This Week in Action Motorsports: May 20-22, 2022
Image via Karl Zemlin/Penske Entertainment
Gear up for events from the biggest series in action motorsports with our weekend preview of the most exciting races in the world! From the premier open-wheel circuits in the world to both two and four-wheel events in the dirt, check in here each week to find out who’s running up front and how to watch.
Indianapolis 500 Qualifying (Saturday, 12PM ET, Peacock; Sunday, 4PM ET, NBC)
For the 33 chosen drivers and teams that will take on the crown jewel of the NTT IndyCar Series schedule next weekend, qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 is what truly makes the dream feel real. While the car count has taken a step back from recent years, with no DNQs expected this time around, that’s a consequence of one of the largest full-time fields the sport has had in quite some time—and there’s still plenty of drama to be had.
Former 500 winner and IndyCar champion Will Power enters this year’s race as the points leader, and he’ll be itching to erase the bad memories of qualifying at the back in last year’s event. Defending winner Helio Castroneves will look to start his quest to become the first five-time winner, and the only driver to go back-to-back on two separate occasions, with his fifth pole and first since 2010. Other fan favorites on limited 2022 schedules whose qualifying runs will be followed with great interest include two-time winner Juan Montoya, three-time polesitter Ed Carpenter, and Marco Andretti, who nearly won in his first Indy start in 2006.
As is tradition, Indy qualifying is a multi-day affair unlike any other in racing. Qualifying runs are scored on the average speed of four laps, not simply the best of two, which has led to countless stressful moments at both ends of the grid over the years. Everyone will make a run on day one, with the 13th through 33rd fastest drivers locking into their places on the grid on Saturday.
From there, day two shifts from last year’s Pole Day and Bump Day combination (since there are no cars to bump) to something closer to regular IndyCar road course qualifying. First, the top 12 drivers from Saturday will each make another run. That set of speeds will set positions seven through 12, before one more Fast Six round confirms the top two rows.
Formula Drift at Orlando (Saturday, 5PM ET, formulad.com/live)
The third round of the Formula Drift season for the Pro drivers also serves as the first round of the Prospec season, as both series come together for the first time at Orlando Speed World this weekend. Orlando is one of the newer venues on the series schedule, having joined the championship in 2015, when Ryan Tuerck took top Pro honors over Chris Forsberg. Fredric Aasbo earned back-to-back wins in 2016 and 2017, while Forsberg (2018), Odi Bakchis (2019), and Chelsea Denofa (2021) have also won Pro events at the track.
Aasbo enters his quest for a third Orlando victory as the points leader, having made the semifinals at Long Beach and won at Atlanta. His advantage is just six points over Matt Field, the only dual podium finisher of the season so far, and 11 over Long Beach winner Tuerck. The top five drivers are separated by just 23 points, but there’s already a 35-point drop between Forsberg in fifth place and Denofa in sixth.
Additional Broadcasts
· Indianapolis 500 Friday Practice: Friday, 12PM ET, Peacock
· Formula Drift at Orlando Pro Qualifying: Friday, 12:45PM ET, formulad.com/live
· Formula Drift at Orlando Prospec Top 32: Friday, 7:15PM ET, formulad.com/live
· Formula E Berlin ePrix: Saturday, 6AM ET, CBSSN
· Indianapolis 500 Saturday Practice: Saturday, 9AM ET, Peacock
· Formula Drift at Orlando Prospec Top 16-Finals: Saturday, 10:30AM ET, formulad.comlive
· Best in the Desert Silver State 300: Saturday, 5PM ET, CBSSN
· Indianapolis 500 Fast 12 Practice: Sunday, 12:30PM ET, Peacock