The NTT IndyCar Series held the beginning of a two-day open test session on Wednesday, allowing all 34 entered drives to log some valuable track time.
Some early morning technical issues delayed the original timeline, but the eight drivers that were in need of completing an orientation course were still allotted the full two hour session.
The orientation session is set aside for rookies and returning drivers that do not compete full time in the complete IndyCar season.
Each driver is required to complete a prescribed progression, which allows them to build speed incrementally before being allowed to run at full song on a track filled with other drivers.
The first ten laps have to be run at an average speed between 205-210 MPH, followed by 15 laps between 210-215 MPH and then finally 15 more laps at full speed.
The progression is monitored by race control, and ensures that all drivers are comfortable enough racing over 220 MPH to be safe while doing so.
Rookies Jacob Abel, Louis Foster, and Robert Shwartzman all completed the progression with no issues, ensuring that the three young drivers can take part in the rest of the test session.
“Good so far,” Foster said after climbing from his #45 RLL entry. “Just getting used to it. It’s super cool to drive here, super cool track. I was just out there smiling the entire time.
“It’s very different than what I’m used to for sure, takes time to get used to the speed and the balance of the car. But to finish the ROP is great. There’s more time in this session, but we’re going to go back set the car up so all four of the RLL cars can be close.”
Refresher program
There were five returning drivers that also had to build their speeds on a mostly-empty track on account of recent gaps in their resume.
Devlin DeFrancesco, Callum Ilott, and Takuma Sato completed their refresher course within the time limits of the orientation session.
Sato related after climbing from the car that he was happy for the build-up despite having won the race twice before, and that he is learning a lot about the hybrid.
NASCAR star Kyle Larson finished the final steps of his orientation during the later afternoon run, and is now cleared to attempt The Double again for the second year running.
Even Marco Andretti, who will be attempting to qualify for his 20th Indy 500, had to complete the refresher course because it is now the only events he competes in each year.
All eight drivers are now cleared to take the track with the rest of the field throughout the rest of the test and during all sessions for the premiere event in May.
