By alley - Jul 29, 2016, 5:34 PM ET

INDYCAR: Testing reduction talks for 2017 ongoing

A paddock full of exhausted mechanics just might kiss IndyCar competition president Jay Frye if he pushes through his plan to reduce in-season testing next year. The grueling pace of testing has kept road-weary teams in constant motion between races, and the cost of testing playing a role in escalating budgets, Frye says the series is working on a plan that would provide relief in both areas.

"The in-season testing schedule has been really rough on teams," Frye told RACER. "Looking at reducing testing is part of the overall plan we're working on right now; it's one of the categories we've been getting feedback on from teams, and you normally get a bunch of different opinions on things, but with this one, it's almost universal."

The series is also looking at making more efficient use of time at some events.

"It isn't just about cutting down on test days; we're asking ourselves, 'How we can we make race weekends more impactful?' Frye added. "Thinks like if we're having a night race, why have a 1 p.m. session that day in the raging heat and then have folks wait around for hours?

"It's stuff like that, and in the entire scenario, there are ways to bring costs down. This part of the plan isn't finished, but I would say it continues to be a really positive area of discussion with our teams."