IMS racing to have course ready for Grand Prix
The first test for the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis is Wednesday at IMS, and the reconfigured infield road course is still getting its final touches.
Some 60 to 75 crew members are working through the weekend — and likely right up to the point cars take the track — on such things as sod installation, line striping and grandstand erection.
"Really, most of it is cosmetic," track President Doug Boles said by telephone from the IMS infield.
Curb painting will be done after the test, Boles said. The race is May 10.
The IndyCar Series drivers are more focused on Sunday's Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, but most are excited about trying out the sport's new toy. Five turns have been modified and the infield asphalt is fresh.
"It's a new racetrack, it's a proper racetrack and the best part about it is it's inside the world's greatest racetrack," Ryan Hunter-Reay said. "(They're) letting a bunch of IndyCar drivers go at it, and that's awesome.
"I feel like a kid. I can't wait to try it out."
Sebastien Bourdais, who won the inaugural Brickyard Grand Prix sports car race at IMS, isn't yet a fan of the changes.
"I didn't see anything wrong with the old track," he said. "Obviously the IMS guys thought different, so we'll just have to give it a fair shot and see how it shakes out.
"But they sure spent a lot of money for that, so it better be good."
Test times Wednesday are 10 a.m.-noon and 2-5 p.m.
Tuesday, oval-track practice will be offered to Jacques Villeneuve, who is returning to the 500 for the first time since winning in 1995, and former NASCAR champion Kurt Busch.
As usual, the south end of the facility will be open for public viewing at no charge both days.
Two weeks and counting on assembling at least the traditional 33 Indianapolis 500 participants.
So far, there are 29 confirmed combinations. Two more combinations will come from Dale Coyne Racing — one for Pippa Mann — and another will come from Dreyer & Reinbold/Kingdom Racing.
After that, it gets tricky, although Derrick Walker, IndyCar's president of competition and operations, said he sees several possibilities.
Among drivers, Walker identified Conor Daly, Jay Howard, Tristan Vautier and John Andretti among those still working on potential programs. James Davison is another in hot pursuit, and Stefan Wilson remains hopeful. Daly, however, told The Indianapolis Star he is withdrawing from consideration to join a GP2 Series team that will be racing in Monte Carlo on Memorial Day weekend.
Among teams, Walker said Bryan Herta Autosport, KV Racing Technology, Dale Coyne Racing and the DRR/Kingdom partnership are capable of fielding additional cars. But Dale Coyne and Bryan Herta have said no.
Ed Carpenter, the owner of Ed Carpenter Racing, said time is the biggest hurdle for teams now.
"It's not even about (cost) at this point," he said. "It's being able to get all the equipment and people you'll need." IndyStar.com