Photo Credit: Chris Jones/IndyCar
There has been a lot of controversy about the new domed skids after a few Chevrolet teams and a few Honda teams tested them out at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in preparation for their debut in May when practice for the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 will begin.
The domed skids are being put under the car to slow down the rotation of a car once it starts to spin, the air will travel under the car while at an extreme yaw angle, and it will speed up as it gets constricted under the dome. This will create a low-pressure area which will effectively suck the spinning car down onto the track surface using an increase amount of downforce, and will reduce the chance of lift and well also rapidly slowing the rate of the spin.
Will Power, driver of the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet, noted that the domed skids was there an effect to the Chevy cars like the Honda cars.
“I just said the day was very windy, so with them on or off, it was difficult,” Power said. “I think the racing will be fine, I really do, because ever since we blocked off the rear bumpers, it’s created a massive draft. No one will get away. I think it will be the same as last year, it really will.”
Along with the domed skids, new flaps are also being added to the cars come May. The flaps are being placed to help keep backward cars from going airborne if there is a wreck. They will be mounted on the rear beam wing.
“The sidewalls?” Power said. “The rear flaps? I’m interested to see who is going to try it out first. I really, really don’t want to be that guy. Yeah, I mean, it’s going to make a big difference. I’m sure it’s going to make a big difference. It’s such a big aerodynamic device when it actually flips up. If that doesn’t stop them flying, I don’t think you could.”
Some people are wondering what the point of the domed skid if the rear flaps are already on the cars.
“Because the domed skid stops it flying when it’s sideways,” Power said. “The flaps are for backwards.”
With all the talk surrounding the domed skids by team owners, drivers, crew members, etc., there is talk it will overshadow everything surrounded the Indy 500 and the significance of the race.
“Got to have something to talk about, man,” Power said.”
