warm up, speaking of warm, the temperature could hit the early 90's / low 30's (depending on what you use) during the race.
Final warm up concludes and fastest was Josef Newgarden ahead of Scott Dixon, who won here last year, Sato, Kimball and Rossi rounded out the top five, championship contenders Simon Pagenaud was 18th, Power was 21st. Due to the rough abrasive nature of the track, tyre strategy will be key, when to use up the red alternate and then manage the black primary.