Let the real first season begin.
IndyCar Series teams will return to the track Feb. 24-25, marking the first time since unification was announced last February that all teams will participate together at an Open Test.
With last year’s unification announcement coming just days before pre-season testing, teams and drivers new to the IndyCar Series spent months playing catch-up. They missed the February Open Test at Homestead-Miami and had a separate Open Test at Sebring, Fla. They went deep into the season acquiring and preparing back-up cars.
Despite the challenges, 2008 was a banner year that included breakthrough wins by rookies Graham Rahal and Justin Wilson.
With a full year of unification in the rearview mirror, 2009 promises to be even better.
“It’s definitely going to be tougher,” said seven-year veteran Vitor Meira, who moves to A. J. Foyt Racing in 2009. “With the offseason that we have, the new teams have had a lot of time to think, a lot of time to correct their mistakes. Since their learning curve is higher than ours, they’re going to be able to start in better shape than last year.”
Additional changes include the addition of two street courses with long, successful histories in Long Beach, Calif., and Toronto. Winners in the 25-year Indy car history at Long Beach include Mario and Michael Andretti, Al Unser Jr., Helio Castroneves and Will Power. Indy car racing in Toronto dates back to 1967 with winners including A. J. Foyt, Michael Andretti (7 times) and 2007 Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti.
“Unification was the best thing that could’ve happened for open-wheel racing in North America,” said Power, who signed with Team Penske for 2009 after recording five top-10 finishes in 2008. “With one series, I think it’s created a lot more interest in the sport and I see that momentum building even stronger in 2009. We now have the best drivers competing in one series, and that’s caused all of us to really step up our game to be the most competitive we can be out on the track.”
Franchitti returns to the IndyCar Series in 2009 as teammate to 2008 champion Scott Dixon, marking the first time consecutive Indianapolis 500 winners and series champions will be teammates.
“I’m very excited to be coming back to the IndyCar Series,” Franchitti said. “I think the unified series is excellent news. I think the schedule was a big part of my decision, plus the chance to drive for Target Chip Ganassi Racing, which is a great team.”
“I watched a lot from a distance last year to see what was happening. You saw the potential of the new teams, with Graham winning at St. Pete. I think as those teams get more and more used to the regulations in the IndyCar Series, you’re going to see the field get even more competitive, the drivers get more used to driving on ovals. It’s going to be tough. I said to Scott recently, ‘We’re going to have to have everything together.’”
Off the track, the benefits of unification include an uncluttered sales landscape, additional television exposure and increased marketing opportunities for the series, tracks and sponsors.
“From a commercial standpoint, unification continues to bring unparalleled successes,” said Terry Angstadt, president of the commercial division of the sanctioning Indy Racing League. “Previously, half of our battle was trying to explain the differences between two racing series. That battle is gone, and doors are opening much easier now.”
Tracks and sponsors also benefit by having more time to promote more drivers on their materials.
“2008 was very exciting, a history-making season,” Angstadt said. “We think 2009 will be even more so.”
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