NTT INDYCAR SERIES | RD. 10&11
PREVIEW: HONDA INDY 200 AT MID-OHIO (USA)
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course holds a special place in Felix Rosenqvist’s heart – and the Swedish 28-year-old is determined to create new fond memories upon his return to the legendary track this weekend for another NTT INDYCAR SERIES double.
Mid-Ohio was the scene of Rosenqvist’s first-ever IndyCar test back in 2016, and also marked the site of his maiden podium in the championship last year following a memorable last-lap battle with Chip Ganassi Racing colleague Scott Dixon for the win.
Dixon ultimately held off his charging rookie team-mate to cross the line less than a tenth ahead, but Rosenqvist remembers the day with joy rather than defeat – and is excited to be doubling up at Mid-Ohio this year in another of INDYCAR’s 2020 double-headers.
“Mid-Ohio is one of my absolute favourites and getting to do two races there this year is definitely a personal highlight,” says Felix Rosenqvist. “We had a fantastic race there last year, fighting wheel-to-wheel in a close but fair battle with Scott on the final lap, and even though I didn’t win it was my first podium in INDYCAR. It meant a lot to me and I can’t wait to get back this weekend.”
Rosenqvist eventually entered Victory Lane himself, winning at Road America earlier this season, and thinks there are plenty of similarities between the Wisconsin and Ohio road course tracks.
“There are a lot of similarities,” Felix Rosenqvist continues. “They are both undulating tracks that follow the natural landscape, and I love that. They require a special flow when driving. It’s possible to overtake, but qualifying is still important, and that’s another nice balance to have at a racing track.
“The Chip Ganassi Racing car is usually fast at Mid-Ohio, but there’s no guarantees of course and we don’t know how much the aeroscreen will affect the set-up. I also hear there could be rain. Either way, I’m confident we can do a great job on the #10 NTT DATA Honda, and the target is to challenge for the win in both races.”
Practice begins at Mid-Ohio on Saturday, with the first qualifying session and race staged later the same day. Qualifying 2 and Race 2 takes place on Sunday.
TIME TABLE
Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio
All times local (U.S. Eastern)
Saturday 12 September
Free Practice: 10:45 am-12:00 pm
Qualifying 1: 2:00-2:30 pm
Race 1: 4:50 pm
Sunday 13 September
Qualifying 2: 10:15-10:45 am
Race 2: 12:55 pm
TIMING: racecontrol.indycar.com
ENTRY LIST: view here
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | After 9/14 races
1: Scott Dixon (NZL), Ganassi, 416 p.
2: Josef Newgarden (USA), Penske, 320 p.
3: Pato O’Ward (MEX), McLaren SP, 297 p.
4: Takuma Sato (JPN), Rahal, 274 p.
5: Colton Herta (USA), Andretti, 250 p.
—
10: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Ganassi, 208 p.
MID-OHIO SPORTS CAR COURSE
TYPE: Road course
LENGTH: 2.25 miles / 3.63 km
2019 POLE: Will Power
2019 WINNER: Scott Dixon
FRO 2019: 2nd