By
indy500.com
Friday, May 22, 2009
DAY 12 - FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009
TODAY'S SCHEDULE (all times local):
|
8 a.m. |
Garages open |
|
11 a.m.-noon |
IndyCar Series practice |
|
12:15 p.m. |
Firestone Freedom 100 pre-race 1946 Indianapolis 500 Program Cover Tin Sign
1946 Indianapolis 500 Program Cover Tin Sign. |
|
12:30 p.m. |
Firestone Freedom 100 (40 laps/100 miles) |
|
1:30-3 p.m. |
Indianapolis 500 Pit Stop Challenge |
***
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY CENTENNIAL ERA FACT OF THE DAY: On May 22, 1909, track co-founder Carl Fisher becomes the first person to leave the grounds in a balloon, one day after driving the first "official" lap in a passenger car. Postponed until later in the day because of strong winds, Fisher and Capt. George Bumbaugh make the ascent in Bumbaugh's Kathleen, named for his young daughter. They make three landings during the late afternoon, putting down west of the track in the village of Bridgeport, then some five miles to the south of Bridgeport, and finally at Valley Mills. Fisher is still going through the process of "qualifying" for his Aero Club of America pilot's license with Bumbaugh as his instructor. Fisher needs to successfully complete a total of 10 ascensions in order to be eligible for the rapidly-approaching June 5 championships.
***
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Executive Vice President, Communications Fred Nation announced in the Media Center today the creation of a scholarship in the name of retiring Associated Press auto racing writer Mike Harris. The scholarship will be available to college students attending the Indiana University School of Journalism's new National Sports Journalism Center, location of the Associated Press Sports Editors headquarters, and the winner of the annual scholarship will also have the option to serve as an intern with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or Indy Racing League.
Indy Racing League Vice President, Public Relations John Griffin and IMS Director, Public Relations Ron Green also presented Harris with a helmet signed by all 33 starting drivers for the 2009 Indianapolis 500.
Contributions to the Mike Harris Scholarship can be made to:
Indiana University Foundation
Mike Harris Scholarship
c/o Fred Nation
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
4790 W. 16th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46222
MIKE HARRIS: "The scholarship is certainly one of the greatest things that's ever happened to me, I think that's wonderful. I like the idea of giving back to journalism in some way and I think I'll probably do a little contributing myself to that one. Thanks, everybody, for all the things that have been going on recently. It's kind of embarrassing to have this many people saying nice things about me."
***
Facts about the bands participating in the IPL 500 Festival Parade on Saturday, May 23 in downtown Indianapolis:
•7 - number of states from which bands are coming
•16 - number of marching bands
•25 - number of support vehicles used to carry equipment
•45 - number of volunteer band committee members (including attorneys, a doctor and a superior court judge)
•69 - number of buses carrying the marching band students, directors and chaperones
•1,025 - number of students attending the Band Party Luau at the Children's Museum on Saturday night, May 23
•2,526 - number of marching band students
•$3,192,864 - Economic impact generated by the marching bands visiting Indianapolis
•13,640,400 - Number of steps these marching bands will take on the parade route
***
Anna Chatten, from Peoria, Ill., will operate the jack on Race Day for the No. 23 CITGO Dreyer & Reinbold Racing entry driven by Milka Duno. She is one of the few women ever to work in an "over the wall" role during Race Day at the Indianapolis 500. Chatten's daily role with the team is a gearbox specialist.
The first woman believed to work over the wall was Anita Millican, who held the vent hose for driver Larry Dickson in the 1981 and 1982 Indianapolis 500 Mile Races.
***
She never went over the wall as part of a pit crew, but Eloisa Garza was the "point person" on one of the biggest changes ever in the building of Indy cars.
Garza was hired by Jim Hall when the veteran Indy car owner wanted to bring the building of his machines in-house. Today, she owns EG Composites, an Indianapolis firm that employs eight people to do carbon fiber and composite work on all kinds of projects.
Garza resided in Midland, Texas, at the time, where Hall had his shop.
"I didn't know anything about a race car because there's not a lot of racing down there," she said. "When I saw his car, it was a real eye opener. I was very young. I told him I'd never worked on a race car before, and he said fine; he'd never hired a woman before."
Garza stayed with the Hall team until Hall retired, then joined VDS, which took a year-old Penske chassis and won the Michigan 500.
"A lot of the teams were talking to me, and I moved here in '85," Garza said. "It has gone so many directions. We've worked with so many teams from skid-plate materials to sports cars, dragsters, drag bikes ... we made some pieces for NASA … we did a bobsled, it must've been '88, for the U.S. bobsledding team, both two-man and four-man."
For a long time, a crash at the Speedway meant a trip to Eloisa's place for a race car.
"We don't do very much of the repairs any more because the teams are doing more of it themselves," she said.
Unlike others, she was in the pits but never over the wall. "I worked in the pits. I held the fuel line," she said. "It's exciting. I love it. But that part of my life is complete. But as far as being around it, I love it. Once you're involved, you pretty much stay involved.
"We do some restoration work, too, and we had Mario Andretti's Formula One car. I was underneath it and saw all those beautiful tunnels, and it brought back a lot of memories.
"I'm proud of Anita (Millican) and Anna (Chatten), and proud that young women are becoming a part of our sport."
***
She didn't actually work a pit stop, but Kay (Mrs. George) Bignotti played a key role in Janet Guthrie's role in the history of the Speedway: Kay Bignotti fired Guthrie's car on the starting grid in 1977 when Guthrie became the first female driver to start the Indianapolis 500.
***
ESPN will use 59 cameras to televise the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday on ABC fully in high definition, including a 360-degree rotating onboard camera mounted behind the driver on multiple cars. Unique views will be provided by Track Cam, a high definition camera running on a cable over pit road and the frontstretch that can move at more than 80 mph.
All 33 cars will carry GPS boxes for the Sportvision RaceFX system to provide telemetry and pointers to help identify the cars for viewers. And ESPN will use a radio replay system that can record, playback and edit radios from any of the 33 drivers.
The one-hour pre-race show will include interviews with many of the 33 starting drivers as well as four special features, including a look at the roller-coaster year of polesitter Helio Castroneves; the special relationship between Danica Patrick and her father; the "Super Team" of Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti; and the Allure of Indy - why drivers will risk everything just to be able to compete in the Indy 500.
ESPN International's networks and syndication of Indy 500 will reach 213 countries and territories and more than 292 million households. In addition, U.S. troops serving overseas and on Navy vessels around the world will watch via a broadcast agreement between ESPN and the American Forces Network.
ABC Indianapolis 500 anchor Marty Reid and analysts Scott Goodyear and Eddie Cheever Jr. met with the media Thursday in the Economaki Press Conference Room.
SCOTT GOODYEAR: "Indianapolis is a little bit like Wimbledon or something of that nature, maybe like the Daytona 500, where the viewer is sort of a fan but not really understanding the terminology of what is going on. When something happens on the track, either visually or something said over the air, it's our job to be there and help to explain so that they know what is happening."
EDDIE CHEEVER JR.: "It's very difficult when you're watching a race to give the exact technical reason why something is happening. I think among all of us in the booth there is enough respect for this place, enough reverence for what happens here, that we are able to add hopefully a little bit of salt or spice to it."
***
ABC Indianapolis 500 anchor Marty Reid paid tribute to 1978 Indianapolis 500 co-Rookie of the Year Larry Rice, who died Wednesday at age 63. Rice was the color analyst along with anchor Gary Lee for many years during ESPN International's telecast of the Indianapolis 500.
Reid also worked with Rice on telecasts of off-road racing and ESPN's popular "Thunder" series of short-track racing.
MARTY REID: "We lost a friend of ours at ESPN, and a friend of the Speedway Wednesday. We would be remiss in not remembering Larry Rice, the 1978 co-rookie of the year. In my days of working with him in off-road racing, the great 'Thunder' days of sprint car racing. What a gentleman, what a class act. He was a great part of the ESPN family."
***
Chip Ganassi, whose Target Chip Ganassi car Scott Dixon drove to victory in the 2008 Indianapolis 500 met with the media at the legendary Yard of Bricks Friday morning at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The last two Indianapolis 500 winners and series champions, Dixon in 2008 and Dario Franchitti in 2007, will drive for Ganassi in this year's race. It's the first time in history that the last two season champs and "500" winners are paired on the same team.
CHIP GANASSI: "Hell, yes, I want to keep it going. I'm coming back here with two co-defending champions (Franchitti missed defending his 2007 title when he drove in NASCAR in 2008). I'm looking forward to Sunday. The great thing about it is that it is an unselfish, sort of open-book thing between the two of them. I would say they work as well together as any two we've ever had. They're both as cool as cucumbers about the whole thing. That's a lot different from me right now." (About rivals): "There are a lot of threats out there; a lot of time passes between qualifying and the race. You never know who has stumbled onto something and who is a dark horse. All this business about 'It's Penske and Ganassi,' can be a very rude awakening. If you're not prepared, it can be a tough day."
***
Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing driver Graham Rahal announced today he will form a personal foundation to help benefit The Hole in the Wall Camps. The Hole in the Wall Camps was formed by the late actor/race team owner Paul Newman. The organization is world's largest group of camps to help raise money for children with serious medical problems and needs.
Rahal will raise money through his organization, The Graham Rahal Foundation, to benefit Newman's life-long project. Rahal became close to Newman in Newman's late years.
The organization will be a (501)(c)(3). It will accept donations from both corporate foundations and individuals.
For more information or to donate, visit www.grahamrahal.com or www.holeinthewallcamps.org.
GRAHAM RAHAL: "To kind of kick things off, we're going to try and put some events together. One of those will probably be a golf tournament of some sort. Hopefully we can get one here next year to try and cut down track time and get a little bit more time for golf." (On the building of building more camps): "The Hole in Wall Camp is in the process of building a camp, adding on to the 10 they already have. They're building one outside of Columbus, Ohio, which is close to home for me. Obviously, I'd really like to help in that process over the next year or so. That's one of my main goals here, try to continue to keep working hard here and raise as much money as we can." (On why he felt he needed to start the foundation): "Being that Paul was such a huge part of my career, I kind of felt that, when he passed away at the end of last year, the Hole in the Wall Camps wasn't represented properly in open-car racing, or racing as a whole. This is my personal way of turning that around." (On how he and his family have become close to Newman and the camps): "Initially, I think me coming to Newman/Haas really started with Paul. Obviously, I drove for Mike in Atlanta. One moment I remember in particular was when I won in Montreal. Before the car even stopped in victory lane, he was leaning over the car. That was only five races into that championship. That was when the wheels started turning for him at that point. That's how everything really kicked off. Not only a part of my life, my Dad drove for him in 1980. He was very close to Mom. My mom is heavily involved with the Hole in the Wall Camps, in particular 'Flying Horse Farms.'" It's right outside of Columbus. She's been doing a lot raising money for that camp already."
***
The IMS Radio Network will broadcast the Indianapolis 500 to more than 350 affiliates, along with Sirius XM, American Forces Radio Network, shortwave radio worldwide and www.indycar.com and www.indy500.com.
The IMS Radio Network Race Day lineup:
Mike King, anchor; Johnny Parsons, driver analyst; Donald Davidson, historian; Paul Page, analyst; Dave Wilson, stats & garage/medical center; Jerry Baker, Turn 1; Jake Query, Turn 2; Mark Jaynes, Turn 3; Chris Denari, Turn 4; Kevin Lee, Kevin Olson and Dave Argabright, pits.
***
INDYCAR SERIES PRACTICE:
At 10:45 a.m., the ambient temperature was 81 degrees with a relative humidity of 58 percent and winds from the westat 2 mph. Skies were sunny. The track temperature was 106 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.
11 a.m. - RUNNING YELLOW. #3 Castroneves is the first car on track. 31 cars on track.
11:01 a.m. - GREEN.
11:03 a.m. - All 33 cars have been on track.
11:50 a.m. - #5 Moraes given a drive-through penalty for putting all four tires over the white line at pit exit.
11:58 a.m. - #27 Mutoh leaves his pit box with air hose attached. He stops in pit lane.
Noon - CHECKERED.
FASTEST TIMES/SPEEDS OF SESSION:
|
Pos. |
Car |
Name |
Time |
Speed |
|
1. |
3 |
Helio Castroneves |
40.1929 |
223.920 |
|
2. |
12 |
Will Power |
40.2577 |
223.560 |
|
3. |
5 |
Mario Moraes |
40.3676 |
222.951 |
|
4. |
4 |
Dan Wheldon |
40.4701 |
222.386 |
|
5. |
6 |
Ryan Briscoe |
40.4724 |
222.374 |
***
FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 RACE SPECIFICS:
· The race is 40 laps, 100 miles on the 2.5-mile oval.
· The pit-road speed is 45 mph.
· The green flag to start the race will be shown on the third time past the flag stand.
· Firestone Racing executive director Al Speyer will drive the Chevrolet Camaro pace car at the start. Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Johnny Rutherford will drive during the race.
· At the start of the race, no passing is allowed until the start/finish line.
· The restart cone is located between Turns 3 and 4. The lead car may accelerate at any time after that cone. Cars may pass as soon as the green flag waves.
***
FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 PRE-RACE:
At 12:15 p.m., the ambient temperature was 83 degrees with a relative humidity of 37 percent and winds from the west at 2 mph. Skies were mostly cloudy. The track temperature was 105 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.
At 12:30 p.m., John Rastetter, director of tire information services for The Tire Rack, gave the command, "Drivers, start your engines." All 22 cars started and were rolling on the grid.
***
FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 RACE RUNNING:
Lap 1: GREEN. #11 Cunningham leads the field into Turn 1. #20 Beatriz passes #26 Hildebrand for third in Turn 1. #11 Cunningham leads #27 Saavedra by .2027 of a second.
Lap 2: #20 Beatriz and #26 Hildebrand side-by-side through Turns 1 and 2. #26 Hildebrand goes underneath #20 Beatriz for third in Turn 3. #27 Saavedra passes #11 Cunningham for the lead on the front stretch. #27 Saavedra leads #11 Cunningham by .0538 of a second.
Lap 3: #11 Cunningham passes #27 Saavedra for the lead entering Turn 3. #11 Cunningham leads #27 Saavedra by .2087 of a second.
Lap 4: #26 Hildebrand passes #27 Saavedra for second. #11 Cunningham leads #26 Hildebrand by .0447 of a second. #7 Hinchcliffe to pit lane.
Lap 5: #26 Hildebrand passes #11 Cunningham for the lead in Turn 3. #27 Saavedra passes #11 Cunningham for second on the front stretch. #26 Hildebrand leads #27 Saavedra by .5065 of a second.
Lap 6: #11 Cunningham passes #26 Hildebrand for the lead on the front stretch. #11 Cunningham leads #26 Hildebrand by .0283 of a second.
Lap 7: YELLOW. #15 Plowman does a quarter-spin to the left entering Turn 1 and makes heavy contact with the SAFER Barrier with the rear of the car. The car also clips #16 Mann who brushes the SAFER Barrier with the right side of the car at the exit of Turn 1. #16 Mann has flat right side tires and continues to pit lane. #9 Summerton to pit lane. #15 Plowman climbs from the car without assistance from the Delphi Safety Team. Leaders under caution are: #11 Cunningham, #26 Hildebrand, #27 Saavedra, #20 Beatriz and #37 Howard.
Lap 12: GREEN. #27 Saavedra passes #26 Hildebrand for second in Turn 4. #11 Cunningham leads #27 Saavedra by .6441 of a second at the line.
Lap 13: #27 Saavedra passes #11 Cunningham for the lead on the front stretch. #27 Saavedra leads #11 Cunningham by .0074 of a second.
Lap 14: #11 Cunningham underneath #27 Saavedra for the lead in Turn 3. #11 Cunningham leads #27 Saavedra by .0398 of a second.
Lap 15: #11 Cunningham leads #27 Saavedra by .0396 of a second.
Lap 16: #27 Saavedra and #26 Hildebrand underneath #11 Cunningham for the lead entering Turn 1.
Lap 17: #26 Hildebrand passes #27 Saavedra for the lead entering Turn 1. YELLOW. #20 Beatriz and #44 Yacaman touch wheels in Turn 1. The right front of #20 Beatriz touches the left rear of #44 Yacaman. #20 Beatriz does a quarter-spin to the left and makes heavy contact with the inside wall with the front of the car. #44 Yacaman makes light contact with the SAFER Barrier with the right rear and then does a full spin across the track, coming to rest in Turn 2. #20 Beatriz is assisted from the car by the Delphi Safety Team. #44 Yacaman climbs from the car without assistance from the Delphi Safety Team. Leaders under caution are: #26 Hildebrand, #27 Saavedra, #11 Cunningham, #5 Romancini and #37 Howard.
Lap 24: GREEN. #26 Hildebrand leads #27 Saavedra by .0023 of a second at the line.
Lap 25: #5 Romancini passes #11 Cunningham for third entering Turn 1. #26 Hildebrand leads #27 Saavedra by .1400 of a second.
Lap 26: #11 Cunningham passes #5 Romancini for third. #26 Hildebrand leads #27 Saavedra by .0170 of a second.
Lap 27: YELLOW. Debris on the front stretch. Leaders under caution are: #26 Hildebrand, #27 Saavedra, #11 Cunningham, #5 Romancini and #37 Howard.
Lap 29: GREEN. #26 Hildebrand leads #27 Saavedra by .2825 of a second at the line.
Lap 30: #5 Romancini passes #11 Cunningham and #27 Saavedra for second on the outside entering Turn 1. #26 Hildebrand leads #5 Romancini by .1171 of a second.
Lap 31: YELLOW. The right front of #35 Kimball makes contact with the left rear of #24 Potekhen. #24 Potekhen does a quarter-spin to the right and back to the left and continues to pit lane. #35 Kimball continues to pit lane. Leaders under caution are: #26 Hildebrand, #5 Romancini, #11 Cunningham, #27 Saavedra and #37 Howard.
Lap 34: GREEN. #26 Hildebrand leads #5 Romancini by .1412 of a second.
Lap 35: #11 Cunningham looks inside #5 Romancini for second entering Turn 1 but can't make the pass. #26 Hildebrand leads #5 Romancini by .0665 of a second.
Lap 36: #26 Hildebrand leads #27 Saavedra by .1208 of a second. #11 Cunningham is third. #5 Romancini is fourth.
Lap 37: #26 Hildebrand leads #5 Romancini by .0794 of a second. #11 Cunningham is third. #27 Saavedra is fourth.
Lap 38: #26 Hildebrand leads #11 Cunningham by .0670 of a second. #5 Romancini is third. #27 Saavedra is fourth.
Lap 39: #27 Saavedra white walls in Turn 1. #11 Cunningham underneath #26 Hildebrand for the lead entering Turn 3. WHITE. #11 Cunningham leads #26 Hildebrand by .2115 of a second.
Lap 40: #27 Saavedra brushes the wall exiting Turn 2. CHECKERED. #11 Cunningham wins the Firestone Freedom 100 by .1046 of a second over #26 Hildebrand.
***
FIRESTONE INDY LIGHTS POST-RACE NOTES:
· Wade Cunningham is the first two-time winner of the Firestone Freedom 100. He also won the event from the pole in 2006.
· This is Cunningham's sixth career victory and his first since Watkins Glen 1 in 2007.
· Cunningham made his fifth start in the Firestone Freedom 100, most of any driver.
· This is the third Firestone Freedom 100 victory for Sam Schmidt Motorsports. The team also won in 2004 with Thiago Medeiros and 2005 with Jaime Camara.
· The margin of victory of .1046 of a second is the closest in Firestone Freedom 100 history. The previous closest was .1319 of a second in 2005 when Jaime Camara defeated Wade Cunningham. It is the 21st-closest margin of victory in series history.
· There were nine lead changes, most in race history. The previous high was seven in 2005.
· Cunningham is the fourth different race winner in five Firestone Indy Lights races this season.
· J.R. Hildebrand finished second, his best finish of the season. His previous best was third at St. Petersburg 2 and Long Beach.
· Mario Romancini finished third for the second consecutive race (Kansas).
· Jay Howard finished a season-best fourth. He has finished fourth and second (2006) in two starts in the Firestone Freedom 100.
· Sebastian Saavedra finished fifth, his third top-five of the season.
***
Medical update from Dr. Michael Olinger, medical director for the Indy Racing League: #15 Martin Plowman and #44 Gustavo Yacaman have been checked and released from the Clarian Emergency Medical Center. Both are cleared to drive. #20 Ana Beatriz is being treated for a small laceration on her chin and will have X-rays taken of her left elbow and right knee.
***
INDYCAR SERIES POST-PRACTICE QUOTES:
HELIO CASTRONEVES (No. 3 Team Penske): (On being the fastest car in the final practice session): "It felt really good. It felt awesome. I'm very confident and comfortable in the car. It was nice to have that right before the race. The weather on Race Day is going to be very similar to what it was today. It was important for us to run today. I feel very confident. I can't wait for Sunday, I'll tell you that. It's going to be a long race and a lot of things can happen, but I can't wait for Sunday."
DANICA PATRICK (No. 7 Boost Mobile/Motorola): "I think we had a good final practice today. We were able to work through the hour practice, which was great since there were no yellows. We made a couple changes, and I think we have a couple of options we could go with for the race. I am ready for Sunday to get here, and hopefully we will have a strong finish for the No. 7 Boost Mobile/Motorola car."
TONY KANAAN (No. 11 Team 7-Eleven): "It was a great practice for the Team 7-Eleven car. I was surprised on how much running we were able to do in the hour practice since we had no yellows. It looks like the weather on Race Day is going to be similar to today, so that is helpful, as well. The No. 11 car felt good, and I'm getting excited for the race."
MARCO ANDRETTI (No. 26 Team Venom Energy): "It was good to get the No. 26 car out on track, and I think the conditions and traffic today will be very similar to what they predict will be on Sunday. We didn't quite have the speed we were looking for, but I am still confident that the Team Venom Energy car will be able to run strong and be a contender come Race Day."
HIDEKI MUTOH (No. 27 Formula Dream): "I'm really excited for the race on Sunday. I feel like we are getting closer to the Race Day setup on the car. Luckily I have three teammates that will give the No. 27 Formula Dream crew their input, as well. Hopefully the track conditions that we practiced on today will be similar on Race Day."
RYAN BRISCOE (No. 6 Team Penske): "The Team Penske car felt good out there this morning. Everything feels like it did in the T car when we left it last week. I think we're in good shape. I'm excited about Sunday, and we're ready to go racing."
WILL POWER (No. 12 Team Verizon Wireless): "I came here last year with no experience, and the team did, as well. We were learning on the job. This year I was a bit more composed because I knew what to expect. If I come here again next year, we would do things differently again. It's just a process where you learn and you experience from everything going on around you. This has been a more comfortable month for me this year, for sure."
VITOR MEIRA (No. 14 ABC Supply Co. AJ Foyt Racing): "Today we did what we intended to do, which is check the cars and see that everything is fine. Found some problems, which is good to find it right now. We are addressing these problems, and we'll be OK for the race. We are certain we know what these problems are. I'm happy. Anthony (Foyt IV) did very good work on trying downforce levels, which we needed. I did one part of the work, and he did the other part of the work, and that's why a two-car team is really working well here. I'm encouraged for the race, but I will just make sure everything is there for the first five laps and start working on it. We did what we had to do here at Carb Day—leak check, check the cars, the balance. Everything's fine."
A.J. FOYT IV (No. 41 ABC Supply/Foyt-Greer Racing): "I think it went all right. I think we found some problems that we had that we need to improve for the race. We found it and did it, and it was definitely an improvement handling-wise. We're obviously glad that whatever happened out there with the gearbox happened then so we can check over everything really good so that nothing like that happens in the race."
RAPHAEL MATOS (No. 2 US Air Force Luczo Dragon Racing): "We got a good feeling about our levels of downforce, but the conditions were tricky. It was very slippery out there and a lot of marbles even though it was only an hour session. We feel like we have a good car. We wanted to get a feel for running in traffic, but with all the marbles it was quite difficult for everybody."
DARIO FRANCHITTI (No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing):(On how he feels about the car going into the race): "I don't know, to be honest. I'd rather give you a definite answer. We were a lot happier at the end of the session than the beginning, so that's a good bright spot. I really don't know. It's so hot that it's changed the track dramatically. The car feels good. We got it feeling good in traffic. Whether it's fast enough, I really don't know, yet." (On the heat conditions being very different than the rest of the month): "It's not really throwing the car off. When it gets hot, the car generally loses a lot of grip. But it's more with the downforce; the tires are still working well. But if we have a good car at the start (of the race), great. If we don't, we'll make it a good car by the end and be up there."
SCOTT DIXON (No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing): "I think Carb Day and the last warm-up for the race is really only to make sure the car runs in a pack. And you've got a new gearbox, new engine and parts to change; just trying to make sure there's no kind of problem that may stop you from running at the start of the race. You want to feel the car out a little bit in traffic. Today was a little different because it was very hot. I think for most people the car was not very good. We seem to be fine. We ran in traffic a little bit, and we're sort of at the front end of the field." (On how the heat changes the performance of the car): "Well, the heat generally takes power away from the engine. It also takes a lot of grip away from the car. We rely a lot on the wings. When the the air is hotter, it's a lot thinner, and you don't stick to the track as well. The cars move around a lot more, and that changes strategy and the way you run your wings." (What adjustments will you make for the race to compensate for the heat?): "We didn't make many changes. We made a few changes only to the wings to see how much it slowed down. We didn't really try too much outside of that box, because we've been working a whole month on the car. To change it drastically before the race, you're asking for trouble there. All-in-all, it's the same for everybody. I think the only thing we've got to focus on is we had a little too much wing in the car, and it was a little too slow. We need to speed the cars up a little bit."
DAVEY HAMILTON (No. 44 Hewlett Packard): "Obviously, it's race setup day. We were a little disappointed with our speed running alone. We improved that, and then we went out and ran in traffic, and I wasn't happy at all. We made another change, and it actually improved. We're definitely not there yet. We're definitely searching for a good race setup. We're in the right direction. I hopped in Mike (Conway's) car, too, and his car is fine, actually. It has a little too much understeer, but if the wind is not blowing Sunday it's a good place for them to start. If it's blowing like it is now, we'll give him a little bit more front aero. That car is going to be fine. I took just four or five laps in it just to make sure it was sucked down good. The most important thing is the back is stuck, and that's just to get his confidence back up."
MIKE CONWAY (No. 24 Dreyer & Reinbold Racing): "It was a big difference running in traffic as much as we did and getting used to coming off Turn 4 to get into the pits. It went OK. We had some things to try, and we mostly ran through pretty much all of them. I'm pretty happy with the balance, but need a little bit more speed. We will work on that by going over the data. We're very happy with that run."
ALEX TAGLIANI (No. 36 ALL SPORT Conquest Racing): "The team did fantastic. I'm pretty excited to drive the ALL SPORT machine for the race. We had a roller-coaster day on Sunday, but I'm pretty proud of the improvements and how the team did so far. We learned a lot this month. We knew it was not going to be an easy month, and we definitely didn't make it easy on ourselves when we didn't make a (qualifying) run on Sunday. I think the team deserved a really good position in the grid. That's the sad part that we have to live with. The fact that they decided to put me in the car and Bruno (Junqueira) was very understanding makes me very appreciative of the whole scenario. It's going to be a tough race. We have a lot of little things that we need to make sure. The car, with the weather and the level of grip, is behaving differently than I felt it before. It's going to be a really big challenge for everyone to make sure we keep the car underneath us with similar balance throughout the run. That's going to be the most challenging thing. If we can keep the car consistent, I think we'll be overall more competitive."
PAUL TRACY (No. 15 GEICO/KV Racing Technology): "For sure, we're ready. The cars are working great. The Geico car is handling great. The whole team - all of us were in the top 12 in final practice. We did some pit stop practice, and everything's good, so we've just got another day to wait. We did a few setup changes during practice. I wasn't too happy with it to start out, but we got it better at the end. I've been (racing) a long time, so (getting in the car) is like getting on a bicycle. (But Indy) is big speed, big crowds and a lot of drama during the race. This is a once-in-a-lifetime race and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
DAN WHELDON (No. 4 National Guard Panther Racing): "We have a few things that we can fix. We're certainly in a better spot from where we were. My car felt nice. I hope we have similar conditions (Race Day). This is the closest field in Indianapolis 500 history ever. I expect it to be close. I expect there to be some surprises, too. The weather conditions will change up some stuff. I'm not the easiest character to be around when it's difficult because I love this place and to perform well here."
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Medical update from Dr. Michael Olinger, medical director for the Indy Racing League: X-rays on #20 Ana Beatriz were normal. She has been released from the Clarian Emergency Medical Center and is cleared to drive.
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Two-time Indianapolis 500 starter Willy T. Ribbs, the first African-American to compete in the race, attended Carb Day activities.
WILLY T. RIBBS: (About owning a race team for the 2011 Indianapolis 500): "It's in the talking stage right now. There's a lot of chin music in this business. It is definitely being talked about. In 2010, it would be too soon. But in 2011 it could be done real well. It would be perfect because the 75th anniversary was when I was here. So, to come back as a team owner in the 100th -- mind blower. Indy is really my second home. The energy here is incredible. When I was here in '91, it was a tough month, but you could just feel the energy. The energy kept me going. And this is the biggest race on the planet. It was then - it is now - and it will always be the biggest race auto race in the world."
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Van Heusen Corporation announced today that its IZOD brand will be the primary sponsor of Vision Racing's #21 car for the Indianapolis 500 and the May 31 race at The Milwaukee Mile. The IZOD car, driven by IZOD spokesperson and 2008 Indy 500 Chase Rookie of the Year Ryan Hunter-Reay, made its debut today during Miller Lite Carb Day.
In July 2008, the IZOD brand became the official apparel of the IndyCar Series, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Firestone Indy Lights. As the official apparel sponsor, the IZOD team designed custom uniforms for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indy Racing League, inspired by the uniquely American heritage of IndyCar racing and designed to address the performance needs on and off the track.
In celebration of the Centennial Era of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indy 500, PVH launched its IZOD collection of vintage, race-inspired and modern performance clothing commemorating the anniversary. In addition, with access to 100 years of Speedway and Indy 500 artwork, the IZOD team designed distressed, vintage look-and-feel short sleeve polo shirts and tees.
MIKE KELLY (Executive vice president of marketing, PVH): "We are thrilled to be expanding our role with Ryan and the IndyCar Series. Partnering with Vision Racing as the primary sponsor for the #21 car was a natural evolution in our ongoing involvement with IndyCar racing. We're excited to see the IZOD brand being driven on the most historic track in auto racing this weekend at the Indy 500."
RYAN HUNTER-REAY: "I couldn't be more excited to have IZOD as the primary sponsor of my car for the Indy 500 and Milwaukee Mile. Having my personal sponsor take a more prominent role in my team just reinforces the successful partnership we have together. I'm proud to be driving the #21 IZOD car for Vision Racing."
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Drag racing legend and current NHRA car owner Don "The Snake" Prudhomme watched Miller Lite Carb Day practice from the Team Penske pits today. Prudhomme, a four-time NHRA Funny Car champion as a driver and two-time champion as a team owner, has been coming to Indy for years and enjoys getting out to watch "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Visiting the track with Prudhomme was his current Top Fuel driver, Spencer Massey.
DON "THE SNAKE" PRUDHOMME: "Well, I've been coming out here for several years. We have our race shop right over in Brownsburg, so it's a nice weekend to be out at the track. I know Chip (Ganassi), (Roger) Penske, Mario (Andretti), A.J. (Foyt) and all the guys back in the day." (Is it fun for you to get away from what you do for a little while and enjoy another form of racing?): "Yeah, I think so. I enjoy Formula One, NASCAR and IndyCar. But IndyCars have always kind of been my favorite, you know. Of all the open-wheel stuff. I like IndyCars a whole lot. Spencer (Massey) and I will come out here for Race Day. I just want to say, too, how impressed I am with the safety of the cars these days. When I first started coming out here, (the cars) were aluminum tubs, and there wasn't much to them. A lot of injuries. In today's world with the composite cars and the safety walls, it's really great." (On his feelings walking into The Speedway): "It's unbelieveable. It's a shame that a lot of people missed this during the '50s and '60s with everything that took place out here: A.J. Foyt, Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones; it was amazing times."
SPENCER MASSEY: (On comparing an IndyCar to a Top Fuel dragster): "I guess I'd go 50-50 on it. Of course, it's a little different with IndyCars because the drivers sit out front. But you could say the same about a dragster. Either way, racing is racing. I enjoy all forms of motorsports, and that's why I'm here. I love anything with wheels on it. Just being here with 'Snake' and getting to meet the Penske's guys and Ganassi and all them guys; I couldn't ask for a better weekend."
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RESULTS OF THE 32nd INDIANAPOLIS 500 PIT STOP CHALLENGE:
Qualification Round
1. Team Penske (#3 Castroneves), 8.122 seconds.
2. Andretti Green Racing (#26 Andretti), 9.038 seconds.
3. Target Chip Ganassi Racing (#9 Dixon), 9.085 seconds.
4. Target Chip Ganassi Racing (#10 Franchitti), 9.105 seconds.
5. Andretti Green Racing (#7 Patrick), 9.246 seconds.
6. Vision Racing (#21Hunter-Reay), 9.375 seconds.
7. Andretti Green Racing (#11 Kanaan), 10.055 seconds.
8. Luczo Dragon Racing (#2 Matos), 11.291 seconds.
Note: Positions 5-8 are eliminated from the competition.
Quarterfinals
Team Penske (#6 Briscoe) 7.977 def. Target Chip Ganassi Racing (#9 Dixon), 12.916 (three-second penalty assessed)
Target Chip Ganassi Racing (#10 Franchitti) 8.573 def. Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing (#02 Rahal), 9.385.
Semifinals
Team Penske (#3 Castroneves), 7.636 def. Team Penske (#6 Briscoe), no time. (Briscoe stalled on exit)
Andretti Green Racing (#26 Andretti), 8.931 def. Target Chip Ganassi Racing (#10 Franchitti), 11.589 (three-second penalty assessed)
Final
Team Penske (#3 Castroneves), 7.962 def. Andretti Green Racing (#26 Andretti), 9.456.
INDIANAPOLIS 500 PIT STOP CHALLENGE NOTES:
· The winner of the Indianapolis 500 Pit Stop Challenge has gone on to win the Indianapolis 500 five times: Bobby Unser, Penske Racing (1981); Danny Sullivan, Penske Racing (1985); Jacques Villeneuve, Team Green (1995); Helio Castroneves, Team Penske (2002), Buddy Rice, Rahal Letterman Racing (2004).
· This is Team Penske's 11th win in the Indianapolis 500 Pit Stop Challenge. It is the winningest team in the history of the contest. It has won the last four contests (Hornish 2005) and Castroneves (2006, 2007). This is Helio Castroneves' fourth win overall and his third consecutive win. He also won in 2002, when he went on to win the Indianapolis 500.
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INDIANAPOLIS 500 PIT STOP CHALLENGE QUOTES:
TIM CINDRIC (Race strategist, #3 Castroneves): "It's a huge pride program for these guys. They're racing against all of their peers to continue the streak here for Team Penske. It was pretty disappointing last year to not be able to do it because of the weather. So they've been looking forward to this for two years. My hat's off to these guys. They do a great job. It gives everybody here confidence, and it gives Helio (Castroneves) the confidence that he's got the best guys behind him. Rick; if you look at his track record and the dedication that they (the crew) put into this, it's not an accident that they win it. It's a lot of hard work. I know that every time these guys go and do it, it's just like the first time. They're just as nervous as everybody else. They do a great job. It's not an accident that they win. With regard to Roger (Penske), without a doubt, there's not a competition out there he doesn't want to win. We're just glad to deliver for him." (After what Helio went through, have you noticed any difference in him?): "Before all of that went down, if you'd asked me if I ever met a more positive guy I'd tell you, 'No.' Now, I'd tell you, 'Yes,' because we've met a more positive guy than the guy we knew before."
RICK RINAMAN (Chief mechanic, #3 Castroneves): (On the nervousness that goes on despite years of experience): "This is probably the most gut-wrenching thing that I do every year. You go up against guys that are doing the same thing we are. Like Tim said, it's about execution. It's a credit to the guys behind me. They work hard. I can't say enough about Helio and the job he's done for us - and Roger (Penske), too. This is for Roger. This is what we do. Helio; the guy does so much for us, and we were able to give him something back. We still have another big event to go here. We want to perform, and this is a stepping stone."
HELIO CASTRONEVES: "They deserve it. I have to say I'm just there. This one for them is so special. For us as a driver, we're nervous. We're more nervous than anybody because you don't want to screw it up. If you screw it up, you're going to hear (about it) until next year. But again, they're incredible. They've been working (during the) off season, and every year it's like that. Some of those guys have been here 10 years. They know my style, they know what I like and they know what I don't like. The good news is that we're a team. We lose together, and we win together. The good news is we celebrate together. This one is very, very special for me. The month is falling into place. Everything is falling into place. I'm so thankful to have these guys because I know when I go back and sleep I can trust these guys here, and that's big for a driver." (About having the final charges dropped): "It feels awesome, there's no question. I just want to thank the team for always believing - for always being behind me all the time. As I said, this month is getting better and better. I'm just so thankful that I had a fair trial and the outcome was the way it was, and that's the last page of my book."
JEFF GRAHN (Chief mechanic, #26 M. Andretti): "The Venom guys did really well. If you're going to be in the Pit Stop contest, you want to win it. The team that won was definitely the best team out there today. I'm pretty happy with our guys. If we can do that all day Sunday, I think we'll be looking good."
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SATURDAY'S SCHEDULE (all times local):
|
7 a.m. |
Garages open |
|
10:30 a.m. |
Public Driver's Meeting |
***END DAY 12***
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