Less banking awaits drivers at Texas

New lower banking in Turns 1 and 2

When the Verizon IndyCar Series visits Texas Motor Speedway this weekend they will find the 1.5-mile oval has been both repaved and reconfigured.

Turns 1 and 2 now feature 20 degrees of banking and a wider racing surface. Less banking usually means less speed, but the wider track could result in a different line thru the corner that might overcome the loss in banking. And it could make for 3 and 4-wide racing.

And since 1 and 2 are now different than 3 and 4, teams will have to figure out a balance in their setups similar to Pocono, which has three unique turns, because teams will have to compromise the car’s handling in one corner so that it gains something in another.

"Obviously, the track has been completely repaved and re-profiled in Turns 1 and 2, so really everything goes out the window from last year, and we’ve got to start from scratch just like everybody else," said James Hinchcliffe, who led 188 of 248 laps in the Firestone 600 last season.

"Hopefully we can put our heads down and get the No. 5 car in a position to be fighting for the victory again."