Next up: the Big One
Palou continued to show his potential after a tricky start to the weekend with a water leak in practice, then recovered to finish a fine third for Ganassi. He headed the first of the Penske entries, Josef Newgarden having dropped from P2 on the grid to fourth at the finish.
Graham Rahal, son of 1986 Indy 500 winner Bobby, put in a good afternoon’s work to rise from 11th on the grid to fifth, ahead of Penske’s Simon Pagenaud and Andretti’s Alexander Rossi. Australian V8 Supercar king Scott McLaughlin continued his terrific progress since switching to IndyCar with an eighth place finish, ahead of Dixon and former Sauber F1 driver Marcus Ericsson who rounded out the top 10.
Mr consistency Dixon still leads the standings as he chases a remarkable seventh title, 13 points ahead of team-mate Palou, while VeeKay is up to sixth.
But the points standings will be in the back of most minds in the next two weeks, as preparations begin for the IndyCar race that matters more than any other. The Indy 500 takes place on 30th May, with the first practice sessions kicking things off this week.
As for Grosjean he’ll be sitting this one out, having only committed to a part-season with Coyne and steering clear of the ovals for his first season in US racing. After what he’s been through and in full knowledge of the greater jeopardy drivers face on the ovals, we can hardly blame him for that call. But might he feel a twinge of regret come 30th May? Romain’s a bona fide IndyCar ace now. Of course he will.
Images courtesy of Motorsport Images.