Drivers fear chicane chaos

Elevated steel kerbs have been used to create a Bus Stop style detour on the pits straight. The aim of the chicane is to prevent cars approaching the first permanent corner three abreast. But while it forces drivers to run in single file, the chicane can be taken flat-out, and has already caused several incidents during the weekend.

"I'm very lucky that I'll have a clear view going through the chicane the first time because last year I was mid-pack and you could not see anything following other cars," said outside front row starter Denny Hamlin. "So it is a concern. Once the race gets going and spread out, it won't be such a big issue. But at the start of the race, it'll be a big issue."

"When you're in a pack and you go through the chicane you have to be careful and pay attention to it because there are going to be some cars thrown around there," said Belgian sportscar star Marc Goossens, who will start his first NASCAR Busch race from sixth.

"I don't like that chicane," agreed local hero Michel Jourdain Jr. "Last year in the race we were lucky, but we lost a lot of cars in practice."

Some drivers accepted the reasoning behind the chicane, but felt its design was flawed.

"I understand why it's there," said Todd Kluever. "But, I'd rather wreck down there (at turn one) getting run into by somebody going 30 mph than 150 mph, like we are in the chicane. I'd like to see it go, but that's just my personal opinion."

"I think they have enough run-off at the end of the straightaway," added John Andretti. "If the other series can run down there then I think we can do that, too.

"Or make it a tight chicane. Make it wide and move the walls back, and make it a proper chicane so that it becomes a passing zone."