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Arrow McLAREN Indianapolis Grand Prix: Race Preview

"The best month of the year is finally here"

Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team logo

The Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team kicks off the month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Only this weekend, the road course is the challenge.

Last year, the team secured its first double podium with Pato O'Ward and Alexander Rossi finishing second and third. The team is looking to capitalize on that previous success to start the month on a high.

Théo Pourchaire will take on the 14-turn circuit, officially, as an Arrow McLaren driver this weekend.  

Check out thoughts from each driver and Team Principal Gavin Ward ahead of this Saturday's 85-lap race.

Location Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Race Date Saturday, May 11
Round 4 out of 17
Total Laps 85 laps
Total Race Distance 207.32 miles / 333.65 km
Length 2.44 miles / 3.93 km
Number of Turns 14
Pato O'Ward
Championship Position 6th 71 points
Average Starting Position 7.0  
Average Finishing Position 13.3  
Best Starting Position 3rd Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
Best Finishing Position 1st Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

Career at Indianapolis Motor Speedway - Road Course

Total Starts 10  
Best Starting Position 1st 2021
Best Finishing Position 2nd 2023
2023 Result 2nd  

"We're headed to the Indy Road Course this weekend for the only time this season. Even though we've raced here quite a bit over the last few years, I would say every year is different. It's always kind of surprising seeing where people stack up; sometimes, it's completely the opposite of what you expect. I'm looking forward to the challenges that we'll have this weekend. We'll try to roll out with the best package as a team and score some good points."

No. 6 onsemi Arrow McLaren Chevrolet

Théo Pourchaire, Driver, No. 6 SmartStop Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

Championship Position 24th 27 points
Average Starting Position 23.0  
Average Finishing Position 16.5  
Best Starting Position 22nd Grand Prix of Long Beach
Best Finishing Position 11th Grand Prix of Long Beach

"I'm looking forward to discovering another new track this weekend. However, I'm a bit more familiar with this track given it's history, plus I've been able to have some time in the simulator to prepare. This is home for a lot of teams in the series, including Arrow McLaren, so I'm excited for my first ever race in Indianapolis. I'll give it my all this weekend and hopefully we can bring home a good result."

Alexander Rossi
Championship Position 12th 53 points
Average Starting Position 14.7  
Average Finishing Position 13.7  
Best Starting Position 13th Grand Prix of Long Beach
Best Finishing Position 6th Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

Career at Indianapolis Motor Speedway - Road Course

Total Starts 13  
Best Starting Position 2nd 2022
Best Finishing Position 1st 2022
2023 Result 3rd  

"The Indy Grand Prix last year was very kind to us both times we raced there, but we still had a bit of pace to find. I think that there is a really good opportunity for us to start the month of May in a strong way this weekend, and we'll be doing everything in our power to make that happen."

Gavin Ward, Team Principal, Arrow McLaren, said:

"The best month of the year is finally here, and there’s no better time for us to get back on the right track. We have so much exciting stuff going on this month, from celebrating the 50th anniversary of Johnny Rutherford’s 1974 Indy 500 win to Tony Kanaan getting inducted into the IMS Hall of Fame later, but it really all starts this weekend at the Indy Road Course. We’ve been fast here historically, especially last year when Pato and Alexander both landed on the podium. With Théo, we just keep continuing to build up and improve each time he gets in the car. I’m confident we’re going to have three cars fighting at the top this weekend, and I’m looking forward to starting the month of May with a great result."

Session Start Times

Practice 1 Friday, May 10 9:30 - 10:45 p.m. ET Peacock
Practice 2 Saturday, May 10 1:10 - 2:10 p.m. ET Peacock
Qualifying Saturday, May 10 4:20 - 5:50 p.m. ET Peacock
Warmup Sunday, May 11 11:15 - 11:45 a.m. ET Peacock
Tune In Sunday, May 11 3:00 p.m. ET NBC
Green Flag Sunday, April 28 3:45 p.m. ET NBC

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