Several IndyCar drivers, including Jimmie Johnson and Scott Dixon, had to cancel test runs at Texas Motor Speedway on Monday because it was too cold.
For safety reasons, test laps were called off. Teams from Penske and Ed Carpenter Racing might try to return for a test on Thursday.
Johnson, of Ganassi Racing, will be making his INDYCAR oval track debut at TMS on March 20 in the XPEL 375. His teammate, six-time INDYCAR champion Dixon was a little frustrated with the weather. Temperatures were in the 30s Monday morning, making the track too dangerous for test laps.
"I was a little shocked to see flurries this morning in Texas," Dixon said. "Yesterday was nice, it was nice and warm, but it was pretty windy. It's frustrating in these days with such limited testing. You kind of have to pick a day that's going to be worthwhile. It's unfortunate for everybody who came to test, but you can't do anything about the weather."
Alex Palou said if similar conditions occurred on race day it might've been canceled.
"It's hard to say but I think it would be tricky," he said. "Hopefully we don't get these conditions on race day."
Firestone has an ambient temperature formula that decides whether IndyCar tracks are safe to run. The combined temperature of air and track surface must total 100 degrees.
It was about 40 degrees at noon Monday and it's expected to be colder on Tuesday.
Team Penske's Will Power, Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin, and Ed Carpenter Racing's Rinus VeeKay and Conor Daly all hope to return Thursday when the temperature is expected to warm up.
