Unpredictable IndyCar Series returns to Mid-Ohio

• No one has scored more than two victories this year in IndyCar.
• Thirteen racers hold mathematical shots at a championship with three events left.
• Honda has been the title sponsor of the Mid-Ohio event since 2007.
• Honda has struggled this season with only Graham Rahal and Marco Andretti in the top 10.

LEXINGTON – There have been nine different winners in 2015 and no one has scored more than two victories in the Verizon IndyCar Series heading into this weekend’s Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio.

Just about everyone in the field has posted at least a pair of top five finishes and 13 racers still hold a mathematical shot at a championship with just three races left in the season. No matter what happens at Mid-Ohio, seven drivers will remain in the title hunt when they leave Lexington Sunday evening.

“I hate to say ‘same-old, same-old,’ because it’s such a great event. I think the product is as good as it’s been,” Mid-Ohio President Craig Rust said of promoting an IndyCar event in 2015.

The racing has been so unpredictable the hope is it will generate buzz with the hardcore and casual fans who might want to see it in person.

“As a series and as promoters and as manufacturers, we all still have work to do to grow that fan base. And we can talk about that in general in all motorsports,” Rust said.

A surging Graham Rahal, who finds himself at a career-best second-place in the standings, knows what to expect when he returns home this weekend.

“It’s just demanding,” the New Albany native said of the season to date and the upcoming race at Mid-Ohio specifically. “You can’t put a wheel wrong, but that’s what our sport is getting to anymore. There’s a few weird one-off occasions where guys have won, but in general it’s getting harder and harder every single year (to win). Mid-Ohio this year, I fully expect it to be one of the most difficult races of the entire season.”

Honda has been the title sponsor for the race since IndyCar debuted at the track in 2007 and will continue the affiliation through at least the 2016 season. If the winner this weekend happens to be using a Honda engine and aero package, that’s all the better according to Rust.

“You become a fan of the manufacturer because of the relationship you have with them through your event. We know the folks from Honda. We know how they see it on the race track affects them,” he said.

It’s been a tough year for the manufacturer as it is trying to keep up with Chevrolet. Honda only has Rahal in the top five of the standings and just two in the top 10 with Marco Andretti sitting seventh. Chevy is dominating the manufacturer’s points race, 1,279-1,011, and has swept every pole this year.

“It doesn’t make me nervous. You just want them to do well,” Rust said of promoting a Honda-sponsored event in a season its struggling. “I’m happy for Graham and to see him run well. He seems to be carrying the torch so to speak for Honda, especially over these last few races. I’m sure he’d like to be up there.”

rmccurdy@gannett.com

419-521-7241

Twitter: @McMotorsport

Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio

Friday

8 a.m.: USF2000 practice.

8:40 a.m.: Indy Lights practice.

9:25 a.m.: World Challenge GTS practice.

10:05 a.m.: Pro Mazda practice.

10:45 a.m.: Verizon IndyCar Series practice.

12:15 p.m.: USF2000 qualifying.

1 p.m.: Indy Lights practice.

1:45 p.m.: World Challenge GTS qualifying.

2:30 p.m.: Pro Mazda qualifying.

3:15 p.m.: Verizon IndyCar Series practice.

4:45 p.m.: Cooper Tires USF2000 Powered by Mazda Race 1.

5:40 p.m.: World Challenge GT practice.

6:25 p.m.: Pirelli World Challenge GTS Race 1.

7:25 p.m.: On-track activities complete.

Saturday

8 a.m.: Indy Lights qualifying.

8:50 a.m.: World Challenge GT qualifying.

9:50 a.m.: Cooper Tires USF2000 Powered by Mazda Race 2.

10:30 a.m.: Indy Lights autopgraph session, Indy Fan Village in infield.

10:45 a.m.: Verizon IndyCar Series practice.

11:45 a.m.: Pirelli World Challenge GTS Race 2.

1 p.m.: Verizon IndyCar Series autograph session, Indy Fan Village in infield.

1 p.m.: Pro Mazda Championship presented by Cooper Tires, Race 1.

1:55 p.m.: Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires, Race 1.

2 p.m.: Pirelli World Challenge autograph session, infield.

3 p.m.: USF2000 autograph session, Indy Fan Village in infield.

3 p.m.: Verizon IndyCar Series qualifying/Firestone Fast 6.

4:15 p.m.: Pro Mazda autograph session, Indy Fan Village in infield.

4:30 p.m.: Pirelli World Challenge GT Race 1.

6 p.m.: Cooper Tires USF2000 Powered by Mazda Race 3.

6:40 p.m.: On-track activities complete.

Sunday

8:50 a.m.: Pro Mazda Championship presented by Cooper Tires Race 2.

9:45 a.m.: Verizon IndyCar Series warm-up.

10:30 a.m.: Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tire Race 2.

11:50 a.m.: Pirelli World Challenge GT Race 2.

1 p.m.: Verizon IndyCar Series pre-race ceremonies.

2 p.m.: The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio.

Source: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course