AVONDALE, La. – Verizon IndyCar Series rookie Gabby Chaves says that the inaugural Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana at NOLA Motorsports Park presents an opportunity “to level the playing field.”
“I think that NOLA being a new track on the schedule will be a good thing for us since other drivers don’t have years of experience around here,” said Chaves, who finished 17th in his Verizon IndyCar Series debut on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., on March 29. “We learned in St Pete about tire management, which may play a big role at NOLA too and allow for some close racing with plenty of opportunities to overtake.
“Our test went well at NOLA. Additionally, what we learned in the first race will be especially helpful for race strategy.”
Click it: Qualifying groups || Practice 3 results || Combined practice results
Chaves, driving the No. 98 Bowers & Wilkins/Curb Honda for Bryan Herta Autosport, was third on the time sheet at 1 minute, 18.7220 seconds in the practice preceding qualifications for the inaugural Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana.
"We knew we had the potential, it was a matter of getting the laps and miles that we need to keep progressing," add Chaves, the 2014 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires champion. "(The transition from Indy Lights) has been good but it hasn't been easy. It's a completely different animal. You're dealing with more weight, more downforce, a lot more power. I have a great team behind me to make that transition as smooth as possible."
Scott Dixon was quickest on the 2.74-mile, 13-turn NOLA Motorsports Park road course (1:18.5538) in the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet. Simon Pagenaud was second quick (1:18.6119) in the No. 22 Penske Truck Rental Chevrolet. Reigning series champion and St. Petersburg pole sitter Will Power was fourth (1:18.7246) in the No. 1 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet and another first-year driver, Sage Karam, was fifth (1:18.7741) in the No. 8 Comfort revolution/Big Machine Records Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet.
The three rounds of qualifications, culminating in the Firestone Fast Six to determine the Verizon P1 Award winner, starts at 5:15 p.m. (ET). Watch it live on NBCSN.
The network is on the air at 2:30 p.m. (ET) April 12 for the telecast of the 75-lap race.
Eight drivers bettered the quick lap of 1:18.8753 turned by Tony Kanaan in the first practice session April 10. Kanaan, driving the No. 10 NTT Data Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet, was among them at 1:18.8571.
Kanaan, who will be making his 296th Indy car start, agreed with Chaves about leveling the field.
“I think it kind of brings everybody together. Everybody is learning every section and then you go and look at the footage,” Kanaan said. “You say, ‘Why was he quicker than me there?’ It’s a learning process for everybody, which I think it brings the field a little bit closer.”