Race and classic pictures

IndyCar gets up to speed in downtown Nashville

©IndyCar

Drivers and IndyCar fans alike are sure to get their money's worth of thrills, and perhaps spills for the former, at this weekend's Big Machine Music City Grand Prix in Nashville.

The new venue's track design that is hosting the 12th round of the 2021 NTT IndyCar Series gave everyone a wild ride on Friday, with the double crossing of the scenic Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Cumberland River a landmark feature of the crazy street track.

Despite the circuit's rather violent and bumpy nature, as Arrow McLaren's Pato O'Ward found out in practice, drivers were over-excited about the prospect of racing on the 11-turn, 2.2-mile layout.

"Man, it’s violent," said O’Ward, who was the first driver to crash to hit the track's walls.

"Going into Turn 4, the bumps are very violent. I mean, you’re going through there and the wheel is like getting knocked out of your hands.

"It’s very unique. It’s unlike any other place we go to, for sure. What a cool track!"

Andretti Autosport's Colton Herta, who went fastest on Friday, was equally impressed by Nashville's bumps but believed the rocky ride "adds character".

"I thought the bridge was going to be bumpy, but I didn’t expect coming off the bridge to be quite that bumpy," Herta said.

"But it’s not a negative thing. I think it adds character to the track."

Sunday's festivities will kick off at 5:30pm ET, or 11:30pm UK.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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