The midpoint of the Verizon IndyCar Series season doesn’t allow for much time to reflect on what has transpired thus far in 2016.
Teams are already on their way to Texas Motor Speedway for Saturday’s Firestone 600 under the lights to kick off the second half. Before the thrilling 248-lap race takes place on the high-banked 1.455-mile oval, however, some highlights and surprises over the first eight races bear pointing out.
Pageanud’s meteoric ascent to championship lead
Simon Pagenaud has been the talk of the series with his brilliant start to 2016. The Team Penske driver has finished first or second in six of the eight races to date, including a three-race win streak in April and early May. The Frenchman has built a hefty 80-point cushion in the point standings over reigning Verizon IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon and said he’s not about to let up.
“We are halfway in the season and we have a strong points lead, but this team is built to win races,” Pagenaud said. “Everything takes care of itself if you win races, so that will continue to be our focus.”
In his seventh season driving Indy cars and second with Penske, Pagenaud’s best previous championship finish was third in 2013.
Climbing the ladder of Indy car greatness
Four drivers currently competing in the Verizon IndyCar Series rank among the top 15 in all-time race wins – and three of them have won races this season.
Dixon won the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix on April 2 to earn the 39th victory of his Indy car career, tying the 35-year-old Chip Ganassi Racing driver with Al Unser for fourth all time.
Sebastien Bourdais, the 37-year-old KVSH Racing pilot, won Saturday’s first race of the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit presented by Quicken Loans, for career win No. 35. It moved Bourdais into a tie for sixth all time with Al Unser’s brother, Bobby.
In Sunday’s second Chevrolet Dual in Detroit, Team Penske’s Will Power, 35, joined Rodger Ward in a tie for 14th all-time with 26 wins.
The fourth active driver in the top 15 is Team Penske’s Helio Castroneves. The 41-year-old Brazilian is tied with Rick Mears at 11th all-time with 29 victories. The total number of race wins by Dixon, Bourdais, Castroneves and Power is an astounding 129. Talk about a Fab Four!
Ironmen march on
With the twin Detroit races, Tony Kanaan extended his record streak for consecutive races started to 257. Dixon can start his 200th straight race at Texas, which is the third-longest streak behind Kanaan and Jimmy Vasser (211).
Castroneves and Kanaan each moved up a spot in career Indy car race starts last weekend, as the Brazilian buddies passed Michael Andretti (317 starts). Castroneves, with 319, can tie Al Unser for the fourth-most starts this weekend. Kanaan, with 318, would tie Unser at the KOHLER Grand Prix at Road America on June 26.
Mario Andretti holds the record for most races started (407) and is followed by A.J. Foyt (369) and Al Unser Jr. (329).
Rookies make presence felt
Alexander Rossi had a global impact on the Verizon IndyCar Series by winning the epic 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil last month. The Andretti Herta Autosport with Curb-Agajanian driver was the first rookie winner since Castroneves 15 years ago and the first American rookie since Louis Meyer in 1928.
Afterward, fellow competitor Graham Rahal reminded Rossi of the responsibility that came with winning “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” particularly as an American and in this historic year. Rossi said he was well aware of the magnitude and how its ripple effect can boost the sport for years to come.
“I realize the importance and the significance of this race and how it can be used to propel the championship forward,” Rossi said, “and to kind of just grow the sport in the States, especially as an American.”
Another American rookie, Conor Daly, has been turning heads of late. Driving for Dale Coyne Racing, the son of retired Formula One and Indy car driver Derek Daly has notched three top-six finishes in the last four races – including a career-best second place in Saturday’s first Dual.
“I have to continue to remember this is my first year, right?” Daly said following the runner-up performance on the Raceway at Belle Isle. “Everything has been all over the place up until this. To be on the podium my first year, it's a really rewarding experience. I just hope I can do more, obviously. Now the goal is to continue to try and stay consistent.”
The road ahead will be the true test of a champion
Eight races remain on the calendar – two on big ovals (Texas, Pocono), one short oval (Iowa), one temporary street circuit (Toronto) and four on some of the most traditional permanent road courses in the land (Road America, Mid-Ohio, Watkins Glen, Sonoma).
The tremendous diversity that is the Verizon IndyCar Series will see to it that the 2016 champion will have earned the $1 million prize and opportunity to be presented the Astor Cup at the post-season championship celebration.