IndyCar series to test at Barber
The test will be one of just two preseason tests that the IRL will hold in 2009. The other will be at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
IRL spokesman John Griffin confirmed the Barber Motorsports Park test on March 20-22 and said the IRL will make an official announcement on Monday. He said he expects all IndyCar Series drivers will participate, including stars such as Danica Patrick and Helio Castroneves.
The Firestone Indy Light Series, a developmental series sanctioned by the IRL, will also test that weekend.
Barber Motorsports Park officials said the three-day test session will be open to the public, and tickets will go on sale Monday. They will range from $10 per day in advance to $15 on the day of the test. Three-day tickets will also be available and those will range from $25 in advance to $35 on the first day of the event.
The Barber testing session will come just two weeks before the IRL season begins on April 5 on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. The second race on the schedule will be April 19 on the streets in Long Beach, Calif. Teams will use the Barber test to prepare for those two events.
Seven drivers from the IndyCar Series, including Danica Patrick, tested at the 2.38-mile road course in Leeds in October 2007 and gave the circuit a glowing review. al.com