It didn’t start well, and it didn’t end well. Except for someone of course.
Simon Pagenuad only led six laps on Saturday afternoon, but what counted was the one that mattered, the checkered flag lap. In a pass limited, wreck filled, crazy afternoon at the newly renovated Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, Pagenuad came out on top.
The contest started with a “standing start”. There was standing all right, and waiting, waiting, and more waiting for the flag to turn to green and to finally get back to racing. In a race full of yellow laps, it was a whopper of a race.
After two warm up laps and a stop by all drivers, the lights turned to yellow, then to green and we went racing, well sort of. After getting the pole position for the Inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis, Sebastian Saavedra didn’t cross the finish line even once.
“Man, we had an opportunity to be at the front of the pack in this amazing place so to not even get the chance because of a freaking electrical thing,” said the obviously frustrated Colombian.
After the wild race, fan favorite James Hinchcliffe suffered a concussion and was taken to the track hospital, and from there was admitted to Methodist Hospital not far from the speedway.
Andretti Autosport stated Saturday night that former driver E.J. Viso will be on standby for Hinchcliffe in case he is unable to qualify next weekend. Doctors stated that the common protocol for a concussion is 7-10 days which would mean Hinchcliffe would miss qualifications next weekend. “I’m a little stiff and sore and I’d love to get in the car tomorrow, but I suppose I should probably let the doctors make that decision,” said the Canadian in a statement.
A mere 18 hours after the final flag flew Saturday, another will fly Sunday afternoon as Indy 500 practice will start at noon Eastern Time.
