The weather is supposed to be nice on Sunday and I certainly hope it is, but the temperature can’t be near what it was in Cleveland otherwise these guys won’t be able to get out of the car once the race is done. It looks to be the most physically challenging track of the year, and may very well be the fastest. This race could be over in 20 minutes!
Its absolutely beautiful. The grandstands look phenomenal, there’s signage on every corner, the pit suites look gorgeous, there’s a beautiful city skyline, the entire area is picture-perfect.

Todd Malloy (RuSport Engineer) predicts a may be a race of attrition, or at least a very expensive weekend for the teams, as this track will take a lot out of the cars and unlike Cleveland, if you go off-track here, there’s a very good chance you are running smack into a concrete wall. Sure, there are grassy areas in the infield, but outside is pretty much all wall. Turn one, for example, has a wall on the outside, so you can risk going wide during the first lap, but if you get bumped, your day is done. And with the speeds expected to be what they are, then a car in the wall is a very damaged automobile.

Some predict phenomenal passing, since the track is so wide just about everywhere. But, because there’s hardly a slow corner out there, it could make passing quite difficult, since all the cars will be going consistently fast the entire time. Its going to be interesting how it plays out. But there’s definitely a buzz in the paddock. People everywhere are excited about this track and its possibilities.

Also, the excitement in the city is amazing. Billboards everywhere! Radio programs talking about it all day long. Newspaper articles a plenty. I knew this was a sports town, but the promotion and the buzz going on in the city exceeds all expectations I had. Now its up to the Trans-Am, Atlantics and Champ Car to put on a great show.

Champ Car baby! Champ Car for life!