Ethanol-Powered Testing at IMS

Jeff Simmons and Tony Kanaan got to test the new 3.5-liter, ethanol-only Honda engine today in Indianapolis, and it sounds like everyone is pleased with the new engine.

“There’s a difference, and it’s all been positive so far,” Simmons said. “It’s great to be one of the guys to have the chance to run the new motor next year with the 100 percent ethanol.

“It seems to me, so far, we’ve got a broader power band. We’re going through the corners better. It allows us to do some things with gearing whereas you had to be really precise with the gearing last year. We’re able (today) to pull some really good speed even if we’re a little off on the gearing.”

This from a guy who despite his teams best efforts was spending a lot of time behind other cars.

Dan Wheldon and Helio Castroneves were also making test runs, although they were using last-year's 3.0-liter engine. Wheldon got dramatic with his description of the Brickyard.

“I’ve seen this place (the Speedway) be absolutely great to me, and I’ve seen it wrench my heart from my body,” Wheldon said. “Hopefully it won’t do that again, and this (test) is a good step for making us competitive for next year.”

He's a regular Robert Frost with the words, that guy.