Veteran motorsports broadcaster Gary Lee passes away - MotorSportsTalk

Sad news as one of the voices of the popular “Thunder” short-track series, Gary Lee, passed away on Monday. He was 63. More here from the Indianapolis Star’s Curt Cavin.

Here’s a quick video of the first “Thursday Night Thunder” show, from 1988, where Lee anchored alongside veteran open-wheel driver Steve Chassey.

Reactions have already started coming into the news. Here’s a quick roundup.

“Gary Lee was one of the most passionate supporters of all types of auto racing from grass roots competition to the international stage of the Verizon IndyCar Series. The enthusiasm and excitement his voice conveyed to the radio listener and television viewer added much to the drama and excitement of our sport. As a former member of the IMS Radio Network broadcast team, Gary helped deliver legendary moments of the Indianapolis 500 to millions of listeners around the world. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and legion of fans. He will be missed.” -J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president

Sad to hear about Gary Lee’s passing. He was a special friend & very important part of @ESPN‘s “Thunder” broadcasts. pic.twitter.com/ukKtApTrVS

— Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) July 15, 2014

Sad to hear of the passing of Gary Lee… RIP Gary!

— Ralph Sheheen (@ralphsheheen) July 15, 2014

Sad to hear about Gary Lee. Some of my favorite memories are racing with @JeffGordonWeb on Thursday Night Thunder and seeing Gary. — Andy Graves (@AndyJGraves) July 15, 2014

Sad news. Indy broadcaster. Sat Night Thunder on ESPN too MT @EliGoldBama: RIP Gary Lee. Was always quick w/smile. 1 of the nice guys in biz — Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) July 15, 2014

RIP Gary Lee. Was always quick with a smile. One of the nice guys in the business.

— Eli Gold (@EliGoldBama) July 15, 2014

“@curtcavin: Gary Lee, motor sports broadcaster, 63 http://t.co/ET6XeY4g5M” Terrible news. Always enjoyed talking w/ Gary. Great broadcaster

— Kevin Lee (@KevinLee23) July 15, 2014

My condolences to everyone in the racing world who is hurting tonight. I never knew Gary Lee, but have many friends who did. Rest in peace. — Pippa Mann (@PippaMann) July 15, 2014

RIP and Godspeed to a mentor and dear friend. I’ll miss you Gary Lee. pic.twitter.com/aNLL8ZAhhx — Mark Jaynes (@JaynesMar) July 15, 2014

Follow @TonyDiZinno

The NTT IndyCar Series will return to the Motor City for the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix but with start times in a new location for 2023.

After a 30-year run on Belle Isle, the Detroit GP has moved a few miles south to the streets of downtown on a new nine-turn, 1.645-mile circuit that runs along the Detroit River.

It’s the first time single-seater open-cockpit cars have raced on the streets of Detroit since a CART event on a 2.5-mile downtown layout from 1989-91. Formula One also raced in Detroit from 1982-88.

The reimagined Detroit Grand Prix also will play host to nightly concerts and bring in venders from across the region. Roger Penske predicts the new downtown locale will be bigger for Detroit than when the city played host to the 2006 Super Bowl.

Here are the details and IndyCar start times for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach race weekend (all times are ET):

CHEVROLET DETROIT GRAND PRIX INDYCAR START TIMES

TV: Sunday, 3 p.m. ET on NBC and streaming on Peacock, the NBC Sports App and NBCSports.com. Leigh Diffey is the announcer with analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe. Dave Burns, Marty Snider and Kevin Lee are the pit reporters. Click here for the full NBC Sports schedule for IndyCar in 2023.

Peacock also will be the streaming broadcast for both practices and qualifying.

POSTRACE SHOW ON PEACOCK: After the race’s conclusion, an exclusive postrace show will air on Peacock with driver interviews, postrace analysis and the podium presentation. To watch the extended postrace show, click over to the special stream on Peacock after Sunday’s race ends.

COMMAND TO START ENGINES: 3:23 p.m. ET

GREEN FLAG: 3:30 p.m. ET

PRACTICE: Friday, 3 p.m. (Peacock Premium); Saturday, 9:05 a.m. (Peacock Premium); Sunday, 10 a.m. (Peacock Premium)

PRACTICE RESULTS: Session I l Session II l Warmup l Combined

QUALIFYING: Saturday, 1:20 p.m. (Peacock Premium)

STARTING LINEUP: Alex Palou captured the first street course pole of his IndyCar career; click here for where everyone will begin Sunday’s race

RACE DISTANCE: The race is 100 laps (170 miles) on a nine-turn, 1.645-mile temporary street course in downtown Detroit.

TIRE ALLOTMENT: Seven sets primary, four sets alternate. Rookie drivers are allowed one extra primary set for the first practice.

PUSH TO PASS: 150 seconds of total time with a maximum time of 15 seconds per activation (Indy NXT: 150 seconds total, 15 seconds per). The push-to-pass is not available on the initial start or any restart unless it occurs in the final two laps or three minutes of a timed race. The feature increases the power of the engine by approximately 60 horsepower.

FORECAST: According to Wunderground.com, it’s expected to be 80 degrees with a 0% chance of rain.

ENTRY LIST: Click here to view the 27 drivers racing Sunday at Detroit

INDY NXT RACES: Saturday, 12:05 p.m. 45 laps/55 minutes (Peacock Premium); Sunday, 12:50 p.m. 45 laps/55 minutes (Peacock Premium)

INDY NXT ENTRY LIST: Click here to view the 19 drivers racing at Detroit