Indianapolis (August 31, 2018) – This coming weekend, Rising Star Racing’s (RSR) Josef Newgarden and Spencer Pigot will compete in the Grand Prix of Portland, the first Verizon IndyCar Series (VICS) competition in over a decade.

As a first for both Newgarden and Pigot, the pair will battle the other 21 cars across the 12-turn, 1.964-mile permanent road-course.

Art Wilmes, RSR’s Founder and CEO, is anxious for the upcoming weekend’s events.

“Josef and Spencer have never raced here before. In fact, most of the field hasn’t even raced here before and I am eager to see how well the new aero-kits hold on the track,” Wilmes said. “Josef is vying for another series’ title – his performance this race and next are imperative. Spencer continues to work week-after-week and shows serious improvement. I look for him to not only finish well; but, to be a dominate personality on the track.”

The Bommarito 500, presented by Axalta and Valvoline, proved to be a trial and tribulation for Newgarden and a break-through for Pigot.

“Gateway was a really tough race. We really gave it our all but came up short,” Newgarden said. “We’re moving on from that and focusing 100-percent on getting every point we can.”

Newgarden’s finish last weekend dropped him from third to fourth in the season’s point standings.

“From here on out, it’s important that we get maximum points, and hopefully wins,” Newgarden added. “I’m excited to go to Portland since I’ve never raced there before. It seems like a really cool town and a great track.”

Pigot, finished sixth in last weekend’s competition, is determined for a strong finish to the end.

“Portland is a race I’ve been looking forward to all year. I’ve heard great things about the track and the city, so I’m looking forward to heading out there for the first time,” Pigot said. “We’re coming off of a solid race at Gateway, hopefully, we can keep the momentum going for the No. 21 Fuzzy’s Vodka team and finish the season off strong.”

Pigot is 14th, overall, in the point standings.

On Thursday, the VICS will have a sanctioned test day on the track from 10:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. (PDT) The test day will finish from 3:25 to 5:55 p.m. (PDT).

Practice for the Grand Prix of Portland will be Friday from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. (PDT) and from 2:35 to 3:35 p.m. (PDT). The VICS will allow a 20-minue pit-stop practice from 3:40 to 4:00 p.m. (PDT).

Friday’s practice sessions will be broadcasted over the Advance Auto Parts IndyCar Radio Network, SIRIUS 121, XM 209 and on racecontrol.indycar.com.

Saturday, the VICS will have a 40-minue practice session from 11:10 to 11:55 a.m. (PDT). The practice session will be broadcasted over the Advance Auto Parts IndyCar Radio Network, SIRIUS 121, XM 209 and on racecontrol.indycar.com.

Qualifying for the Portland Grand Prix will begin on Saturday afternoon from 3:20 to 4:35 p.m. (PDT). Coverage for the qualifying-session will begin at 3:00 p.m. (PDT) and will be broadcasted on NBCSN, the Advance Auto Parts IndyCar Radio Network, SIRIUS 121, XM 209 and on racecontrol.indycar.com.

Race-day coverage for the Grand Prix of Portland will begin at 11:30 a.m. (PDT). The race will be broadcasted on NBCSN, the Advance Auto Parts IndyCar Radio Network, SIRIUS 121, XM 209 and on racecontrol.indycar.com.

To learn more about the Grand Prix of Portland, go on-line to www.indycar.com.