Carbon dust permeated a section of the Dallara Auomobili facility in Speedway, Ind., as personnel cut three slots in underwing supports of the new IZOD IndyCar Series cars to lessen lateral and maintain vertical stiffness.

While it might seem contrary to safety objectives, testing by Dallara earlier this week found that the stiffness of the underwing supports could be a contributing factor to the car slightly lifting off the racetrack in three instances over the Indianapolis 500 qualifying weekend when it impacted the SAFER Barrier with the car's centerline parallel to the wall.

"Dallara's response has been immediate to try and make sure all improvements possible could be implemented in time for the race -- all credit to them," said Will Phillips, vice president of technology for INDYCAR, sanctioning body of the IZOD IndyCar Series. "Feedback from observers, safety officials and drivers enabled Dallara to have the data very quickly, and their solution and response is a great example of how safety comes first."

The simple modification will be complete for Miller Lite Carb Day on May 25 on all 33 cars in the starting lineup for the 96th Running of the 500 Mile Race on May 27.

Through the nine days of practice and qualifications, five crashes were recorded. All competitors -- Josef Newgarden, Bryan Clauson, Oriol Servia, Ed Carpenter and Charlie Kimball -- were checked at the infield medical center and cleared to drive.

The 2.5-mile racetrack is the first oval test for the new car that was designed and manufactured with safety features not incorporated in the car that had been in use from 2003-11.

Crash computer modeling and sled testing of the monocoque, roll hoop, attenuator, side and bottom intrusion panels and nose box was part of the design and development process at the company's Italy headquarters.

Franchitti in the broadcast booth

Target Chip Ganassi Racing's Dario Franchitti will join Mike King and Arie Luyendyk Jr. in the broadcast booth for the the Firestone Indy Lights' Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The race broadcast will be aired live on NBC Sports Network at noon (ET) as part of the network's Miller Mite Carb Day coverage from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Franchitti also launched his Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/thedariofranchitti.  Fans can get the latest news and photos of the four-time IZOD IndyCar Series champion both on and off the racetrack.

Andretti, Vidan to enter Hall of Fame

Driver Michael Andretti and longtime Indianapolis 500 Chief Starter Pat Vidan are the 2012 inductees to the Auto Racing Hall of Fame.

Special recognition will be paid at the induction ceremony May 24 to the 11 living multiple Indianapolis 500 winners and late two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Wheldon, who died in October after winning the “500” last May.

The Auto Racing Hall of Fame, established in 1952, is located at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum.

Chevrolet team receives Schwitzer Award

Mark Kent, Director of Chevrolet Racing, along with GM Development/Combustion Systems Engineer Matt Wiles, have been awarded the BorgWarner Louis Schwitzer Award in recognition of their development of the Chevrolet IndyCar V-6 engine.

Chevrolet’s first IZOD IndyCar Series engine since 2005 was built through a collaborative effort, uniting Chevrolet and General Motor’s experience in E85 fuel and direct injection with Ilmor Engineering's race engine design expertise.