Scott Dixon has ended the open test at the newly configured Texas Motor Speedway fastest, amid preparations for the Rainguard Water Sealers 600 race in June.
During the off-season the 1.5-mile oval underwent an extensive multi-million dollar refit, with the entire track surface repaved and Turns 1 and 2 both widened and re-profiled down to 20 degrees from 24 degrees.
Meanwhile, the banking at Turns 3 and 4 remains at 24 degrees.
The main aim of the open test was to allow teams to acquire a perfect aero configuration for the race in June, with drivers purposefully running side-by-side and on high fuel levels to simulate race conditions.
Four-time champion Dixon ended both sessions fastest throughout the day, ending the combined classification ahead of 2016 race winner Graham Rahal with a speed of 221.974mph.
Dixon completed the test in Charlie Kimball’s No. 83 Chip Ganassi car after seven Honda-powered cars, including Dixon’s No. 9 car, were withdrawn from the event as a precaution after arriving at the track with a higher mileage to their engines.
“It is hard coming to a place for the first time,” explained Dixon, who won at Texas in 2008 and 2015.
“It is probably 20 degrees cooler than when we come back down the road, so you try to take in a lot of information and make the best decisions for something that will work for everyone.”
Reigning champion Simon Pagenaud was impressed with the changes to the track, ending the day third overall in the combined classification.
“It’s a different layout, for sure,” said Pagenaud."The radius of Turn 1 is different, the exit of Turn 2 is as well. It definitely helps promote the side-by-side racing.
“The tarmac is really smooth. The bumps are all gone. It’s just about us learning how to make the tyres work best with the race track.”
