After a wet-weekend in Detroit, the Verizon IndyCar Series is set to tackle the high-banks of Texas Motor Speedway this weekend. With safety concerns at a high due to three flips during Indianapolis 500 practice last month, INDYCAR has made some key changes to the aero kits entering this weekend. Hopefully that will keep all the cars on the ground and allow for a thrilling race for the fans on Saturday night.
Ed Carpenter leads the way into the weekend as he scored the victory last year after leading 90 of the 148 laps. Another run of that nature would be welcome as he has only made one start thus far this season – Indianapolis – where he finished 30th following a crash during the race.
“I am really looking forward to getting back to Texas after winning there last year,” he commented. “The team had a tough month of May, so I am ready to go out and build some momentum to finish the season strong.”
Though if he wants to win, he’s going to have to fend off Team Penske and they enter this weekend with a lot of confidence based on their speed and 1-2 finish at the Indianapolis 500. Juan Pablo Montoya won the Indianapolis 500 after having to restart from the back of the filed early in the event due to rear-wing damage. Currently leading the points by 21, he is looking for a strong run this weekend after finishing 10th in the second Detroit race due to running out of fuel. He knows how to do well at Texas, having posted a third place finish last season.
“I am as confident as I have ever been heading into Texas this weekend,” he said. “I told someone the other day that I really feel like we should win the race. The No. 2 Verizon Chevy team is hitting its stride at the moment. We have speed in the car every weekend. If we can just minimize our mistakes and execute properly I don’t think there is anything we can’t accomplish.
“There are two goals every year for Team Penske in the Verizon IndyCar Series. One is to win the Indianapolis 500, which we were fortunate enough to do. The second is to keep the Verizon IndyCar Series championship within the team. We are halfway through the season with a lot of racing left to go, but I like our chances to do both for Roger (Penske) and everyone that works so hard in this organization.”
Montoya’s teammates won’t be far behind him this weekend, especially Helio Castroneves and Will Power. They’re both looking to bounce back this weekend after being involved in an accident together in the second Detroit duel. Castroneves has visited victory lane four times at Texas Motor Speedway, most recently in 2013. He also badly needs to start running well if he wants to close the 65 point gap that sits between him and Montoya.
“If you look around the track at Texas Motor Speedway you notice there are streets that are named after several drivers,” Castroneves commented. “There isn’t one named after me, though. I told Eddie Gossage (track president) last year that I want to have my own street at Texas. I mean, I am the only four-time Verizon IndyCar Series winner at the track. He assured me that if I make it five wins there will be a ‘Helio Castroneves Boulevard.’ at Texas Motor Speedway. I love racing at Texas. It’s just super fast. You don’t get the sensation of speed anywhere like you do there. I’m confident we can get the AAA Chevrolet into Victory Lane and, hopefully, gain a lot of points this weekend.”
Meanwhile, Power has a win, three top-fives and five top-10s in seven starts for an average finish of 6.9. He also has momentum, as far as oval competition, with the second at Indianapolis.
“I love racing at Texas, and after how strong our Verizon Chevy was at Indianapolis last month, I’m even more confident going there this weekend,” he stated. “I know we can win at Texas because this team has done it before with my first Verizon IndyCar Series oval win there in 2011. We obviously left some points on the table in Detroit after getting caught up in the accident late in the second race. I know my teammates will be quick so we need to make sure we match their pace early and have a shot at the end. The great thing about the Verizon IndyCar Series is that you have to be a master of many different disciplines, including ovals, if you want to be a champion. We have made great strides in that area, but it’s something I’m constantly working on to stay at the top of my game.”
Chevrolet has proven to have their aero kit right now stronger than the Honda aero kit, as evident by how strong they performed at Indianapolis. Sebastien Bourdais, who drives a Chevrolet. enters this weekend full of confidence after winning the second Detroit Duel. Texas hasn’t treated him well in the past, though, as he has finished 20th in both of his previous starts.
“I am not a believer in momentum, but obviously we are coming off a fantastic win in Detroit, so we’re looking forward to a good race on the oval at Texas Motor Speedway,” he stated. “It has been kind of a trying effort for me there the last couple of years after a great IROC race in 2005. I think the Hydroxycut KVSH team is heading in the right direction on ovals. We have made some progress and are understanding the car better. Hopefully all the hard work will pay off and we can shoot some guns in victory circle.”
Despite looking to be at the disadvantage right now on the aero kit side, Honda has a slew of strong drivers that could produce a surprise victory this weekend. Ryan Briscoe, filling in for the injured James Hinchcliffe with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, has the second best average finish of active drivers with a 4.9. In eight starts, he has a win and five podium finishes. He was solid in his only start thus far this season, finishing 12th in the Indianapolis 500.
