From super speedways to twisty street tracks, all roads lead back to Detroit and the Motor City. IndyCar is back for the first race following the Indy 500 with the Streets of Detroit presented by Chevy, and the drivers are ready and raring to go.
A twisty street track
The Streets of Detroit is a 1.645 mile, 9-turn temporary street course taking place on the streets downtown Detroit. Six left hand and three right hand turn comprise this technically challenging track, in addition to a counterclockwise race direction. There are also 2 straights that give the drivers a chance to breathe, 3,696 feet (Jefferson Ave) and 1,206 feet (Finish-line) respectively. This is IndyCar’s 35th race held in the Motor City.
Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing) currently holds the record with 4 wins in Detroit, 3 at the Raceway at Belle Isle Park and once on the Streets of Detroit in 2024.
What went down in 2024?
The streets were full of chaos at the start of last years race, with a multiple car pile up kicking off the race and bring out the first caution. Contact between Will Power, Pato O’Ward, Linus Lundqvist, and Santino Ferrucci brought out the first of 8 total cautions. Surprisingly, none of the cautions lasted longer than 10 laps.
Turn 3 holds host to Detroit’s tight hairpin turn, which caught drivers out multiple times. It lead to almost half of the races total cautions with contact between Will Power, Rinus VeeKay, Josef Newgarden, Alex Palou and Marcus Armstrong at various points of the race.
Colton Herta held the lead for Laps 1-33, before it quickly bounced between Josef Newgarden and Christian Lundgaard, before ultimately landing with Kyle Kirkwood for Laps 41-60. 6 laps later sees the lead end up in the hands of Scott Dixon, who would eventually take the checkered flag.
With that, Scott Dixon saw to his 4th win in the Motor City.
What to look for in Detroit for 2025?
The Streets of Detroit alway promises a good race, with the walls close and the cars closer.
Alex Palou heads into the weekend fresh off of his first oval win at the Indianapolis 500, his first 500 title. He leads the championship with 309 points and 5 race wins, 122 points ahead of Pato O’Ward in P2. Will he carry that momentum onto the streets of Detroit and rack up another win, widening the championship gap even further?
Scott Dixon has been known to make magic with his fuel saving strategy, carving through the field to pull out finishing positions that no one thought possible. Will he bring that magic back to the Detroit in a charge for his fifth win in the city?
How will rookie team Prema Racing fare in detroit after the highs and lows of the Indy 500?
Going from a unique oval like the Indianapolis 500 to a tight, almost Monaco like track in Detroit, is certain to challenge the drivers not just physically but mentally as well. The weekend also returns to its normal Friday through Sunday schedule, once again compressing practice, qualifications, and the race into 3 days.
There is no doubt that with a city whose motto is “Detroit vs Everybody”, that we will once again witness a chaotic and adrenaline inducing race. It’s a weekend where we return to a city that gave birth to iconic car brands like Ford, Chevrolet, and Cadillac. The city will be alive with passionate fans and drivers hungry to claw back an ever widening championship gap.
