IndyCar reconfigures Turn 3 at St. Petersburg after practice issues

IndyCar and St. Petersburg officials have changed Turn 3 of the street circuit ahead of Sunday’s race after multiple issues during Thursday’s practice.

The track layout for Sunday’s Verizon IndyCar Series season opener has changed just two days ahead of the race. The league announced on Friday that Turn 3 for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg has been reconfigured after several drivers had issues on Thursday.

Curbing has been added on the right side of Turn 3 to slow the corner and change its apex, while the wall was moved back roughly 40 feet on the left side.

IndyCar did not name which drivers had problems with the original layout of the circuit or give details about any specific on-track incidents. The affected drivers were from the support series participating this weekend and not any of the full-time Verizon IndyCar Series regulars.

But credit is due to league officials and to the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg team for recognizing the issue and moving to correct it before the start of full-speed action. The first priority at any race is safety, and the Turn 3 shift will make that portion of the track easier to handle.

Now the question turns to how will the change affect the IndyCar drivers who have been used to Turn 3 as it previously stood? They have just a handful of practice sessions to learn the new layout before Saturday qualifying. Will this last-minute alteration factor into those results or into the events of Sunday’s race?

Here’s the official statement from Friday’s press release:

"Turn 3 of the 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary street circuit for the 2017 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg has been reconfigured, INDYCAR announced today.The corner has been a fast, sweeping right-hand turn in recent years, but INDYCAR officials, in conjunction with Green Savoree Racing Promotions, decided to make modifications after several cars competing in Thursday’s support series practices crested a bump and lost control in the ensuing depression.Approximately 180 feet of wall on the drivers’ left side has been moved back almost 40 feet. On the right side, curbing has been installed, which changes the apex and makes the corner a slower, traditional braking area."

Next: Las Vegas Motor Speedway to get second NASCAR race

The 2017 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg takes place on Sunday, March 12 at 12 p.m. ET. The race will be nationally televised on ABC. For race weekend updates and IndyCar news, follow the Motor Sports category at FanSided here.