Ryan Briscoe
No. 2 IZOD Team Penske Dallara/Chevrolet
“As drivers we should all be excited with the track reconfiguration as it will help open up more areas for passing. With the new Turn 7 it is going to be a slower corner with heavy braking and later turning which will become an added passing opportunity. Turn 11 will also create a new challenge with a longer chute leading to carrying more speed into the Start/Finish line. I certainly welcome the new changes because they add to the beauty of driving the circuit.”
Will Power
No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Dallara/Chevrolet
“I am really looking forward to getting out on the reconfigured track to seeing how well the new changes promote passing. This was something we worked on in the offseason and I think it is really going to make for some exciting racing. We will know more after the testing but it looks like we will be able to go into Turns 7, 9 and 11 expecting to be able to make a move. I’ve enjoyed the racing at Sonoma in the past and expect to see even better racing this year.”
JR Hildebrand
No. 4 National Guard Panther Racing Dallara/Chevrolet
"I think it's great the track had decided to make the changes in Turn 11 and Turn 7, and they both should help create more passing opportunities. A longer Turn 11 especially will help because the way we ran the track previously we never could quite be in a position to make a pass, but with another 150 or 200 feet you can probably get it done. And it will also make the run up to Turns 1 and 2 more difficult because you're going to be going up there with a lot more speed.
Turn 7 is a tricky one, but it's time to try something different and having a hairpin at that point in the track will present more of an opportunity for passing. It will be more like a standard braking zone on the outside of the track, which will help the racing. At the end of the day they've adjusted two places where passing hadn't been an option previously, and now I think both turns will be places you can be successful in your passing attempts."
Bill Van de Sandt
Director of Operations for INDYCAR, sanctioning body for the IZOD IndyCar Series
“The modifications to the Sonoma track layout will enhance the competition on the track, making it a better show for the fans and more challenging for the drivers. This solution was truly a team effort using the input and feedback of IZOD IndyCar Series teams and drivers and the cooperation of Sonoma in working with INDYCAR to get it done.”
