The 2024 NTT IndyCar Series season is here. For the 13th season, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is the site of the first race to kick-off IndyCar’s year. A field of 27-cars descends on the sun-soaked concrete of the Albert Whitted Airport and the rest of the 1.8-mile track that weaves through downtown. It will be the first race for several drivers in new environments and with a long offseason to build up positive vibes and confidence, every team thinks they have a shot at victory.
Last Year
The 2023 running of the St. Pete Grand Prix was one of the most memorable races of the year. In the span of 30 laps, four drivers thought they had a shot at winning the season’s premiere event. First was Romain Grosjean, who overtook Scott McLaughlin after their final pit stops and returned to the lead after dominating early. But then McLaughlin saw a chance to put himself back up front and ride to victory when his tires came up to temperature. Of course, they both careened into tire barriers in turn four, eliminating each other’s shot to finish. Pato O’Ward went on his merry way around the two bulldozer-modified IndyCars and thought the day was his. Instead, a plenum event stole his thunder, and Marcus Ericsson sped by to take the checkered.
Alrighty then.
The three that were locked out of victory lane would have had much different seasons if one of them had made it into the winner’s circle that day. Grosjean might not have had to use the IndyCar employment portal had he triumphed, securing his seat at Andretti Global that was reportedly his until management thought otherwise later in the summer. O’Ward’s early season success in being a professional runner-up would have looked more positive with a victory mixed in. Now Grosjean and defending winner Ericsson, who walked across the paddock to take the vacant seat at Andretti, return with new teams, O’Ward is starting on a quest to claim a bigger throne at IndyCar’s royal court and McLaughlin is seeking a run at a title after finishing third in 2023. All are looking to take this one for redemption one way or the other.
Eyes on the Prize
Two-time St. Pete winner Josef Newgarden put his Team Penske No. 2 Chevy in victory lane at four races last year. All ovals, including the 2023 Indianapolis 500. That sounds like a remarkable season and reason to pop champagne corks as well as make toasts to a great year.
That doesn’t seem to be the feeling from…
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