Race simulation source: indycar.com / Dave Lewandowski Was that a testing session or a dress rehearsal for the season-opening XM Satellite Radio Indy 300? It started as the former but was quickly enhanced. You could feel the energy building as darkness began to shroud Homestead-Miami Speedway, whose bowl was bathed in artificial light as it hosted the first IndyCar Series night Open Test. Maybe the 19 IndyCar Series drivers, who ran through their obligatory checklists during five-plus hours of testing Feb. 21 and the first two hours Feb. 22, felt the urge to work out the kinks after five idol months. Obviously, their competitiveness kicked in, too. The final 90 minutes on the quickly cooling 1.5 miles of asphalt brought fans in the stands to their feet and prodded those on pit lane to crane their necks to catch a glimpse of the tight packs and high speeds without the high stakes of a race. Indeed, it was a race simulation. "Being back at Homestead really gives you the sense that the season is upon us," said Scott Dixon, who was behind the wheel of the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone. "I think racing here on a Saturday night is going to be really fantastic. It'll be great for the fans especially." Oh, the fans will eat it up like a Cuban Sandwich based on this sneak peak. It will be the first prime-time season opener for the IndyCar Series (and a major open-wheel series) and conclude a day of entertainment that includes the Indy Pro Series opening race and a concert by JET. The 19 drivers completed 2,851 laps without incident, with the field separated by one-half second. Dan Wheldon topped the speed chart for the second consecutive night at 214.350 mph (24.9405 seconds) in his backup No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car. The primary machine was on the transporter for the trip to the Indianapolis-based shop after it made contact with the Turn 2 SAFER Barrier the first night.
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