IndyCar News bits

INDYCAR has scheduled an open test for all Verizon IndyCar Series full-season entries April 12 at Texas Motor Speedway, site of the Rainguard Water Sealers 600 on June 9-10. The test will provide the first opportunity for teams to run on the 1.455-mile oval following the offseason completion of a complete repave of the track and reconfiguration of Turns 1 and 2 that will see the banking in that area decreased by 4 degrees.

Neil Alberico will return to Carlin for a second season in Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires. The Californian finished 11th in the 2016 championship as a rookie. "The entire team has invested a lot of time and energy into my career, and I couldn't be happier to continue our relationship together in 2017," said Alberico, who finished second in both the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda to the Pro Mazda Championship presented by Cooper Tires as he climbed the Mazda Road to Indy ladder.

Pabst Racing announced that Lucas Kohl would drive for the team this year in USF2000. The 18-year-old Brazilian finished 12th in the 2016 point standings with a best finish of sixth place on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.