Power suggests second lane practice to improve IndyCar Phoenix races

The Phoenix circuit has a reputation for mostly one-lane racing, leading IndyCar to drag tyres around the outside lane in an effort to create more racing lines ahead of the 2018 race.

While Alexander Rossi was able to make more than 20 passes for position, drivers such as Power collided with the outside wall having gone off the racing line.

There had been hopes that the universal aerokit would improve racing going into the final year of IndyCar's current deal with Phoenix, but Power said a different solution is now needed.

"I think they need to run a session where they say you get a free set of tyres, a 15 or 20-minute session before final practice and say you can only run the second lane," he said.

"I think that is the only way you can bring that in.

"It's a one-groove track. IndyCar has done a fantastic job with the car, the turbulence is way less and there probably was a bit more passing now, but it's tough.

"Without a second lane - if you get a little bit up there you end up in the wall - no one wants to take the risk but I have to say the car has been really good. I think IndyCar did a great job."

Andretti's Rossi said that while the circuit needs changing, passing is possible in its current configuration.

"I'd love to see more banking, [make it] wider," he said. "I don't think that's really the changes they had in mind.

"I think the track is doing what they can. The series did a great job.

"Our #27 team were a representation if you nail it, you can pass. "It's very hard to do that week in and week out. I think it was a much better race than last year.

"But from my side, it was a lot easier to pass cars than last year.

"I think that's a shout out to [president of competition and operations] Jay Frye, his team in the competition department at IndyCar, for the changes they made.

"It's a moving target. It's a very difficult job to come up with aero packages and changes.

"I think St Pete was the most passes we have ever had at a street course before [and] there's probably quite a few passes here. So that's all steps in the right direction."

IndyCar and Phoenix are understood to be keen to renew their deal, although poor attendances and racing quality have been a concern.