MOORESVILLE, N.C. — The inaugural running of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix was a huge success.
We were honored to serve as public address announcer for this exciting addition to the NTT IndyCar Series schedule. Sure, there were issues. Permanent race tracks that have been operating for decades have issues. That’s not unusual. However, for a first-time event that ran through the streets of Nashville, it was a dazzling beginning.
The track opened for business right on time, with the drivers and teams finding the circuit unique and challenging. Images of race cars going both ways over the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge became iconic pictures that represented the uniqueness of the event.
As good as things were at the venue, access from the circuit to Broadway, the heart of Nashville’s party scene, was as simple as a five-minute walk over a pedestrian bridge spanning the Cumberland River.
Combine all that Nashville is known for with a multitude of big acts performing on stages around the course and five major racing sanctioning bodies presenting races, and it was nonstop action and entertainment for spectators.
Robby Gordon’s Stadium Super Trucks stole the show on Saturday and were the main topic of conversation in many Honky Tonks along Broadway. With Colton Herta’s blistering qualifying lap and the SRO America series racing at night with headlights ablaze, there was a tremendous buzz about the event headed into Sunday.
The IndyCar Series race was hampered by too many caution flags — not all of which were the fault of the course layout. However, conversations are already underway in an attempt to determine how to open more passing zones for the high-speed Indy cars.
Still, the drama of Marcus Ericsson going from having his car flying through the air to the top step of the podium was exciting to watch.
Big Machine Music City Grand Prix officials — CEO Matt Crews, President Chris Parker and COO Jason Rittenberry — should be proud of their team’s effort. There is a solid base for this event’s future, which is guaranteed for at least three years. When tickets go on sale for the 2022 edition, don’t hesitate to get yours. The race is sure to sell out even quicker than it did this year.
– Even though the 60th Knoxville Nationals ran a year later than planned, the Saturday night’s grand finale sold out with Kyle Larson adding to his rapidly growing legend by putting an exclamation point on a thrilling week of sprint car racing.
There were no Toyota powerplants in action at this year’s Nationals. Gio Scelzi, who was high point man going into Saturday night’s A-main, said his KCP Racing team, which used the engine earlier this year, planned to test a new version of the Toyota sprint car engine at Pennsylvania’s Port Royal Speedway at the end of August.
– Corey Day is the 15-year-old son of longtime California sprint car racer Ronnie Day. Father and son attended the Knoxville Nationals, taking in the action and getting reacquainted with racing friends.
The younger Day has gained a lot of attention this year. He won features during Oregon Speedweek for 360 winged sprint cars and became the youngest winner in USAC midget history with a Circle City Raceway triumph during Indiana Midget Week. Expect to see more from the talented Californian in the near future.
– While bench racing with Jeff Gordon and Ray Evernham, I asked them if winning meant the same thing to each of them. Gordon was intrigued by the question and while he was pondering it, Evernham answered quickly, “I don’t know about winning. But losing certainly did.” Gordon wholeheartedly agreed with his former crew chief on that point.
– Longtime sprint car announcer Wade Aunger is a fixture during the Knoxville Nationals. The Australian has been adding color and commentary to the sport for decades. This year, he brought spirits as well.
Aunger debuted his new Methanol Moonshine at the Marion County Fairgrounds. Unfortunately, it is only for sale in Australia and Iowa. He is working to increase the availability of the product so sprint car and moonshine fans around the world will be able to order it. Thanks for the bottle Mate!
– Thanks to Richard and Jennifer Marshall, Tim and Diane Clauson and Tony Stewart for their hospitality during Knoxville Nationals week.
– Nine-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen’s new book, “Mr. Le Mans,” is one of the best we have read recently. It is filled with incredible insight into what it takes to win the world’s greatest endurance race. Whether you like sports car racing or not, this book is full of amazing stories and behind-the-scenes observations from one of the greatest racers of this generation.
Order it from Evro Publishing at quartoknows.com.
– Paul McMahan, who told us no driver named Paul has ever won at Iowa’s Knoxville Raceway, said he would like to race a sprint car for another two or three years. McMahan is 50 years old.