Josef Newgarden and Ryan Hunter-Reay have both stated that they feel a better track limits solution needs to be found when the NTT IndyCar Series returns to the Circuit of the Americas next season.
All through the weekend of the IndyCar Classic event, race direction effectively stated that track limits would not be enforced, with drivers effectively able to use all the track and tarmac run off areas as they saw fit.
This was a talking point amongst fans and commentators through the entire weekend of competitive running, with opinion differing as to whether the no holds barred approach was an entertainment bonus, or an uncomfortable impression that the United States premier open wheel racing series couldn’t enforce a simple rule.
In general, competitors were happy with the freedom and clarity of the approach. “I think we like when race control has less interference,” said Newgarden after the race.
“I didn't have a big problem with it. Seemed like it was fair enough. You got a lot of side-by-side, you had a place to go if you got knocked off. You had to know in your mind that's racing ground.”
Hunter-Reay agreed. “You don't want to be watching a race, cars start peeling off the track from penalties from race control. Why? He was an inch and a half wide from this corner.”
But whilst the approach certainly created plenty of additional drama and incident, the feeling amongst the drivers was that changes are needed in future, with Newgarden stating; “We’ve all talked about it.’
Turn 19 was singled out as the biggest issue, with every car running five to six car widths off the actual racetrack to carry more speed through the corner, but risking getting unsettled over the bumps and having an accident.
“You were kind of rolling the dice a little bit,” explained Newgarden. “You could gain a lot of time. If you hit it perfect, the car was stable. Off by an inch here or there, you could have a big moment.”
Hunter-Reay echoed the thoughts of the Penske driver. “We'll try to find a solution for next year. I'll be glad not to see Turn 19 again for a few weeks.”
