NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Rd. 16
PREVIEW Grand Prix of Portland (USA)
Felix Rosenqvist is looking to round off a mixed NTT INDYCAR SERIES campaign in style as America’s premier single-seater series enters the finishing straight with a final two races on the U.S. west coast.
Rosenqvist and his rivals are on the verge of wrapping up the 2022 season with a pair of concluding back-to-back events, starting this weekend with the Grand Prix of Portland.
The 12-turn Portland International Raceway has marked good hunting grounds for Rosenqvist in the past, the Swede scoring a podium in his first race at the track in 2019 and delivering his best result of the 2021 season (sixth) at the Oregon venue.
“Historically, Portland has been one of my best tracks in INDYCAR, so I’m definitely looking forward to returning there,” says Felix Rosenqvist. “Last year, it was my best race of the entire season. There’s usually a bit of chaos going on in the first chicane at the start – it’s really narrow – and I think one of the keys will be simply getting around the opening lap without drama.”
Following the Portland event, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES fraternity will head south to California’s Laguna Seca for the all-out season-finale just a week later.
With both remaining races being staged on road courses, Rosenqvist is keen to build on his recent strong performances at the particular type of track – which includes a pole position at the latest road course event in Indianapolis.
“We’ve been fast on the road courses lately, which adds to our excitement for this west coast swing,” Felix Rosenqvist concludes. “I got the pole in Indianapolis and was running third at Mid-Ohio when unfortunately we had to retire with a technical issue.
“We also had a really strong test at Laguna yesterday (Monday) and I think we’ll learn from that for both these coming races. Hopefully we can string everything together now and end this season on a high.”
This weekend’s Grand Prix of Portland begins with practice on Friday. Qualifying takes place on Saturday, with the 110-lap race to be staged on Sunday.
TIME TABLE
All times local (U.S. Pacific)
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Rd. 16
Grand Prix of Portland
Portland International Raceway (USA)
Friday 2 September
Free Practice 1: 2:30-3:45 pm
Saturday 3 September
Free Practice 2: 9:00-10:00 am
Qualifying: 12:05-1:20 pm
Free Practice 3: 4:15-4:45 pm
Sunday 4 September
Race (110 laps): 12:30 pm
TIMING: INDYCAR App / racecontrol.indycar.com
ENTRY LIST: view here
TRACK DATA: view here