Tyre degradation tipped to define Texas IndyCar race

IndyCar and tyre supplier Firestone have encouraged degradation on tracks such as Texas since 2012 in their efforts to eliminate the controversial 'pack racing', alongside changes including aero set-up stipulations - much to the chagrin of track owner Eddie Gossage, who believes his venue produced 'close' rather than pack racing.

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A combination of Firestone's compound for banked ovals making its first 2016 appearance, the evolution of the aero kits and the abrasive Texas surface will make managing that degradation the key challenge.

Last year Ganassi dominated at Texas, with 2015 winner Scott Dixon believing it hit upon the correct high downforce set-up.

"There's still going to be a good amount of degradation, but that's good for racing," said Dixon, who starts second this year.

"I think last year had all the components to make it a really close race.

"It was just kind of shocking that really only three or four cars chose to run the downforce that we did, which made the cars very consistent and good on the long runs, whereas the rest of the field were quite trimmed and were dropping like flies halfway through a stint.

"With what happened last year, I think you're going to see a lot of teams run similar downforce and pile it on."

That will be a compromise as those gambling on lower downforce will start stints much faster before their tyres fade.

"It's just so hard when you can potentially run 212mph or 214mph, then you pile on a bunch of downforce and can only run 207mph," Dixon continued.

"Nobody wants to run that. But on the long run, it's going to be a huge amount better for you.

"You're going to slow down three or four miles an hour instead of nine or 10."

James Hinchcliffe said the high-degradation policy "makes it more challenging for us and makes the show better and keeps it safe".

"The impetus is on the teams and drivers to make the set-up as easy on tyres as can be, drivers to be patient and not go flat-out at the beginning of the stint," he said.

"It's going to be a thinking man's game."

The domed skid introduced for safety will also influence degradation.

"It does affect the mechanical balance," said Dixon, a supporter of the rule.

"You get a little more washout because it seems to float the front a little bit more."

Helio Castroneves was relieved to qualify third as he thinks degradation will hamper anyone with ground to make up.

"If you are in the front you can save tyres but if you are having to pass people there is no way you will be running in clean air so you can't save the tyres," he said.

"I think some cars will pit for tyres before they need fuel."

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- The Autosport.com Team

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