Briscoe Tops Speed Charts in IndyCar Test Session

Veteran Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello tackles the twists and turns at Infineon Raceway on Saturday

Mike Doran

Ryan Briscoe led the field on Saturday as five IZOD IndyCar® Series drivers completed a full day of pre-season testing at Infineon Raceway. Veteran Formula One driver, Rubens Barrichello, also took park in the test session on behalf of KV Racing Technology.

Team Penske’s Briscoe posted a time of 1 minute, 17.49 seconds over the 12-turn, 2.303-mile road course, which was attended by nearly 1,500 fans. It was the highest-attended test session in raceway history.

Briscoe was followed by teammate Will Power (1:17.83); Ryan Hunter-Reay (Andretti Autosport, 1:18.43); EJ Viso (KV Racing Technology, 1:18.50); JR Hildebrand (Panther Racing, 1:18.73) and Barrichello (1:18.91).

Briscoe talks to fans and media

“It’s great to see so much interest for the new car and INDYCAR and it’s going to be a lot of fun and good racing around here," said Power, the two-time defending Sonoma champion. “I think people can expect a good race here (in August)."

Barrichello, who is close to finalizing a deal with KV Racing Technology, enjoyed his first test on the twists and turns of Infineon Raceway.

“We had a lot of fun today learning a different circuit," Barrichello said. “Physically this track is very demanding with a lot of medium and high speed corners. Right now I’m just learning the car and the circuit."

The two-day test continues on Sunday with the addition of Tony Kanaan for KV Racing Technology. He will replace Barrichello in the No. 11 car for KV Racing Technology in the afternoon session.