Track damage facilitates schedule changes at Grand Prix of Houston

Marco Andretti finishes his practice round in Houston.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2013 All Rights Reserved.

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 4, 2013) Officials at the Grand Prix of Houston announced at 12:30 P.M. press conference on Friday, October 4, 2013 that damage to the track will facilitate a change in the posted schedule for practicing and qualifying at Reliant Stadium in Houston.

All qualifying scheduled for Friday has been cancelled, with two qualifying re-scheduled for Saturday, October 5 and Sunday morning, October 6.

A raised area on the track was discovered early Friday morning and the decision was made t install a temporary chicane of tires to enable teams and drivers to practice.

Repairs are scheduled to be done to the track on Friday evening after practice has been concluded.

Teams and drivers will now have to qualify on Saturday and Sunday morning for the respective races on both days.

On Friday, October 4, the IndyCar practice will be from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. and 4:30 to 5:15 p.m.

The first session of IndyCar qualifying will be on Saturday from 10:45 to 11:15 a.m. with the race beginning at 2:33 p.m.

On Sunday, the second session of qualifying will begin at 8:45 a.m. and last for 30 minutes with the green flag dropping at 12: 40 p.m.

Twenty-four cares are entered in the IZOD IndyCar Series in Houston and will race on the 1.683-mile, 10-turn circuit on the grounds of Reliant Stadium.