Elkhart Lake, Wisc., (12 June 2023) – Helio Castroneves (No. 06 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda) and Simon Pagenaud (No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda) will trade in the narrow concrete canyons of street racing for the wide-open spaces and high speeds of the 4.048-mile Road America layout this week as the Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) drivers look to continue building momentum after posting positive results in Detroit.
Pagenaud carded his best finish of the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season two weeks ago, setting season highs for starting position (eighth) and finishing spot (13th) at the new Detroit Grand Prix street course. Castroneves rebounded from a trying qualifying run to place 19th as both MSR cars finished on the lead lap.
The site of Sunday’s Sonsio Grand Prix at Road America (1:00pm ET, USA Network, SiriusXM Ch. 160) is the challenging Elkhart Lake circuit that winds through Wisconsin’s Kettle Moraine region and features elevation changes, a mix of high- and lower-speed corners and some of the most intriguing passing opportunities on the IndyCar calendar. A change for the 2023 event will see a newly re-paved track surface which will be sure to shake up the performance.
Meyer Shank Racing has had much success in its six IndyCar starts at the 4.0-mile road course with two top three qualifying results which includes a front row start in 2020. The MSR drivers have combined for 17 starts at Road America with each coming away from the circuit with strong results.
Pagenaud is coming off a busy run of races having just competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans last weekend. Heading straight to Wisconsin, Pagenaud is eager to head back to the site of his first North American championship, where he clinched the 2006 Atlantic championship. The Frenchman has nine IndyCar starts at Road America with three top-10 finishes, highlighted by a fourth-place run in 2016.
Castroneves has seven IndyCar starts but has brought his mounts home in the top 10 in four of those starts. He started from pole at Road America in 2017, finishing third after leading 17 laps.
Sunday’s 55-lap race will air on the USA Network and Peacock on Sunday starting at 1:00 pm ET. Qualifying takes place on Saturday, June 3, beginning at 1:55 pm ET with live coverage on Peacock. SiriusXM will also host live IndyCar Radio coverage on XM Ch. 160.
Meyer Shank Racing Driver Quotes:
Helio Castroneves:
“Road America is a beautiful track and I have great memories there. I have started on the pole at Road American and a podium finish as well. In addition to my IndyCar starts, I have also won in IMSA DPi as well, so it’s a track that I really enjoy racing it. I’m excited to see what the new surface is going to be like as well.”
Simon Pagenaud:
“I’m excited about the repave at Road America. Speeds are announced to be much higher and it should be an interesting swing in tire strategy this weekend! I’m really looking forward to seeing my team again after coming back from Le Mans.”