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Written by:
Jeff Olson
Senior writer, RACER Magazine http://www.racer.com/speedtv
Senior writer, RACER Magazine http://www.racer.com/speedtv
01/31/2007 - 07:00 PM
Daytona Beach, Fla.
The IndyCars proved they could handle DIS road course and banking safely and competitively. The next step is up to Daytona. (Greg Aleck photo) » More Photos
The question late Thursday wasn't whether the IndyCar Series ran well at Daytona. The question was whether they would ever race at Daytona.
The conclusion of a two-day open test session left those involved in the IRL wondering whether this test and one last fall would eventually translate into an Indy-car race at Daytona International Speedway.
And the answer, for now anyway, is still "maybe."
"You'd be a fool to stand here and say, 'No, we don't want to race here,'" said Brian Barnhart, the IRL's president and chief operating officer. "Of course we do. It's Daytona. Just like NASCAR wanted to race at Indianapolis, there's a reason we would love to race here. We're definitely a long way from getting there and accomplishing everything we need to accomplish to put on a race here, but we've certainly taken the right steps."
Questions about whether Indy cars could handle Daytona's 31-degree banking appear to have been answered by the fall and winter test sessions on the DIS road course, the first time open-wheel, Indy-style cars have been at speed at Daytona since a disastrous debut at the track in 1959.
Barnhart said the final decision about a possible IRL race at Daytona lies with International Speedway Corp. and NASCAR, but the league is hopeful that it will be invited.
"It's hard for me to speak on their behalf, but we've clearly
The IndyCars proved they could handle DIS road course and banking safely and competitively. The next step is up to Daytona. (Greg Aleck photo) » More Photos
Helio Castroneves had the fastest lap Thursday before rain began to fall with about two hours remaining in the session, but, in spite of stacks of rain tires in the pits, no cars used the time to test wet setups.
The reaction among drivers was positive for Honda's new 3.5-liter engine and 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol. Drivers reported increased torque in low power bands, less gear ringing during heavy acceleration, and a more responsive feel.
"The engine is much stronger on the lower end," Castroneves said. "The fuel is something that's new for us, but so far it's been a big plus. We're headed in the right direction. We're going to be fun to watch this year."
Before the rain, Castroneves recorded a lap of 1:12.3538 in the No. 3 Team Penske Dallara-Honda, making him fastest in both the morning and afternoon sessions. Tony Kanaan was second fastest, followed by Scott Dixon, Dan Wheldon and Marco Andretti.
Castroneves' best lap Thursday was little more than a tenth behind Kanaan's best lap of Wednesday's session – 1:12.2393.
The IRL will test again Feb. 20-22 at Homestead-Miami Speedway's road course and oval before its season opener March 24 on the Homestead oval.
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