Iowa test to check changes begins

Marco Andretti, Tony Kanaan, Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon tested different aero packages in order to find a more racy combination when the series resumes to the 0.875-mile speedway next summer. This year's inaugural race in June was marred by several crashes and single-file, low-line racing.

During Tuesday's first day of the two-day private test, the two teams - Andretti Green Racing and Target Chip Ganassi Racing - tried variations of front and rear wings, focusing primarily on wicker bills. The goal was to lighten the downforce and make the cars more difficult to handle and thus slower and racier.

"Last year, the cars could run flat on the low line, which was pretty comfortable to do, but it just didn't enable anybody to pass," said Dan Wheldon, who crashed on the first lap of this year's race.

"I have to say it's been handled in the right way by the different teams involved. They reduced the amount of downforce that we have with the cars in the quest of trying to move us away from that bottom line."

AGR's Andretti and Kanaan spent much of the afternoon portion of the test in tandem. During their breaks, Ganassi's Dixon and Wheldon would follow. Although no timing and scoring data was available, the cars reportedly were in the range of four to five mph slower than Dixon's pole winning speed of 182 mph.

Dixon crashed early in the June race, as did Kanaan. The race eventually was won by Dario Franchitti, but seven of the 18 other cars had crashed by the time he crossed the finish line.

The test will resume Thursday with Penske Racing's Helio Castroneves joining. Danica Patrick will replace Kanaan in the No. 11 AGR Honda/Dallara.