By Dave Lewandowski
indy500.com
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Speeds | Video | Photos | IndyCast | Audio | Notes/Quotes
Arie Luyendyk's memories of participating in the 1985 Rookie Orientation Program arrest the audience like an actor's soliloquy.
With rookies projected to comprise about one-third of the starting field for the 92nd Indianapolis 500 - the largest sporting stage in the world - Luyendyk stresses respect for man and machine.
"The track is still the same and the speeds are still high, and that's the one thing that a lot of people forget, with the rookies and the guys that have never been here, that the first time you walk into this place you have to be impressed and somewhat humbled," two-time 500-Mile Race champion Luyendyk said.
"The cars are different now than they were then. But, of course, these guys wouldn't know the cars from back then, so for them it's pretty much the same as it was for us when we started here."
At the behest of Chip Ganassi, Luyendyk is working with Indy 500 rookie Alex Lloyd throughout the month.
"There are things that a rookie is not aware of, obviously, when he comes here, so I can help a bit on a lot of things with my experience, not just for practicing, but also for qualifying and Race Day," Luyendyk said. "With this place, say the car starts to go away and handle bad, then you get this mental aspect, and it's really important to not get down on yourself. So a lot of those things I can kind of tell the driver don't worry about it, it's the car. Change this, do that, or whatever."
Lloyd was among 10 drivers to pass all four speed phases of the Rookie Orientation Program, which allows them to participate in full practice that begins Tuesday, May 6. Will Power, driving the No. 8 Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia car for KV Racing Technology, topped the overall speed chart at 220.694 mph (40.7804 seconds).
HVM Racing's EJ Viso was second-quick at 220.445 mph, while Power's teammate, Oriol Servia, was third at 220.102. Also completing the initiation were Rahal Letterman Racing's Ryan Hunter-Reay, Roth Racing's Jay Howard, Andretti Green Racing's Hideki Mutoh, Conquest Racing's Jaime Camara, and Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing's Graham Rahal and Justin Wilson.
Enrique Bernoldi of Conquest Racing completed three phases, while Dale Coyne Racing's Mario Moraes completed three laps late in the five-hour session. Pacific Coast Motorsports' Mario Dominguez didn't get on the track. But he'll have another five-hour session Monday, May 5.
Lloyd, who had a best lap of 219.964 mph (40.9158 seconds), appreciates Luyendyk's assistance. 2007 Firestone Indy Lights champion Lloyd was signed by Target Chip Ganassi Racing, and the "500" will be his IndyCar Series debut. He's the only driver to win on the 2.5-mile oval and road course, but the move to the IndyCar Series car is still impressive.
"Obviously, the speed is the biggest difference," said Lloyd, driver of the No. 16 Rahal Letterman Racing with Chip Ganassi car Honda-powered Dallara. "But once you get a few laps in and get used to it, everything seems to slow down for you, and things felt very comfortable. That's the nice thing about ROP is that it kind of forces you to take your time and find your way up to speed safely. Now we just have to settle in, learn the nuances of the track and try and gain more speed."
The KV Racing Technology drivers found speed late on the sun-baked asphalt. Power recorded 93 laps and Servia 94. Thirteen drivers totaled 661 laps without incident.
"We were first out and last in," Power said. "It was a good day. Initially when I went out I thought, 'How the hell do you go flat here?' But we crept up through it, we had a pretty safe car there at the end, it was pretty solid. I was happy to get flat all the way around because that takes you to the next level and now we start trimming out. We did plenty of mileage because we're a bit wary of what the weather's going to be like later in the week, so I'm very happy for the Aussie Vineyards KV Technology team."
***
Indy 500 tickets on sale: Tickets are on sale for the 2008 Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 25, the 92nd running of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
Fans can order tickets online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com, by calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area, or at the ticket office at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Parking and camping information also can be obtained through the ticket office.
Hours for phone orders and the ticket office are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (ET) Monday-Sunday during May, with special hours of 7 a.m.-6 p.m. on Pole Day, Saturday, May 10 and 6 a.m.-1 p.m. on Race Day, Sunday, May 25. Online orders can be made at any time.
Race Day ticket prices start at just $20.
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