Last weekend’s non-points exhibition at the 3.067-mile, 17-turn circuit featured nine hours of testing ahead of qualifying to set the field for two heat races, with the top six advancing into a 20-lap, two-segment main event.
The on-track product saw zero lead changes in either the heats or the final, with a combined 39 passes spread across a total of 38 laps - while Heat 1 switched to a 20-minute timed race after an early caution negated the window to complete 10 laps.
There were some strategy games involved, though, as drivers were equipped with one set of tyres for the final on a track surface and compound combination that provided high degradation. Andretti Global’s Colton Herta was the primary standout to take advantage that situation by riding around at roughly 10s off the pace in 12th and last for the majority of the opening segment before charging to fourth in the second half.
Meyer Shank Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist, who finished third in the final on Sunday and also took home a victory in the opening heat, praised IndyCar’s out-of-the-box thinking.
“I thought it was really interesting from a driver's standpoint because you had to think very big picture all the time,” Rosenqvist said.
“You were always worried that someone might save the tyres more, and they had a go at the end.”
Rosenqvist found Herta’s strategy “interesting” and thought it added to the entertainment. He then offered options for the future, which included having all cars in the final instead of only 12.
“Obviously, you can tweak stuff like race length,” Rosenqvist said.
Source: Autosport