Can the momentum be sustained? After a wildly successful event in the desert IndyCar races at a new venue for the second straight week.. Unlike Phoenix, which was a reconfigured track where the series has raced previously, the track at Arlington debuts as a completely new event with a brand new track. Photos from media on the scene yesterday reveal a massive track with some interesting corners. Turn 10 looks fascinating as a passing zone.

The facility looks better than several of the other newer street courses. It doesn’t appear to have any narrow straights or a route through alleys hidden from the spectators. The course still includes the trendy big dipper shape, this time with an appendage. .

I’m not sure how the track will race, but I think there is a potential for some good action here. I love the long backstretch, which is about 700 feet longer than the front stretch at Monza, according to Kyle Kirkwood.

The highlight of the weekend will be the new qualifying format in which the drivers who make to the Firestone Fast Six will take single car one lap runs to determine the pole sitter. I like the idea, and I think it will add some excitement to the end of qualifying.

One issue I have heard some people express is that the first car out will have an advantage because that car will still have warm tires from the Fast 12, and the last car out will have been sitting for several minutes. Perhaps the series could provide a longer between the end of Round 2 and the start of the Fast Six to allow all cars to have cold tires or maybe mandate a tire change for the final round. I’m sure if this format continues, there will be tweaks to it.

The race will see the usual suspects battling for the lead. Andretti Global will return to their street dominating form, and Team Penske will be in the mix as well. My pick to win is Kyle Kirkwood, who has been the king of the streets over the last two years. Will Power shakes off his early season troubles with his first podium for Andretti.

IndyCar practice begins at 4 pm Eastern today on FS2.