Huertas, Gonzalez, Phinny get initial track time in testing

By Dave Lewandowski | Published: Feb 23, 2015

Sebastien Bourdais

Eight drivers representing three Verizon IndCar Series teams, including the first on-track session of 2015 for Dale Coyne Racing, tested on the Sebring International Raceway short course in preparation for the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 27-29.

Carlos Huertas, a race winner in his rookie season in 2014, was in the No. 19 Dale Coyne Racing Honda. He was joined for team’s two-day session by Rodolfo Gonzalez, who tested with Dale Coyne Racing in September at Barber Motorsports Park and with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports.

Gonzalez, 28, of Venezuela, has driven in portions of four seasons in the GP2 Series (2009-2012) and the past two seasons was a Marussia F1 Team test driver. Gonzalez also made his European Le Mans Series debut in 2014.

Huertas, 23, of Colombia, recorded three top-10 finishes in 18 races last season, including the victory in Houston after starting 19th. Dale Coyne Racing returns to the Sebring road course Feb. 24.

"Made good progress with setup and learned a lot for tomorrow," Gonzalez said.

Also, Ryan Phinny was in the No. 4 KV Racing Technology car at Sebring. Phinny, 25, of Los Angeles, competed in five Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires races in 2014. Two weeks ago, Stefano Coletti was testing in the No. 4 Chevrolet.

“It’s always nice when you can enter a situation and immediately feel comfortable," Phinny said. "My primary focus was to get acclimated with the IndyCar and get as much seat time as possible. I’m looking forward to the next outing.”

Second-year KVSH Racing driver Sebastien Bourdais and Team Penske drivers Helio Castroneves, Juan Pablo Montoya, Simon Pagenaud and reigning Verizon IndyCar Series champion Will Power also were on the track.

"We finally got to tick off the list all the items we wanted to try during the offseason," said Bourdais, driving the No. 11 car. "I had a great workout running just over 140 laps and it was good to get everyone back in the groove after our first test at NOLA a few weeks ago. We will continue to keep understanding the car and hopefully find that sweet spot. Obviously, when we test at NOLA again in a few weeks, we will have the Chevrolet-developed aero kit, so it will be a totally different ballgame. But I’m excited and ready to have fun with it.”