Storylines ahead of INDYCAR's Monday-delayed Music City Grand Prix

Jeffrey Hrunka - INDYCAR Contributor

Casey Shepherd (Motorsports Today, 2025)

Even the World Cup buildup couldn’t stop the rain from delaying the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix from its prime-time slot. NTT INDYCAR SERIES officials have moved the race to Monday, July 19th, at 3:00 pm EST on FOX.

With the time change, drivers will have to deal with record temperatures and an excessive heat index of over 100 degrees. For the safety of the drivers, the race will revert to 225 laps for 299.25 miles, the same distance drivers ran last season.

Kyle Kirkwood, driver of the No.27 Andretti Global Honda, will lead the field to green ahead of the Team Penske duo of Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin. As for Newgarden, he looks to defend his race victory from a year ago, when he beat out McLaughlin and Kirkwood for the win. Both settled for finishes of third and sixth.

STORYLINES TO WATCH

KYLE KIRKWOOD's DOMINANT SATURDAY SHOWING

Kyle Kirkwood has established himself as a favorite ahead of the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix by leading first practice, high-line practice and topping the charts with a two-lap time of 47.548s in qualifying for his second pole at Nashville Superspeedway.

He was only beaten in final practice by David Malukas, driver of the No.3 Team Penske Chevrolet, and McLaughlin was among several drivers who outpaced the Andretti Global driver, running the two fastest laps in the session.

As for Kirkwood, he ended the session in seventh. Luckily for him, race day conditions are set to align more closely with those from the first practice and qualifying. If he is able to translate this speed to the race, it is only a matter of when he closes his 55-point deficit to points leader Alex Palou.

DAVID MALUKAS EYEING FIRST-CAREER INDYCAR WIN

After a horrific wreck in the opening practice session at Nashville Superspeedway, Malukas ran the fastest of all drivers during the final practice on Saturday night. With the race time moved up, Malukas will be the only driver who didn't record a double-digit number of laps in slicker conditions. He will also have to overcome the lack of on-track action from the tail of the field.

CHRISTIAN LUNDGAARD’S CHIP ON SHOULDER

During INDYCAR’s week off after the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, it was announced that Christian Lundgaard would not be retained at Arrow-McLaren in favor of six-time champion Scott Dixon. Even though Lundgaard currently sits third in the points standings, ahead of teammates Pato O'Ward and Nolan Siegel, the nail in the coffin was his oval performance, as the team is determined to capture its first Indianapolis 500 victory.

With an open ride at Chip Ganassi Racing, Lundgaard needs to make the most of his last three starts at ovals this season if he wants to put himself in contention for one of the most coveted seats in INDYCAR. This starts with a good showing at Nashville Superspeedway.