NTT INDYCAR SERIES teams test new track surface and hybrid drive unit

June 28, 2024

NTT INDYCAR SERIES teams test new track surface and hybrid drive unit

June 28, 2024 | By INDYCAR

NEWTON, Iowa (June 27, 2024) — With just 15 days remaining until the Hy-Vee INDYCAR race weekend July 12-14, NTT INDYCAR SERIES teams spent Thursday testing some new elements that will be used during the series’ doubleheader weekend at Iowa Speedway.

The cars were on track from 10:00 a.m. CT Thursday morning to 9:00 p.m. CT. The lengthy test session gave the teams and drivers ample opportunity to familiarize themselves with the partially resurfaced Iowa Speedway track surface while also testing the new hybrid powertrain that will officially debut at the next NTT INDYCAR SERIES race on the calendar. After an extensive testing program, the INDYCAR hybrid era begins on July 7 at the series’ annual event at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The first oval races with the new hybrid powertrain will then take place the following week during the Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway.

A total of 10 NTT INDYCAR SERIES teams and 27 cars tested throughout the day Thursday at the “World’s Fastest Short Track” as the series’ teams and drivers prepare for their return visit to Iowa Speedway July 12-14. Two former NTT INDYCAR SERIES race winners at Iowa, five Indianapolis 500 winners and four former series champions were among the drivers testing Thursday at the track, whose four turns were repaved in the spring. The new surface resulted in increased speeds during Thursday’s test as several drivers unofficially beat the INDYCAR SERIES track record of 186.809 mph set by Helio Castroneves in 2014 on the qualifying round.

“I think it’s going to be a lot different this year. The track is basically brand new and with the resurfacing in the corners, it’s going to drive a lot different than it has before,” said Newgarden, the two-time defending Iowa race champion who has won five of the series’ last seven races at Iowa Speedway. “I love this track. I always have and I love the area. Newton comes to life even more on race weekends now thanks to the collaboration with Hy-Vee. Hy-Vee has been a great partner for us and has made this event an absolute highlight.”

Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend will once again provide fans with an unforgettable entertainment experience July 12-14 at Iowa Speedway, offering a turbo-charged mix of thrilling racing on the “world’s fastest short track” combined with a fantastic concert lineup featuring some of the biggest names in music. Luke Combs and Eric Church will perform on Saturday, July 13, and Kelsea Ballerini and Post Malone will take the stage on Sunday, July 14.

“I think (the partial resurfacing) has leveled the playing field. It’s a big day, you know, it’s a good day for a test,” said Graham Rahal, who along with Newgarden posted one of the fastest times Thursday. “For us as a team, Hy-Vee is obviously our biggest partner and we really want to do well for Hy-Vee here. Hy-Vee’s commitment to our sport is unmatched. And that’s why we want to win for them.”

For the third consecutive year, the Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend will feature an NTT INDYCAR SERIES doubleheader with racing on Saturday and Sunday of race weekend. The Hy-Vee Homefront 250 presented by Instacart will take the green flag on Saturday, July 13, with the first night race at Iowa Speedway in four years taking the green flag at 7 p.m., followed by the Hy-Vee One Step 250 presented by Gatorade on Sunday, July 14 at 11 a.m. CT. Both races will be broadcast live on NBC and streamed live on Peacock. In addition, the rising stars of INDY NXT by Firestone will also compete on Saturday, July 13 (1:05 p.m. CT on Peacock).

To purchase tickets for the 2024 Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend and learn more about the event, visit https://www.hyveeindycarweekend.com/.

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Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned company that operates over 570 stores in nine Midwestern states and generates annual sales of over $13 billion. The supermarket chain is synonymous with quality, variety, convenience, healthy living, culinary excellence and outstanding customer service. Hy-Vee is one of the top 5 most trusted brands and has been named one of the top 3 favorite grocery stores in America. The company’s more than 75,000 employees give customers “a helpful smile in every aisle” every day. For more information, visit www.hy-vee.com.

INDY CAR is the Indianapolis-based governing body for North America’s premier open-wheel auto racing series, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and its developmental series INDY NXT by Firestone. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES features an international field of the world’s most versatile drivers – including two-time and reigning series champion Alex Palou, six-time series champion Scott Dixon, two-time series champion and reigning Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden and two-time series champion Will Power – competing on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road courses. The 2024 season will consist of 17 races in the United States and Canada and will culminate in the historic Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDY NXT by Firestone, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMS Productions are owned by Penske Corporation, a global leader in transportation, automotive and motorsports. For more information about INDYCAR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, visit www.indycar.comFor more information about INDY NXT from Firestone, visit www.indynxt.com.