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Thursday at Portland International Raceway - The track comes alive with IndyCars…
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Since the IndyCars haven’t been to PIR since 2007 and since they are using an entirely new chassis and aero package IndyCar set up a day of testing for all ahead of the race weekend. That meant two complete open test sessions and they were used by all 25 cars that will contest the race on Sunday.
Almost 2,200 laps were turned by all during the two sessions. Everyone went faster in the afternoon session so that is the one we are featuring here.
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Here was the order of speed for the T-2 session of IndyCars, with times for the TOP FIVE: [R] denotes rookie:
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1 - Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing - time of 00:58.3593s for a speed of 121.153mph
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2 - Will Power, Team Penske - time of 00:58.3928s for a speed of 121.083mph
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3 - Josef Newgarden, Team Penske - time of 00:58.4637s for a speed of 120.937mph
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4 - Marco Andretti, Andretti Autosport - time of 00:58.6123s for a speed of 120.630mph
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5 - Zach Veach [R], Andretti Autosport - time of 00:58.6625s for a speed of 120.527mph
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6 - Sebastien Bourdais, Dale Coyne Racing w/ Vasser/Sullivan
7 - Ryan Hunter-Reay, Andretti Autosport
8 - Ed Jones, Chip Ganassi Racing
9 - Alexander Rossi, Andretti Autosport
10 - Jack Harvey [R], Meyer Shank Racing with SPM
11 - Jordan King [R], Ed Carpenter Racing
12 - Matheus Leist [R], A.J. Foyt Enterprises
13 - Takuma Sato, Rahal Letterman Lanigan
14 - Gabby Chaves, Harding Racing
15 - James Hinchcliffe, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports
16 - Pietro Fittipaldi [R], Dale Coyne Racing
17 - Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan
18 - Simon Pagenaud, Team Penske
19 - Carlos Munoz, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports
20 - Spencer Pigot, Ed Carpenter Racing
21 - Santino Ferrucci [R], Dale Coyne Racing
22 - Charlie Kimball, Carlin
23 - Tony Kanaan, A.J. Foyt Enterprises
24 - Max Chilton, Carlin
25 - Alfonso Celis [R], Juncos Racing
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Notable:
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Of the 25 drivers, only 7 have ever driven an IndyCar at Portland before. They are Sebastien Bourdais (the 2007 race WINNER), Scott Dixon, Will Power, Simon Pagenaud, Graham Rahal, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Tony Kanaan. A few other drivers have driven smaller formula cars at Portland.
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In the TOP TEN there are 8 Hondas, with only Power and Newgarden in Chevys. The TOP 21 cars were all within a second of each other. This will be a TIGHT race.
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Andretti Autosport had all four of their drivers in the TOP TEN. Chip Ganassi had both of their drivers in the TOP TEN
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The highest performing rookie was Zach Veach who was P5, besting 5 of the 7 drivers with previous experience. The guy is having a great season end. Rookie Jack Harvey was also in the TOP TEN - the best guy from the Schmidt Peterson camp.
Scott Dixon (left) and Jack Harvey
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To a man, all of the 7 veterans with experience said that the track felt “completely different” from what they remembered, despite their being no radical changes to it since 2007 - just a complete repave and a slight change in one of the corners, taking out a slight rise that used to be there.
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The race weekend starts on Friday. Look for the race thread.
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