NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 2, 2022) – Knauf Insulation, Inc. has been named the Official Glass Recycling Partner of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix and will lead a sustainability initiative that will impact the NTT INDYCAR SERIES race weekend and Nashville’s entertainment districts.
Knauf Insulation, a leading manufacturer of thermal and acoustical fiberglass insulation for residential, commercial, industrial, OEM and metal building applications, will have a multi-faceted glass recycling initiative kicking off July 1 at participating establishments on Broadway and in Midtown, culminating August 5-7 with the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix at the Nissan Stadium campus.
"We're thrilled to partner with the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix to recycle glass bottles which would otherwise end up in a landfill," said Chris Mahin, Vice President of Sustainability and HSE at Knauf Insulation. "These types of unique recycling opportunities are valuable for Knauf as we continue to seek alternative sources for glass – the main ingredient in our high quality fiberglass insulation.”
For the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, that attracted more than 110,000 guests over three days in last year’s inaugural event, Knauf Insulation will be recycling any glass on the Nissan Stadium campus throughout race weekend.
Knauf Insulation’s efforts will extend to Broadway and Midtown, where most major establishments already have committed to taking part in the recycling efforts. From July 1 through Aug. 8, Knauf Insulation will collect glass from Big Machine Brewery & Distillery, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk and Steakhouse, Luke’s 32 Bridge, Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar, and Losers Bar & Grill on Broadway as well as Winners Bar & Grill and Losers in Midtown. Recycled glass will be picked up from each location and delivered to Knauf’s local recycling partner, Strategic Materials, Inc., daily with the goal of collecting 150,000 glass bottles throughout the month - enough to lap the Nissan Stadium track 230 million times!
“We are excited that Knauf Insulation has chosen to partner with the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix to promote its products as well as its sustainability and recycling message,” states Big Machine Music City Grand Prix CEO, Matt Crews. “We know our hometown of Nashville appreciates Knauf putting its values into action through an impactful program that will take glass out of our landfills and transform them into environmentally friendly building products.”
Knauf Insulation is heavily invested in improving glass recycling rates given that the company uses 500 million pounds of recycled glass in its manufacturing process annually. In addition to diverting 50 tons of recycled glass from landfills every hour, the use of this type of recyclable has additional environmental benefits including lowering the amount of energy necessary for manufacturing and decreasing the amount of raw minerals needed to be mined.
About The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will visit Nashville Aug. 5-7 for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, Round 14 of the 17-race season. The three-day festival of racing and music also will include Indy Lights, GT America, Trans Am, Stadium SUPER Trucks and Vintage Indy. The musical entertainment is highlighted by nightly on-site concerts featuring prominent artists who will be announced at a later date. For ticket and event information, please visit www.musiccitygp.com.
About Knauf Insulation
Knauf Insulation North American is part of Knauf Group, a family-owned global manufacturer of building materials based in Iphofen, Germany. Knauf leverages the expertise of over 35,000 employees across 250 production facilities in 86 countries to generate revenue of $12 Billion. In North America, Knauf Insulation is a leading manufacturer of thermal and acoustical fiberglass insulation for residential, commercial, industrial, OEM and metal building applications. Knauf’s mission is to challenge conventional thinking and create innovative solutions that shape the way we live and build in the future, with care for the people who make them, the people who use them and the world we all depend on. For more information, visit www.knaufnorthamerica.com.
Media Contacts
For Knauf Insulation:
Linda McGovern
847-287-9805
Amanda Pollard
312-914-4417
For Big Machine Music City Grand Prix:
Mike Zizzo
817-528-4676
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 1, 2022) – The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix and Grand Ole Opry will partner for a second consecutive year on the three-day festival of racing and music that will be held Aug. 5-7 at the Nissan Stadium campus in downtown Nashville.
The partnership will be highlighted by a live 90-minute Sunday, Aug. 7, performance of the legendary Grand Ole Opry show from the ZYN Main Stage on campus beginning at 5:45 p.m. CT. The lineup for the special show titled Grand Ole Prix will feature multiple performers and be announced in the coming weeks. Last year’s performance featured The Oak Ridge Boys, Callista Clark, Danielle Bradbery, Riley Green and Justin Moore.
“We are more than ready for another round of Grand Ole Prix,” said Dan Rogers, Opry Executive Producer. “While it’s been rare for the Opry to take trips outside Nashville for performances in iconic venues such as New York City’s Carnegie Hall and Washington, DC’s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, it’s also quite uncommon for the show to step outside its permanent home for an outdoor performance in downtown Music City. We’re all looking forward to announcing a great show line-up and then to playing for hometown fans as well as guests from around the world in August.”
The Grand Ole Prix performance will culminate a three-night concert series on the Nissan Stadium campus in association with the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. Superstar Tim McGraw was recently announced as the featured performer for Saturday, Aug. 6, of the concert series.
“We are excited to be extending our partnership with the Grand Ole Opry,” Big Machine Music City Grand Prix CEO Matt Crews said. “Last year’s INDYCAR post-race Opry performance was truly one of the weekend’s highpoints. We look forward to growing on that with music and additional promotions this year. The Opry is an iconic experience and the ability to bring that to our Big Machine Music City Grand Prix fans is very special.”
Three-day tickets and premium packages that are currently on sale provide admission to all on-track activities featuring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and all three concerts. Three-day tickets begin as low as $129 for general admission and $209 and $219 for reserved grandstand. Visit www.musiccitygp.com/tickets for more information or to purchase now.
About the Grand Ole Opry: Opry presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, Tenn. The Opry can be heard at opry.com and wsmonline.com, Opry and WSM mobile apps, SiriusXM, and its flagship home, 650 AM-WSM, with Saturday night shows seen on the Circle Network. The Grand Ole Opry is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties (NYSE: RHP). For more information, visit opry.com.
About the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix: The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will visit Nashville Aug. 5-7 for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, Round 14 of the 17-race season. The three-day festival of racing and music also will include Indy Lights, GT America, Trans Am, Stadium SUPER Trucks and Vintage Indy. The musical entertainment is highlighted by nightly on-site concerts featuring prominent artists led by Tim McGraw on Saturday, Aug. 6. For ticket and event information, please visit www.musiccitygp.com.
Media Contacts
For Big Machine Music City Grand Prix:
Mike Zizzo | Communications Director | Big Machine Music City Grand Prix | mzizzo@musiccitygp.com | 817.528.4676 (cell)
For Grand Ole Opry:
Dixie Owen | Schmidt Relations | dixie@schmidtpr.com | 615.440.6171 (cell)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 26, 2022) – GRAMMY AWARD®-winning superstar Tim McGraw will make his only stop in Nashville during his 2022 North American tour when the legendary music artist performs Saturday, Aug. 6, as part of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix weekend on the Nissan Stadium campus.
McGraw will hit the stage for his 90-minute show at 8:30 p.m. CT on the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix’s ZYN Main Stage. McGraw’s concert performance will be immediately followed by fireworks on the city’s Riverfront that can be viewed from the concert location.
The concert will be the only stop in Nashville and Tennessee during the McGraw Tour 2022. All Big Machine Music City Grand Prix tickets for that day also include free access to the McGraw concert.
‘The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix team is gearing up for our encore and music will again be front and center in our festival of all-things Music City,” Big Machine Music City Grand Prix CEO Matt Crews said. ‘We are honored to have an all-time great like Tim McGraw; he always delivers a high-energy show we know our fans will love. We have many more musical performances scheduled and we look forward to making those announcements soon.”
McGraw’s unparalleled career includes sales of over 80 million records worldwide, 44 No. 1 radio singles, 19 No. 1 albums and countless industry awards and accolades. His unique chart achievements include having three singles in the Top 20 of the radio charts at the same time on multiple occasions as well as having two singles spend over 10 weeks at No. 1.
McGraw’s hits include such classics as “Humble & Kind” and “Live Like You Were Dying.” His current album, “Here on Earth,” is his 19th worldwide No. 1 album and includes the current top 10 single, “7500 OBO.”
McGraw is the first of three concerts to be announced for the Aug. 5-7 evening series following the daily on-track action of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix.
Three-day tickets and premium packages that are currently on sale provide admission to all on-track activities featuring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and all three concerts. Three-day tickets begin as low as $129 for general admission and $209 and $219 for reserved grandstand. Visit www.musiccitygp.com/tickets for more information or to purchase now.
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will visit Nashville Aug. 5-7 for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, Round 14 of the 17-race season. The three-day festival of racing and music also will include Indy Lights, GT America, Trans Am, Stadium SUPER Trucks and Vintage Indy. The musical entertainment is highlighted by nightly on-site concerts featuring prominent artists led by Tim McGraw on Saturday, Aug. 6. For ticket and event information, please visit www.musiccitygp.com.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 23, 2022) – The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix will be hosting Indianapolis 500 watch parties sponsored by Michelob Ultra and Bud Light Seltzer this Sunday at seven Jonathan’s Grille Middle Tennessee locations with an opportunity to win a VIP ticket package to Nashville’s only INDYCAR weekend.
Jonathan’s Grille in Mount Juliet will serve as the official watch party headquarters for the world-renowned Memorial Day weekend race, but patrons at all locations will be eligible to sign up for a grand prize drawing for the Aug. 5-7 Big Machine Music City Grand Prix around the Nissan Stadium campus.
The winner of the free drawing will receive a pair of three-day grandstand tickets and NTT INDYCAR SERIES paddock passes to go along with an official pace car ride for one around the 2.17-mile temporary street circuit in downtown Nashville.
“This is a great opportunity during the Memorial Day weekend for race fans to gather together and enjoy ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ while also having a chance to win a VIP experience at the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix,” Big Machine Music City Grand Prix President Chris Parker said. “Take some time out of your three-day weekend and visit a convenient Jonathan’s Grille to root for Nashville’s own Josef Newgarden or one of your favorites in one of the world’s most iconic races.”
The following locations will be hosting a watch party sponsored by Michelob Ultra and Bud Light Seltzer from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. CT. The 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is set for a green flag start at 11:45 a.m. on NBC.
All seven locations will be offering 2-for-1 specials on draft and bottled/can beer, including Michelob Ultra and Bud Light Seltzer.
As the official watch party headquarters, Jonathan’s Grille in Mount Juliet also will be giving away hourly prizes from race tickets to swag throughout the event. ESPN Radio 102.5 The Game will be on-site for live remotes, and photo opportunities will be available with a Stadium SUPER Truck, which will be competing as part of the INDYCAR race weekend, and the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix winner’s trophy.
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will visit Nashville Aug. 5-7 for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, Round 14 of the 17-race season. The three-day festival of racing and music also will include Indy Lights, GT America, Trans Am, Stadium SUPER Trucks and Vintage Indy. The musical entertainment is highlighted by nightly on-site concerts featuring prominent artists who will be announced soon. For ticket and event information, please visit www.musiccitygp.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Mike Zizzo | Director of Communications | Big Machine Music City Grand Prix
mzizzo@musiccitygp.com | 817.528.4676 (m)
Multiple Positions Open for Aug. 4-7 Weekend Festivities
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Multiple volunteers are needed for this year’s Big Machine Music City Grand Prix featuring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES which is slated to take place Aug. 4-7 in downtown Nashville.
The race is in need of the following positions:
• Race Day Ambassadors: Race Day Ambassadors will be responsible for providing directions, information, and other assistance to fans attending the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix.
• Access Control Volunteers: Access Control volunteers are responsible for keeping drivers, fans and all attendees of the event safe. These volunteers will be assisting with access to restricted areas and checking necessary credentials. Access Control positions may require being on your feet for an extended period of time. *Background check required
• Can Do Team: Members of the can-do team are vital to the success of the event. This position is for a person that is up for any task. Can-Do volunteers will be assigned upon check-in based on the biggest area of need. This individual in this position must be flexible and willing to help where help is needed. *Background check required
*All shift times are subject to change.
Volunteers must be 16 years or older. A $50 registration fee directly covers the cost of all volunteer uniforms (two polos, one t-shirt and a hat). All volunteers will also receive parking, transportation and meals during their shifts.
The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix returns on a temporary grand prix circuit throughout downtown Nashville that will wrap around Nissan Stadium. The 2.17-mile temporary street circuit will race across the Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge into downtown Nashville and back.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding volunteering at this year’s race, please reach out to the volunteer team at MCGPVolunteers@gmail.com or visit NashvilleSports.com.
###
Contact
Aldo Amato, Director of Public Relations, Marketing & Communications, (615) 743-3124 or aamato@nashvillesports.com.
About the Nashville Sports Council
The Nashville Sports Council is a private, non-profit, membership-based organization of area corporations and individual sports enthusiasts. Created in 1992, the Nashville Sports Council’s mission is to positively impact the economy and quality of life of the Greater Nashville Area by attracting and promoting professional and amateur sporting events. The Nashville Sports Council has hosted hundreds of major sporting events that have produced more than $930 million in direct economic impact for the region. For more information call 615-743-3120 or visit NashvilleSports.com. Follow the Nashville Sports Council on Facebook and Twitter.
About the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix
The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is a three-day international festival of speed and sound featuring an NTT INDYCAR® SERIES event. The event aims to create a comprehensive world-class international destination event that highlights Nashville, Tenn., the Music City and the Mid-South region including music, food, culture and entertainment that centers on the speed, technology, skill and excitement of up-close urban INDYCAR racing. As a privately funded event, Music City Grand Prix is owned and operated by 615GP, LLC.
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (April 29, 2022) – Nashville’s Josef Newgarden may be able to answer the $1 million question after he competes in Sunday’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES race at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala.
Newgarden, the two-time series champion with Team Penske, is chasing the final leg of the inaugural PeopleReady Force for Good Challenge that carries a hefty $1 million bonus for the first driver who can win on all three types of circuits – a permanent road course, temporary street circuit and oval – this season. The PeopleReady Force for Good Challenge rewards the driver/team with $500,000 and the other $500,000 is donated to their chosen charity.
Just three races into the young NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, Newgarden already is just one win away from securing the trifecta and huge payday. He won the oval race at Texas Motor Speedway on March 20 and followed with another victory at the Grand Prix of Long Beach temporary street circuit race on April 10.
PeopleReady also offers an additional $10,000 to every race winner this season to be split 50/50 like the big bonus. Newgarden split his most recent win at Long Beach with SeriousFun Children’s Network and Wags & Walks in Nashville. He also will be hosting his charity ping-pong tournament in Nashville during the week leading into the Aug. 5-7 Big Machine Music City Grand Prix race week for the SeriousFun Children’s Network.
This Sunday’s stop is Barber Motorsports Park, a permanent road course and the first opportunity for him to clinch the bonus. It may be an ideal stop for Newgarden, given that he has won a track-record three times (2015, ‘17, ‘18) on the 2.3-mile layout.
There are seven permanent road courses on the schedule, including the following series stop at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on May 14, so Newgarden is in an advantageous position versus the rest of the field. The only other driver with a victory this season is Team Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin, who won the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg temporary street circuit race. Should McLaughlin win Sunday, it would put him two-thirds of the way to the bonus with only an oval win missing.
While no driver accomplished the feat last season, the triple had been achieved the previous six years from 2015-2020. Of those six, Newgarden did it twice with the first coming in 2017 and then again in 2020.
Check out if Newgarden can bring home the $1 million in Sunday’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES race at Barber Motorsports Park, which will be televised live on NBC beginning at 11:30 a.m. CT.
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will visit Nashville for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix - Round 14 of the 17-race season – on Aug. 5-7. The three-day festival of racing and music also will include Indy Lights, GT America, Trans Am, Stadium SUPER Trucks and Vintage Indy. The musical entertainment is highlighted by nightly on-site concerts featuring prominent artists who will be announced at a later date. For ticket and event information, please visit www.musiccitygp.com.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 18, 2022) – A new restart zone will highlight several track modifications for the competitors while fans will enjoy some new entertainment options, including professional jet ski competition, during the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix INDYCAR weekend set for Aug. 5-7 at the Nissan Stadium campus.
The most impactful competition alteration for all five series competing in the race weekend – the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Indy Lights, GT America,Trans Am and Stadium SUPER Trucks – will be the shift of the restart zone.
During last year’s inaugural Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, the restarts occurred at the finish line in front of Nissan Stadium but now will move to the long straightaway as the field exits the Korean Veterans Bridge and toward Turn 9. It will be the same zone that was used for the start of each race last season and should provide cleaner restarts and more immediate passing opportunities.
Course Improvements
Other modifications or changes to the 2.17-mile, 11-turn temporary street circuit include:
Waterfront Additions
While the Korean Veterans Bridge serves as the signature of the track layout, the Cumberland River that it crosses also will be an area with plenty of action during the race weekend. The new additions will be a stop on the Pro Watercross National Tour and the General Jackson Riverboat Experience.
The Pro Watercross series, in conjunction with the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, will stage the inaugural Nashville Invitational event on Friday, Aug. 5, and Saturday, Aug. 6, of race weekend.
The jet ski riders will reach speeds of more than 85 miles per hour competing against each other on a three-quarter mile, closed-course layout on the Cumberland River. Friday’s action will feature slalom competition with the riders racing on adjacent courses. On Saturday, the competitors will go head to head in a more traditional style of racing.
Spectator viewing areas will be located in the Big Machine Music City Fan Zone along the East Bank as well as on the downtown side of the river at 143 First Avenue North. Fan Zone viewing is free with event admission and the downtown location will be free admission.
The General Jackson Riverboat will be the featured water entertainment on Sunday, Aug. 7, in anticipation of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix NTT INDYCAR SERIES race at 2 p.m. CT.
All-day food and beverage (alcohol not included) will be available on the riverboat, which gives guests the option of a cruise from Opryland or just board at the boat ramp adjacent to the Nissan Stadium campus where it will be moored. The boat is climate controlled with closed-circuit race coverage and private restrooms. A general admission ticket to roam the grounds and enjoy the race festivities is included in the $349 price.
Fan Enhancements
The Fan Zone also will get several enhancements highlighted by the the relocation of the secondary music stage moving to the footprint closer to the river, heightened bar / gathering experiences, more food trucks, and more sponsor activation areas.
The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix will be a three-day festival of racing and music from Aug. 5-7 featuring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Indy Lights, GT America, Trans Am Series, Stadium SUPER Trucks and Vintage Indy. The musical entertainment is highlighted by nightly on-site concerts featuring prominent artists who will be announced at a later date. For ticket and event information, please visit www.musiccitygp.com.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 12, 2022) – The second annual Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, set for Aug. 5-7 on the downtown street circuit around the Nissan Stadium campus, has ticket packages for every type of race fan and budget when they become available to the general public for the first time beginning Wednesday at 10 a.m. CT.
The three-day racing festival will feature on-track action from the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Indy Lights, GT America, Trans Am, Stadium SUPER Trucks and Vintage Indy as well as nightly concerts, Saturday evening fireworks and a party atmosphere like only Nashville can deliver.
Several options are available through the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix website (www.musiccitygp.com/tickets) while other limited capacity or premium options can only be purchased through a ticket representative at (615) 270-8705 or via email inquiries at tickets@musiccitygp.com. Please note all ticket pricing excludes fees.
Here is a detailed glimpse at each of the packages available Wednesday with pricing and benefits for all three days:
NetJets Club RPM presented by Grand Hyatt Nashville ($2,250)
Founders Membership ($1,600)
East Club ($1,399)
Tootsies Starting Line Club presented by Busch Light ($400)
General Jackson Riverboat Experience – SUNDAY ONLY ($349)
Reserved Grandstands ($209 & $219)
General Admission ($129)
Tickets for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix are:
All fans must adhere to the Nissan Stadium clear bag policy. For a complete list of FAQs on ticketing and race weekend policies, please click here.
The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is a three-day premier festival of racing and music from Aug. 5-7 featuring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Indy Lights, GT America, Trans Am Series, Stadium SUPER Trucks and Vintage Indy. The musical entertainment is highlighted by nightly on-site concerts featuring prominent artists who will be announced at a later date. Please visit www.musiccitygp.com for more information.
ON-SALE APRIL 13 FOR ALL 3-DAY GRANDSTAND TICKETS, PREMIUM PACKAGES
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 7, 2022) – The second annual Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, roars back into Nashville Aug. 5-7 on the downtown street circuit around Nissan Stadium. A variety of ticket packages go on sale to the general public on April 13 beginning at 10 a.m. CT.
With packages starting as low as $129, there is something for every fan and every budget. Tickets will go fast so secure your seat as soon as possible for Nashville’s premier racing festival! Several options are available through the event website - www.musiccitygp.com/tickets while other limited capacity or premium options can only be purchased through a ticket representative at (615) 270-8705 or via email inquiries at tickets@musiccitygp.com.
The action-packed, three-day festival weekend features the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, led by two-time series champion and Nashville native Josef Newgarden, along with Indy Lights, GT America, Trans Am, Stadium SUPER Trucks and Vintage Indy.
Packages available for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix include:
*Please note all above ticket pricing are per 3-day package and excludes fees.
Tickets for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix are mobile, and all fans must adhere to the Nissan Stadium clear bag policy. For a complete list of FAQs on ticketing and race weekend policies, please click here.
The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is a three-day premier festival of racing and music from Aug. 5-7 featuring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Indy Lights, GT America, Trans Am Series and Robby Gordon’s Stadium SUPER Trucks. The musical entertainment is highlighted by nightly on-site concerts featuring prominent music artists who will be announced at a later date. Please visit www.musiccitygp.com for more information.
Big Machine Music City Grand Prix Media Contact:
Mike Zizzo | Director of Communications| mzizzo@musiccitygp.com | 817.528.4676 (m)
Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg kicks off 17-race season that includes the return of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on Sunday, August 7.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (February 24, 2022) – Nashville’s Josef Newgarden will begin his pursuit of a third NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship when the 2022 season opens with Sunday’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
Newgarden, championship runner-up the past two seasons, will once again be among the title favorites as more than two dozen entries prepare for the highly anticipated season opener that returns to the 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary street course in downtown St. Petersburg, Fla.
The pandemic altered the INDYCAR schedule in 2020 and ’21 with Texas Motor Speedway first serving as the season opener and then followed by Barber Motorsports Park last year. Previous to the last two
years, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg had served as the season opener for nine consecutive years dating to 2011.
Newgarden is well acquainted with the importance of getting off to a great start and what could be the end result. When the Team Penske driver won at St. Petersburg in 2019, he initiated a current trend where the season-opening race winner has gone on to win the NTT INDYCAR SERIES title the last three years. Scott Dixon earned his sixth series crown after winning the 2020 opener at Texas and his Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Alex Palou captured his first series title in 2021 after winning the opener at Barber.
The 17-race season will consist of seven permanent road courses, five oval races and five temporary street circuits, including the second running
of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on Sunday, Aug. 7. The Big Machine Music Grand Prix will be the 14th race of the season and televised live on NBC beginning at 2 p.m. CT. Click here to view or download the complete 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule.
Sunday’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will begin at 11 a.m. CT and be televised live on NBC.
Here are some of the top storylines as the season unfolds:
• Reigning NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing is looking to become the first driver to win back-to-back series titles in more than a decade. The last driver to accomplish the feat was Dario Franchitti, who won three in a row from 2009- 11. In 2021, the 24-year-old Palou became the first Spaniard to win the NTT INDYCAR SERIES title and seventh-youngest champ in history.
• Josef Newgarden, entering his 11th season overall and sixth with Team Penske, owns a streak of seven consecutive seasons with at least one win, including multiple-win seasons in the last five. During that five-year span, he has recorded 17 of his 20 career wins. Newgarden, who won series titles in 2017 and ’19, has finished among the top five in the championship the last six seasons, including runner-up in the last two.
• Helio Castroneves, one of the sport’s most popular drivers, will be returning to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES on a full-time basis for the first time since 2017. Castroneves will be driving the No. 06 for Meyer Shank Racing, where he made six starts last season. His limited 2021 schedule didn’t deter him from landing his fourth Indy 500 victory, which tied him for the most in history with AJ Foyt, Al Unser Sr. and Rick Mears.
• Two other fan favorites – Tony Kanaan and James Hinchcliffe – will return in different capacities this season. Kanaan will only be competing in the Indy 500 as a fifth entry for Chip
Ganassi Racing while “Hinch” has moved from the cockpit to the NBC television booth as an analyst.
• Jimmie Johnson, who competed in only the temporary street circuit and permanent road course events during his 2021 rookie campaign, will be running a full season in the No. 48 for Chip Ganassi Racing. The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion will be adding all five oval races to his schedule, highlighted by his appearance in the 106th Indianapolis 500.
• Six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Scott Dixon will continue his pursuit of racing legends Mario Andretti and Foyt in the record books. He needs one more championship to equal the record of seven held by Foyt. Dixon enters the season with 51 career wins and is one shy of tying Andretti for second all time. Foyt holds the top position in that category with 67. Dixon also will be looking to extend his INDYCAR records for most seasons with at least one win (19) and most consecutive seasons with a victory (17).
• Four prominent names – led by two- time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato – will shift to new teams this season. Sato moves from Rahal Letterman Lanigan to Dale Coyne Racing, where he will drive the No. 51 that was vacated by Romain Grosjean. Grosjean, the former Formula One veteran, departed for Andretti Autosport, where he replaces Ryan Hunter-Reay in the No. 28 entry. Simon Pagenaud, a series champion and Indy 500 winner while at Team Penske, heads to Meyer Shank Racing to replace Jack Harvey in the No. 60. Harvey will move over to the No. 45 entry at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
• There will be several new faces with five rookies running full-season schedules. Devlin DeFrancesco will be driving the No. 29 for Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport; Kyle Kirkwood the No. 14 for AJ Foyt Racing; Christian Lundgaard the No. 30 for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing; David Malukas the No. 18 for Dale Coyne Racing; and Callum Ilott the No. 77 for Juncos Hollinger Racing.
• Tatiana Calderon will be the first female driver to compete in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ season opener since Simona de Silvestro did so in 2015. This will be Calderon’s rookie campaign driving the No. 11 entry for AJ Foyt Racing, but the 28-year-old Colombian is only scheduled to compete in the street and road course events. That is great news for Nashville fans as that schedule would include an appearance in the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. The most recent woman to compete in any NTT INDYCAR SERIES race also was de Silvestro, who ran in last season’s Indianapolis 500 for Paretta Autosport.
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