Homestead testing kicks off

The last time the IRL raced at Homestead, in February 2003, the corners had a nearly flat 6-degree banking. This time, the banking starts at 18 degrees on the low groove, advances to 19 in the middle, and reaches 20 degrees at the top. The move was made to appease NASCAR, which raced on the new banking in November.

"It's turned out to be a circuit that I dislike, as I do with most of the high banks," said reigning champion Scott Dixon. "For NASCAR or some of the racing, it might be a little better. From what I saw, even Sam [Hornish Jr] struggled on the high side, and I was quite a bit slower."

Several of the teams had tested on the new configuration in November, but, under new restricted testing rules in 2004, Wednesday's sessions were the first shot at the new banking for most IRL teams.

"I'm pretty partial to the old track," said Hornish after his first open test with Marlboro Team Penske. "It was so wide that you could really have your car working in quite a few different places on the racetrack to be able to pass."

Helio Castroneves, topped out at over 216mph during Wednesday's afternoon session, said: "The more cars on the track, the more rubber will get laid down. I'm sure the track will be good and we'll see it like Kansas, Chicago, those circuits."

Drivers and teams also were adjusting to a reduction in airflow mandated by the IRL as a temporary fix until 3-litre engines are introduced at Indianapolis in May. The changes, including use of road-racing sidepods and other expected aerodynamic restrictions, came in response to several massive accidents last year.

"Even the difference it made with the hole in the airbox seems to have taken a bit out of the car," said Dixon. "With losing all of this horsepower, we're not going to have too much grip. I think that's going to be the big challenge for the series. I am sure they are very capable of compromising with downforce."