Unpredictable Spring weather delayed a private IndyCar test session that was scheduled to take place earlier this week from Texas Motor Speedway, but the session was able to be completed today.
Team Penske, Ed Carpenter Racing, and Chip Ganassi Racing were all set to take part in a test session on Monday, but cold weather ended up canceling the day’s running.
With temperatures struggling to reach above 40°F by noon, two of the three teams opted to delay their test day to later in the week when temperatures were expected to be more seasonal.
On Thursday, six drivers from Team Penske and Ed Carpenter Racing returned to the 1.5-mile banked oval and were able to complete their test programs a few days later than originally planned.
Of particular interest was a new small bargeboard at the front of the sidepod, similar to one run at the Indianapolis oval last season, which is available to teams this year and is intended to increase downforce and promote close running at high speeds.
Chip Ganassi Racing did not return to the track on Thursday, and will shift its test day to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course later this year instead.
Many teams are hoping to use the breaks between the early races on the calendar to log some much needed track time, and some will be testing the new hybrid powertrains in the coming weeks as well.
IndyCar rules only allowed a single day of off-season testing for veteran drivers, meaning that there has not been much opportunity to test out new setups before this month.
The week’s test came just in time, as the XPEL 375 from Texas Motor Speedway is scheduled to be run next weekend, with the race starting just before noon central time on March 20.
