INDYCAR AT NIGHT: Previewing This Weekend’s Bommarito 500 Oval Race – June 14–15

The 2025 NTT IndyCar Series will stage its first night race of the season at the Bommarito Automotive Group 500, taking place on 14–15 June at World Wide Technology Raceway, located in Madison, Illinois, just outside St. Louis. The circuit, also historically known as Gateway Motorsports Park, offers a distinctive challenge with its unique oval configuration.

The 1.25-mile (2.01 km) oval features corners with significantly different characteristics. Turns 1 and 2 are tighter and require precise braking and cornering, while Turns 3 and 4 are faster and reward momentum, making it a challenging circuit for drivers and teams.

This race is Round 9 of the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series. Coming into the event, Álex Palou (No. 10 Honda, Chip Ganassi Racing) leads the standings with 311 points, ahead of Pato O’Ward (No. 5 Chevrolet, Arrow McLaren) with 221 points and Kyle Kirkwood (No. 27 Honda, Andretti Global) on 209 points.

Palou has claimed victories this season at St. Petersburg, Barber Motorsports Park, Detroit, and the Indianapolis 500. Kirkwood’s season includes wins at Long Beach and Mid-Ohio.

World Wide Technology Raceway has hosted top-level American open-wheel racing since 1997. CART winners include Paul Tracy (1997), Alex Zanardi (1998), Michael Andretti (1999), Juan Pablo Montoya (2000), Gil de Ferran (2002), and Hélio Castroneves (2003). The circuit returned to the schedule in 2017.

Since its return, Josef Newgarden has won five times (2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023). Other recent winners include Scott Dixon (2020), Takuma Sato (2019), and Will Power (2018).

As the first night race of the season, teams will face the added complexity of cooler temperatures and changing track conditions under the lights, which will significantly affect tyre performance, car handling, and race strategy.

Race Start Times – Sunday, 15 June 2025

Indy NXT by Firestone (75 laps):

• Local (CDT): 3:35 PM
• Melbourne (AEST): 6:35 AM, Monday, 16 June
• New Zealand (NZST): 8:35 AM, Monday, 16 June
• Eastern US (EDT): 4:35 PM
• Central US (CDT): 3:35 PM
• Mountain US (MDT): 2:35 PM
• Pacific US (PDT): 1:35 PM
• Canada (EDT): 4:35 PM
• Mexico (CDT): 3:35 PM
• Brazil (BRT): 5:35 PM

NTT IndyCar Series – Bommarito Automotive Group 500 (260 laps):

• Local (CDT): 7:20 PM
• Melbourne (AEST): 10:20 AM, Monday, 16 June
• New Zealand (NZST): 12:20 PM, Monday, 16 June
• Eastern US (EDT): 8:20 PM
• Central US (CDT): 7:20 PM
• Mountain US (MDT): 6:20 PM
• Pacific US (PDT): 5:20 PM
• Canada (EDT): 8:20 PM
• Mexico (CDT): 7:20 PM
• Brazil (BRT): 9:20 PM

CREDIT: INDYCAR