What to watch for: IndyCar at Texas (8 p.m. ET, NBCSN & Live Extra) - MotorSportsTalk

AVOID TIRE TURMOIL

Ever since an aerodynamic package with lower downforce was introduced at Texas Motor Speedway a few years ago, tire management has become vital to success at this track. Tonight, teams will have the option to run as much as 300 extra pounds of downforce on their cars, which could help somewhat with degradation problems. But taking care of the rubber throughout a fuel run will still be important for the drivers.

CHIP’S CREW

Yes, Team Penske’s got the mojo after Detroit and one of those Motor City winners, Will Power, is on pole. But three of the four Chip Ganassi Racing guys – Tony Kanaan (starting third), Scott Dixon (seventh), and Ryan Briscoe (13th) – have been excellent in practice heading into tonight. And let’s not forget Charlie Kimball, who’s coming off a podium finish in Detroit Dual 2 and has proven he can hold his own on high-speed ovals like Texas.

ROOKIE CHALLENGE

Considering the nature of racing at Texas, you’d figure that rookies such as Carlos Munoz, Mikhail Aleshin and Jack Hawksworth – all of them blessed with heavy right feet – are willing to let it all hang out on the high banks. But that pesky tire management thing could blunt their progress if they’re not careful. Watch and see if these guys can keep their youthful aggression in check.

GIMME 20 MORE!

Tonight’s race has been increased to a distance of 600 kilometers from the previous 550, which works out to 20 extra laps around TMS (248 in total). Could that have an impact on tire and fuel strategies toward the end?

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In a continuing effort to help fans keep track of the on track action, SuperMotocross is in the process of developing and implementing leader lights for the unified series.

Currently Supercross (SMX) utilizes stanchions in the infield that are triggered manually by a race official. At least two stanchions are used in each race as a way to draw the eye to the leader, which is especially useful in the tight confines of the stadium series when lapping often begins before the halfway mark in the 22-bike field. This system has been in place for the past two decades.

Later this year, a fully automated system will move to the bike itself to replace the old system. At that point, fans will be able to identify the leader regardless of where he is on track.

The leader lights were tested in the second Anaheim round this year. An example can be seen at the 1:45 mark in the video above on the No. 69 bike.

“What we don’t want to do is move too fast, where it’s confusing to people,” said Mike Muye, senior director of operations for Supercross and SMX in a press release. “We’ve really just focused on the leader at this point with the thought that maybe down the road we’ll introduce others.”

Scheduled to debut with the first SuperMotocross World Championship race at zMax Dragway, located just outside the Charlotte Motor Speedway, a 3D carbon fiber-printed LED light will be affixed to each motorcycle. Ten timing loops positioned around the track will trigger the lights of the leader, which will turn green.

SMX’s partner LiveTime Scoring helped develop and implement the system that has been tested in some form or fashion since 2019.

When the leader lights are successfully deployed, SuperMotocross will explore expanding the system to identify the second- and third-place riders. Depending on need and fan acceptance, more positions could be added.

SuperMotocross is exploring future enhancements, including allowing for live fan interaction with the lights and ways to use the lighting system during the race’s opening ceremony.

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