IndyCar’s new aero kit making race debut in St. Pete

IndyCar teams have been familiarizing themselves with the new aero kit in preseason testing earlier this month. In Friday’s first practice session for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Team Penske driver and reigning series champion Will Power, in his Chevy-powered car, topped the time charts with a lap around this 1.8-mile, 14-turn street circuit in 1 minute, 1.4709 seconds (105.416 mph). His teammates, Juan Pablo Montoya and Helio Castroneves, were second and third, respectively, on the charts. Jack Hawksworth, driving for A.J. Foyt Enterprises this season, was the quickest Honda driver, placing sixth.

“As we are starting to understand the new Chevrolet aero kits, it’s clear that they have done a proper job in the design and development of them,” Power said. “The kits produce massive downforce, low drag and the cars are absolutely glued to the track. Obviously as we go along in the year, we are going to learn more and more about what we need to push for wins.”

Power won last year’s season-opener in St. Petersburg and then went on to score two more victories during the year (Detroit/race 1 and Milwaukee), en route to his first IndyCar title.

“I’m really excited to get the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series started and represent the sport as the champion throughout the year,” he said. “Even though I was able to break through last year and win my first title, I am preparing to go into this season just as hungry as I was before I became a champion. The drive to win multiple championships is just as strong as the drive to win one. To do that, it’s important to get off to a good start at St. Pete.”

Power won at St. Pete for the first time in 2010. He also claimed four consecutive poles here from 2010-14.

Castroneves is the only other driver with multiple victories at this track. He won here in 2006, ’07 and ’12.

“This is a track that has been very good to Team Penske and to me personally,” Castroneves said. “A fourth win at St. Pete would be awesome.”

Twenty-four teams are on the entry list for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Gabby Chaves from Bryan Herta Autosport and KV Racing Technology’s Stefano Coletti are scheduled to make their IndyCar debuts in this race.

Series: Verizon IndyCar. Date: Sunday, March 29. Race: Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Site: Streets of St. Petersburg. Track: 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary street circuit. Start Time: 3:37 p.m. ET (expected green flag). Laps: 110. Miles: 198. 2014 Winner: Will Power. Television: ABC. Radio: IMS Radio Network/SIRIUS XM Satellite.

Categorized in: Indy Racing