Motorsport Diary: Kiwis racing overseas this weekend

The time has finally come for one of the most highly anticipated race weekend’s on the 2024 calendar. It’s time for the Indianapolis 500.

Hopes of New Zealand fans rest on a four-strong Kiwi challenge, with Scott McLaughlin set to lead the field to green early on Monday morning.

Just a few miles away at Indianapolis Raceway Park, Liam Sceats will make his oval debut in the USF Pro 2000 series.

There’s also a busy weekend for Shane van Gisbergen, who is running double duties in the Xfinity Series and NASCAR Cup.

In Europe, Brendon Leitch makes his Porsche debut at Spa, while Nick Cassidy and Mitch Evans head out for the Shanghai E-Prix double-header.

There’s so much action to take in, and it all begins now.

For viewing times and information, see below.

McLaughlin, Armstrong, Dixon & Blomqvist: 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500

• Where? Indianapolis Motor Speedway
• NZ Times:
  • Carb Day Practice: Saturday 3.00 am
  • Pit Stop Competition: Saturday 6.30 am
  • Race: Monday 3.00 am
• How to watch: Sky Sport

Scott McLaughlin is on the hunt for the biggest win of his career and will lead the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 to green early on Monday morning, NZ time.

Marcus Armstrong, making his oval debut in the famed event, starts from 16th, while Scott Dixon, who is third in the IndyCar Series standings, has work to do from 21st.

Tom Blomqvist lines up from 25th.

Wet weather may see the race delayed or pushed back, with the National Weather Service predicting a 59 per cent chance of rain at the scheduled start time, with a possibility of thunderstorms.

Shane van Gisbergen: NASCAR Xfinity Series & Cup Series

• Where? Charlotte Motor Speedway
• NZ Times:
  • Xfinity Series Qualifying: Saturday 8.05 am
  • Xfinity Series Race: Sunday 5.00 am
  • Cup Series Qualifying: Sunday 9.50 am
  • Cup Series Race: Monday 10.00 am
• How to watch: ThreeNow (Races only)

Shane van Gisbergen is kept busy with double duties in NASCAR, racing for Kaulig Racing in the Xfinity Series and Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Van Gisbergen sits 15th in the Xfinity Series driver standings ahead of the 300-lap outing on the 1.5-mile oval.

Mitch Evans & Nick Cassidy: Formula E

• Where? Shanghai International Circuit, China
• NZ Times:
  • Practice 1: Friday 8.55 pm
  • Practice 2: Saturday 11.55 am
  • Round 11 Qualifying: Saturday 2.00 pm
  • Round 11: Saturday 6.00 pm
  • Practice 3: Sunday 11.55 am
  • Round 12 Qualifying: Sunday 2.00 pm
  • Round 12: Sunday 6.00 pm
• How to watch: Sky Sport

Nick Cassidy enters the Shanghai E-Prix double-header with a 16-point lead in the Formula E Driver’s Championship, with Mitch Evans fifth, 43 points behind his teammate.

Jaguar TCS Racing holds a 54-point lead in the Team’s Championship.

Brendon Leitch: GT Open 500

• Where? Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
• NZ Times:
  • Qualifying 1: Saturday 9.05 pm
  • Qualifying 2: Saturday 11.40 pm
  • Race: Sunday 10.00 pm
• How to watch: Free live stream (YouTube)

Brendon Leitch teams up with Earl Bamber Motorsport for his debut race outing in a Porsche.

Leitch will partner Malaysia’s Adrian D’Silva in a 20-strong Pro-Am class for the 2 hour 40 minute GT Open 500 at Spa.

Liam Sceats: USF Pro 2000

• Where? Indianapolis Raceway Park
• NZ Times:
  • Qualifying: Friday 9.30 am
  • Race: Saturday 1.30 pm
• How to watch: Free live stream (YouTube)

Liam Sceats makes his oval debut at Indianapolis Park Raceway, just a few miles away from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The New Zealand Grand Prix winner is fourth in the Driver’s Championship, as the second best rookie, with three podiums, including one win, to his name.

Header Image: Penske Entertainment: Joe Skibinski