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O'Ward Battles Bumps and Heat in Washington D.C. Race Prep
23 Aug
Summary
- O'Ward faced significant bumps on the new DC street circuit.
- Extreme humidity and heat posed physical challenges for drivers.
- Teams adjusted car setups due to aggressive track impacts.
Pato O'Ward and the #5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet team encountered a difficult start to their Freedom 250 Grand Prix practice on Saturday. The newly designed 1.7-mile temporary street circuit around the National Mall was characterized by significant bumps and surface irregularities, impacting car performance.
O'Ward reported that the severe bumps caused heavy floor strikes, disrupting gear shifts and compromising straight-line speed. This unforgiving surface necessitated immediate adjustments to baseline car setups, with teams raising ride heights to mitigate aggressive impacts and floor damage.
Beyond the mechanical challenges, the humid and high temperatures presented a substantial physical test for the drivers. O'Ward noted significant water loss, emphasizing the demanding nature of racing in such conditions and the importance of driver conditioning to withstand the physical toll over the race distance.
