The new IndyCar Series road course event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May will feature some elevation change, thanks to the modifications recently made to the facility over the past several months.
VIDEO: Tony Kanaan takes a lap around the new Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course
Defending Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan recently took a lap around the renovated Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course -- in a Corvette.
The relatively flat track, used by Formula 1 and the Grand-Am Series, generated concern about the quality of racing it would produce. But the worry has been addressed as the recent renovation to the 2.439-mile track now includes three feet of change off Turn 1.
The track will be used as part of the inaugural Indianapolis Grand Prix that will officially begin the formal festivities surrounding the Indianapolis 500. The race weekend will consist from May 9-10.
The course will run in the clockwise direction -- opposite of the Indy 500 -- and they will make a hard right before going into Turn 4 of the oval.
This part of the track is considered Turn 1 for the Grand Prix and is where the elevation change can be found. The rise itself is located in the entrance of Turn 2 following the dip from dropping off the oval portion of the track.
It is in this section of the facility where the most work has been done, with a new chicane also being set up to lead into the run towards the road course’s backstretch.
The course has also undergone a variety of other repaves and adjustments leading up to the May event. The IndyCar Series will host an open test on the course set for April 30.
A video of defending Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan driving the course in a Corvette has been provided -- by IndyCar -- at the top of the post.
