9: Texas Is A Smash Hit

Visiting the 1.5-mile Texas oval wasn’t something most IndyCar drivers were looking forward to after what transpired at the previous 1.5-mile event that closed the 2011 season. Concerns over the cars running too close together was present, while the other point of contention came from the track’s fencing system which, like Las Vegas, features exposed steel poles mounted in front of the protective steel cables and mesh.

The track refused to make alterations to its barrier system, citing a lack of proof that moving the fencing in front of the poles would improve driver safety, but the series was able to fix the other problem to the delight of the fans and the better drivers in the field.

With an excess of downforce at the root of the dangerous pack racing dynamic, the series used a pre-Indy 500 test at Texas to evaluate a range of options that would pare downforce from the Dallara DW12s and give teams a less restrictive list of setup options to choose from. Thanks to INDYCAR’s technical department, running nose to tail, or flat out all the way around the high banking had become a thing of the past.

What resulted was one of the most harrowing races on a big oval in decades, and for the first time in the history of the IRL-turned-IndyCar Series, drivers had to rely on pure talent rather than aerodynamics to control their vehicles. Ganassi’s Scott Dixon was untouchable until he crashed, and his teammate, Graham Rahal, was also on course for his second career win until clouting the wall with two laps remaining.

And behind them, sliding, passing and re-passing ruled the night as drivers walked a 200mph tightrope for 228 laps. In the end, Dale Coyne Racing’s Justin Wilson scored his first oval win with one of the smartest drives of his career, moving through the field from 17th to first after taking great care of his Firestones.

Wilson’s team would be fined for having two leftover aerodynamic devices from Indy on the car that weren’t allowed in the new low-downforce specification, but the most lasting memories from the event came from the wild night of genuine racing and the new aero precedent that was established. A few months later, the same low-downforce package would be used to great effect at Fontana and will return in 2013.

INDYCAR: Dixon, Honda Lead Texas Open Test

INDYCAR: Tensions, Concerns Present At Texas

INDYCAR: Honda's Wilson Takes Shock Win At Texas

INDYCAR: Big Oval Redemption In Texas