IndyCar: Chevy NOLA preview
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| Can Montoya make it two-in-row? |
Major league motorsports has not visited the state of Louisiana since 1995. But all of that changes this weekend at NOLA Motorsports Park (NOLA) when the Verizon IndyCar Series takes to the track for the running of the inaugural Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana. All 12 of the Chevrolet IndyCar V6-powered drivers and teams have tested their Chevrolet Aero Kit IndyCar V6 2.2 liter cars at NOLA to prepare for the challenge of a new venue – a 2.74-mile, 13-turn permanent road course.
Chevrolet opened the 2015 Verizon IndyCar season two weeks ago on the Streets of St. Petersburg with a solid debut of the Chevrolet Aero Kit. Team Penske’s Juan Pablo Montoya brought home the victory and was followed by a precession of Chevrolet V6 powered drivers sweeping the top sixth finishing positions and bringing home seven of the top 10 spots.
“A new venue or track layout always adds an element of excitement to the competition by requiring additional simulation and preparation, said Chris Berube, Chevrolet Racing Program Manager for the Verizon IndyCar Series. “The addition of NOLA Motorsports Park to the schedule for 2015 is no exception. Our Chevrolet teams and technical partners conducted a number of tests at NOLA during the preseason so we feel well-prepared for this track with its long straights and high speeds. It should provide a great opportunity to highlight the integration of the Chevrolet engine and aero kit."
Armed with confidence and preparation the Bowtie Brigade is ready to take on the task of the uniquely designed NOLA Motorsports Park.
"You have to acknowledge what an amazing job Chevrolet and all of the engineers at Team Penske have done in the off season, said reigning Verizon IndyCar Series champion Will Power. “ They have a lot to be proud of with the way we performed as a team at St. Pete. There is no reason to think that it won't carry over to NOLA this weekend, not only because of the testing we did there in the off season, but we have typically run very well at the new venues over the last couple of years.
“NOLA is wicked fast, and what it takes to get around that place really suits my driving style, continued Power. “The grip is very tight and it should promote great racing. To me, it's really impressive that the fans can see the entire track. That's a cool aspect of NOLA that not many tracks have. New Orleans knows how to have a good time, and I believe everyone that comes out to the track this weekend will certainly have one. Hopefully we can get our first win of the season in the No. 1 Verizon Chevy. It's going to be a hard-fought race because I know everyone is going to want to be the first winner at NOLA."
The 75-lap/205.5-mile contest just outside the “Big Easy" should prove to be a historic battle as the recently debuted Chevrolet Aero Kits continue to be put to the test. Twelve Chevrolet V6-powered teams will try and be the first to hoist the trophy down by the Bayou and make it eight straight for Chevrolet in Verizon IndyCar series competition.
Chevrolet IndyCar V6 Year-By-Year Results
|
Year |
Events |
Wins |
Poles |
Notes |
|
2012 |
15 |
11 |
10 |
Engine Manufacturer Championship; Driver & Owner Titles (Ryan Hunter-Reay/Michael Andretti) |
|
2013 |
19 |
10 |
11 |
Engine Manufacturer Championship; |
|
2014 |
18 |
12 |
13 |
Engine Manufacturer Championship; Driver & Owner Titles (Will Power/Roger Penske) |
|
2015 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Win, pole at St. Petersburg |
|
Totals |
53 |
34 |
35 |
2015 Verizon IndyCar Championship
|
Driver Standings |
Team Standings |
Manufacturer Standings |
|
1. Juan Pablo Montoya – 51 2. Will Power – 44 3. Tony Kanaan – 35 4. Helio Castroneves – 33 5. Simon Pagenaud – 31 6. Sebastien Bourdais – 28 7. Ryan Hunter-Reay – 26 8. Jack Hawksworth – 25 9. Luca Filippi – 22 10. Marco Andretti – 20 |
1. No. 2 Team Penske – 51 2. No. 1 Team Penske – 44 3. No. 10 NTT Data Chip Ganassi Racing – 35 4. No. 3 Team Penske – 33 5. No. 22 Team Penske – 31 |
1. Honda – 70 2. Chevrolet – (-92) |
Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana (all times CT unless noted)
- Verizon IndyCar Series Practice 1: 12:15 p.m., Friday, April 10
- Verizon IndyCar Series Practice 2: 4:15 p.m., Friday, April 10
- Verizon IndyCar Series Practice 3: 12:30 p.m., Saturday, April 11
- Verizon IndyCar Series Qualifying: 4:15 p.m., Saturday, April 11
- Qualifying TV/Radio: 5:00 p.m. ET (NBC Sports Network, Sitius 213/XM209 and indycar.com live timing and scoring
- Verizon IndyCar Series Warmup: 11 a.m., Sunday, April 12
- Race: Green flag 3:37 p.m ET., Sunday, April 12
- Race TV/Radio: 2:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 12 (NBC Sports Network, Sirius 213/XM 209, indycar.com live timing and scoring)