The stars and cars of the NTT Indy Car Series made their way to Birmingham over the weekend for the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix on Sunday.
The buzz word on Sunday was strategy as some teams utilized a two-stop method while others used a three-stop strategy to their benefit during the event.
2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Rookie of the Year McLaughlin prevailed on a three-pit stop strategy after starting fourth, while Grosjean and Andretti Autosport used a two-stop tactic. The three-stop strategy allowed McLaughlin to go full tilt during stints and avoid worrying about having enough Shell fuel remaining to finish the race, unlike the drivers who made two stops.
“I call it a ‘happy driver strategy,’” McLaughlin said. “I was a lot happier doing that. We went past Grosjean there on a little bit of strategy, and I feel really good about it.”
Reigning series champion Will Power finished third in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet for his first podium position of the season.
Pato O’Ward finished fourth in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, with 2021 series champion Alex Palou rounding out the top five in the No. 10 Ridgeline Lubricants Honda in the 90-lap race.
Today begins the fabled “Month of May” for the NTT Indy Car Series with the GMR Grand Prix on the Indy Road Course on May 13th and the Indianapolis 500 on May 28th.
Stay tuned to 1027 The Game for all of your Indy Car News and Information!
-Blake Smith, Host of Let’s Talk Racing
