Will Energy wrapped up a optimistic first on-track outing with Andretti World in a tire take a look at at Phoenix Raceway on Wednesday.
The 44-year-old Aussie sported an all-black firesuit with minimal patches and piloted a No. 26 Honda to match. He, together with former Crew Penske teammate Josef Newgarden, took to the 1-mile tri-oval as a part of Firestone’s preparations for subsequent month’s open take a look at anticipated for Feb. 17-18, forward of IndyCar’s crossover race weekend with NASCAR March 6-7.
There have been 4 hours of on-track operating, which was meant as a affirmation take a look at after a two-day outing in November with Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon and Ed Carpenter Racing’s Alexander Rossi. Firestone confirmed to Motorsport.com this take a look at was a continuation of the superspeedway tire growth, with the precise entrance tire considerably totally different than something that has been raced in IndyCar so far. The tire is wider than the producer’s present proper entrance tire, with distinctive traits to the development that, as a result of width, provides cornering (lateral) grip.
Situations have been cloudy and within the mid-50’s for many of the day, however the cool temperatures weren’t the one factor Energy needed to get used to after having spent 17 earlier seasons with Crew Penske.
“It’s humorous, you’re feeling very misplaced however when you get within the automotive and also you get rolling, then it’s similar to, ‘Oh,’” stated Energy, by way of a video courtesy of IndyCar. “It’s an Indy automotive. It’s going by the identical processes. Excellent first few runs. Now, we obtained loads of work to do. It’s good to really feel the Honda engine, it’s superb. Positively trying ahead to getting in amongst much more automobiles to see the place we stack up.”
Energy, a two-time collection champion and winner of the 2018 Indianapolis 500, was additionally getting on top of things with studying the staff, notably his race engineer, Andy Listes.
“Yeah, simply studying everybody’s identify,” Energy stated. “Clearly, working carefully with my engineer, Andy, in the meanwhile, which is good. It’s simply the standard stuff. You’re simply making an attempt to know how every thing works on this staff.
“I’ve been at one different staff, Penske, for 17 years, so it was similar to second nature; you didn’t take into consideration something. Right here, you bought to get the steering wheel in the precise place, the pedals and padding, and simply basic items like that. However, all good.”
When the IndyCar Collection final raced at Phoenix in 2018, Energy began third and led 80 laps earlier than ending up out because of contact after 153 laps. And he hasn’t forgotten it.
“I’ve unfinished enterprise right here,” Energy stated. “I’ve had a few probabilities to win and it hasn’t performed out. However I do like this place. I like the world, the town. Yeah, it’s going to be enjoyable.
“I feel it’s good for us that we’re having an open take a look at right here as a result of I really feel like, simply have a look at the outcomes previously, it’s someplace the place we have to enhance, so we’ll get loads of time. It’s going to be enjoyable.”
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