The NTT IndyCar Series encountered disruption at Iowa Speedway on Friday as a tornado touchdown forced a delay to the first practice session. Scheduled to begin in the afternoon, the IndyCar high-line practice was postponed due to dangerous weather conditions near the track, drawing concern for everyone involved in the weekend’s events. The focus keyword, IndyCar Iowa practice tornado delay, highlights the unexpected weather impact on preparations for this weekend’s races.
Early Sessions and Tornado Sighting Raise Safety Concerns
Indy NXT drivers successfully completed their early session before the weather interrupted the IndyCar schedule. Less than an hour after the planned start, images of a tornado reportedly touching down close to the track began circulating, increasing worries about safety for drivers, teams, and spectators. The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for the Des Moines area until 8 p.m. local time and a flood watch until 1 a.m. Saturday, prolonging uncertainty for the rest of the day’s activities.
Impact on Remaining Practice and Qualifying Sessions
Following the delayed high-line practice, another standard session was set to proceed immediately, but no updates have been provided on rescheduling or whether the cars will resume on-track activities today. Meanwhile, the Indy NXT cars are scheduled to return later on Friday evening for qualifying ahead of their lone race on Saturday. Rain and a potentially wet track surface add complexity to preparations, especially if teams have limited track time before the upcoming races.
Weekend Race Schedule and Broadcast Information
The race weekend features a doubleheader with the first IndyCar event set for 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, followed by a second race at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. Fans can watch both races on FOX, pending the resolution of any further weather-related delays. With the unpredictability introduced by the tornado and flood watches, the remainder of the weekend faces possible adjustments depending on safety considerations and track conditions.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is IndyCar as fast as F1?
A. IndyCars may not be as fast as F1 cars on road tracks, but they often perform better on oval tracks. Their simple aerodynamic design helps them reach speeds over 230 mph, whereas F1 cars usually top out at about 220 mph. However, F1 cars are superior in how quickly they can speed up and handle turns.
Q. Is IndyCar owned by F1?
A. Roger Penske owns IndyCar through Penske Entertainment Corp., which is part of Penske Corporation.
Q. Who gets paid more, F1 or IndyCar?
A. Driver salaries show a remarkable difference. The top IndyCar driver, probably Colton Herta, makes about $7 million each year. Meanwhile, F1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen earn between $70 million and $100 million annually.
Q. Is F1 quicker than IndyCar?
A. Formula 1 cars can speed up quickly, turn sharply, and hold the road well, and they also reach very high speeds. However, IndyCar performs better when it comes to maximum top-end speed. In 2019, IndyCar raced at the Circuit of The Americas, where Formula 1 races as well.