Indianapolis area resident and well-known motorsport broadcaster Jamie Little replaced Jenkins, sharing public address duties with Allen Bestwick.

This was the second time the venue featured in the 2021 season, following the GMR Grand Prix in May 2021, and the third edition of this race, as it debuted as an October 2020 doubleheader.

[3] Álex Palou stood top of the standings over Scott Dixon, who rose to second after his second-place finish in Nashville.

Pato O'Ward was demoted to third following Dixon's rise to second, sitting over Josef Newgarden in fourth and Marcus Ericsson in fifth.

[5] Formula 2 driver and Alpine Academy member Christian Lundgaard made his IndyCar debut, as he was signed by Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing to drive their No.

45 entry, previously driven by Santino Ferrucci in the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix.

[1] The six fastest drivers of each group in Round 1 advanced to the Firestone Fast 12, where they competed for pole position.

Dalton Kellett, Felix Rosenqvist, and James Hinchcliffe also had their laps deleted, as they failed to slow down during the local yellow that was raised due to Dixon's incident.

Simon Pagenaud would take the lead from Lundgaard on lap 18, as the Danish driver pitted for fresh tyres.

After the race was restarted on lap 70, Romain Grosjean, who was third at the time, outbraked Herta in Turn 1 to take second position.