IRL: Scott Sharp Phoenix open test report

Sharp Shines in Phoenix Open Test

Scott Sharp continued to impress in IRL IndyCar® Series pre-season testing, setting the fifth fastest time overall at Phoenix International Raceway as the series concluded its second Open Test today. Sharp had been near the top of the speed charts throughout the two-day outing on PIR's one-mile oval, claiming the third-quickest time yesterday -- just 0.0709 seconds off the best of the day notched by fellow Honda driver Tony Kanaan. Today's afternoon session was cut short by 90 minutes due to rain.

The test marked the second appearance for Sharp, a previous race winner on Phoenix's challenging tri-oval, with newly-formed Delphi Fernandez Racing. Sharp made his debut with the team during the IndyCar Series first Open Test held at Homestead-Miami Speedway on January 19, where he logged the second-fastest time of the 20-car field on the 1.5-mile oval.

Today's session denoted the end of IndyCar Series pre-season testing. The field will reunite on March 6 for the season-opener in Homestead, Fla.

Scott Sharp, #8 Delphi Panoz/Honda/Firestone:
"This was another very good test for the Delphi Fernandez Racing team. We came out of the box really strong, and worked through a lot of different changes the team wanted to make to learn and improve the car for Phoenix and other tracks. I am really pleased with the job the team did and the effort of all the guys. We have a pretty fast car on the one-mile ovals and a consistent car for the race."

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