New Engine Testing Moved to Next Week at Indianapolis
Last weekend's thrilling race at Texas Motor Speedway featured a record-breaking number of passes and a photo-finish. The second round of the 2022 calendar certainly delivered, but fans thirsty for more open-wheel action would have to wait another three weeks before the next race.
That changed this week when the series shifted their new engine testing program from Sebring to Indianapolis. Originally planned for the end of the month, IndyCar has moved the test dates and location. Next week three drivers will hit the IMS road course to test for Chevrolet and Honda.
Six-time champion Scott Dixon will join Team Penske drivers Josef Newgarden and Will Power in the debut test of the 2.4-liter twin-turbo V6 engines. Newgarden will test on March 28 and Power will run on March 29. Dixon will test on both days for Chip Ganassi Racing.
The engines will not have the hybrid components, because of the global supply chain shortage that forced both OEMs and IndyCar to push back the debut of the new engine formula from 2023 to 2024. The hope is that both Chevy and Honda will have their supplies by summer, allowing them to have plenty of testing time ahead of the target date. The jump from 700 top 800 horsepower will come from the hybrid kinetic energy recovery systems that are being developed.
In an effort to eliminate any possible advantage for the teams and drivers testing next week, the series has deemed that they utilize the old Formula One course, using the oval turns at the south end of the Speedway. They will also incorporate the SCCA road course layout, which involves the hard right-hand turn entering Turn 5 before jumping onto Hulman Blvd.
This will not be the only testing on the road course next week. Nearly every full-time driver will be participating in a much larger private test on the road course. Two-time Indy 500 winner Juan Montoya will also participate in the test as he prepares for the GMR Grand Prix ahead of the 500 with his Arrow McLaren SP team. With the private test already lined up, it made logical sense to move the new engine testing to IMS.
One driver that remains up in the air for the private test is Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Jack Harvey, who was unable to race at Texas following his hard crash during practice the day before. Harvey was re-evaluated the morning of the race and the IndyCar medical team did not clear him to drive. Santino Ferrucci subbed for him on late notice, and guided the No. 45 Honda to a solid 9th place finish. It is not known if the team would elect to run their third car for this test, or just stick with the duo of Graham Rahal and Christian Lundgaard.
Track facilities will be closed to the general public during the week, but the parking lot at the IMS Museum will once again be open for fans to watch some of the testing action. The weather forecast for the week is less than ideal, but wet conditions should not prevent teams from getting on track.
