Vitor Meira always appreciated driving an Indy car, but he acknowledges today will be special when he straps back into one at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The popular Brazilian driver has been out of the cockpit since fracturing two vertebrae in his lower back during a crash late in this year’s Indianapolis 500. Doctors weren’t keen on him returning in the IndyCar Series’ season finale Oct. 10 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but they allowed him to participate in this two-day test that began Tuesday.

“Man, it’s going to be very, very cool,” Meira said.

Meira, 32, has so many things going for him, including a relatively speedy recovery from the injuries suffered in head-on contact with the first-turn wall after coming together with Raphael Matos on lap 174.

Other than not being able to do pull-ups, Meira has no physical limitations. And he has peace of mind about the 2010 season because he has a contract to return to A.J. Foyt Racing’s No. 14 car.

“It’s all done; it’s all confirmed,” Meira said of the deal that carries him through the end of next season. “It’s unbelievably nice to be ready to go.”

That assurance has allowed Meira and the team to take steady steps in his recovery. He will use today’s session to rebuild the confidence it takes to master the oval. He finished second at IMS in 2005 and ’08.

Meira doesn’t mind missing Homestead even though it’s another track on which he feels comfortable.

“The disappointment (of not competing) started in Milwaukee when I didn’t race (after Indy),” he said. "So to be honest, whether I have one less race this season or no more races, it doesn’t matter; it doesn’t change it.

“It’s better to test, improve the car and go step-by-step with myself instead of jumping in the car (at Homestead) and have a chance for something bad to happen. It’s better this way, and everybody agrees.”

Helio Castroneves returned Tuesday to the track where he won his third 500 in May. He and 2007 winner Dario Franchitti tested tires for Firestone.

“Coming through the tunnel this time and passing the museum, I (couldn’t) believe it; back again here,” Castroneves said. “It’s an incredible feeling. Last time I was here it was a great happy day.”

Meira, Marco Andretti and Tomas Scheckter are scheduled to test aerodynamic changes for the IndyCar Series.

Another group of drivers will test today at Homestead. Franchitti, along with fellow championship contenders Scott Dixon and Ryan Briscoe, tested alone there Friday.

“It was kind of weird,” Franchitti said of not having other drivers on the track.