A hot, greasy track awaited drivers as they prepared to make their first runs. Photo: Kevin Dejewski
Varied temperatures on the shores of Long Beach, California are set to make IndyCar teams’ weekend considerably more difficult as they chase setups throughout the weekend.
The temperature in Long Beach was down-right hot on Friday, with the mercury climbing to near 100 °F (37 °C) in the afternoon hours just as IndyCar was about to hit the track for the first practice session of the weekend.
The forecast for the rest of the weekend is set to be nearly 30 °F cooler by Sunday, however, and will drastically change the characteristics of the track.
With Long Beach being a street circuit, there are many oils and chemicals worked into the surface by the public’s cars throughout the year, and heat can bring those to the surface and create drastically different grip conditions.
Combine that with the tricky traction situation that a bumpy course provides, and teams and drivers are potentially going to be chasing setups all weekend.
Jack Harvey is one of multiple drivers that is expecting the big temperature difference to affect the team’s ability to nail down a setup on Friday.
Harvey is expecting to have to chase setups throughout the weekend. Photo: Kevin Dejewski
Speaking to Motorsport Week ahead of any running, Harvey is still feeling confident heading into the weekend despite the tricky conditions ahea
“I think the big thing this weekend is going to be the temperature swing. It’s going to go from being too hot today, to way cooler tomorrow and Sunday. It’s going to be important how we navigate that.
“I think coming here we have some good potential from St. Pete. Naturally, we’re hoping we transition to a good day today. Should be a good weekend.
“I think a lot of street circuits have the same characteristics, but in terms of the track it’s pretty different [from St. Petersburg]. We always enjoy going to Long Beach; it’s a fan favorite, it’s a driver favorite, and it’s a team and sponsor favorite. It’s one of the premiere events of the year.”
Luckily there is no rain in the forecast to put a damper on the event, but the varied temperatures across the weekend will surely give teams some extra work heading into the race on Sunday.
Keyword: Temperature swings set to make Long Beach setups difficult