IndyCars make fast first impression at Watkins Glen

Scott Dixon

When the Verizon IndyCar Series returns to Watkins Glen International this Labor Day weekend, fans will have to look quick because one thing that was learned from Monday’s first Glen test in six years is these open-wheel cars can really rocket around the Schuyler County facility.

The entire Glen circuit underwent a nearly $12 million repaving last fall. The billiard-smooth surface, coupled with the current aerodynamically-aided Dallara chassis, has proven to be a recipe for high speed around the 11-turn 3.4-mile WGI layout.

Series rookie and Indianapolis 500 winner Alexander Rossi was among five series regulars and four teams, including three-time Glen race winner and reigning IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon, who took part in the test in preparation for the 60-lap IndyCar Grand Prix at The Glen from Sept. 1-4 .

Rossi said his lap times, which he did not reveal, were easily under the current track record after just eight laps of running in his No. 98 Andretti Herta Autosport with Curb-Agajanian Honda/Dallara.

“We are already a huge amount faster than when IndyCar was here last," said Rossi, who was on the harder and less grippy black-badged compound tire. “It was great (so far) … The surface is beautiful and it has a huge amount of grip."

Ryan Briscoe holds the IndyCar and outright official Glen record of 1 minute, 28.13322 seconds (137.657 mph) set during qualifying for the 2009 Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen. America’s top open-wheel series last competed here from 2005-2010.

Simon Pagenaud

No official lap times were published after the test but IndyCar Series points leader Simon Pagenaud said in a WGI statement afterwards that he was three seconds under Briscoe's record time in his No. 22 Team Penske Menard’s Chevy/Dallara.

“It takes a lot of commitment here around the racetrack," said Pagenaud, a Frenchman making his Glen debut. “The Indy cars with the aero kit that we have on the Chevrolet car has a lot of downforce … They’re going through these corners, it’s very, very high speed. It’s a lot of fun."

Rossi, who has raced mainly in Europe before this year and competed with the Manor Formula One team in 2015, also had never seen the Glen track before today.

“It’s good fun," he said. “The final two corners are nice and Turn 1 is cool."

The 24-year-old Californian said when the softer compound red-badged tires are used on the race weekend, the cars will be even quicker than today.

“IndyCar will be unbelievably faster when the series returns." Rossi said. Star-Gazette