Oval gets thumbs up from Franchitti

"It's pretty good, actually," said Franchitti. "I'll tell you what, there are three distinctive corners out there. It's not like they're the same, they're very distinctive and different from each other. It's pretty challenging and a lot of fun. The set-up is unique. It's like a faster version of Rio, but slightly less bumpy. I like it, and I think if we can clean the track up a bit more in the morning, it will be a great race."

Franchitti was particularly enthusiastic about the German fans, who he recalled fondly from his days of racing in the DTM touring car championship in 1996.

"Brilliant!" he exclaimed. "We've had nothing but rain for a day and a half, and they've stood right out there in it. This is what it's all about. I'm glad we were able to get on the track today to show them what they were waiting for. It would have been a terrible thing for them to come here and not see a car run. I'm looking forward tomorrow because there's going to be a heck of an atmosphere."