---
title: "Sights and Sounds of the IndyCar IMS Road Course Test"
description: "No, they're not heading the wrong way, they're on the Grand Prix road course."
date: "2018-03-24"
modified: "2018-03-24"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19608/sights-and-sounds-of-the-indycar-ims-road-course-test"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Danica Patrick"
  - "Indianapolis"
  - "Indianapolis Motor Speedway"
  - "Indy 500"
  - "indycar"
  - "Indycar Series"
  - "racing"
---

# Sights and Sounds of the IndyCar IMS Road Course Test

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/03/img_7648-copy.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

IndyCar teams and drivers made [this year's maiden visit](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19561/indycar-teams-hit-the-grand-prix-track-at-indianapolis-motor-speedway>) to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to partake in a manufacturers' test. There, select Chevy and Honda drivers tested on the 11-turn road course where the 2018 IndyCar Grand Prix of Indy will take place later this year.

The winner of the 100th running of the Indy 500, Alexander Rossi, managed to set the fastest lap around the 1.9-mile racing circuit. The Andretti Autosport driver was in good spirits throughout the duration of the test and was seen sharing information with teammate Marco Andretti. The Napa-sponsored driver wasn't initially aware that he was the fastest man at Indy, but a [later review of his car's ECU data](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19561/indycar-teams-hit-the-grand-prix-track-at-indianapolis-motor-speedway>) revealed the American's blistering performance.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgtZIb4B8ss

The test got off to a late start due to cooler-than-expected temperatures in Indianapolis, but it wasn't very long until the enormous venue was filled with the roar of the American and Japanese racing engines. Speaking cold weather, [IndyCar](<https://www.thedrive.com/video/10702/how-does-an-indy-500-champion-prep-for-the-big-race>) announced that next week's test and rookie oval orientation has been delayed due to inclement weather.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BguLJZRBdC3

The city of Indianapolis is currently under a winter weather advisory as more than a foot of snow is expected to fall between Saturday and Monday morning. Given the lower temperatures expected to follow, it'd be impossible for the [2.5-mile oval](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/10814/behind-the-scenes-of-the-2017-indianapolis-500-a-photo-gallery>) to be in good shape for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday's activities. The three-day program was set to see the participation of most IndyCar drivers on day one and three, with Pietro Fittipaldi, Jay Howard, Kyle Kaiser, Sage Karam, Matheus Leist, [Danica Patrick](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18455/danica-patrick-confirms-deal-for-2018-indy-500-is-complete>), and Robert Wickens performing a rookie Indy 500 orientation or refresher course on day two.

![message-editor%2F1521930245423-img\_7649copy.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1521930245423-img_7649copy.jpg>)
*Instagram: DrivesWGirls*

![message-editor%2F1521930280251-img\_7636copy.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1521930280251-img_7636copy.jpg>)
*Instagram: DrivesWGirls*

![message-editor%2F1521930292346-img\_7666copy.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1521930292346-img_7666copy.jpg>)
*Instagram: DrivesWGirls*

![message-editor%2F1521930305328-img\_7669copy.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1521930305328-img_7669copy.jpg>)
*Instagram: DrivesWGirls*

![message-editor%2F1521930319267-img\_7646copy.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1521930319267-img_7646copy.jpg>)
*Instagram: DrivesWGirls*

![message-editor%2F1521930330393-img\_7671copy.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1521930330393-img_7671copy.jpg>)
*Instagram: DrivesWGirls*

![message-editor%2F1521930699983-img\_7661copy.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1521930699983-img_7661copy.jpg>)
*Instagram: DrivesWGirls*

![message-editor%2F1521930720648-img\_7663copy.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1521930720648-img_7663copy.jpg>)
*Instagram: DrivesWGirls*

![message-editor%2F1521930731178-img\_7658copy.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1521930731178-img_7658copy.jpg>)
*Instagram: DrivesWGirls*

![message-editor%2F1521930749413-img\_7642copy.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1521930749413-img_7642copy.jpg>)
*Instagram: DrivesWGirls*

![message-editor%2F1521930803393-img\_7644copy.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1521930803393-img_7644copy.jpg>)
*Instagram: DrivesWGirls*

![message-editor%2F1521930831371-img\_7656copy.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1521930831371-img_7656copy.jpg>)
*Instagram: DrivesWGirls*

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)