IndyCar race teams will get their first opportunity to test the new track layout in Sonoma at a test session on Friday, August 17. Fans will be admitted free.

The one-day test will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will allow drivers to test the modified configuration, which features changes to Turns 7, 9 and 11. The modifications are designed to enhance passing. 

The session will also allow drivers to test the series’ new race car, which features a new body, new engine and new chassis for 2012, among other enhancements. The open test falls just one week prior to the GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma race weekend, August 24-26.

Twenty drivers from 12 teams are currently scheduled to attend the test, including:

•    Ryan Briscoe, Helio Castroneves, Will Power (Team Penske)
•    Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon (Target Chip Ganassi Racing)
•    Charlie Kimball and Graham Rahal (Chip Ganassi Racing)
•    Marco Andretti, James Hinchcliffe, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Sebastian Saavedra (Andretti Autosport)
•    Sebastien Bourdais and Katherine Legge (Dragon Racing)
•    Ed Carpenter (Ed Carpenter Racing)
•    JR Hildebrand (Panther Racing)
•    Oriol Servia (Panther/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing)
•    Takuma Sato (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing)
•    Josef Newgarden (Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing)
•    Simon Pagenaud (Schmidt Hamilton Motorsports)
•    Mike Conway (A.J. Foyt Racing)

Race fans are invited to watch the test session for free and enjoy the open paddock. There will be pit tours and ticket specials for the upcoming race weekend, as well as a press conference with the drivers during the lunch break.

The raceway will feature a number of ticket packages at the test session, highlighted by the Brasil IT All Access package, which includes a reserved Sunday ticket, Garage/Pre-Race Pass and race-day Q&A with Tony Kanaan and Rubens Barichello for $99.

For more information, visit racesonoma.com/indycar or call 800/870-RACE (7223).