What Happened Last Time
Pole: Will Power
Podium: Ed Carpenter, Will Power, Juan Pablo Montoya
Here is a look at how the current field has performed at this track: Driver Performance - Texas
Highlights from the 2014 race:
Talking Points:
Here’s what Ed Carpenter, James Jakes, and Helio Castroneves had to say about the 2015 Firestone 600 at Texas Motor Speedway.
Of Note:
Aero Changes via IndyCar:
INDIANAPOLIS (June 2, 2015) - INDYCAR announced today it has implemented the use of closure panels to the rear wheel guards of both Honda and Chevrolet superspeedway aero kits beginning this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. The panels were developed by Honda and Chevrolet, respectively, and will also be utilized at Pocono Raceway and Auto Club Speedway during the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series season.
"This has been a collaborative effort with both manufacturers and they have been working on these since the Indianapolis 500 qualifications," said Will Phillips, INDYCAR Vice President of Technology. "These closure panels serve as a blocker so air cannot flow through the rear wheel guards. This will ultimately raise the point at which cars would experience lift when traveling backwards."
INDYCAR also confirmed that the rear wing angle for all entries this weekend must be set between (-6) and (-10.5) degrees, which will still result in an increase in overall downforce compared to the 2014 event at TMS.
Swap em if you got em
This week's round of musical seats sees Ryan Briscoe back in the #5 Schmidt car, filling in for the recovering James Hinchcliffe, while Tristan Vautier and Pippa Mann got the call for the seats at Coyne.
Who's the Favorite?
Castroneves has won here 5 times previously, we don't expect him to not factor in on Saturday. Other TMS winners? Carpenter, Kanaan, Dixon, Briscoe, and Power. Expect them all to factor in as well.
Who could surprise?
With Montoya carrying the title of Indy 500 winner, and teammate Pagenaud running upfront consistently, look for them to be contenders. Don’t count out Charlie Kimball, who was almost the spoiler at Indy.
If we had to pick just one?
Smart money is on one of the Penske cars.
As it Stands:
Reigning Champion: Will Power
2015 Points Leader: Juan Pablo Montoya
2015 ROTY Leader: Gabby Chaves
2015 Manufacturers Leader: Chevy
2015 Road Leader: Juan Pablo Montoya
2015 Oval Leader: Juan Pablo Montoya
The details...
Event: Texas Motor Speedway Fan Guide
Venue: Texas Motor Speedway, Ft.Worth, Texas
Track Type: Oval
Here is a virtual lap around the circuit:
(Follow along with the Track Map)
Web/radio: Thankfully, we can still listen to all of the sessions (and the race) via IMS Radio Network on www.indycar.com and for those in the US with Verizon service, via INDYCAR 15 app. (The IMS Radio Network race broadcast also is on member stations, Sirius 209 and XM 209)
NEW THIS YEAR
IndyCar is providing some live streaming feeds for certain sessions via YouTube, (and on the T&S page) with live commentary from IMS radio. All practice sessions for the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series and this weekend's qualifying sessions (Race #1: 3:40 p.m. ET, May 29 and Race #2: 11:25 a.m. ET, May 31) will be available on RaceControl.IndyCar.com.
Also, ESPN is expanding it's reach into Europe with ESPNplayer.com
If you're in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (excluding the UK, France, Italy and South Africa) You can purchase a digital subscription service and catch live and on-demand coverage of the Verizon IndyCar Series season.
For those following along on Twitter this weekend, You can follow along with:
@TXMotorSpeedway,
Other follow/bookmark suggestions:
@eddiegossage ,
@indycar, @indycarPR
oh, and of course @openwheelworld ;-)
The official #hashtag for the event is: #Firestone600
Other hastags to follow: #indycar #indycar2015 #WildAsphaltCircus #NoLimits
Here is this weekend's Entry List
Here is this weekend's Spotter's Guide
Here is the weekend schedule:
Friday, June 5
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM - Verizon IndyCar Practice 1
3:15PM - 4:15 PM - Verizon IndyCar Qualifications
6:45 PM - 7:15 PM - Verizon IndyCar Practice 2
Saturday, June 6
7:50 PM - 9:45 PM - The Firestone 600 - RACE
All of the MRTI series have the weekend off.
Firestone 600 pre-race driver quotes:
WILL POWER (No. 1 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet): "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. 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."
JUAN PABLO MONTOYA (No. 2 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet): "I am as confident as I have ever been heading into Texas this weekend. 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."
HELIO CASTRONEVES (No. 3 AAA Insurance Team Penske Chevrolet): "If you look around the track at Texas Motor Speedway you notice there are streets that are named after several drivers. 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."
STEFANO COLETTI (No. 4 KV Racing Technology Chevrolet): "I am looking forward to getting back to an oval. I had never been on one until Indianapolis a few weeks ago and after I had got used to it, I had a lot of fun. Texas will be different, though, with some big banking, so I will have a lot to learn. I will need to try and get as many laps in as I can and see how it goes, but I always like a challenge. After everything the people in Texas have gone through over the last few weeks, I hope we can put on a good show and that my thoughts are with those that have lost someone and/or their homes in these terrible times."
SAGE KARAM (No. 8 Lexar Chevrolet): "I've had Texas circled on the calendar since the start of the year. It's such a fast track that rewards high speeds, and I think that really suits my driving style. I'll be looking to my teammates for advice and setup information here as this will be my first race at TMS in an Indy car. It seems like they always manage to have an exciting race there and I can't wait to finally be a part of one."
SCOTT DIXON (No. 9 Energizer Chevrolet): "Texas Motor Speedway has gone through different evolutions of racing over the years. You had pack racing, then it spread out with very low downforce and degradation of the tires. There was lots of overtaking and I think we're in a really good spot right now this year with the aero kits. We'll have to see how it plays out, but it's such a tough track because you start just before dusk and then it gets colder because it's so hot during the day. The car on the track changes a lot and you've got to be really fast to try to keep up with it - especially over a fairly long distance too. I love Texas as a race because it's a lot of fun. I think two years ago I crashed out of it but it was probably one of the races I had the most fun in a long time at."
TONY KANAAN (No. 10 NTT Data Chip Ganassi Racing): "The last three races for NTT Data Chip Ganassi Racing have been really frustrating, so we're all ready to get to Texas where I've had some good results over the years and see what we can do there. I think this year's Firestone 600 will be an interesting race with the high speeds and new aero kits, but the series has been working hard to make sure we're prepared for the fast track at Texas Motor Speedway. I'm excited to get to Texas, especially with my sponsor NTT Data being headquartered there. We'll have a lot of fans out there and I can't wait to get out there and drive the No. 10 Chevrolet."
SEBASTIEN BOURDAIS (No. 11 Team Hydroxycut KVSH Racing Chevrolet): "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. 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."
TAKUMA SATO (No. 14 ABC Supply AJ Foyt Racing Honda): "Texas Motor Speedway is a thrilling track. It has got the steepest bank in the Verizon IndyCar Series and that gives us a lot of exciting racing. We can go side-by-side more often and sometimes even three-wide, although the recent reduction of downforce makes it quite challenging. I think Texas gives fans and us, as drivers, always great racing. As we are a Texas-based team, it's our home race too. We have lots of support from the fans and many of the crew's families come to the race, so I am really looking forward to having another strong weekend."
GRAHAM RAHAL (No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda): "It's hard to say what to expect at Texas Motor Speedway this year. In recent years, the racing has been difficult because we removed downforce and made the racing harder and harder. At this point, it's hard to say what it's going to be like but I'm sure we will put on a good race. We are going back to using the old style main plane, so I don't know that anybody has a real idea of where the car is going to be, performance-wise, just yet. At Indy, the aero kit was very good but there are a couple of different things that will change for Texas as far as the aero kit goes. We're just going to have to see how it all plays out. But we always put on a good race and a good show, so I'm sure it will be the same. The first things I think about when I think about the race at TMS are close racing and craziness. It's always close and always hard-fought. It feels good to get that race under your belt."
ED CARPENTER (No. 20 Fuzzy's Vodka CFH Racing Chevrolet): "I am really looking forward to getting back to Texas after winning there last year. The team had a tough month of May, so I am ready to go out and build some momentum to finish the season strong."
SIMON PAGENAUD (No. 22 Avaya Team Penske Chevrolet): "I really enjoy racing at Texas and feel as though a win could be just around the corner. Team Penske has won a lot of races there so the team knows how to prepare for the tough, high banks of that track. The coolest part about Texas, to me, is racing under the lights. Night racing just adds a little more excitement to the sport and I know the Avaya Chevrolet will look fantastic under the lights. We already have the best racing in the world in the Verizon IndyCar Series and Texas fits right in with that because we put on a great show there for all the race fans in that area. It's going to be an honor to represent Avaya again after our strong showing in Indianapolis. The car would also look great in victory lane."
CARLOS MUNOZ (No. 26 AndrettiTV/Cinsay Honda): "So we are heading back to Texas and back in the oval mind frame. Last year we were OK in Dallas, so we'll see how the new aero kit will perform there. Let's hope to continue our good momentum from our win in Detroit."
MARCO ANDRETTI (No. 27 Snapple Honda): "Texas Motor Speedway always produces a great race. I've always liked the night race there. We need to keep a streak going of top-five finishes to build on points. We are pushing as hard as ever to get a win - especially in Snapple's backyard of Dallas. It'll be great to give them a win at home. If we can keep gaining on it and get a win, we can move up into the top three in the championship."
RYAN HUNTER-REAY (No. 28 DHL Honda): "I didn't spend much time growing up in Dallas, but I was born there, so I'll always have that little bit of tie to Texas Motor Speedway. It's a great event each year, and I hope that this weekend we can get the DHL Honda to a good position in the field. It's been a bit of frustrating start to the season for us and we need to see each weekend as an opportunity to turn it around and get the back up to the front where we belong. We have a good team. We have good strategies. We have the drive to win. We just need all of these things to come together for us."
JACK HAWKSWORTH (No. 41 ABC Supply AJ Foyt Racing Honda): "I really enjoy this oval. It's very quick and the high banking makes for some good racing. There are a lot of different lines that you can take and tire degradation makes the race very interesting strategically. And I like the ovals at night. It's spectacular for the fans to watch the cars under the lights. There's a real stadium atmosphere and as a driver that's something I truly enjoy."
JOSEF NEWGARDEN (No. 67 Hartman Oil CFH Racing Chevrolet): "Texas Motor Speedway is going to be good. I'm excited to get there. Ed (Carpenter) had a very good race there, winning last year so we're hoping to repeat that this year. We've had a really fun time working together with this whole group, both the Hartman Oil crew and the Fuzzy's Vodka crew. For me on the driving side, it's been nice having Ed as someone to lean on and learn from. Hopefully, I can use him more at Texas. I think we're going to have good cars going there. We just have to cross all our T's and dot all our I's and I think we'll be in a good position."
CHARLIE KIMBALL (No. 83 Levemir FlexTouch Chevrolet): "After a rough weekend in Detroit, I think we're all ready to head down to Texas Motor Speedway for the Firestone 600. The Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing team scored a top-10 finish there last year, and I think we can improve on that this weekend. It's more of a mental race than you'd expect because of the speeds and how much the car changes throughout the duration of one stint. We'll definitely be working on our qualifying to start up front and go racing with the No. 83 Levemir FlexTouch Chevrolet from there."
GABBY CHAVES (No. 98 Bowers & Wilkins/Curb Honda): "I'm very excited to go to Texas, especially after our best result of the year so far (ninth in Detroit 2). We're hoping to continue with the momentum. Being my first time on a 1.5-mile high banked oval in the big car, I'm excited for that. We had a strong car at the Indy 500, so we feel confident the Bowers & Wilkins car will be good in Texas as well. I'm also looking forward to racing under the lights for the first time and to keep making progress as we've done every race weekend this year, so far."
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