Thread by @mama_gforce

WANT TO GET INTO @INDYCAR THIS SEASON? Here’s a primer to get you ready for the first race of the season next weekend:

#IndyCar | #FirestoneGP

We’re kicking off the 2022 @indycar season at @GPSTPETE in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.

FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX OF ST. PETERSBURG
🐦@GPofStPete / #FirestoneGP / #IndyCar
↪️1.8 mile / 14 turn street circuit
⏱100 laps / 180 miles
📺 Sun., Feb. 27 @ 12pm ET / NBC

Here’s a wallpaper for your phone with all the session times (ET) for next weekend. Let me know if you are interested in other time zones! #IndyCar #GPStPete

Here are highlights from last year’s @GPSTPETE to enjoy and get you aquatinted with the circuit:



#IndyCar | #FirestoneGP

#IndyCar races on 3 different types of circuits—road courses, temporary street circuits, and ovals. We are on a street circuit next weekend. #FirestoneGP

All three tracks require different configurations for the cars, different skills from the drivers, and different strategy calls. Having such track diversity is one of the reasons #IndyCar is so competitive. You have to be good at all three to win a championship.

#IndyCar is a spec series. All entries run a @DallaraGroup chassis (named the DW12 in honor of the late Dan Wheldon). We have two engine manufacturers—@TeamChevy and @HondaRacing_HPD. We have one tire supplier—@FirestoneRacing.

Speaking of tires, on road and street circuits like the @GPSTPETE, we have two tire compounds that each car must run each race—Firestone reds (a softer compound) and the harder Firestone blacks (aka: primary tires).

#IndyCar | #FirestoneGP

We do knockout qualifying for road and street courses. The field is split into two groups. The top 6 qualifiers from each group move onto the Fast 12. Then the top 6 qualifiers from that session move onto the Fast 6 to run for pole.
📺 Sat., Feb. 26 @ 12:30pm on Peacock

#Indycar

We do 2-wide rolling starts in #IndyCar (except at the Indy 500 where it is 3-wide). Restarts are single file.

The @GPSTPETE start is on an airport runway. On the start, they go from two-wide to a bajillionity wide and then cram into turn one. It’s good fun. 🥳 #FirestoneGP

We have 26 full-time entries with drivers from 15 different countries in @IndyCar. That’s how many you’ll see next weekend. But some races (like the Indianapolis 500) will have more entries than that. #IndyCar | #FirestoneGP

Many drivers legitimately have a shot at winning each weekend. I recommend picking a driver and following them all weekend. Fan favorites include: @conordaly22 @scottdixon9 @alexanderrossi @patriciooward @rgrosjean @h3lio @josefnewgarden @coltonherta.

#IndyCar | #FirestoneGP

The top teams are what people call “The Big Three” which include @Team_Penske, @FollowAndretti, and @CGRTeams. Andretti has hit a slump the past few years, and some folks think @ArrowMcClarenSP and/or @RLLracing deserve to be in that top tier.

#IndyCar | #FirestoneGP

Story to watch #1: @IndyCar is currently witnessing a changing of the guard, where veterans like 6-time series champ @scottdixon9 and 4-time Indy 500 winner @h3lio are competing with bad fast youngins like @patriciooward, @AlexPalou, and @ColtonHerta.

#IndyCar | #FirestoneGP

Story to watch #2: Indy 500, Rolex 24, and Baja 1000 winner @alexanderrossi has had two down seasons in @IndyCar, but many think this will be his revenge tour. It's a contact year, so everything he does impacts his stock. Where does he land in 2023? 🤔

#IndyCar | #FirestoneGP

Story to watch #3: They tested the waters in 2021, but @RGrosjean and @JimmieJohnson are back with full-time rides at top tier teams in 2022. Will JJ’s NASCAR oval prowess translate to #IndyCar? Will RG be in title contention?

#IndyCar | #FirestoneGP

Alright, there is a lot more to learn, but this is a good start!

#IndyCar Twitter is a magical space that is mostly drama-free and full of awesome people. We’re glad you are here! Make sure to follow drivers and teams, too—they are great at fan interaction.❤️🏁

Yes, friends. I know I misspelled McLaren (multiple times), RG claims France, and I missed a few tags. I'm just one fan without a proofreader or copyeditor. Be gentle with me. 😂