For 49 weeks, Will Power has thought about, talked about, dreamed about and been reminded about his Month of May sweep at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The only thing that would top 2018, in his mind, is to repeat the accomplishment.
“Last year was incredible – winning the INDYCAR Grand Prix, bringing home the team’s 200th Indy car win and then to go on and win the Indianapolis 500 was just such a dream come true,” said Power, driver of the No. 12 Verizon 5G Team Penske Chevrolet. “We’re going back hungry, hoping to repeat both of those wins.”
The INDYCAR Grand Prix on May 11 (3 p.m. ET, NBC) is followed by the 103rd Indianapolis 500 on May 26 (11 a.m. ET, NBC). Power is a three-time winner of the race on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn IMS road course that incorporates Turn 1 of the famous oval – each time from the pole in 2018, ’17 and ’15.
“The INDYCAR GP, I love that track. I can’t wait to get started again,” added Power, whose 35 career Indy car wins are tied with Bobby Unser for seventh on the all-time list.
Chevrolet drivers have started from the pole in each of the five races and won four, including Power teammate Simon Pagenaud in 2016. Ten drivers powered by Chevrolet’s 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged, direct-injected V6 engine are entered in the 85-lap/207.3-mile race.
A Chevrolet victory will mark the Bowtie brand’s 75th since its 2012 return to NTT IndyCar Series competition.
Josef Newgarden’s consistency through four races, which has included a victory in the season opener on the St. Petersburg street circuit and a pair of runner-up finishes, has kept the driver of the No. 2 Fitzgerald USA Team Penske Chevrolet atop the championship points standings.
“The INDYCAR Grand Prix is a race I’d love to win to get it all started,” said Newgarden, the 2017 NTT IndyCar Series champion. “I think a lot of drivers are going to be strong, so it will be a challenge. But me and the No. 2 Fitzgerald USA Chevy crew couldn’t be more up to that challenge. We’re ready.”
Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves will make his NTT IndyCar Series season debut this weekend in the No. 3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet.
“I have missed INDYCAR so much since last year and can’t wait to get back on track,” said Castroneves, who has finished in the top 10 in each race on the road course. I’ve been lucky enough to win the Indy 500 three times, but still haven’t won on the IMS road course. That’s a big one for me to want to win.”
Countryman Tony Kanaan, driving the No. 14 ABC Supply Chevrolet for AJ Foyt Racing, will seek to make his 305th consecutive start and 365th overall Indy car start, which ranks third on the all-time list.
Spectators can get an up-close look at new Chevrolet production vehicles, including the Blazer RS, Silverado High Country and Tahoe RST, on May 10-11 at the Chevrolet Racing Tour display near Pagoda Plaza. Additionally, the Corvette Grand Sport Pace Car and other vehicles will be on display.
Fans can also meet Chevrolet drivers May 10-11 at the Chevrolet Racing Tour display:
Friday, May 10 – 2-2:15 p.m. (Team Penske) Josef Newgarden, Will Power, Simon Pagenaud 2:15-2:30 p.m. (AJ Foyt Racing) Matheus Leist, Tony Kanaan 2:45-3 p.m. (Ed Carpenter Racing) Ed Carpenter, Ed Jones, Spencer PigotSaturday, May 11 – 1:15-1:30 p.m. (Carlin) Charlie Kimball, Max Chilton
In the INDYCAR Grand Prix, Team Chevy will be well represented by:AJ FOYT RACING:Matheus Leist, No. 4 ABC Supply ChevroletTony Kanaan, No. 14 ABC Supply Chevrolet
CARLIN:Patricio O’Ward, No. 31 Carlin ChevroletMax Chilton, No. 59 Gallagher ChevroletED CARPENTER RACING:Ed Jones, No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Scuderia Corsa ChevroletSpencer Pigot, No. 21 Autogeek Chevrolet
TEAM PENSKE:Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Fitzgerald USA ChevroletHelio Castroneves, No. 3 Pennzoil ChevroletWill Power, No. 12 Verizon 5G ChevroletSimon Pagenaud, No. 22 Menards Chevrolet
INDYCAR Grand Prix (all times ET)· NTT IndyCar Series Practice 1: 9:10 a.m., Friday, May 10· NTT IndyCar Series Practice 2: 12:30 p.m., Friday, May 10· NTT IndyCar Series Qualifications: 4:30 p.m., Friday, May 10· NTT IndyCar Series Warmup: 11:15 a.m., Saturday, May 11· INDYCAR Grand Prix: 3:30 p.m., Saturday, May 11· TV/Radio/Other: NBC will telecast the 85-lap/207.3-mile race on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course at 3 p.m. May 11. NBCSN will telecast the three rounds of qualifications at 4:30 p.m. May 10 and the first practice session at 9 a.m. May 10. Qualifications and the race will also be broadcast on NBCSports.com, INDYCAR Radio Network affiliates, IndyCar.com, indycarradio.com, the INDYCAR Mobile app, Sirius 113 and XM 209. Practice2 and the warm-up will be streamed on INDYCAR Pass on NBC Sports Gold.
Driver/entrant points top five through four of 17 races (Chevrolet in bold) 1. 166 — Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Team Penske2. 138 – Alexander Rossi, No. 27 Andretti Autosport3. 133 – Scott Dixon, No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing4. 116 – Takuma Sato, No. 30 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing5. 96 – Ryan Hunter-Reay, No. 28 Andretti AutosportManufacturer points
349 – Honda278 – ChevroletChevrolet IndyCar V6 Year-By-Year Results
2019 – 1 win, 2 poles in 4 racesWin – Josef Newgarden (St. Petersburg). Pole – Will Power (St. Petersburg, Circuit of the Americas)2018 – 6 wins, 9 poles in 17 racesWins – Josef Newgarden (Phoenix, Barber, Road America), Will Power (Indianapolis RC, Indianapolis 500, Gateway). Poles – Newgarden (Barber, Texas, Road America, Toronto), Power (Indianapolis RC, Iowa,
Pocono, Portland), Ed Carpenter (Indianapolis 500)2017 – 10 wins, 11 poles in 17 racesEngine Manufacturer Championship; driver/owner titles (Josef Newgarden/Roger Penske)2016 – 14 wins, 13 poles in 16 racesEngine Manufacturer Championship; driver/owner titles (Simon Pagenaud/Roger Penske)2015 – 10 wins, 16 poles in 16 racesEngine Manufacturer Championship; driver/owner titles (Scott Dixon/Chip Ganassi);Indianapolis 500 win (Juan Pablo Montoya). First manufacturer to capture all titles since Chevrolet returned to INDYCAR in 20122014 – 12 wins, 13 poles in 18 racesEngine Manufacturer Championship; driver/owner titles (Will Power/Roger Penske)2013 – 10 wins, 11 poles in 19 racesEngine Manufacturer Championship; Indianapolis 500 win (Tony Kanaan)2012 – 11 wins, 10 poles in 15 racesEngine Manufacturer Championship; driver/owner titles (Ryan Hunter-Reay/Michael Andretti)Total – 74 wins, 85 poles in 122 races
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