Wilson expects concrete Nashville track to be handful

UPDATE IndyCar Series drivers and teams will make their eighth visit to Nashville Superspeedway July 10-12, the only track with a concrete surface and the only track that is 1.33 miles in length. Those factors present unique challenges.

“The track is definitely a challenge because it's concrete," said Helio Castroneves, who has four top-five finishes in six starts at the track. “So definitely for the drivers and for the engineers, it's a challenge to find grip, but once you have it there's a great chance you'll be in good shape."

Only 12 of the 26 drivers entered in the event have competed at the track before. Rookies and transition drivers will have a two-hour practice session July 10, and all drivers will have two hours, 45 minutes of practice July 11.

“From what I hear it’s pretty tough," said Justin Wilson, who will make his first start at the track. “You are close to being flat-out driving around on your own. I guess in the race I might have to start lifting though because there will be a lot of traffic. I have been to a few racetracks that have concrete sections on them. It’s generally very bumpy and quite difficult to drive on, so it’s very challenging. On an oval I can only imagine what that does. I can imagine that once the rubber goes down, it starts to lay some grip down there and it would start to get quite grippy. It will be interesting to see what kind of concrete it is and how it affects things."

The driver and team that find the right combination for the Firestone Indy 200 will take home one of the most unique trophies in racing – a Gibson guitar.

“It's a unique trophy," Castroneves said. “I really cherish and I really want to have that in my collection, so hopefully this year will be the year."

07/09/08 “Nashville Superspeedway is a concrete track, which on an oval I imagine is quite interesting," said Justin Wilson, who has competed in 12 races on an oval to date. “It could be pretty hard on tire life so that is something we will have to watch. It’s going to be another interesting race for the McDonald’s team."

Wilson, the 2006 and 2007 Champ Car runner-up to the champion, has been on an accelerated learning curve this season in the predominantly oval ICS. Prior to 2008 he had competed on an oval five times with his best finish of second place having come in 2006 at the Milwaukee Mile. Learning the nuances of the Dallara-Honda-Firestone race package as well as competing on eight new tracks of the 10 so far this season has been challenging. His highest start on an oval this season is 15th in Homestead and his highest oval finish of seventh came at Milwaukee and Richmond. Racing on an abrasive concrete surface will add another unknown this weekend.

“From what I hear it’s a pretty tough event," said Wilson. “You are close to being flat-out driving around on your own. I guess in the race I might have to start lifting though because there will be a lot of traffic. I have been to a few race tracks that have concrete sections on them. Sebring being one of them, and Toronto and there were even concrete patches in Watkins Glen last weekend. We have experienced it a little bit and it’s generally very bumpy and quite difficult to drive on so it’s very challenging. On an oval I can only imagine what that does. I can imagine that once the rubber goes down, it starts to lay some grip down there and it would start to get quite grippy. It will be interesting to see what kind of concrete it is and how it affects things. We don’t have any experience with this so we will just have to work it out as quick as we can."