INDIANAPOLIS — Several drivers planning to try and qualify for the Indianapolis 500 will take part in two days of open testing on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval next week.
Test sessions will happen on Wednesday, Apr. 20 and again on Thursday, Apr. 21.
The first day of testing on Wednesday will be separated into three sections. The first section will give veteran drivers a chance to shake down their race setups from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. Then from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m rookie drivers will be allowed on the course to complete their rookie orientation programs, as well as returning veterans to conduct refresher programs. Then from 3 p.m to 6 p.m. all veterans and rookies who have completed their ROP can continue testing.
Thursday will be more straightforward. Only one session will be run on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for all veterans and rookies.
The test will be the first opportunity for all drivers to get a feel for what they want in their cars for the month of May once track activity begins on the oval. Among those taking part is seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, who has been preparing for a while to take on the Indianapolis 500.
Johnson is recovering from a fractured hand he sustained while practicing for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach last weekend. He said he’s good to go for the test session. This will be his second test session on the IMS oval after having first tested back in October of last year.
Juan Pablo Montoya, JR Hildebrand, Marco Andretti, Romain Grosjean, and Callum Ilott are among some of the drivers to keep an eye on during the test. Montoya, Hildebrand, and Andretti will be making one-off appearances in the race this year, while Grosjean and Ilott are among IndyCar Series regular drivers from Formula One and the F1 latter system that will be making their Indy 500 debut in May.
The two days of testing next week will be open to the public from the Turn 2 viewing mounds on the infield of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Both days will also be streaming live on NBC’s Peacock Premium. The IndyCar Radio Network will also have live wall-to-wall coverage.
