NASCAR was one of the first major racing series to hit the track with races that eliminated practice and qualifications and featured no fans in the stands. So far, those contests have been relatively entertaining despite the lack of track time before the green flag.
IndyCar’s one-day show at Texas will not include fans. Teams, drivers and IndyCar personnel will arrive on charter flights arriving early Saturday morning and leaving a few hours after Saturday night’s race concludes. Very few members of the media have access, with five representatives in the outside press box.
The IndyCar race, however, will feature a practice session followed by qualifications. The cars will be impounded with minimal changes before the race.
“NASCAR did four or five events before we got to this shutdown,” Dixon explained. “I think Texas is a different kind of version just for us because there’s a few rookies, some people that have never been to Texas before. Plus, it’s the introduction of the Aeroscreen which actually most of the teams I think by the time we get to the race would have previously run in that configuration. Ganassi hasn’t, which is quite rare for us.
“We have a 1-hour, 20-minute practice session. I think any time we’re getting on track is going to be enough to get rolling. Hopefully it runs smoothly as far as there’s not too many cautions or lack of time. I think Cup have definitely proven you can even go straight up to a race and the race was fantastic.
“I think sometimes actually the race could be better because you have good cars really good, then you’re going to have cars falling off and the field is going to be pretty mixed. All of this is different for us, but I expect it to not really change too much from what we typically do.”
Ericsson believes the long layoff from oval racing may play a role. The last time IndyCar ran around in circles was at Gateway at the end of August in 2019.
“I think that’s why it’s good for us as a series to at least have some practice and a qualifying session before going into the race,” Ericsson said. “That for me is the biggest sort of thing.
“I’m sure we’re all going to get into it. We are all professionals. I think after that practice and qualifying we’re all going to be ready to put on a good show there on Saturday night. I’m sure the race is going to be really entertaining and fun, both to drive and to watch.”
Rosenqvist likes the one-day schedule, even though it’s going to make for a very long day for the competitors.
“It might be tough for some rookies coming, though,” Rosenqvist said. “It must be a lot of thoughts going through their minds right now coming into Texas. At least IndyCar has been good in giving them some extra running, which I think is fair.
“There are other series that do it one-day events. It’s been shown many times, like when we go to Detroit, for example, have a more packed weekend, it’s possible to do it. I think it creates probably a bit more excitement because, as Scott said, more ups and downs through the field.
“I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a really good race.”