Esteban Gutierrez speaks perfect English, but he is still learning how to talk American.

The Mexican driver, who is filling it at Dale Coyne Racing for the injured Sebastien Bourdais, said that since coming to the Verizon IndyCar Series in early June, he has learned there is a big difference between the two.

"In America, you have a different kind of language in racing," Gutierrez told IndyStar on Wednesday. "Even though it's English, a universal language, for certain things you express yourselves differently and use different words for certain things.

More motor sports:

Brickyard 400 has new title sponsor

Sebastien Bourdais recovery ahead of schedule: 'Let's get back to work'

Good news in John Andretti's cancer fight

Conor Daly staying positive amid struggles of 'rebuilding year' at Foyt

"So it takes a little time to get the communication flowing with engineers," Gutierrez added with a laugh. "But it's fine. It's been interesting. I'm learning a lot."

Learning the language of American motor sports will prove vital as he attempts to do something he's never done before: race on an oval.

Like the American motor sports vernacular, the concept was completely foreign to him before he tested Tuesday at Iowa Speedway, where he said he gained a whole new level of respect for those brave men and women who have made a career of open-wheel racing on speedways.

"It’s not scary, but it requires a lot of guts to do it, you know," Gutierrez said. "It’s a really different concept, and I have a big respect for the people racing ovals for a long time. You have no idea what it actually is or what it means until you get out there. ... What surprises me is you can feel every single movement from the car for a very long period of time and that makes you learn a lot."

To his credit, Gutierrez has had to learn and soak up quite a bit this season already.

Making his IndyCar debut at the Detroit doubleheader, Gutierrez was thrown into the fire at one of the most physically demanding tracks and weekends on the IndyCar calendar. By most accounts, he handled himself as well as could be expected, avoiding trouble and finishing 19th before jumping up to 14th in the second race.

Gutierrez then was forced to take a brief hiatus from IndyCar, as he was not yet certified to race on ovals. Gutierrez said it was for the best that he missed Texas. Putting himself amid that chaos with zero oval experience would have been no help to anyone.

Most recently, Gutierrez came in 17th at Road America, a finish that impressed the man he replaced in the No. 18 DCR Honda. Bourdais, watching all of Gutierrez's races from his home in Florida, said that considering the circumstances, Gutierrez performed admirably.

"I think he did quite well," said Bourdais, who has served as long-distance mentor for the rookie. "He was pretty competitive. ... He did a really good job. Unfortunately, he was starting to make good headway, but then there was contact, and he lost his front wing and his race went haywire from there, which was a shame."

Like many around the sport, Bourdais is eager to see what Gutierrez can do on an oval. He said the IndyCar rookie could enjoy some immediate success because of a trait he shares with DCR teammate Ed Jones: patience.

"The good thing with him is he seems to be extremely methodical about everything," Bourdais said. "He's not burning steps, not making mistakes; I think when you see the kind of season that Ed is having, there is a lot to be said about that. If he keeps on showing progress, then I don't see why he wouldn't have a future in IndyCar."

If he wanted one, that is. Gutierrez, who has a Formula One and Formula E background, told IndyStar he remains open to all possibilities right now, including an IndyCar career, but doesn't want to look too far ahead.

Instead he wants to keep his focus on a more immediate challenge: next weekend's race at Iowa Speedway. Gutierrez said it will be key for himself and his fans to remember that it will be his first oval race, so expectations must be tempered.

"We cannot forget that oval is a very different kind of racing," Gutierrez said. "Even though I tested and I feel better prepared ... IndyCar is very competitive and I still have (work to do) to get completely up to speed."

Follow IndyStar reporter Jim Ayello on Twitter and Instagram: @jimayello.