Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma 2012 Gallery 2

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Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma 2012 Gallery 2 Photos and Stories.

Photos and story provided by Georges Pelpel Contact Photographer for Information.

GALLERY 1--Race Day

GALLERY 2--Practice

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Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma 2012 Gallery 2

GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma

Ryan Briscoe/Team Penske wins Sonoma GoPro Indy Grand Prx

The top ranks of open wheel race cars are INDYCAR and Formula 1. The main difference between the two race series is that the INDYCAR drivers need to be skilled in two very different driving styles. Formula 1 races on road course style tracks. INDYCAR races on both road courses and oval tracks. Sonoma is a road course track which is the demanding left, right, accelerate, brake, fast corner, slow corner style of racing.

Steve Page, president and general manager of the raceway in Sonoma, and Team Penske driver Ryan Briscoe standing out on the track, revealed that Turn 11, Turns 7 and 9 will be the areas modified. The modifications, were decided by Team Penske president Tim Cindric, Team Penske drivers Briscoe and Will Power, Mario Andretti and INDYCAR officials, among others.

"These changes reflect nearly a year of study and consultation with drivers, racing engineers and sanctioning officials," said Page. Will Power, driver of the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Dallara/Chevrolet is looking forward to the new changes. Briscoe, driver of the No. 2 IZOD Team Penske Dallara/Chevrolet said, "... I certainly welcome the new changes because they add to the beauty of driving the circuit."

The changes also consider the new 2012 INDYCAR car and engine.

New Car, New Engine, New Era of INDYCAR Racing started the 2012 season. The new Dallara chassis and dynamic body work for 2012 was being developed with the aid of Dan Wheldon, who did not survive his injuries sustained during a massive 15 car wreck on the 12th lap of the IndyCar's 2011 season final race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The new car is designed to prevent some of the earlier cars treacherous behaviors during car to car contact.

The new engine regulation changes allows manufactures, like Honda, Lotus and Chevrolet to enter into the competition.

"It's an exciting time in INDYCAR to be able to develop these cars and engines, and now the manufacturer competition that we have really makes it that much more interesting and competitive," said Andretti Autosport's Ryan Hunter-Reay.

Saturday Practice James Hinchcliffe
INDY® GRAND PRIX of Sonoma
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, California 2012

Saturday Practice Mike Conway
INDY® GRAND PRIX of Sonoma
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, California 2012

Saturday Practice E.J. Viso
INDY® GRAND PRIX of Sonoma
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, California 2012

Saturday Practice Simona de Silvestro
INDY® GRAND PRIX of Sonoma
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, California 2012

Saturday Practice Helio Castroneves
INDY® GRAND PRIX of Sonoma
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, California 2012

Saturday Practice Ed Carpenter
INDY® GRAND PRIX of Sonoma
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, California 2012

Saturday Practice Sebastian Saavedra
INDY® GRAND PRIX of Sonoma
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, California 2012

Saturday Practice Sebastian Saavedra
INDY® GRAND PRIX of Sonoma
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, California 2012

Saturday Practice Ed Carpenter
INDY® GRAND PRIX of Sonoma
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, California 2012

Saturday Practice
INDY® GRAND PRIX of Sonoma
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, California 2012

Saturday Practice E.J. Viso
INDY® GRAND PRIX of Sonoma
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, California 2012

Saturday Practice E.J. Viso
INDY® GRAND PRIX of Sonoma
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, California 2012

Saturday Practice Katherine Legge
INDY® GRAND PRIX of Sonoma
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, California 2012

Saturday Practice Tony Kanaan
INDY® GRAND PRIX of Sonoma
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, California 2012

Saturday Practice Dario Franchitti
INDY® GRAND PRIX of Sonoma
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, California 2012

Saturday Practice JR Hildebrand
INDY® GRAND PRIX of Sonoma
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, California 2012

Saturday Practice Mike Conway
INDY® GRAND PRIX of Sonoma
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, California 2012

Saturday Practice James Hinchcliffe
INDY® GRAND PRIX of Sonoma
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, California 2012

Saturday Practice Katherine Legge
INDY® GRAND PRIX of Sonoma
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, California 2012

Saturday Practice
INDY® GRAND PRIX of Sonoma
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, California 2012