P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Some important questions will be answered at this weekend’s Long Beach Grand Prix as the NTT IndyCar Series heads into its second points-paying contest of the season. The first area where the…
The Long Beach Grand Prix this weekend will reveal answers to some important questions for the NTT IndyCar Series, which is heading into its second points-paying contest of the season. One key area of focus will be whether Team Penske’s dominant performance at St. Petersburg indicates a trend of superiority over the rest of the field in street course events. Josef Newgarden’s commanding victory at St. Pete, leading the most laps and finishing 7.9 seconds ahead of the competition, showcased Penske’s strength. The question now is whether Penske’s dominance will continue at Long Beach, as they have historically performed well on street courses.
Another question awaiting an answer is whether Andretti Global and Chip Ganassi Racing, who were overshadowed at St. Pete, can regain their competitive edge at Long Beach. Andretti, a past winner at Long Beach, faced a softer start to the season compared to last year, while Ganassi struggled in qualifying at St. Pete. The performance of these teams at Long Beach will provide insight into their ability to compete with Penske moving forward.
Overall, the Long Beach Grand Prix will serve as a litmus test for Penske’s dominance on street courses, as well as the potential resurgence of Andretti and Ganassi in the NTT IndyCar Series. The answers to these questions will shape the season ahead and determine the balance of power in the field.
