The Verizon IndyCar Series drivers headed south for their final week of the official “off-season” Monday and Tuesday; 22 drivers met at Barber Motorsports Park near beautiful Birmingham, AL for the annual two-day open test. Andretti Autosport’s 2012 IndyCar champion Ryan Hunter-Reay, multiple IndyCar race winner James Hinchcliffe, series veteran Marco Andretti and rookie Carlos Muñoz took to the 2.3-mile permanent road course for 398 laps (or over 900 miles) of practice before the series heads even further south to the opening race in St. Petersburg, FL. The quartet kick off the 2014 season next Friday with their first round of practice beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET with live timing and scoring streaming on IndyCar.com.
Marco Andretti, No. 25 Snapple Honda
• Finished the 2013 season with a career best points standing of fifth place
• Recorded two pole positions and two podium finishes in 2013
• Entering his ninth season of IndyCar competition with Andretti Autosport
” Unfortunately we didn’t make a lot of progress the past two days. A lot of the answers we found today, we’ll have to retest and come back when it’s hotter. We’re really questioning a lot of our reads just because of the low temperatures. Obviously we’re not really pleased with the pace, but we’re really making some strides with the Honda side…the drivability side – I’m really pleased with, we just need to get the balance right for when we bring the Snapple car back next month.”
James Hinchcliffe, No. 27 United Fiber & Data Honda
• Recorded three IndyCar victories in 2013 (St. Pete, Brazil, Iowa)
• Finished eighth in the 2013 IndyCar points standings
• Carrying the blue and white livery of new primary sponsor United Fiber & Data
” It was a solid two days for the United Fiber & Data crew. Obviously we would have like the weather to cooperate a little bit better, but I think we got through a solid chunk of our program considering slightly reduced running. The end of the second day here at Barber was pretty frustrating; some things didn’t quite work out as planned but we got a lot of work done. Primarily working with Honda and getting everything sorted as best we can… like I said, solid couple of days. Hopefully the things that we learned here not only translate for when we come back next month, but can pay dividends as early as St. Pete.”
Ryan Hunter-Reay, No. 28 DHL Honda
• Has 11 career victories in 151 IndyCar starts
• Most successful American currently competing in IndyCar competition
• Returns to the No. 28 to symbolize 28 million people worldwide living with cancer
“It was a good test. We had track conditions shorten the test a bit, but it was the same for everybody. I’m pretty happy with the things we were able to work through. We still have a bit to do before we come back; we’re certainly not where we need to be. Where we ended up today is not where the DHL crew should be at the moment. We know some areas we need to close the gap on and we’ll continue working.”
Carlos Muñoz, No. 34 Cinsay Honda
• 2013 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year
• Competed in three IndyCar events in 2013 with a best start and finish of second at the Indy 500
• 2013 Colombia Driver of the Year
“Yeah, we had the chance to test the No. 34 Cinsay a lot the past two days. Maybe we were not in the position that we expected, but it’s testing. I learned a lot these two days. Also, the team tested out a lot of different things, so we were able to get a lot out of it. I think, personally, I need to work a lot more to get used to the car. The circuit (Barber Motorsports Park) was quite tough; there was a much more downforce than I’m used to having come from Indy Lights. I’m definitely more comfortable at this test than previous ones… I think we’ve made a lot of progress, and today was better than yesterday. Each time I get in the car is better than the last, so I’m just really looking forward to St. Pete.”