Momentum Builders: IndyCar Drivers Gear Up for Sonsio Grand Prix in May

The IndyCar Series has officially moved into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway ahead of this weekend's Sonsio Grand Prix. The drivers are gearing up to build momentum before the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at the end of the month.

The top six drivers in the IndyCar standings, including Alex Palou, Christian Lundgaard, Kyle Kirkwood, Pato O'Ward, Felix Rosenqvist, and Scott McLaughlin, emphasized the importance of performing well in this weekend's race. Even though the Grand Prix runs around the road course, the drivers know that it can set the tone for how the rest of the month goes.

Palou has been dominant with a nearly perfect start to the year, winning three of the four races. However, he is still searching for his first Indy 500 win.“It's always special to enter this track even if it's for testing, but we're finally racing. It's finally May,” Palou said with a big smile. “I don't want to get too excited too early either. It's going to be a long month. It's the best time of the year, and it's super exciting to be here.”

The rest of the drivers are looking to chip away at some of Palou's dominance — in the points standings and on the track.

O'Ward is hoping for another strong showing during the Month of May after an emotional second-place finish in last year's 500.“It's fantastic to come back every single year, even for testing. You definitely feel like this place means a lot to not just us as drivers, but to everyone that's involved here,” O'Ward said. “It's a long month ahead. There's a lot of time, and you just try to make what you have the best you can, and then when you get on race day, that's when it really matters.”

The green flag drops for the Sonsio Grand Prix at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, with the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 coming on Sunday, May 25.