INDYCAR: Sonoma test notebook

Via RACER.com

Chevy’s single-day test at Sonoma Raceway on Wednesday gave fans and media a chance to see six cars in action and a few new aerodynamic pieces break cover.

Six cars from Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Penske conducted engine and aero kit testing on behalf of the four-time IndyCar Manufacturers’ champion. Defending Verizon IndyCar Series title winner Scott Dixon drove his No. 9 CGR-Chevy bearing the retro Target lightning bolt livery, 2004 series champion Tony Kanaan had the new blue No. 10 at his disposal, Charlie Kimball unveiled a fetching new black and green scheme on the No. 83, and team newcomer Max Chilton (RIGHT) pressed the No. 8 into service for his maiden outing in a Dallara DW12. Helio Castroneves represented Team Penske in his familiar No. 3 and Simon Pagenaud was in the No. 22.

A mix of Firestone tires from 2014 and 2015 were used at Sonoma, and with some teams reportedly employing the horsepower-adding push-to-pass button on certain laps, lap times varied depending on which sets were bolted on and whether extra turbo boost and RPMs were involved. The fastest lap time was said to be a 1m17.0s, and all six cars are believed to have lapped the 2.2-mile, 11-turn road course between 1m17.0s-1m18.0s.

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