DETROIT -- Alterations to the Chevrolet and Honda road/street course aerodynamic platforms have been implemented by corresponding teams for this weekend’s Chevrolet Dual in Detroit presented by Quicken Loans.
INDYCAR mandated that Honda teams remove the outer vertical wall of the front wing assembly end fence, attached flaps and strakes.
“We’ve been very cautious of any change that would make the car a challenge to drive and spoke with the manufacturer beforehand to make sure that wasn’t the case,” INDYCAR vice president of technology Will Phillips said. “The manufacturer understood our motivation and supported this action.”
Teams have installed a patch where the vertical wall had been attached to the front wing assembly. There is minimal balance change required by teams, according to Phillips.
For the Detroit doubleheader, Chevrolet has introduced a winglet on the top of each sidepod for added downforce, creating a potential performance increase on the 2.35-mile, 14-turn street circuit.
“You pick and choose your homologated optional components depending on their efficiency for a specific track. Chevy deems this track is right for this part,” Phillips said.
More than $61,000 raised through 'Get Involved' campaign
The Pink “Get Involved” campaign 2015 around the No. 63 Dale Coyne Racing Honda driven by Pippa Mann in the 99th Indianapolis 500 supporting Susan G. Komen raised $61,150, which surpassed its goal by 22 percent.
“Turn the Cockpit Pink,” in which 80 names of honorees who either have fought or are fighting cancer were placed in the cockpit, raised $8,000 toward the total
"The most personal ‘perk’ for me was actually having those names in the cockpit with me," Mann said. "I always felt that this idea had the potential to turn into something special, but I don't think I really realized how special it was going to be until I started putting those names actually into the cockpit. It gave me goosebumps.
"After that, people started sharing their stories of why the names were there with me. I even heard from people who didn't expect to get emotional, and just thought it was something cool to do to help raise money for research, but then found themselves choking up when they saw the name of their loved one inside the cockpit. To strap in with those names alongside me on the Indy 500 race day was a very special experience."
Of note
Mark Reuss, the top product development executive at General Motors, will be the honorary pace car driver of the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 for both Verizon IndyCar Series races this weekend. ... A "#Get Well 5oon Hinch" banner is in the paddock at Belle Isle, referencing Schmidt Peterson Motorsports' driver James Hinchcliffe, who was injured in a practice crash May 18 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He was released from the hospital May 26. Conor Daly is driving the No. 5 Arrow/Lucas Oil Honda this weekend. ... Helio Castroneves took the Shell Eco-Marathon prototype car (below) for a short spin on Belle Isle.
