AVONDALE, La. – Almost half of the next 63 days involve on-track sessions for Verizon IndyCar Series drivers, with the April 10 Promoter Test at NOLA Motorsports Park kicking off the busy late spring stretch.
First-year driver Stefano Coletti welcomes the opportunity to further explore the KV Racing Technology Chevrolet on eight different racetracks through the June 14 Honda Indy Toronto.
“It’s something I haven’t done before because in Europe we had big breaks between races,” said Coletti, who had competed in the GP2 Series and Formula Renault 3.5 Series since 2010. “You just have to be 100 percent ready mentally and physically, especially when you go to Indianapolis.”
Following the inaugural Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana this weekend, team transporters will make a 1,900-mile trek across I-10 to Southern California for next week’s 41st Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach and then double back for the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala., on April 25-26.
Chevrolet and Honda will unveil their speedway aerodynamic bodywork packages for the May 3 Promoter Test on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, and a Promoter Test on the IMS road course May 7 precedes the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis.
“I don’t even know what to expect from the oval,” said Coletti, who turned 26 on April 6. “It’s something you need to experience to understand. But I have some great people around me, including (team co-owner) Jimmy (Vasser), who can help me a lot.
“It’s going to be hard for the drivers because every weekend we’ll be on track, and especially in May when every day we’ll be on track.”
Every racetrack on the calendar is new to Coletti, who is driving the No. 4 Variable Bore Rams-KV Racing Technology Chevrolet at NOLA Motorsports Park.
“I’ve always learned them quickly,” he said. “I have to be quick on them, too. Everyone thinks motorsport is easy, but they’ll see that it’s not that easy and we have to work hard for it.”
Upcoming schedule:
• April 10-12, NOLA Motorsports Park, Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana
• April 17-19, Streets of Long Beach, Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
• April 25-26, Barber Motorsports Park, Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama.
• May 3, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, oval aero platform Promoter Test.
• May 7-9, Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis.
• May 11-15, Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, Indianapolis 500 practice.
• May 16-17, Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, Indianapolis 500 qualifications.
• May 18, Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, Indianapolis 500 practice.
• May 22, Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, Indianapolis 500 final practice.
• May 24, Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, 99th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.
• May 29-31, Belle Isle street course, Chevrolet Indy Dual in Detroit Presented by Quicken Loans.
• June 5-6, Texas Motor Speedway, Firestone 600.
• June 12-14, Exhibition Place street course, Honda Indy Toronto.