Indy 500 Notes
By Dave Lewandowski
indy500.com
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Veterans Roger Yasukawa and Phil Giebler were named to cars for the 92nd Indianapolis 500 on Wednesday, May 14, with Yasukawa in the No. 98 CURB Records/hhgregg/Real Power entry fielded by CURB/Agajanian/Beck Motorsports and Giebler in the No. 88 Gardner Trucking entry fielded by American Dream Motorsports.
Yasukawa knows the drill as a second-week participant: Utilize track time efficiently, qualify and then continue fine-tuning the car for the race.
"Hopefully, we have the hardest part of the job done now, and we can concentrate on being on track and going fast," said Yasukawa, who will seek to compete in his sixth 500-Mile Race. "The good thing is Greg has such huge experience here at the track and I've been here five years, so I feel comfortable just going into it."
It's the third consecutive year that Yasukawa, a West Hollywood, Calif., resident, is associated with a second-week team. Last year, he finished 21st with a Wellman Corbier/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing car. In 2006, he advanced 12 positions to finish 16th for Playa Del Racing.
"I've done the second-week deal last year, so this is nothing new to me," said Yasukawa, who followed up a 10th place in his 2003 rookie year at the '500' with another 10th place with Rahal Letterman Racing the next year. "At this point, I really want to focus on the race setup. I have no question about getting into the field."
Yasukawa competed with Beck Motorsports in the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi on April 20, finishing 14th (mechanical failure) on the 1.5-mile oval.
"Yes, we did struggle, but in reality the first day was our shakedown, and we did about 50 laps and then straight into the race," said Yasukawa, who has nine top-10 finishes in 38 IndyCar Series starts. "So it was a difficult situation, but I was very impressed with the teamwork. As the race went on, we fine-tuned the car, and it was getting better and better. The brake failed, and we had to stop the race there.
"After Japan, I was committed to run this '500' with Greg. I'm happy we got everything worked out."
Beck said continuity is especially important in preparations for the 500-Mile Race. Beck Motorsports has competed in the Indianapolis 500 since 1995, recording four top-10 finishes.
"It's a great opportunity to have a driver the caliber of Roger in our car," Beck said. "Being an Indy 500 veteran, he has the depth of experience a team looks for, plus it's great to build on the relationship we started at Japan."
Giebler waited weeks for the parts to fall into place, so another day waiting for the parts on the No. 88 Gardner Trucking car to be put in order isn't a big deal.
Giebler, the 2007 Chase Rookie of the Year, will drive the American Dream Motorsports entry in the team's IndyCar Series debut. William Kelsey and Eric Zimmerman purchased majority ownership of Playa Del Racing two weeks ago and gave it the new name.
"(Zimmerman) contacted me before he actually had a car, and he tried to get everything going," said Giebler, who has made 19 Firestone Indy Lights starts. "So it was really nerve-racking trying to know what's going to happen for the month. And I had a lot of things coming together that I thought was going to take off.
"But in the end, everything's slowly coming together. We're still trying to piece the car together, so this rain is really helping us out. So everybody else is maybe a little upset about it, but I'm really happy that it's raining."
Giebler, who finished 29th in last year's '500' with Playa Del Racing, will again be in the Panoz chassis. In fact, the No. 88 is the only Panoz confirmed to compete.
"We're the only Panoz out there, and we're just going to try to stay on course and do our thing and not really worry about too much of the race at first," Giebler said. "I think Panoz is a good car, and we have a better car than last year. I think it's quite difficult to make this your debut race in the IndyCar Series. I really learned a lot. I'm bringing that to the team. We have a lot of the same people that I worked with last year, so at least we have something to build off of.
"We just want to get in the field and go out there and race. I think we'll have a good race car."
***
Lloyd cleared, gets sponsor: Alex Lloyd, driver of the No. 16 Rahal Letterman Racing with Chip Ganassi car, was re-evaluated at the Clarian Emergency Medical Center and cleared to resume race activities. Lloyd's car made contact with the Turn 1 SAFER Barrier in practice May 9.
Lloyd has a new white-and-green paint scheme -- courtesy of new sponsor Wii Fit. Nintendo's newest video game has an extensive array of fun and dynamic activities, including strength training, aerobics, yoga and balance games. It is scheduled for release May 21 and available at Target stores.
***
Fisher lands sponsor: Sarah Fisher Racing announced a partnership with Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis that includes sponsorship of the No. 67 car for the Indianapolis 500.
The sponsorship is a collaborative effort between the IU School of Liberal Arts, the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, and the IUPUI campus administration.
"Sarah is an excellent role model for IUPUI students," IUPUI Vice Chancellor Amy Conrad Warner said. "She is passionate about her chosen career and is defying the odds. Starting her own race team shows the entrepreneurial spirit that we want all of our students to possess."
Dominguez honored: Mario Dominguez, driver of the No. 96 Visit Mexico City/Pacific Coast Motorsports entry, was recognized May 13 as Mexico City's official ambassador of sports and tourism.
"I am very honored by the designation," said Dominguez, who is attempting to make his IndyCar Series debut in the 92nd Running of the Indianapolis 500. "I'm looking forward to representing my country."
Notable: Charles Buckman, the Dale Coyne Racing crew member who was injured in an incident May 9 on pit lane, was released from Methodist Hospital, according to Dr. Mike Olinger, senior medical director for the Indy Racing League. Buckman is recovering from a traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage and a skull fracture. … Indiana Pacers guard-forward Danny Granger will be the honorary starter Thursday, May 15.
***
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 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.
Related Stories
- J. Andretti Rolls With Changes Through Three Decades At Indy
- Carpenter Quietly Climbs Into Contending Position At Indy
- McDonald's Pit Stop Challenge Showcases Top Indy 500 Crews
- Mutoh Leads Talented Rookie Crop This Year At Indy
- Indy 500 Race Countdown Begins With Public Drivers' Meeting
| Indianapolis 500 Talkback | Post Comment |
|
|
|