All 24 IZOD IndyCar Series drivers, including first-time competitors James Davison and Luca Filippi, are expected to participate in the Open Test at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on July 31.
The 9 a.m.-5 p.m. session on the 2.258-mile, 13-turn road course, is open to ticket-holders for the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio on Aug. 4 or spectators who purchase a race ticket at the gate. The Keyhole and the Infield are open for viewing and fans are welcome to bring food and drinks.
“Having the full field here during race week is a nice treat for our fans that already have tickets to the main event. It practically turns a three-day event into four and adds more excitement to the Honda Indy 200,” track president Craig Rust said.
Following the Open Test, spectators can join IZOD IndyCar Series driver Charlie Kimball and others for the American Diabetes Association Community Walk to Stop Diabetes at 7 p.m. A guided tour of the venue follows the walk. Volunteers from the American Diabetes Association will be on hand to accept a donation.
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Two sessions of IZOD IndyCar Series practice complement Mazda Road to Indy practice and qualifications on Aug. 2. The three rounds of knockout qualifying for the Verizon P1 Award are scheduled for 2 p.m. Aug. 3 (the track has a added a fireworks show that night), and the race is at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 4 (2 p.m. on NBC Sports Network, which kicks off coverage with the Firestone Indy Lights Mid-Ohio 100). The new-for-2015 Honda NSX, which will be built in Central Ohio, will lead the field to the green flag.
The IZOD IndyCar Series race has been lengthened five laps to 90 (203 miles). Drivers will have 10 pushes for 20 seconds each of the overtake assist.
Scott Dixon, who has won the past three races to vault into second in the championship standings, has won the race the past two years.
Davison, who won the 2008 and '09 Firestone Indy Lights races at the venue, will make his IZOD IndyCar Series debut in the No. 18 Honda-powered car for Dale Coyne Racing. He tested at the facility June 25 and will get additional track time July 31. Filippi was announced late last week as the driver of the No. 98 Honda-powered Barracuda Racing car for the Open Test.
Tristan Vautier, who competed in an F1600 Series race at Mid-Ohio last weekend to get acclimated to the challenging layout, is the only other driver not to have competed.
Visit midohio.com anytime or call 800-643-6446 for more information.