The “Penske Grand Prix” has a different meaning this year. Due to Penske winning five of the six GMR Grand Prix’s the joke last year was that this race should be renamed to the “Penske Grand Prix.”

Now, Penske literally owns the track. 

But, their drivers could have some company on Saturday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. See, with the addition of the Aeroscreen, all past setups are thrown out the window.

But, some of the first or second year drivers in the field could shine naturally too.

Colton Herta won twice on natural road course tracks last year. Felix Rosenqvist started on the pole for this race last year and had three straight top five finishes on natural road courses last gear including two runner-ups. He should have finished second in the season opener at Texas last month.

He is as motivated as ever with some unfinished business left to accomplish. 

“I think there’s definitely some unfinished business from last year with having my first-ever pole in INDYCAR at the Indy GP, but I was not able to bring a great result to it,” said last year’s Rookie of the Year. “So, that’s what we’re aiming for. We’re hungry and ready to go in the No. 10 NTT DATA Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.”

Marcus Ericsson, Rosenqvist’s new teammate with Ganassi now is also at his most comfortable on these types of circuits too.

“Personally, I think the Indy GP is a fun track,” Ericsson said. “I had my best qualifying of the year there last year, so I have some good memories from there and I know the track well. I’m looking forward to building on that. Also, it’s the first road course race with the No. 8 Huski Chocolate Chip Ganassi Racing Honda car. It’ll be exciting, and I’m really looking forward to it. I think we can really mix it up in the front of the field and fight for a good result on Saturday.”

Don’t count out the rookies either. Oliver Askew earned a top 10 in Texas and swept the road course weekend in USF 2000 at Indy while his teammate Pato O’Ward did the same a year prior. Also, Askew was second and fourth respectively in Pro Mazda and second and third in Indy Lights last year.

“I’ve always enjoyed racing on the Indianapolis road course, and I’ve had a lot of success there on the Road to Indy,” said Askew. “I hope to take that experience into my first INDYCAR road course race. I think that everyone at Arrow McLaren SP has set the foundations for a very good month of racing, so I’m looking to take advantage of the cars we have been working hard to put together.”

Rinus VeeKay won the second Indy Lights race last year and was third in the other.

Jack Harvey finished third in this race last year.

“The GP was obviously the highlight of our year last season with our first INDYCAR podium, not only for me as a driver but for everyone at Meyer Shank Racing,” Harvey said. “Naturally, we’re hoping to replicate another great weekend and if we can really string it together, we’d really like to end up on the top step.”

Alex Palou may not have ever raced here before, but he’s confident. 

“I’m really excited to get back to racing this weekend at the GMR Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” said the Spanish rookie. “Texas was my first official NTT INDYCAR SERIES race, but it was on an oval, after three months off and I had never raced on an oval before, so this weekend feels more like an unofficial first race for me.

“I’m very happy to be heading to a road course, which is the type of track that I’m used to racing on in Europe and Japan. It’s an environment that I’m much more comfortable with, so I’m looking forward to a good weekend in my Dale Coyne Racing with Team Goh Honda. The team had good cars there last season, and I’m confident we can be quick there this year. Hopefully, we can come out of the weekend with a good result.”

So, would you take these drivers or the field on Saturday?