Simon Pagenaud, driver of the #1Team Penske Chevrolet wins the IndyCar Phoenix Grand Prix at the Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. The series has been marred by accidents that halted the action on the first lap of three of the four races thus far in 2017. Pagenaud is defending champion.
IndyCar has thus far done nothing about the wrecks caused by overly aggressive moves at the start and the terrible yellow-light racing that results. There were only four lead changes at Phoenix and 32 caution laps, with 21 run under the yellow at the start of the race.
Pagenaud’s teammate Will Power (#12 Chevrolet) followed the Frenchman across the line by 9.1028 seconds, with Ed Carpenter Racing’s JR Hildebrand (#21 Chevrolet) completing the podium. May, of course, is the month where all eyes – at least the ones that are not asleep – turn to the Indianapolis 500.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
