Newgarden: “It will already be hard for veterans in Texas”

Like the Nascar,Indycar will resume competition on an oval known to be difficult. The American single-seater championship will begin its season this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway behind closed doors, three months after the start of the confinement which prevented the series from starting.

Josef Newgarden, winner in Texas last year and double Indycar champion, expects a difficult recovery after the absence of driving and the difficulties offered by the Texan oval.

“Texas Motor Speedway is a very difficult track, whether you're new to it or have been racing on it for 20 years, explained the Penske pilot. It's an intimidating oval. We generally have five races before this meeting which allow us to get our bearings again. It's already hard for the veterans to progress on this track, but it will be very difficult for the rookies. Texas is one of the toughest circuits and it represents a great challenge. »

“We may need to have a different approach to how to run. Rookies may need to be extra careful or avoid wheel-to-wheel duels”, added Josef Newgarden.

The double Indycar champion is also preparing to experience an event contested behind closed doors, in a special atmosphere very different from previous years.

“It will definitely be weird when we get out of the car and try to feed off the energy of the crowd because it won't be there anymore, commented Josef Newgarden. It will be very disappointing for everyone because that's why we love racing so much. The most important thing is to be able to restart the show and broadcast it live. »

Unlike Nascar, Indycar drivers will have fewer practice sessions before the start. The Genesys 300 at the Fort Worth oval will also be the first opportunity to see racing cars equipped with Aeroscreen, this cockpit protection similar to the Halo in F1.