A standard doubleheader weekend on a road course is a test for most Firestone Indy Lights drivers and teams, as what limited track time there is is usually spent trying to perfect the car for the races - with little margin for error. As a result, this weekend's Corning Duels at Watkins Glen may be akin to trial by fire.
The normal schedule will be compressed into two days as the future stars of the IndyCar Series will race twice on the 11-turn, 3.4-mile road course on Saturday [5 July] as the championship picks up momentum heading into its second half.
The goal for most drivers may be to survive the first race, but finish up front to have a chance in the second.
"I expect the races to be quite challenging," said Team E driver Bobby Wilson, who won at Watkins Glen in 2006, "You have to make it through race one so you can make it to race two but, if something bad happens, you're going to be sitting out. It's a crucial point in the season. It's an area where you can make big gains, but you could also have some big losses."
Big losses are what most drivers will be trying to avoid during the twin 29-lap races. With 56 points separating the top five drivers in the standings, the races could go a long way in determining which driver will see their name inscribed on Firestone Firehawk Cup.
"It's going to come down to how quickly you can get a feel of what everyone else is doing," said RLR/Andersen Racing's JR Hildebrand, who trails points leader Dillon Battistini by 40 points, "You can't afford to lose points in the first race just to make sure you're going to be there for the second race.
"I have every bit of confidence in the guys on the crew and myself that we can put together a good package and be battling for the win in both races. As competitive as this series has been so far, I don't think anyone is going to be holding back in the first race just because we have another one in a couple of hours."
![Wade Cunningham leads the chasing pack in the Freedom 100 [pic credit: IRL/Snoddy]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/444187.jpg)
