IRL goes west

The IRL's now-traditional Test in the West kicks off tomorrow (Wednesday) at the 1 mile Phoenix International Raceway, providing the teams with their final opportunity to shake out the cars ahead of the start of the season.

David Cameron Feb 8, 2005, 10:49 AM

21 cars are expected to take advantage of the test, although IRL founder Tony George's new team in unlikely to be ready in time. The test will provide important set up information for the series rookies, including ex-Toyota Formula 1 tester Ryan Briscoe and ex-Toyota Atlantic runner Danica Patrick.

"We have a fast car. I wanted to get up to speed and learn the different grooves," Patrick, debuting for the Rahal Letterman team, told the series' website. "I am inexperienced at running in the pack and with pit stops - that will hold us back right now. On the oval, half-tenth a second is a lot in this series, and then you get into traffic and lose a second or two. It is a rhythm thing a lot of time."

The season opens on March 6 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.