Wheldon completes first oval test at Indianapolis with 2012 Dallara

The two-time Indy 500 took to the oval track for the first time to carry out a three-day testing session in which he worked on superspeedway validation with the Dallara chassis.

Teams are scheduled to take delivery of their first chassis in mid-December to begin testing at the start of 2012.

"Any time you come to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is always good, and when you come as the reigning Indianapolis 500 champ, it's special," said Wheldon. "The first time I was back here since winning the race I was on the road course, so it's nice to be back on the oval.

He added: "We'll wait till (September 29) to put the big numbers down. We have to manage our expectations. I know everybody wants to see huge speeds, but it's about doing what's right for the car.

"This is our final test, and it's important that we learn enough so when the customers get their cars we feel we've given them something they'll be very happy with."

Wheldon will return to action next week together with Helio Castroneves and Graham Rahal for tyre testing in the current car to carry out back-to-back comparisons.

"We've gone through all the different types of circuits but one (1.5-mile oval, which will be addressed during the manufacturer test phase) and validated the aero configuration against the speed that we intend to have for next year," said INDYCAR Vice President of Technology Will Phillips.

"It's really been a good collaboration from Bryan Herta Autosport, from Dan and his previous experience and from Dallara."