AVONDALE, La. -- INDYCAR announced today that it has mandated structural upgrades to strengthen designated Honda and Chevrolet bodywork components in advance of this weekend’s inaugural Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana at NOLA Motorsports Park.
The modifications include the addition of components that will improve the overall strength of the bodywork for both manufacturer entries. The components have been re-designed by each manufacturer, respectively, and approved by INDYCAR for implementation for the balance of this season.
“We applaud both Honda and Chevrolet for their efforts to implement these changes,” INDYCAR president of competition and operations Derrick Walker said. “With a quick turnaround from St. Petersburg, our partners were very diligent in making these enhancements in time for this weekend’s event. We will continue this collaboration and expect additional improvements in the future.”
The structural upgrades were implemented to minimize the amount of damage to bodywork components in the event of car-to-car contact, which will benefit teams, manufacturers and Verizon IndyCar Series fans.
“INDYCAR delivers a quality racing product and we will always be proactive to implement changes that benefit our fans,” Walker continued. “These upgrades are a good first step that will make immediate improvements to the race this weekend at NOLA Motorsports Park.”
Honda Performance Development has updated the front-wing end plate and rear wheel guards, which consists of bonded-in-place panels. Chevrolet has added a flange at the base of the upper wing (the "stalk" as it's been called).
Firestone Racing group designing new rain tire
With inclement weather forecast this weekend in Louisiana, Firestone has brought an additional set of rain tires, totaling six sets, per car.
Firestone Racing will utilize the same rain tire used in 2014 as the Race Tire Development team is developing a new rain tire compound, which could be introduced in June. The same primary and alternate Firestone Firehawks used at Barber Motorsports Park last April are being used. Each entry receives nine sets of primary and three sets of alternates.
Of note
All Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and Cooper Tires USF2000 Powered by Mazda cars are carrying "Get well soon MJ" stickers for their weekend races. Pro Mazda driver Michael Johnson was injured in a practice session crash at St. Petersburg. Kyle Connery, teammate of Johnson's at JDC MotorSports, has a sticker on his helmet (photo below). ... Cara Adams, senior project engineer of Race Tire Development for Bridgestone Americas, is among the women recognized for their accomplishments in the quarterly magazine Today’s Tire Industry. … NBCSN will have 34 robo- and in-car cameras for its telecast of the Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana, its first of 11 race telecasts this season. … A black flag indicator (text and/or light) is mandatory in the dash/steering wheel configuration for each entry starting this weekend, according to the Verizon IndyCar Series rulebook. It will be triggered through the timing transponder by Race Control.
