FORT WORTH, Texas -- There was overtaking on the inside and outside, side-by-side running and lap speeds that topped the pole mark -- all agreeable to 25 IZOD IndyCar Series drivers who navigated the 1.5-mile Texas Motor Speedway oval in the final practice for the Firestone 550.

It should agree with spectators, too, over the course of 228 laps June 9 (8 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network).

A portion of the aerodynamic platform of the new Dallara chassis -- its maiden competition on a 1.5-mile oval -- was tweaked twice via INDYCAR regulations from driver input during the lone day of track activities that included single pre- and post-qualifying practice. A one-eighth-inch-tall wicker across the rear wing will make a sizable difference in the racing product and drivers' comfort level on the high-banked oval.

INDYCAR vice president of technology Will Phillips said the wicker adds about 125 pounds of downforce to the car, enabling drivers to go flat out on fresh Firestone Firehawk tires. But the handling will be more difficult as the tread wears. The goal, as it has been since the October racing incident that claimed the life of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon, is to reduce large drafting packs of the open-wheel cars.

"As tires go off, it's not going to be so easy, which is something they've been clamoring for, 'You've got to put it back in our hands,' " Phillips said. "Some drivers are happy, some not so happy. I see it as a good compromise in trying to balance what we think will put on the best show in the safest possible fashion."

That's crucial to Alex Tagliani, who earned the pole for the second year in a row (215.5691 mph two-lap average) in the No. 98 Team Barracuda-BHA car.

"After what happened in Las Vegas, we need to leave here with a safe race," Tagliani said. "I think we've taken the right steps to do that."

Graham Rahal, who posted his highest qualifying position of the season of third in the No. 38 Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing car, agreed. Through dialogue with INDYCAR technical officials, an aero package that adds to race strategy and puts the car in the drivers' hands was achieved in nominal time. 

"This is what we asked for. It's the first time I've come here where we actually after to drive these things," he said. "It feels completely different. I think we'll see plenty of passing. It's going to be fun."

Scott Dixon, driving the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car with the wicker on the rear wing, recorded the quickest lap of the day (216.139 mph) in the evening session as track and ambient temperatures and grip levels more resembled what drivers will encounter than the mid-afternoon qualifying.

“I think it will be better racing; it won’t be fake racing,” Dixon said. “When you see passes, they will be complete passes now and not cars stuck side by side.”

Added teammate Dario Franchitti: "INDYCAR has not over-reacted, and they've made a small change, which I think is all that was needed."