SEBRING, Fla. (AP) — Several IndyCar drivers dismissed any notion of boycotting Texas Motor Speedway and said the entire issue has been blown out of proportion.
Track president Eddie Gossage last week reacted angrily to rumors that IndyCar’s drivers had discussed skipping the June 9 race over concerns with how the fence is constructed. The drivers insisted Monday they will race at Texas.
Texas has hosted IndyCar for 15 consecutive seasons, and its race is one of the biggest on the schedule. But safety concerns stemming from Dan Wheldon’s fatal accident in the October season finale has raised questions about IndyCar racing on high-banked ovals.
Texas is a high-banked oval, and its fence is constructed in similar fashion to the one at Las Vegas. Wheldon died when his head hit a pole in the fence.
