The hardest hit in David Ostella’s career came in Turn 2 of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval in 2012 while racing in the Firestone Freedom 100 for Indy Lights.
He’ll return to the track July 24-25 to try to replace that memory with a Brickyard Grand Prix win on the road course.
The 14-turn, 2.439-mile circuit to conquer is a mix of the Grand Prix road course used by MotoGP and the new road course built for the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis in May for IndyCar. This is the third consecutive year sports cars have raced at IMS, but the new circuit for TUDOR United SportsCar Championship drivers will create a level playing field for Ostella and the rest of the Prototype Challenge drivers.
“Back in Indy Lights two years ago I had tested on the road course; it’s obviously changed since then,” Ostella said. “I know we won’t be on the same track that IndyCar ran this season for their Grand Prix – ours is a mix of the old and new. Either way, I don’t think anyone will have much of an advantage when it comes to knowing the track.”
Ostella’s last run in the No. 38 Dash Neighborhoods/ Phillips 66 PC car fielded by Performance Tech Motorsports was June 29 at Watkins Glen International, where he finished fourth. Ostella is seeking his first podium finish since the season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona in January.
With plenty of drama and bad luck since Daytona, Ostella is more than ready to again finish in the top three. And there would be special significance to stand on the podium at the legendary IMS.
“I’ll be excited to be back in Indy and be on the road course,” Ostella said. “Last time I was there on the oval I didn’t have such a great time, so I’m looking forward to being on the road course this time around. We’ll still use the straightaways, so we’ll get some good speed going down into Turn 1. I love Indianapolis; it’s a great racing town. There should be good energy there with the fans.”
The race schedule starts for Ostella at 10:45 a.m. (ET) Thursday, July 24 with Practice 1. Qualifying for the PC class starts at 4:45 p.m. that afternoon. The Brickyard Grand Prix – a two-hour, 45-minute race – begins at 5:45 p.m. Friday, July 25.
For updates on Ostella, follow him on Facebook and Twitter at @OstellaCorsa or for personal updates follow @DavidOstella.