Brad Keselowski tests Team Penske IndyCar

Sprint Cup star Brad Keselowski has completed a test of an IndyCar at the Road America circuit.

As part of an IndyCar Series test at the Wisconsin track, Keselowski swapped his Team Penske Ford NASCAR for Simon Pagenaud’s Team Penske #22 Chevrolet open-wheel machine.

Keselowski completed laps of the IndyCar Series-leading machine in a rare but not unprecedented swap.

After Pagenaud shook down the car, Keselowski was then given some lap time in the late afternoon.

“It’s a very different beast. Our IndyCars are now predominantly aero, so the grip level you get is very speed dependent,” Pagenaud said.

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“The Cup car is very mechanical, so you have to be very academic about your driving. You transfer weight and the front of the car turns.

Keselowski said:”I’ve always wanted to drive an Indy car, I think (Penske Racing President) Tim Cindric knew that.

“The opportunity came up to dip my toes in the water and kind of expand my knowledge base and put it in the back of my mind for wherever it goes, I don’t know.

“But it was a heck of an opportunity and I’m glad to have a chance.”

He later tweeted: “One of the best days of my life. Thank you everyone.”

Other in-season switches between the two categories in the past have seen Kurt Busch test an IndyCar at Sebring in 2004, 10 years before his brilliant sixth place as a rookie in the Indy 500.

Chip Ganassi duo Jamie McMurray and Scott Dixon swapped machines in 2011 with McMurray driving the IndyCar at Barber Motorsports Park while Dixon drove the NASCAR at Talladega.

Other IndyCar activity at the Road America test included Andretti Autosport drivers Marco Andretti, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Carlos Munoz and Alex Rossi.

Injured Josef Newgarden’s replacement JR Hildebrand and Spencer Pigot tested for Ed Carpenter Racing, while Rahal/Letterman/Lanigan’s Graham Rahal and James Hinchcliffe (Schmidt-Peterson) also tested.

The IndyCar Series will return to Road America for the KOHLER Grand Prix weekend from June 24-26.