The Official Podcast of the Grand Prix of Portland and the Pacific Office Automation 147

On this episode, we talk with Steve, better known as @IndyCar_Wxman on twitter. We look at how forecasting for a race weekend brings unique challenges to forecasters. We discuss the weather for this weekend's Grand Prix of Portland, and we discuss how IndyCar's hospitality is really the secret to their success. Jerry Jensen, the General Manager of the Grand Prix of Portland joins Bobby to talk about race weekend and how this weekend of nine races over three days came about. We also share some tips on getting to and from the track. Last but not least, Phil Martelli stops by to talk about this incredible weekend coming up. Phil is back for another race at PIR and we make picks on who might win the race.

It's race week! On this episode, we sit down with Rob Howden with the Road to Indy. We dive into the points battle in USF200, Indy Pro 2000 and Indy Lights. Three races each this weekend for USF2000 and Indy Pro 2000 and a champion will be crowned for both. Rob talks about the importance of getting that champion's scholarship to climb up the ladder. Last Friday, nine drivers from three teams participated in a closed test session at Portland International Raceway. We chat with seven of the nine drivers and break down what it will take for them to do well this weekend.

Welcome to the first episode of the official podcast for the Grand Prix of Portland. We chat with Will Power, the Team Penske driver who is leading the points going into this week's race at St. Louis. We catch up with Jake Drew, he drives in the ARCA Menard's West Series and won at Portland back in June. Andy Merrick drops by to talk about the fantastic content creation he does each race weekend for the NTT IndyCar Series. Tickets are still available for the Grand Prix of Portland at PortlandGP.com

That's a wrap on the first Pacific Office Automation 147 here at Portland International Raceway. AJ Allmendinger was the early favorite in part to his ChampCar win here sixteen years ago. Allmendinger had several off course excursions as did every other driver on this crazy weather day. The rain and went, the drivers went from wet tires to the slicks, and then back to the rain tires. So much action on track today, so much drama too.

It was qualifying day for the Pacific Office Automation 147 and the fans got to see a show. The weather started out wet and practice was an interesting go round. Cars were off the track left and right and even with the Goodyear wet radials, drivers were having to tip toe down the track. Following practice, the rain stopped, the track dried, and we all began wishing and hoping that the weather would remain rain free. It almost worked. Group A experienced a little bit of rain and by the time Group B got on track, the precip was falling harder. The top 10 were slated to run for ten minutes, but heavier rain yellow flagged the session and the pole was awarded to Anthony Alfredo. Phil Martelli and I recap the action.

On this episode of the Pacific Office Automation 147, we talk with Jim Etzel, CEO of Sport Oregon. Sport Oregon works to bring large scale sports events to Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Jim dives into the economic impact of having the NASCAR Xfinity Series at PIR. Thursday afternoon, several drivers from both the Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards West Series showed up at Kenton Station Pub to sign autographs and hang out with fans. We catch up with Jade Buford, driver of the #48 Big Machine Vodka Spiked Coolers Chevy, Andrew Tuttle from Caldwell, Idaho. He is driving in the ARCA Menards Series West race. Darren Dilley from Hillsboro, OR is going to be making his Xfinity Series debut. We also chat with James Littlejohn, the owner of the Kenton Station Pub.

The Pacific Office Automation 147 taking place this weekend at Portland International Raceway. On today's episode we catch up with A.J. Allmendinger, driver of the No. 16 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Kaulig Racing. A.J. won his first major series race in Portland when he was driving for Forsythe Racing in the IndyCar series. Jerry Jensen, the VP and General Manager for NASCAR Portland joins us to talk about bringing NASCAR to the Northwest and the renewed relationship with the Portland Rose Festival. Phil Martelli rounds out this episode as he and public address co-host Bobby Corser will be on the microphone for this weekend's action. Phil gives us his list of drivers to be on the lookout for.