Detroit Grand Prix Preview: IndyCar moves to tight, fast street circuit downtown

Last year, IndyCar wrote the last chapter of its long history on scenic Belle Isle between Detroit and Winsdor, Ontario, with Will Power victorious in the last race on the island.

Now, the Detroit Grand Prix moves to a new downtown street circuit around Renaissance Center, the General Motors global headquarters, in the heart of the motor city. There's a lot of unknowns, but plenty of firsts in store for what's looking to be a scorching weekend in Michigan.

The track takes over much of the downtown area near the Detroit River, including a stretch over the tunnel to Canada, which will still be accessible during the race.

The circuit doesn't follow the same path as the previous downtown Detroit track, which went away when the series moved to Belle Isle, and even features a handful of Formula One races. Many 90º corners with long straights should provide plenty of overtaking opportunities, and the unknowns of tire wear, fuel strategy and ease of overtaking on usually tricky street courses should make for a great race.

The track features a unique split pit road, with stalls on both driver's left and right. All 27 entries will have to avoid crossing a center blue line down pit road, and blend in with cars for the pit exit into turn one.

Also notable is the split start and finish line. Cars will line up two-by-two for the start on the long straightaway down Jefferson Avenue, and the race will finish 100 laps later across from pit road on Franklin Street.

There's simply not too much historical data to pull from with a new circuit. However, two street circuits from earlier this season, St. Petersburg and Long Beach, should provide helpful hints to who could have a good weekend in Detroit.

Scott McLaughlin and Romain Grosjean were faster than the rest at St. Pete before wrecking after halfway. Both, including their Team Penske and Andretti Autosport teammates, should have good speed out of the gates. Pato O'Ward, Marcus Ericsson and Scott Dixon should be able to put good drives together, but I'd think it's more than likely Penske and Andretti can put a car in victory lane Sunday based on their performances this year on street courses so far.

Schedule

Friday, June 2 (All times Eastern)
1:50 - 2:40 p.m. INDY NXT by Firestone practice #1, INDYCAR Live
3 - 4:30 p.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice #1 (90 minutes), Peacock Premium
5:30 p.m. - INDY NXT by Firestone Qualifying (Two 15-minute sessions with 8 minutes of green flag running): 5:30-5:45 p.m./Race #1; 5:50-6:05 p.m./Race #2), INDYCAR Live

Saturday, June 3
9:05 - 10:05 a.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice #2 (45 minutes), Peacock
Noon INDY NXT by Firestone Command to start engines
12:05 p.m. INDY NXT by Firestone Race #1 (45 Laps/55 minutes), Peacock (U.S)/INDYCAR Live (Most international markets)
1:20-2:50 p.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying for NTT P1 Award (Three rounds of knockout qualifying), Peacock Premium (live)

Sunday, June 4
10 - 10:30 a.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES warmup, Peacock
12:45 p.m. INDY NXT by Firestone Command to start engines
12:50 p.m. INDY NXT by Firestone Race #1 (45 Laps/55 minutes), Peacock (U.S)/INDYCAR Live (Most international markets)
3 p.m. NBC on air
3:23 p.m. Command to start engines
3:30 p.m. Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear (100 laps/170 miles), NBC (live)