Tentative drivers prepare for Texas IndyCar race

Ed Carpenter races around Texas Motor Speedway in preparation for Saturday night's race.

Drivers are divided on what to expect for Saturday night's Izod IndyCar Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, adding to the drama for the sport's most exciting venue.

The drivers called for a removal of downforce, and IndyCar did so Friday by eliminating the use of wickers on the rear wings. That made the cars more difficult to drive, which everyone hopes will eliminate the pack racing seen last year when Dan Wheldon was killed in a 15-car crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Alex Tagliani (Bryan Herta Autosport) won the pole, giving Honda the top four starting positions for Saturday night's race. Tagliani last won a pole in this event last year. Friday's speed was 215.691 mph.

Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti was second at 215.646 mph with fellow Ganassi Racing drivers Graham Rahal and Scott Dixon third and fourth.

Will Power of Team Penske had the fastest Chevrolet in fifth.

Tagliani said it's important for IndyCar to come out of this race with safety given the fresh memory of Wheldon's death. Rahal said he's coming around to this kind of racing because “it's feeling a little more like” Milwaukee.

“Hats off to (IndyCar officials) for responding,” Rahal said.

Dixon said the drivers complaining are doing so because they've had too easy of a time in past races here. Now, they have to work.

“This is hard as it should be,” he said.