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IndyCar to allow aero options at Texas Motor Speedway

IndyCar teams will have the option to revert to an aero package closer to that used at the much-vaunted 2012 race at Texas Motor Speedway when they return to the oval this weekend

The series is offering teams the opportunity to use available tools to add around 300 pounds of downforce for the race compared to the aero package mandated for the event last year.

The additional downforce would create extra drag and therefore slightly slower speeds, however it is expected that it will mitigate the high levels of tyre degradation that dulled last year's race.

IndyCar developed the aero packaged based on driver input and feedback from tyre supplier Firestone following a test at the venue in mid-April. Firestone will provide the same tyre specification and constructions as that used at Texas and Fontana last year.

IndyCar tweaked the aero package ahead of the 2012 race in an effort to limit the potential for pack racing following Dan Wheldon's fatal accident at Las Vegas the previous year.

The changes forced drivers to work harder in the corners, and delivered one of the best races of the DW12 era.

"We're really driving it - we're not flat every lap," Dario Franchitti told AUTOSPORT at the time.

"You've got to pick your line and think, 'oh, my car works here, or oh it doesn't work here'. And if your car doesn't work you're lifting. There's closing speeds of 10, 15mph because their car doesn't work and you get a run on them."

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