Despite rain, drivers pleased by IndyCar test session at Laguna Seca.

Rain cut the session short and one team bailed without pulling a car from their hauler, but drivers were pleased with Friday’s IndyCar test at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

“We were lucky to get as much time in as we did,” observes Graham Rahal, driver of the number 15 Honda from the Rahal Letterman Lanigan stable. “Everybody is excited to be back.”

Friday’s laps marked the first appearance of America’s top open wheel racing series at Laguna Seca in 15 years. The event—technically a private test session—drew hundreds of spectators who braved the threat of rain, which held off until late into a scheduled lunch break for the crews.

Yet the forecast was enough for A.J. Foyt Racing to make the decision to leave. IndyCar representatives reported the team did not want to use one of their few allotted tests for a half-day session.

This removed Tony Kanaan and second-year IndyCar driver Matheus Leist from participation. Kanaan—2004 IndyCar champion and winner of the 2013 Indy 500 captured the podium at Laguna Seca back in 1998, his rookie year.

Of the 21 drivers who took to the track, only five had turned previous laps in the open wheel series. Scott Dixon took part in the 2002 race. Ryan Hunter-Reay ran in 2003 and 2004, as did Sebastien Bourdais. Meanwhile, Rahal and Simon Pagenaud tested back in 2007.

So much of Friday’s field was in search of seat time at the famed track in advance of the Firestone Monterey Grand Prix, slated for September.

“I’m happy we got some running in,” says Felix Rosenqvist, an IndyCar rookie with Chip Ganassi Racing. Although he adds that the cool temperatures affected grip levels, overall the test went well.

For first timers to the track, that meant an encounter with The Corkscrew. And the twisting, plunging corner impressed the newcomers.

"It’s a lot like a roller coaster,” observes Marcus Ericsson of Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, who came to IndyCar after a stint in Formula One. “The track is very challenging.”

“It looked scarier when I walked it,” Rosenqvist adds. “But it’s a corner like no other.”

Although familiar with Laguna Seca, Bourdais explains that getting reacquainted—or introduced for the first time—is important. He says the variety of corners and the steep elevation changes give drivers a lot to handle, which is one of the reasons they appreciate the the track.

“It’s a really tricky place,” he says. “There are a lot of blind corners.”

Rahal points out that laps times dropped significantly as the teams made adjustments, even though the tires were skating for grip.

Rahal’s father, Bobby, took the checkered flag at Laguna Seca four consecutive years, 1984-87. Track officials honored his achievement by naming the abrupt climb between treacherous turn six and The Corkscrew the Rahal Straight.

“My dad dominated here—before I was born,” Rahal says with a laugh, joking that he’s not so sure about Bobby Rahal’s career afterward.

The test session attracted another famous name. Danny Sullivan, who earned the 1988 points title by winning at Laguna Seca and is known for the “spin and win” at the 1985 Indy 500, dropped by to chat with the teams.

“I can’t tell you how pleased I am,” he says of IndyCar’s return. “It makes you want to get out and drive—although that’s a fantasy."

Asked if he had advice for the young drivers, he scoffed. “They’ve all probably done thousands of miles around here in simulators or video games.”

Which is how Rosenqvist first learned the track. Did it measure up?

“It was better,” the rookie from Sweden says with a broad grin.