Saturday morning’s “Systems Check” at Auto Club Speedway for all the Verizon IndyCar Series cars lasted but five minutes. The teams/drivers got one lap – one and done. It wasn’t a matter of timing or speed – it’s to make sure everything was ready for the race. Timing & Scoring didn’t record the session.
The temperature was a mild 75 F degrees, with a slight breeze. Very tolerable.
One such example was James Jakes/No.7 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda, who was able to make the Systems Session. Friday afternoon the crew thrashed to do an engine change and other checks. Jakes had blown an engine in the afternoon practice, causing a lengthy caution for expansive track oil removal.
Before and after the quick session, the teams put the final touches on the cars, set up the pit boxes in Race Day mode, and generally got ready – as well as packing up that which could now be put away for the trip back to the shop before the Milwaukee race in two weeks.
Saturday’s 250 lap/500 mile race will be broadcast live starting at 1pm PT/local time-4pm ET. Leigh Diffey is in the Booth, along with his F1 cohort, Steve Matchett and IndyCar driver, Paul Tracy. Reporting from the pits will be Jon Beekhuis, Kevin Lee, Robin Miller and Kelli Stavast.
The familiar voice of Paul Page will be on the IndyCar Radio Network, along with IndyCar driver/analyst, Jacques Lazier. Radio pit reports are Dan Rusanowsky, Nick Yeoman and Michael Young. On the turns will be Mark Jaynes and Jake Query.
For those who prefer electronic coverage can listen to Sirius 212, XM 209, IndyCar.com indycarradio.com and/or the INDYCAR 15 app. Timing & Scoring is found at RaceControl.IndyCar.com.
