Thursday, May 8, 2003
TODAY AT THE TRACK:
| 9 a.m. | Public gates open; Hall of Fame Museum, IMS gift shops open. |
| 11 a.m. | Nationally syndicated Indianapolis radio hosts Bob Kevoian and Tom Griswold, who have played host to the hit morning show "The Bob and Tom Show" for more than 20 years, will wave the green flag to start the fifth day of practice. |
| 11-6 p.m. | IndyCarä Series practice |
| 3 p.m. | Back-to-back winner track laps: Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner and IRL driver coach Al Unser will take ceremonial laps in the 1970 Johnny Lightning Special that he drove to victory in the 1970 Indianapolis 500. |
| 6 p.m. | Fastest of the day press conference. |
***
PRACTICE REPORT:
At 11 a.m., the ambient temperature was 57 degrees with west winds at 5 mph and a relative humidity of 90 percent. Skies were cloudy. The track temperature was 75 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.
11 a.m. - GREEN. #2 J. Lazier first out.
11:07 a.m. - YELLOW. Debris.
11:10 a.m. - GREEN.
11:20 a.m. - YELLOW. #52T Rice spun in the warm up lane in Turn 1 but made no wall contact. Rice continued on to pits.
BUDDY RICE: "The throttle spring broke. I hit the bump and it broke and I just touched the throttle and it spun around (because) there's not the same tension on the throttle. No damage."
11:26 a.m. - GREEN.
11:30 a.m. - #11 Kanaan fastest of the day with a lap of 231.061 mph. Second fastest lap of the month.
11:35 a.m. - YELLOW. Track Inspection.
***
Nationally syndicated Indianapolis radio hosts Bob Kevoian and Tom Griswold, who have played host to the hit morning show "The Bob and Tom Show" for more than 20 years, waved the green flag to start the fifth day of practice.
TOM GRISWOLD: "It was great to meet Helio Castroneves. We've talked to him via phone and satellite a bunch of times but never had the chance to shake his hand. Very gracious and very funny. If you can be funny when English is not your native tongue then you've got to be extremely bright. You see that with Gil de Ferran - how incredibly smart these guys are. We talked with Cheever this morning, who's now an owner obviously. The guy's brilliant. So people need to realize it's not just the physical thing, (but) how incredibly intelligent these guys are. If we add anything to the track when we come out it's to try to get a couple jokes in, because it's serious business." (About standing on the outer pit wall, 15 feet from the cars): "You know, they go by so fast, by the time my bowels were finished evacuating, he was already halfway around the track again. When you're right next to them, it's incomprehensible. The brain can't process them going by that quickly. It was tremendously cool. It's loud."
BOB KEVOIAN: "That's something you just can't understand. When you see a car going 200 mph coming at you. It's pretty exciting. I wish I could sit there for the race, to be honest with you."
***
With practice from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. everyday, very few race and team officials have a chance to take a break for a few minutes. Paul Blevin, assistant starter for the IRL, is no exception. Blevin, who assists chief starter Bryan Howard at all IRL events, is in the flag stand for seven hours each day during practice.
PAUL BLEVIN: "We eat lunch up there. Our lunch is delivered up there via rope, the same way we get our flags and other stuff up there." (What about rain?): "We try to wait until the last minute. If it starts to drizzle, we pack the computers first and then the flags. We talk with race control, and they usually tell us to stay up there as long as we feel we can." (What do you when there are no cars on track, but it's green?): "People watch, and there is no better place to do it than here."
***
Scott Dixon, driver of the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Panoz G Force/Toyota/Firestone, admits he is a fan of reality television. He indicated in the garage area this morning that he missed last night's episode of "American Idol," the reality TV show in which singers are vie for a record contract. United States Marine Joshua Gracin, 22, was knocked out of the competition last night.
"I heard he was let go last night," Dixon said. "It was time for him to go. He was terrible. I usually only watch on Wednesday or whenever they get rid of people. That's the best part of the show."
Dixon missed "American Idol" last night because he was having the carpets cleaned in his Indianapolis-area house. When Dixon returned from the Indy Japan 300 at Motegi, Japan, he found an unusual smell in his house. After some searching, Dixon discovered that a raccoon had broken into the house and was living there. The raccoon was eventually caught and removed from the house.
"It smelled awful," Dixon said. "But we got him out of there."
***
Marlboro Team Penske has used a Dallara chassis in 20 IRL IndyCar Series events at the Indy Japan 300 when Alex Barron used a Panoz G Force. Barron was substituting for Gil de Ferran, who suffered a concussion in an accident at the Purex Dial Indy 200 in March at Phoenix. The team has entered both Dallara and Panoz G Force chassis for the 87th Indianapolis 500 and has practiced with both of them. Team officials indicated they will make an announcement about their chassis selection at a press conference at 10 a.m. May 9 the in Trackside Conference Room.
MARLBORO TEAM PENSKE TOP SPEEDS:
| No. | Chassis | Driver | Speed | Date | |
| 1 | 6T | Panoz G Force | Gil de Ferran | 230.873 mph | May 6 |
| 2 | 3 | Dallara | Helio Castroneves | 229.893 | May 6 |
| 3 | 3T | Panoz G Force | Helio Castroneves | 229.038 | May 6 |
| 4 | 6 | Dallara | Gil de Ferran | 228.337 | May 7 |
| 5 | 66T | Panoz G Force | Gil de Ferran | 225.103 | May 6 |
***
PRACTICE REPORT:
11:45 a.m. - GREEN.
12:03 p.m. - Four drivers have turned laps faster than 230 mph today.
12:06 p.m. - YELLOW. Debris.
12:13 p.m. - GREEN.
***
Top Five Drivers of the Day, 12:10 p.m.
| No. | Driver | Car | Speed | |
| 1 | 11 | Tony Kanaan | Team 7-Eleven D/H/F | 231.061 |
| 2 | 26 | Dan Wheldon (R) | Klein Tools/Jim Beam D/H/F | 231.035 |
| 3 | 15 | Kenny Brack (W) | Rahal/Letterman/Miller Lite/Pioneer D/H/F | 230.087 |
| 4 | 6T | Gil de Ferran | Marlboro Team Penske G/T/F | 230.445 |
| 5 | 27 | Robby Gordon | Alpine/Archipelago/Motorola D/H/F | 229.218 |
(R) - Rookie
(W) - Former Winner
12:30 p.m. -The ambient temperature was 63 degrees with calm winds and a relative humidity of 78 percent. Skies were partly cloudy. The track temperature was 104 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.
12:32 p.m. - YELLOW. Track Inspection.
12:39 p.m. - GREEN.
12:46 p.m. - YELLOW. Smoke trailing from car of #4 Hornish in Turn 4. Car stopped at the entrance to pit lane. Crew reports engine malfunction.
12:54 p.m. - GREEN.
12:59 p.m. -- #27 Gordon turns fifth fastest speed of the day with a lap of 230.214 mph.
1:01 p.m. -- #6T de Ferran third fastest with a lap of 230.890 mph.
1:07 p.m. - YELLOW. Track Inspection.
1:14 p.m. - GREEN.
1:20 p.m. - Castroneves on track in the #66 for the first time this month.
1:47 p.m. - YELLOW. Debris.
1:51 p.m. - GREEN.
2:30 p.m. - YELLOW. Tow-in for #15T Brack. Crew reports car is out of fuel.
2:33 p.m. - GREEN.
2:55 p.m. - #12 Takagi post fastest lap of the month at 232.007 mph. The lap is faster than last year's pole speed. Bruno Junqueira won the 2002 MBNA Pole for the Indianapolis 500 with a four-lap qualifying average of 231.342 mph and a time of 2 minutes, 35.6136 seconds.
3 p.m. - YELLOW. Track Inspection.
***
The ceremony set to honor four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser at 3 p.m. today has been postponed. Unser was supposed to take ceremonial laps in the 1970 Johnny Lightning Special that he drove to victory in the 1970 Indianapolis 500, but the car has a mechanical problem.
***
Medical update from Dr. Henry Bock, medical services director for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy Racing League: Shigeaki Hattori, who suffered a concussion and a broken finger in an accident May 6 at the Speedway, was released from Methodist Hospital today. Further evaluation by the IRL Medical Staff will determine his fitness to return to on-track action.
***
3:10 p.m. - GREEN.
3:13 p.m. -The ambient temperature was 67 degrees with east-northeast winds at 6 mph and a relative humidity of 62 percent. Skies were cloudy. The track temperature was 94 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.
Top Five Drivers of the Day, 3:15 p.m.
| No. | Driver | Car | Speed | |
| 1 | 12 | Tora Takagi (R) | Pioneer Mo Nunn Racing G/T/F | 232.007* |
| 2 | 11 | Tony Kanaan | Team 7-Eleven D/H/F | 231.061 |
| 3 | 26 | Dan Wheldon (R) | Klein Tools/Jim Beam D/H/F | 231.035 |
| 4 | 6T | Gil de Ferran | Marlboro Team Penske G/T/F | 230.890 |
| 5 | 15 | Kenny Brack (W) | Rahal/Letterman/Miller Lite/Pioneer D/H/F | 230.087 |
*Fastest lap of the month
(R) - Rookie
(W) - Former Winner
***
Entry update:
·The No. 54 Beck Motorsports entry is now the No. 54 Beard Papa's Dallara/Honda/Firestone and rookie Shinji Nakano as the driver.
***
Officials from Beck Motorsports said they hope to have the No. 54 Beard Papa's Dallara/Honda/Firestone car on track sometime today.
SHINJI NAKANO: "I've never driven this track. It's a big track. It's amazing to me. I've lived here in Indy since 2000 but never driven here. I was driving in CART, which is why I wasn't here. The Indianapolis 500 - it's a dream for me. I'm happy to be here. I'm looking forward to it." (About getting a late start?): "It's not easy, but that's the way it is. I just have to concentrate and do what I have to do."
***
3:36 p.m. - YELLOW. Track Inspection.
3:44 p.m. - GREEN.
4 p.m. - YELLOW. Al Unser Ceremonial Laps
***
At 4 p.m., track activity was stopped for the Al Unser ceremonial laps in the 1970 Johnny Lighting Special. Officials thought they had solved the mechanical problem on the car, but the car was not able to turn laps and taken back to the garage area.
***
4:03 p.m. - GREEN.
4:09 p.m. - #3 Castroneves turns second fastest lap of the day with a lap of 231.595 mph.
4:12 p.m. - YELLOW. Debris.
4:16 p.m. - GREEN.
***
4:27 p.m. - YELLOW.
4:32 p.m. - GREEN.
4:41 p.m. - Ten drivers have now turned laps fastest than 230 mph today.
4:43 p.m. - #26 Wheldon turns fastest lap of the month with a lap of 232.202 mph.
4:47 p.m. - YELLOW. #14T Foyt did quarter spin to the right and Turn 1 and made contact with the outside retaining wall between Turns 1 and 2 with the rear of the car. There was no contact with the SAFER Barrier. Car then spun around to the left and made contact with outside retaining wall between Turns 1 and 2 with the left side of the car. The car came to a stop on the track in the middle of the track in Turn 2. Foyt climbed from car without assistance. Heavy damage to rear of car and to left front and rear suspension.
Medical update from Dr. Henry Bock, medical services director for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy Racing League: A.J. Foyt IV has been checked and released from the Clarian Emergency Medical Center in the infield of the Speedway without injury. He is cleared to drive.
Top Five Drivers of the Day, 5 p.m.
| No. | Driver | Car | Speed | |
| 1 | 26 | Dan Wheldon (R) | Klein Tools/Jim Beam D/H/F | 232.202* |
| 2 | 12 | Tora Takagi (R) | Pioneer Mo Nunn Racing G/T/F | 232.007 |
| 3 | 3 | Helio Castroneves (W) | Marlboro Team Penske D/T/F | 231.595 |
| 4 | 6T | Gil de Ferran | Marlboro Team Penske G/T/F | 231.567 |
| 5 | 11 | Tony Kanaan | Team 7-Eleven D/H/F | 231.061 |
5 p.m. - GREEN. At the beginning of "Happy Hour" the ambient temperature was 65 degrees with south-southwest winds at 7 mph and a relative humidity of 72 percent. Skies were cloudy. The track temperature was 80 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.
***
Miller Brewing Company officials will join Indianapolis Motor Speedway President and CEO Tony George and IMS Senior Vice President of Business Affairs Joie Chitwood for a major announcement at 9:15 a.m. (EST) Friday, May 9 in the Speedway's Trackside Conference Room.
Also participating will be former Indianapolis 500-Mile Race winners Bobby Rahal and Kenny Brack. Rahal won the 1986 "500" and is co-owner of Team Rahal, a full-time participant in the IRL IndyCar™ Series. Brack, the 1999 Indianapolis 500 champion, drives the No. 15 entry for Team Rahal with Miller Lite sponsorship.
***
The Indy Racing League will provide numerous Video News Releases throughout the month of May to assist with your coverage of the 87th Indianapolis 500. The next VNR will be:
Friday, May 9 (Fast Friday):
·Time: 7:30-7:45 p.m. (EDT)
·Coordinates: AMC 2, Transponder K18
Audio 6.2/6.8
Download Frequency 12060 horizontal
***
5:11 p.m. - YELLOW. Debris.
5:14 p.m. - GREEN.
5:42 p.m. - Foyt returns to track in the 5T.
5:49 p.m. - YELLOW. Moisture.
5:53 p.m. - CHECKERED. End of Day 5 of practice for the Indianapolis 500.
***
Rookie Dan Wheldon's speed of 232.202 mph that he turned today at 4:43 p.m. is faster than any lap in practice, qualifying or the race from 2002 and the fastest lap at the Speedway since 1996. Last year, the fastest lap of the month was completed by Helio Castroneves on Fast Friday, May 10, 2002 when he turned a lap of 232.087 mph at 4:55 p.m.
***
Top 10 Drivers of the Day
| No. | Driver | Car | Speed | |
| 1 | 26 | Dan Wheldon (R) | Klein Tools/Jim Beam D/H/F | 232.202* |
| 2 | 12 | Tora Takagi (R) | Pioneer Mo Nunn Racing G/T/F | 232.007 |
| 3 | 3 | Helio Castroneves (W) | Marlboro Team Penske D/T/F | 231.595 |
| 4 | 6T | Gil de Ferran | Marlboro Team Penske G/T/F | 231.567 |
| 5 | 11 | Tony Kanaan | Team 7-Eleven D/H/F | 231.061 |
| 6 | 9 | Scott Dixon (R) | Target Chip Ganassi Racing G/T/F | 230.970 |
| 7 | 15 | Kenny Brack (W) | Rahal/Letterman/Miller Lite/Pioneer D/H/F | 230.807 |
| 8 | 32 | Tony Renna (R) | Cure Autism Now/HomeMed D/T/F | 230.309 |
| 9 | 27 | Robby Gordon | Alpine/Archipelago/Motorola D/H/F | 230.214 |
| 10 | 8T | Scott Sharp | Delphi D/T/F | 230.193 |
*Fastest lap of the month
(R) - Rookie
(W) - Former Winner
***
A total of 50 cars are now at the Speedway, and 50 have passed technical inspection. There have been 28 drivers on the track to date. Today there were 18 caution periods for 2 hours and 2 minutes. Drivers completed 1,334 laps today. Fifty-five drivers have passed their physicals.
***
Two-time defending Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves will be honored at 3 p.m. May 9 and will drive his winning car from 2001, the No. 68 Marlboro Team Penske Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone.
***
POST-PRACTICE QUICK QUOTE:
DAN WHELDON (No. 27 Klein Tools/Jim Beam Dallara/Honda/Firestone): "That's not real. We definitely got a tow on that lap. But it's great for the Klein Tools/Jim Beam crew to be top of the timesheets again. It's going good, but it's still early in the month. I think the pole (speed) will be around 231 (mph), 232, but it just depends on the weather, really. It's hard to predict."
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