Arlington, Texas — When a track runs for 2.73 miles, drivers will find something that they wish could change.Maybe a little bump here, a little different curbing there, not enough runoff in another spot. Those things are relatively minor, kind of like small issues with a warning track or pitching mound.For a 2.73-mile INDYCAR course that features four different racing surfaces — old asphalt, new asphalt, concrete and some painted concrete — drivers enjoyed their first day of practice on the new course that winds the streets around the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers stadiums. They will compete for 70 laps Sunday in the inaugural Grand Prix of Arlington (12:30 p.m. ET, FOX). [Grand Prix of Arlington: Everything to Know]Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was among those who cut the ribbon to open the track on Thursday night. And then the drivers determined the next day that the track is bigger and better than many, if not all, of their other street circuits. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones helped kick off the Grand Prix of Arlington festivities. “That is instantly my most favorite street circuit ever,” Scott McLaughlin said in a television interview after stepping out of his car.McLaughlin did have reason to be happy. He topped the speed charts after the first day of practice on the 14-turn course that includes a 0.9-mile straightaway for a historic weekend that will also include a tweak to the qualifying format (more on that later).”It’s so technical in spots, and then there’s spots where it’s really tough to brake into,” McLaughlin said in a post-practice news conference. “You’ve got to maximize high-speed corners, high-speed entries.”It’s a blast to drive.”Most of the drivers scouted the track Thursday and they gave feedback to INDYCAR. The curbing in one of the turns was reduced by about 12 feet after the apex. There was a concern that, if a car shortcut the course (possibly to avoid an accident), it would hit that curb and get airborne. Drivers got more familiar with the course during their first day of practice for Arlington. Instead, INDYCAR will rule that area with timing lines and review if a car shortcuts the course without a legitimate reason, which could result in a penalty.Those types of changes are typical for a new circuit. Drivers do have some concerns about runoff area in a couple of the turns. The entry to pit road is after a turn, so drivers won’t see it until just before getting there. The cars were bottoming out, meaning the car…
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2026-03-13 23:20:58
