Portland, Ore. (30 August 2022) – With only two races left on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule, Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) is looking to close out the season on a high note when it visits Portland International Raceway for Sunday’s Grand Prix of Portland (3:00pm ET, NBC, SiriusXM Ch. 160).
Helio Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud will head to the 12-turn, 1.964-mile permanent circuit just outside of Portland’s city center.
Both MSR drivers are coming off of a tough race at World Wide Technology Raceway which saw Castroneves finish 15th while Pagenaud’s strong run was cut short by punctured tire in the closing laps of the race.
MSR has had a strong record at Portland International Raceway, competing at the short circuit three times since 2018. In the team’s most recent outing in Portland, MSR nearly clinched a podium finish in 2021, with the No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda racing from 20th to fourth. Castroneves also raced with MSR last year, walking away with a 23rd place finish after getting collected in a lap one turn one incident.
Castroneves raced four times at Portland in Champ Car, which includes three top-three starts. He won the pole in 2000, qualified second in 1999 and third in 2001. His best finish was seventh in 2000.
Pagenaud competed three times in IndyCar races at Portland, with his best finish of sixth in 2018. He also finished eighth in his lone Champ Car race there in 2007.
The 110-lap Grand Prix of Portland will be broadcast live on NBC this Sunday starting at 3:00pm ET. SiriusXM will also host live radio coverage on SiriusXM Ch. 160.
Driver Quotes:
Simon Pagenaud:
“Only two races to go and first we’re heading to Portland. It’s a track that I really enjoy – it’s quite difficult and very technical. There’s a fast chicane in the beginning of the lap and it’s a vert important part of the track. It’s under a minute lap time, so it will be very tight in qualifying. I look forward to it, my team has been amazing. We haven’t had the best luck lately but you have to believe in it, and that’s the attitude we’re taking with us to Portland.”
Helio Castroneves:
“I’m super excited to go back to Portland. Last year was my first time back after many years, so I’m hoping we can pick up where we left off. Unfortunately we didn’t make it through the first corner last year and were hit at the start of the race. Now, we’re looking to turn things around and get some good points for the team.”