NTT INDYCAR SERIES
PREVIEW: RD. 15 – BOMMARITO AUTOMOTIVE GROUP 500, GATEWAY (USA)
Felix Rosenqvist has been cleared to race in this weekend’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500, round 15 of the NTT IndyCar Series season, following his heavy crash at Pocono last Sunday.
Rosenqvist fell victim to an opening-lap clash in the ABC Supply 500 that took five cars out of the race, the Swede’s Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara launched heavily into the barriers at 200 mph (320 km/h) and scraping the catch fence before coming to a halt.
Rosenqvist was transported to hospital but was later released without any serious injuries.
Having undergone further medical examinations in Indianapolis this week, Rosenqvist has now been cleared by the IndyCar medical team to compete in the up-coming Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at Gateway Motorsports Park.
“I’m pleased to have been given the go-ahead to race at Gateway this weekend,” says Felix Rosenqvist. “Yes, I am a bit sore and it was definitely a significant impact, but all in all I feel perfectly fit and ready to return to racing. I have been very well taken care of these last few days and I’ve also been stunned by the outpouring of support from my fans around the world. I really, really appreciate it and I hope I can put on a good show for everyone this weekend.”
Rosenqvist recently tested at Gateway Motorsports Park, immediately feeling at home at the 1.25-mile (2.0 km) oval.
“I took part in a rookie test at Gateway a few weeks ago and I think that’s the best feeling I’ve had so far on an oval,” Rosenqvist continues. “I don’t expect the crash last weekend to affect that at all. There was nothing I could do to avoid it, so there is no reason to change anything in terms of my approach to this weekend. I will be giving it everything I’ve got and I actually think it’s a positive thing getting back in the saddle again so soon. This is our final oval of the season and I’m committed to trying to make it our best one.”
Due to the incident in Pocono, Rosenqvist’s lead atop the rookie championship standings was significantly slashed last weekend. He now leads America’s Santino Ferrucci by just 13 points with three rounds to go this season.
Rosenqvist’s #10 Ganassi machine will carry a new distinctive livery this weekend, sporting the colours of energy drinks company Monster.
Action at Gateway begins on Friday with qualifying and a brace of practice sessions. The 248-lap Bommarito Automotive Group 500 takes place on Saturday at 7.45 pm local time (US Central).
GUIDE: IndyCar – rules and information
LIVE TIMING: racecontrol.indycar.com
GATEWAY MOTORSPORTS PARK
Type: Oval
Length: 1.25 miles / 2.0 km
Race distance: 248 laps
Location: Madison, IL, USA
2018 winner: W.Power
Lap record (Q): 23.7206s
Set by: W.Power (2017)
TIME TABLE
NTT IndyCar Series | Gateway
All times local (US Central)
Friday 23 August
Free Practice 1: 1.00-2.00 pm
Qualifying: 5.15-6.15 pm
Free Practice 2: 8.15-9.15 pm
Saturday 24 August
Race: 7.45-9.45 pm
STANDINGS – OVERALL
(TOP FIVE)
NTT IndyCar Series | After 14/17 races
1: Josef Newgarden (USA), 535 p.
2: Alexander Rossi (USA), 500 p.
3: Simon Pagenaud (FRA), 495 p.
4: Scott Dixon (NZL), 483 p.
5: Will Power (AUS), 407 p.
—
9: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), 304 p.
View complete standings
STANDINGS – ROOKIES
(TOP FIVE)
NTT IndyCar Series | After 14/17 races
1: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), 304 p.
2: Santino Ferrucci (USA), 291 p.
3: Colton Herta (USA), 259 p.
4: Marcus Ericsson (SWE), 237 p.
5: Patricio O’Ward (MEX), 115 p.
View complete standings