IndyCar’s new Arlington race was outrageously good

The first Grand Prix of Arlington was a home run. It was great as a viewer, and I had many friends and sources on the ground telling me how first-rate it was. It was not without its hiccups — Will Power came around a blind corner and hit a turned around Scott Dixon in practice while a marshal lackadaisically waved a green flag, and then a catering crew walked onto a hot track — but by race day, everything was humming along.

It’s just an awesome circuit. It’s wide enough to make moves but challenging enough to make mistakes. There are rises and dips and bumps and all the obstacles a street circuit is good for. It’s in a multi-sport complex, so it seems great for access and spectators. I’m already looking forward to the next one.

And as for the racing, well, it was an utter clean-up for Andretti. Max Taylor made an excellent show of himself to win the IndyNXT race, Marcus Ericsson got his first IndyCar pole position, Kyle Kirkwood won, absolutely pouncing on Álex Palou and then driving away, Will Power got his first Andretti podium, and Ericsson finished fourth. This is all despite having an all-time classic Andretti pit stop nightmare day on every car. They really need to get that figured out.

So, we’re three races in, the championship is not already over like last year, and the first new race was fantastic. Somehow, though, I don’t think the other one is going to meet the standard.