Aero kits could improve passing in IndyCar
Simon Pagenaud expects the IndyCar Grand Prix to be very different from the first four races. So does just about everyone else in Gasoline Alley. The expected warm temperatures and breezy conditions could change racing conditions today. New aero kits are expected to create better drafting. A smoother asphalt surface is expected to make cars less sensitive. And this time, winning the pole may not be the surest path to victory lane.
The combination is expected to create more passing and a better overall show for the fans, a perfect combination for race organisers.
“You can follow closer and not get as affected as before,” said Pagenaud, a two-time race winner. “So there’s more (passing) opportunities for sure. Now we’ll see how many restarts there are because here it’s always very exciting on restarts because it’s such a long straightaway. There’s a lot of action into Turn 1.”
There are plenty of uncertainties, too.
SHORT PRACTICE SESSIONS
By condensing the weekend schedule from three days to two, drivers had only two short practice sessions before qualifying. All 24 drivers will have one more 30minute tuneup on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course Saturday morning.
The limited track time may explain why some familiar names — Marco Andretti, Scott Dixon, Graham Rahal and Ryan Hunter-Reay — failed to reach the second round of qualifying. Pagenaud, Alexander Rossi, Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan were all eliminated in the second round and defending series champion Josef Newgarden barely made the final qualifying group.
Will Power won his third Indy GP pole with a fast lap of 1:09.8182 on his final run of the day.
Everyone seems to expect an increase in the kind of daring moves that can create intrigue, consternation, and anger. Possibly crashes, too.