Defending champion Kiwi driver Scott Dixon has posted times in the top-five during IndyCar pre-season testing in Birmingham, Alabama.
A four-time runner-up in races at Barber Motorsports Park, Dixon had a best lap of 1:07.0791 in his Chip Ganassi Racing car as he was in the top-five on both days.
Australian Will Power wrapped up pre-season testing by topping the time sheets for the second straight day.
The Australian clocked a fastest lap of one minute, 07.0608 seconds on the Barber Motorsports Park road course, giving him plenty of confidence ahead of the season-opening race on the streets of St Petersburg, Florida on March 30.
Australian Ryan Briscoe, who has joined Dixon at Chip Ganassi Racing this year, was fifth-fastest with a 1:07.3705.
The three-time IndyCar championship runner-up has won two of the past four races at the Alabama circuit and said testing at a place with good memories gave him a boost going into the season.
“Coming back to Barber, hopefully we found a happy place,” Power said.
“Obviously the temperature will be a lot different, and I think that brings out imbalances in the car.
“It was so cold today and there was so much grip that I think it was hard to get good reads on changes.
“We’ll see where we go and head to St. Pete. It’s going to be really tight.”
A total of 17 drivers were less than a second off Power’s pace, indicating how tight this year’s championship promises to be.
