According to a press release from the IRL, all teams will be allowed to makes further aerodynamic adjustments to their challengers, thanks to tire ramps, sidepod extensions or brake backing plates. All these elements will presumably lead to 300-pound increase in downforce, which will boost overtaking inside the sport.
The aerodynamic tools will be used only on 1.5-mile oval tracks, meaning the Kentucky Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Kansas Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway. The teams will not be able to benefit from the new changes during the three consecutive road-course grands prix scheduled in July.
“The good news is it shouldn't introduce costs back into what we're doing because these are all things teams have had and know what their affect is,” said Brian Barnhart, president of the competition and operations divisions of the sanctioning Indy Racing League, as reported by the series' official site.
“We have always prided ourselves on doing our best to create the most entertaining and compelling on-track product in motorsports, and I think in the last several years - especially with this version of race car - we've been very successful in achieving that,” added Barnhart.
Recent reports showed immense criticism from the IRL fans on the basis of lack of overtaking during this year's races. Last weekend's race at Richmond was proof enough, as most of the overtaking happened on the pit lane and not on the track. In fact, Target Ganassi winning duo Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti themselves apologized for the lack of show on Sunday.
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