Road America to host IndyCar test on September 22 - MotorSportsTalk

Road America will host a post-season IndyCar test on September 22 ahead of the series’ full return to the track in 2016.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Road America confirmed that five teams would be attending the single test day in two weeks’ time.

IndyCar will return to the Wisconsin circuit next year for the first time since 2007’s Champ Car event, with the Road America Grand Prix scheduled to take place on June 26.

Road America confirmed that half of the $20 admission fee for fans attending the test day would be donated to the Wilson Children’s Fund.

“Race fans and the media are invited to a preview of the highly anticipated return of Indy car racing at Road America on Tuesday, September 22, as several teams from the Verizon IndyCar Series will take part in a test session,” a statement from Road America reads.

“The test session is being held in advance of the series’ return to the revered road course for the Road America Grand Prix, June 23-26, 2016.

“Admission to the test session is $20, with 50 percent of every ticket sold going to the Wilson Children’s Fund to benefit the family of the late Justin Wilson. Fans will also have the option to make additional contributions on site. Road America Season Pass holders will be admitted with a $10 donation to the Wilson Children’s Fund.

“The test session will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT. Entrance to the test session for fans and media will be at the main gate located off of Highway 67.

“Fans will be allowed to watch the test session from many locations surrounding the 14-turn, 4-mile road course, however the paddock will be open only to the teams. The famous Gear Box concession stand will also be open. This will mark the only test session open to the public before race weekend in June.

“Teams scheduled to participate in the test session include: AJ Foyt Racing, CFH Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing Teams, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and Team Penske.

“Anyone interested in donating to the Wilson Children’s Fund individually can give through the fund website at www.wilsonchildrensfund.com.”

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The NTT IndyCar Series will return to the Motor City for the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix but with start times in a new location for 2023.

After a 30-year run on Belle Isle, the Detroit GP has moved a few miles south to the streets of downtown on a new nine-turn, 1.7-mile circuit that runs along the Detroit River.

It’s the first time single-seater open-cockpit cars have raced on the streets of Detroit since a CART event on a 2.5-mile downtown layout from 1989-91. Formula One also raced in Detroit from 1982-88.

The reimagined Detroit Grand Prix also will play host to nightly concerts and bring in venders from across the region. Roger Penske predicts the new downtown locale will be bigger for Detroit than when the city played host to the 2006 Super Bowl.

Here are the details and IndyCar start times for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach race weekend (all times are ET):

CHEVROLET DETROIT GRAND PRIX INDYCAR START TIMES

TV: Sunday, 3 p.m. ET on NBC and streaming on Peacock, the NBC Sports App and NBCSports.com. Leigh Diffey is the announcer with analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe. Dave Burns, Marty Snider and Kevin Lee are the pit reporters. Click here for the full NBC Sports schedule for IndyCar in 2023.

Peacock also will be the streaming broadcast for both practices and qualifying.

POSTRACE SHOW ON PEACOCK: After the race’s conclusion, an exclusive postrace show will air on Peacock with driver interviews, postrace analysis and the podium presentation. To watch the extended postrace show, click over to the special stream on Peacock after Sunday’s race ends.

COMMAND TO START ENGINES: 3:23 p.m. ET

GREEN FLAG: 3:30 p.m. ET

PRACTICE: Friday, 3 p.m. (Peacock Premium); Saturday, 9:05 a.m. (Peacock Premium); Sunday, 10 a.m. (Peacock Premium)

QUALIFYING: Saturday, 1:20 p.m. (Peacock Premium)

RACE DISTANCE: The race is 100 laps (170 miles) on a nine-turn, 1.7-mile temporary street course in downtown Detroit.

TIRE ALLOTMENT: Seven sets primary, four sets alternate. Rookie drivers are allowed one extra primary set for the first practice.

PUSH TO PASS: 150 seconds of total time with a maximum time of 15 seconds per activation (Indy NXT: 150 seconds total, 15 seconds per). The push-to-pass is not available on the initial start or any restart unless it occurs in the final two laps or three minutes of a timed race. The feature increases the power of the engine by approximately 60 horsepower.

FORECAST: According to Wunderground.com, it’s expected to be 80 degrees with a 0% chance of rain.

ENTRY LIST: Click here to view the 27 drivers racing Sunday at Detroit

INDY NXT RACES: Saturday, 12:05 p.m. 45 laps/55 minutes (Peacock Premium); Sunday, 12:50 p.m. 45 laps/55 minutes (Peacock Premium)

INDY NXT ENTRY LIST: Click here to view the 19 drivers racing at Detroit