AUSTIN, Tex. — It’s the second day of a two day testing session for IndyCar teams at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas.
Yesterday drivers from every team competing on a full-time basis turned laps on the road course, which is a new addition to the IndyCar schedule this year. Team Penske driver and reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Will Power said the track is definitely unique.
“It’s difficult to put a whole lap together here,” Power said. “You’ve got 20 corners. We just worked on a lot of set up stuff today, trying to get a good balance. Really enjoyed the track it was a lot of fun.”
Penske drivers also had the added benefit of having Penske sports car driver Helio Castroneves turning laps on the circuit. Castroneves is not running in the Circuit of the Americas race late next month; he is only racing in the IndyCar Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500, but teammate Josef Newgarden said it helps to have the veteran driver’s perspective on the course.
“It’s unique for what we normally do,” Newgarden said of the course. “Normally we go to much more old school, bumpier race tracks. A lot of character, which is IndyCar racing to me. This is much more polished. Much more smooth.”
This season will be the first time ever the Circuit of the Americas, which was built in 2010, will be on the IndyCar schedule. It also plays host to the Formula One United States Grand Prix, which course was originally designed to facilitate.
The IndyCar Classic at the Circuit of the Americas is schedule for March 24th, 2019.
(PHOTO: Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
