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IndyCar preview: 2018 Bommarito Automotive Group 500

By Brittany Frederick

MADISON, IL - AUGUST 26: Marco Andretti, driver of the #27 Andretti Autosport Honda, dives into turn three during the IndyCar Bommarito Automotive Group 500 on August 26, 2017, at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MADISON, IL - AUGUST 26: Marco Andretti, driver of the #27 Andretti Autosport Honda, dives into turn three during the IndyCar Bommarito Automotive Group 500 on August 26, 2017, at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Verizon IndyCar Series races Saturday night in the Bommarito Automotive Group 500. Here’s what to watch for in IndyCar from Gateway.

It’s time for another Verizon IndyCar Series night race, as the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 takes place at Gateway Motorsports Park in St. Louis. But what should fans expect from Saturday given everything that’s surrounding IndyCar at the moment?

This is going to be a tough week for race teams and fans alike, given that everyone is thinking about Robert Wickens following his terrible crash at Pocono. According to IndyCar, Wickens had spinal surgery on Monday, which was successful. But it’s still not entirely clear what his future holds, and that’s going to weigh on everybody’s minds watching this race.

On the track, the 2018 IndyCar season has now tightened up, as a second consecutive win from Alexander Rossi put him on the heels of current leader Scott Dixon. So every point counts, plus this is a night race, plus it’s only the second event since Gateway returned to the IndyCar schedule. It’s a lot to take in.

What should race fans look for this weekend? Let’s break the race down in our Bommarito Automotive Group 500 preview:

THREE THINGS TO WATCH:

  • Track condition: With what happened last week at Pocono, it wouldn’t be a surprise if everyone is just a little more aware of their surroundings at Gateway — particularly the catch fences, which have been a hot topic in the last few days. It’d be completely understandable if the teams and drivers were slightly more cautious Saturday as they tackle another high-speed oval.
  • Penske perfect: Last year, Team Penske swept every category in this race, as Will Power was on the pole and Josef Newgarden controlled the event proper. Power, Newgarden and Simon Pagenaud could all use another (or in the case of Pagenaud, his first) win right now. Can they have the same success in 2018?
  • Shortened schedule: Because this is a Saturday race, there are only two days of on-track action at the Bommarito Automotive Group 500. Will the loss of that extra practice time have any effect, especially in the championship hunt, where everyone is looking at every little detail on each car?

THREE DRIVERS TO WATCH:

  • Scott Dixon: Dixon is the current IndyCar championship leader, and he has an edge as the only active driver to have raced at Gateway Motorsports Park more than once. This would be a good opportunity for him to recoup some points. Though Dixon has done an unbelievable job of damage control, his title challengers can’t keep qualifying ahead of him if he wants to hold onto that fifth title.
  • Josef Newgarden: The defending Verizon IndyCar Series champion won the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 last year in convincing fashion; he not only led the most laps but had the fastest lap of the race. And he could use a podium finish to catch up to Dixon and Rossi in the overall points chase; Newgarden hasn’t seen the podium since winning at Road America.
  • Gabby Chaves: With Conor Daly running the Xfinity Series race at Road America this weekend, Gabby Chaves finally gets back into the car he was expected to be driving for Harding Racing. There are plenty of IndyCar fans who’d like to see Chaves snag a good result and hold onto the seat that was supposed to be his all season. Like Daly, Chaves drives his heart out and just hasn’t caught a break. A good finish here would go a long way toward getting him the respect he deserves.

Next. Read our interview with points leader Scott Dixon. dark

The 2018 Bommarito Automotive Group 500 happens Saturday, Aug. 25 at 8:00 p.m. ET. For complete coverage of the 2018 IndyCar season, follow the Motor Sports category at FanSided.