SONOMA, Calif. -- Race fans will be treated to a free INDYCAR test session at the raceway in Sonoma on Friday, Aug. 17, as several teams from the IZOD IndyCar Series head to Sonoma to test the newly modified road course layout.

The one-day test will run from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and allow drivers to test the modified configuration, which features changes to Turns 7, 9 and 11 designed to enhance passing. The test will also allow drivers to test the series’ new race car, which features a new body, new engine and new chassis for 2012, among other enhancements. The open test falls just one week prior to the GoPro Indy® Grand Prix of Sonoma race weekend, Aug. 24-26.

Twenty drivers from 12 teams are currently scheduled to attend the test, including:
· A.J. Foyt Racing (Mike Conway)
· Andretti Autosport (Marco Andretti, James Hinchcliffe, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Sebastian Saavedra)
· Chip Ganassi Racing (Charlie Kimball, Graham Rahal)
· Dragon Racing (Sebastien Bourdais, Katherine Legge)
· Ed Carpenter Racing (Ed Carpenter)
· Panther Racing (JR Hildebrand)
· Panther/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (Oriol Servia)
· Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (Takuma Sato)
· Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing (Josef Newgarden)
· Schmidt Hamilton Motorsports (Simon Pagenaud)
· Target Chip Ganassi Racing (Scott Dixon, Dario Franchitti)
· Team Penske (Ryan Briscoe, Helio Castroneves, Will Power)

Race fans are invited to watch the test session and enjoy the open paddock. Fans are also invited to attend a press conference with the drivers during the lunch break. The Raceway Café will also be open from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. for breakfast and lunch.

The raceway will feature a number of ticket packages at the test session, highlighted by the Brasil IT+ Total Access package, which includes a reserved Sunday ticket, Garage/Pre-Race Pass and race-day Q&A with Tony Kanaan and Rubens Barrichello for $99. The raceway will also offer guided pit tours for fans who purchase race tickets at the test or have already purchased a race-weekend ticket.

For more information, visit racesonoma.com/indycar or call 800-870-RACE (7223).

GoPro Indy® Grand Prix of Sonoma Weekend
WHAT: Big O Tires Racing Season Presents: GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma
WHEN: Aug. 24-26
CIRCUIT: 2.31-mile, 12-turn road course
2011 WINNER: Will Power (Team Penske)
NOTABLE: The weekend will include Brasil IT+ Pole Day on Saturday, Aug. 25, as well as the Cadillac Sonoma World Challenge and Formula Car Challenge.
TICKETS: $10-$65 single day/$65-$85 weekend; parking is FREE and kids 12 and under are FREE (Friday and Saturday). Garage passes are available for purchase.
INFORMATION: 800-870-RACE (7223), racesonoma.com/indy, ticketmaster.com

24 Hours of LeMons
March 24-25

Classic Sports Racing Group
March 31-April 1

Great Clips®
West Coast Moto Jam
AMA Pro Road Racing
May 4-6

Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival
June 2-3

Toyota/Save Mart 350
NASCAR Weekend
June 22-24

NHRA Division 7 drag races, presented by Korbel
July 20-22

NHRA Sonoma Nationals
July 27-29

GoPro Indy® Grand Prix of Sonoma
Aug. 24-26
Also featuring:
Cadillac Sonoma Grand Prix
World Challenge
Aug. 24-25

FIA World Touring Car Championship
Sept. 21-23

Classic Sports Racing Group
Charity Challenge
Oct. 6-7