New Aero Kits Are Storyline As IndyCar Season Starts In St. Pete

The '15 Verizon IndyCar Series kicks off today with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on ABC, as Honda's and Chevrolet's new aero kits will debut. Not only do the new pieces "change the way IndyCars look, but they could have strategic consequences in the battle" between the two manufacturers (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 3/29). The kits are "designed to better visually differentiate" Chevys from Hondas. The differences between this year’s versions of the cars and last year’s "are startling" and are "expected to significantly improve both performance and safety" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/29).

Meanwhile, team owner Chip Ganassi offered a frank assessment of IndyCar's offseason, saying, "Name a business where you can take (seven) months off. I don't know of one, and I still think it's the stupidest thing in the world." Ganassi added long offseasons deal IndyCar teams "a slow death" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 3/29).