INDYCAR chief steward Beaux Barfield has elected to try grinding down the front-stretch bump that has caused problems for everyone practicing today at the Grand Prix of Baltimore.
Multiple reports on Twitter, including those from the American Le Mans Series (which is racing tomorrow on the Baltimore circuit) and ESPN.com’s John Oreovicz, appear to indicate that grinding will take place on the bump that crosses over a set of light rail tracks. Oreovicz states that the chicane will only be installed if necessary.
Earlier today, it was reported that the chicane would indeed be installed later tonight. INDYCAR shortened this morning’s practice session in order to attain driver feedback on the bump, which sent Simon Pagenaud completely in the air before coming back down.
According to Curt Cavin of The Indianapolis Star, INDYCAR chief steward Beaux Barfield has indicated that a temporary barrier will be in place at that location for today’s afternoon practice session (2:45 pm ET).
In last year’s inaugural running at Baltimore, a chicane was in place at that spot as well to ease the cars over the rail tracks. This year’s course had the tracks paved over and the chicane removed in an attempt to induce more passing opportunities. But after Pagenaud’s problems this morning, it’s clear that driver safety had to take precedence in this situation.
Prior to the decision from Barfield, multiple drivers had expressed their concerns about the course with Pagenaud calling it the hardest force his back had ever felt.
