Drivers impressed by new Gateway surface

Helio Castroneves (pictured above) and Conor Daly led the way in Thursday's test at Gateway Raceway, but all the drivers were in agreement that the repaving job was superb for this month's Bommarito Auto Group 500 IndyCar race.

A couple weeks after the 1.25-mile oval outside St. Louis was given a makeover, eight teams tested tires on the track that welcomes IndyCar on Aug. 26 after a 14-year absence.

"It's as smooth as they come and you couldn't have asked for a better paving job, it's superb," said Ryan Hunter-Reay following almost three hours of running in his Andretti Autosport Honda before rain washed out the night session. "I can't give you a real picture of what the race is going to be like because it was 100 degrees here today and we're going to be racing at 9 o'clock at night, but it's going to be wicked fast, and hopefully a good show."

Daly, in A.J. Foyt's ABC Supply Chevrolet, repeated his good setup from last spring's test and posted the second fastest unofficial lap of 25 seconds flat.

"I was happy with it but everybody is chasing Helio, I think he had a lap of 24.4 seconds," said Daly, coming off a good run at Mid-Ohio last weekend where he finished ninth. "I was pitted next to him and every time I looked they were taking out more downforce or changing gears. And that's going to be the key – how much downforce can you take out."

James Hinchcliffe (pictured above) agreed with Hunter-Reay about the speeds, but believes there could be some passing opportunities.

"It's not going to be easy because there's so much grip, but you'll be flat out in Turns 3 and 4, so you might be able to get a run on somebody down the front straightaway," said Hinchcliffe. "Before the repave Turn 1 was a double downshift and a big lift, but obviously it's much quicker now."

Hunter-Reay (pictured above) is hoping Turns 1-2 helps create some opportunities.

"The radius is much tighter than Phoenix, so it's become a handling corner and maybe guys can get runs coming off Turn 2," he said.

All three were in agreement that owner Curtis Francois and title sponsor John Bommarito are doing a great job of promoting IndyCar's return to Madison, Ill.

"Graham (Rahal) and I went there for a press day and got a good response and then Curtis and I met with the St. Louis Sports Commission," said Hinchcliffe. "They're running radio spots in Indianapolis, and it's cool to see such a good effort."

Added Hunter-Reay: "Those guys really wanted an IndyCar race and they're enthusiasm is fantastic. We've just got to put on a good show."