HOMESTEAD-MIAMI OPEN TEST SET TO BEGIN

Homestead-Miami Open Test set to begin: Scott Dixon has had five months to contemplate what could have been in the 2006 IndyCar Series season. Now he’s ready for 2007.

Dixon is looking forward to the Feb. 21-22 Open Test on the 1.5-mile Homestead-Miami Speedway oval.

“I think the (IndyCar Series) done the right thing in trying to compress the season with getting as many races in as possible, a lot of back-to-backs that keeps the audience watching,” said Dixon, the 2003 series champion who posted two victories last season with Target Chip Ganassi Racing.

IndyCar Series drivers had two days of testing on a modified Daytona International Speedway road course in preparation for five road/street courses – an increase of two – on the 17-race schedule. The two six-hour sessions on the Homestead-Miami Speedway oval will be the only opportunity to go through a long checklist of items before the March 24 prime-time opener at the speedway.

“I’m excited for Homestead,” Dixon said. “It’s going to be good to see how our cars are going to do on the ovals.”

Four things that highlight the two days of testing:

•Under the lights: The IndyCar Series will open its season with a night race – a first in major open-wheel history. The testing from 4-10 p.m. on Feb. 21 and 22 will allow teams to get a baseline on evening conditions.

•100 percent fuel-grade ethanol: All IndyCar Series competitors will employ the 3.5-liter Honda Indy V-8 engine fueled by 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol. The series is the first in motorsports to embrace a renewable fuel source. Drivers at the Daytona test reported no interface concerns and were praising the additional low-end torque with the move from the 3.0-liter engine used in ’06.

•Top five contenders return: Every driver expects another close championship race, with some new teams challenging for the top five. Three-time series champion Sam Hornish Jr. returns, along with Dan Wheldon, Helio Castroneves, Dixon and Vitor Meira. Hornish, who tied with Wheldon in points after 14 rounds but won the first tiebreaker (four victories to two), is a three-time winner at Homestead.

•Faces in new places: An off-season game of musical chairs has produced an interesting lineup of driver-team pairings.

oAfter two years of IndyCar Series competition with Rahal Letterman Racing, Danica Patrick moves to Andretti Green Racing looking for her first career win. Patrick joins the team’s returning lineup of Marco Andretti, Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan.

oScott Sharp joins Rahal Letterman Racing for his 12th season of competition. Sharp has made 129 starts and scored nine victories.

oPanther Racing expands to a two-car effort with the pairing of Kosuke Matsuura, the 2004 Bombardier Rookie of the Year, with Meira.

oAfter naming Larry Foyt to team director at the end of last season, A.J. Foyt Racing has hired Darren Manning to drive the No. 14 car. After a two-year absence from the IndyCar Series, Manning looks to rebound under the watch of racing legend A.J. Foyt.

oDreyer & Reinbold Racing expands to two cars with Sarah Fisher and 2004 Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Rice in the seats. Fisher made two starts in 2006 with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, while Rice spent the past three seasons competing with Rahal Letterman Racing.

FAST FACTS:

WHAT:

IndyCar Series Open Test

WHERE:

Homestead-Miami Speedway, 1.5-mile variably banked asphalt oval

WHEN:

4 p.m. – 10 p.m. Feb. 21-22

CARS:

Dallara chassis; Honda Indy V-8; Firestone tires; 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol

SCHEDULE (All times local; subject to change):

Wednesday, Feb. 21

Noon – 3 p.m. IndyCar Series Media Day activities (transcripts available at www.indycar.com/media)

4 p.m. – 10 p.m. IndyCar Series testing

Thursday, Feb. 22

Noon – 3 p.m. IndyCar Series Media Day activities (transcripts available at www.indycar.com/media)

4 p.m. – 10 p.m. IndyCar Series testing

THE TRACK:

1.5-mile asphalt oval; 55 feet wide

Frontstraight: 1,760 feet banked at 4 degrees

Backstretch: 1,760 feet banked at 4 degrees

Turns: 650 feet variably banked at 18, 19 and 20 degrees

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