In an effort to revive the excitement lost during last season’s Hy-Vee IndyCar Doubleheader Weekend, the NTT IndyCar Series conducted a crucial test at Iowa Speedway on Tuesday. Andretti Global and Arrow McLaren were called upon to trial aerodynamic changes, increased engine power, and a range of softer Firestone tires, all aimed at enhancing the racing experience on the 0.875-mile oval.
Leading the charge were Colton Herta of Andretti and Pato O’Ward of McLaren. After completing nearly 200 laps each, both drivers left Iowa with a sense of optimism that the test could mark a return to the intense on-track action that had been absent during the 2023 event.
In 2023, the combination of a new high-grip track surface, heavier hybrid-powered cars, and harder Firestone tires resulted in processional races. The lack of tire degradation robbed drivers of the ability to execute strategy-driven overtakes. The test on Tuesday sought to address these issues, with Herta clocking a best lap of 17.972s at 179.079 mph and O’Ward close behind at 18.030s at 178.50 mph, all while running softer tires and higher downforce packages.
The challenge of the day was the unseasonably cool 50°F weather, creating denser air and consequently adding more downforce than expected. Still, Herta was encouraged by what he experienced. “We came with a slightly different downforce package, similar to what we ran in Nashville. It’s positive because it’s inefficient for passing, which punches a bigger hole in the air. It’s slower in a straight line but better for overtaking,” Herta told Total-Motorsport.com.
Despite the cooler conditions, which affected the tire degradation data, Herta was still upbeat. “We’re happy with what we tried, but we’re taking everything with a grain of salt due to the low temperatures. But I think we did the first laps in this era’s DW12 that were flat around Iowa.”
For O’Ward, who heads to this weekend’s Formula 1 race at Circuit of The Americas, the test also delivered valuable insights. The Mexican driver said, “We learned a lot more than we thought we would. We tried tire extremes, one that didn’t degrade and another that degraded aggressively. The aggressive tire was reminiscent of Iowa a few years ago—starting a stint with all the grip in the world, and by lap 50, you’re three seconds off the pace.”
O’Ward believes this variation in tire life is what could bring back the thrilling strategies and overtaking opportunities that make oval racing special. “That’s what made Iowa so crazy and enjoyable before. Different cars on different tire strategies—it created real excitement. I think when we return, the racing will be better.”
Both drivers agreed that the test was a success, with promising directions identified for the upcoming season. The series now looks ahead, hopeful that the next iteration of racing at Iowa will reignite the drama and unpredictability that fans have come to expect from IndyCar.
