Indy Car is officially back at Pocono with 14 drivers taking part in testing at the tricky triangle on Tuesday. Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan is eyeing the $1,000,000 dollar bonus if he can win the triple crown. The Indy car 400 at Pocono on July 7th is triple crown race #2.
"It's funny I've been in America for 18 years, and I've never raced here so for me it's a blast to come to a race track that I haven't raced in America yet. So I'm excited. I love the place I think it's going to be a tough race. It's fast," said Tony Kanaan.
Points leader Helio Castroneves took his turn around Pocono in the #3 Team Penske ride.
"It's great. You can run really low to the ground. There are no issues with bumps or anything like that, so big congratulations for the organizers and the promoters that they did a great job on the track,"
said Helio Castroneves.
The fastest qualifying lap here at Pocono as part of the Indy Car series was set back in 1989 when Emerson Fittipaldi went 211.715 mph that was part of the CART series back then. Advance 23 years later many drivers believe they will eclipse that 211.715 mph qualifying mark here at Pocono.
"It's fast averaging anywhere from 214 mph to 218 mph over a lap here is quite an experience so we're really happy to be back at Pocono, but we're concentrating on getting some work done today," said Ryan Hunter-Reay.
Marco Andretti's grandfather Mario watched as his grandson spun laps here at Pocono. The Andretti name a staple in Pennsylvania when it comes to racing.
"It's definitely important for the series. I mean a Northeast race is pretty cool. It's cool for me and my family. I have a huge hometown support system, but as I say there's a lot more than just support on the sidelines that helps though," said Marco Andretti.