The RaceFanNetwork.com

Beginning Saturday, May 11^th and running through “Fast Friday” the show will be produced between 9-11am interviewing drivers, sponsors and personalities in front of the Firestone compound in the Garage Area. Segments can be scheduled in advance with a maximum running time of 15 minutes or less, depending on availability and of course, the weather.

The show has proven to be well received with nearly 650,000 downloads in 2012 and thanks to an aggressive social media outreach, we hope to push it well past 750,000 for 2013!

If the response by the fans and guests is anything like in the past, it will be another incredible month of May!

ED CARPENTER Claims Pole for 97th Indy 500

RFNCrew — Sun, 19 May 2013 01:49:33 +0000

For Immediate Release

INDIANAPOLIS – (Saturday, May 18, 2013) – After a Indianapolis 500 pole day filled with drama for teams Ed Carpenter found himself celebrating with the Verizon P1 Award

The lone team owner/driver in the IZOD IndyCar Series recorded a blistering four-lap average speed of 228.762 mph (best lap of 229.347 mph; 39.2418 seconds) in the No. 20 Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka Chevrolet. The one-car team bested the best of Team Penske and Andretti Autosport in the shootout to claim a $100,000 bonus and 15 precious IZOD IndyCar Series championship points.

Carpenter’s previous best start at the Speedway was eighth in 2010 and ’11; his best finish is fifth after starting 10th in 2008. His pole speed was the fastest since Sam Hornish Jr. (228.985 mph) in 2006 for Team Penske. Hornish, the last American to win the Indianapolis 500 pole, went on to win the race.

Rookie Carlos Munoz earned a front-row start and $50,000 of the Verizon Front Row Awards for second (228.342) — .2892 of a second off Carpenter’s aggregate four-lap time — and Marco Andretti was awarded a $40,000 bonus for qualifying third (228.261). It’s Andretti’s best start in eight attempts at the Speedway.

Munoz, 21, is seeking to match Juan Pablo Montoya as an Indianapolis 500 winner from Colombia. Montoya also started second – as a rookie — in his 2000 victory. He was the last first-year front-row starter.

E.J. Viso (228.150), first-year Indy 500 competitor AJ Allmendinger (228.099) and Team Penske teammate Will Power (228.087) will start on Row 2 for the 200-lap race May 26. Reigning IZOD IndyCar Series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay (227.904) will join three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves (227.762) and James Hinchcliffe (227.070) on Row 3.

Positions 25-33 will be set through four-lap qualifications May 19 on Old National Armed Forces Bump Day.

There will be at least one bump in determining the 33-car field as Schmidt Peterson Pelfrey entered the No. 81 Angie’s List Honda-powered car to be driven by Katherine Legge. She’s expected to participate in the 9-10 a.m. (ET) practice session and make at least one qualifying attempt later in the day. Each entrant is allowed three qualifying attempts as time permits.

In addition to Legge, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing teammates Graham Rahal and Michel Jourdain Jr., rookies Tristan Vautier and Conor Daly, Ana Beatriz, Buddy Lazier, Pippa Mann, Josef Newgarden and Sebastian Saavedra will attempt to qualify.

POLE DAY NOTEBOOK:

Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano is scheduled to wave the green flag as the honorary starter today.

***

The boost level will be increased from 130 kPa to 140 kPa for Pole Day qualifications today and Bump Day qualifications Sunday.

The change in pressure adds about a 40-horsepower boost to the engines produced by Chevrolet (twin-turbocharged Chevy IndyCar V6) and Honda (single turbo-charged Honda HI13R). The boost level will return to 130 kPa for final practice on Coors Light Carb Day on Friday, May 24 and the 500-mile race Sunday, May 26.

***

Indianapolis 500 Pole Day qualifying procedures:

Order - A blind draw was conducted Friday after practice.

Warm-up laps - Each car is permitted two warm-up laps before the timed qualification laps. IZOD IndyCar Series officials may permit three warm-up laps if they deem it necessary.

Green-flag laps - A qualification attempt consists of four timed laps. The aggregate time is recorded as the official qualifying time for the car.

POLE DAY:

Qualifying is broken down into two segments, progressively narrowing the field to determine the pole winner.

Segment One - Held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., to determine positions 1-24 in the field based on the fastest four-lap averages. Once all 24 positions have been filled, bumping will occur until 4 p.m. Each car has up to three qualifying attempts. The top nine qualifiers advance to Segment Two.

Segment Two - Held from 4:30 to 6 p.m., the top nine cars will run in reverse order based on Segment One speeds. All cars are required to make at least one attempt in Segment Two. Cars making additional attempts will receive an additional set of tires. At the end of the session, the cars are ranked 1-9 based on their four-lap average during the segment.

***

Practice from 8-9 a.m. this morning will be separated into two groups, from 8-8:30 a.m. and 8:30-9 a.m. The track will be open for all cars from 9-10 a.m.

***

Today is the 29^th birthday of Simon Pagenaud, driver of the #77 Schmidt Hamilton HP Motorsports Dallara/Honda/Firestone.

***

INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRACTICE:

At 8 a.m., the ambient temperature was 67 degrees with a relative humidity of 92 percent and calm winds. Skies were cloudy. The track temperature was 73 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.

8 a.m. – GREEN. #15 Rahal first on track.

8:10 a.m. — #91 Lazier has completed final phase of refresher test.

8:44 a.m. — #2 AJ Allmendinger fastest at 229.086.

9 a.m. temperature update: the ambient temperature was 67 degrees with a relative humidity of 90 percent and calm winds. Skies were cloudy. The track temperature was 73 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.

9:13 a.m. — #12 Power fastest at 229.808, fastest lap of the month and fastest practice lap at IMS since 2003.

9:32 a.m. - YELLOW. Light rain.

9:52 a.m. - GREEN.

9:59 a.m. - YELLOW and CHECKERED. Light rain. #12 Power fastest at 229.808.

***

FASTEST TIMES/SPEEDS OF PRACTICE:

Pos.	Car	Name	Time	Speed
1.	12	Will Power	39.1631	229.808
2.	2	AJ Allmendinger*	39.2866	229.086
3.	21	Josef Newgarden	39.3685	228.609
4.	15	Graham Rahal	39.4187	228.318
5.	77	Simon Pagenaud	39.4687	228.029

* — Rookie

***

INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRACTICE QUOTES:

WILL POWER (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet): ”It’s pretty heavy on air, you could say. It’s pretty humid out there, but it’s cool. It’s very difficult to predict what to run trim-wise for qualifying. We’ll see when the temperature comes. If it’s similar to this, I think we have a good idea. We’re just working it out. You’ve just got to make an educated guess. When I was out there, getting little bits of moisture on your visor makes you nervy. You’re not sure if it’s going to start raining in a different area. I think we’re in pretty good shape.”

AJ ALLMENDINGER (No. 2 IZOD Team Penske Chevrolet): “It’s close to ideal for me right now. The track had decent amount of grip with cool conditions. I’ve never been here before, but I’m learning really quick that weather will play a huge factor. I think the car has good speed, but it’s tough to tell with the tows that are out there. The car is pretty quick. I feel good; the car has speed in it.” (Comfort level?): “Rick (Mears, Will (Power) and Helio (Castroneves) and all the guys, this whole team here have made me feel comfortable. They make me feel at home here, like I’m not the third car but really part of the team. It has been very comfortable this week so far. Hopefully we can get through the toughest day today.”

***

Film and television star Michael Pena, who has a leading role in the upcoming 3D animated motion picture event “Turbo,” will serve as the honorary starter of the 97^thIndianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 26.

Pena will wave the green flag to start the field of 33 drivers in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” The 97^th Indianapolis 500 starts at noon (ET) and will be televised live on ABC.

In “Turbo,” Pena portrays Tito, an entrepreneur who enters a super-fast snail in the Indy 500. The film races into theaters everywhere July 17. From DreamWorks Animation, and released by 20^th Century Fox, the film’s titular hero is an ordinary garden snail whose dream to race in the Indianapolis 500 comes true.

Ryan Reynolds is the voice of Turbo. The film also stars Paul Giamatti, Luis Guzmán, Bill Hader, Richard Jenkins, Ken Jeong, Michelle Rodriguez, Maya Rudolph, Ben Schwartz, Snoop Dogg, a.k.a. Snoop Lion, and Samuel L. Jackson.

Chicago native Pena has appeared in numerous motion pictures and television shows in the last decade, including in the Academy Award Best Picture-winning films “Million Dollar Baby” and “Crash.” He also appeared in the Oscar-nominated film “Babel.”

***

Six iconic military airplanes that played a vital role in the United States and its allies winning World War II will soar above the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the traditional pre-race flyover before the start of the 97^th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 26.

A North American B-25 Mitchell twin-engine medium bomber will be joined in formation by five North American T-6 Texan trainer aircraft in the flyover that will appear above the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at the conclusion of the national anthem.

The B-25, nicknamed “Axis Nightmare,” and T-6 military aircraft performing the flyover will be provided by the Cincinnati Warbirds EAA Squadron 18 and the Tri-State Warbird Museum that jointly promote the preservation of historic military aircraft, remember those who fought for our freedom and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. For more information, visit www.cincinnatiwarbirds.org and www.tri-statewarbirdmuseum.org.

***

Light rain began falling at the Speedway at 10:25 a.m., delaying the 11 a.m. scheduled start of Pole Day qualifications.

The sun began shining over the Speedway at 11:33 a.m. as track-drying efforts continued.

***

Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano rode in the IZOD IndyCar Series two-seater car today at IMS, with 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner Mario Andretti driving.

CHUCK PAGANO: ”That (the two-seater rider with Mario Andretti) was the most exciting thing I’ve ever done, obviously. What a treat, what a pleasure. Just absolutely exhilarating. When we took off and you get thrown into the back of that car a little bit and start feeling the G-forces like you do, what a sensation. But then you kind of settle in and start enjoying the ride. It was the opportunity of a lifetime, obviously, and a very humbling experience to be out here and be a part of this great tradition. It’s a great, historic day.”

***

IMS Historian Donald Davidson recently was named as one of five 2013 inductees to the Richard M. Fairbanks Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame. Induction ceremonies are scheduled for Oct. 3.

Davidson has been a member of the IMS Radio Network team since 1965. His popular show, “The Talk of Gasoline Alley,” has been heard nightly during May on Indianapolis radio since 1971.

He also has appeared on qualification and race coverage for numerous Indianapolis television stations in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s and on a weekly nostalgic music program, “Looking Backward With Davidson,” in 1973 on Indianapolis NPR affiliate WIAN-FM.

***

Schmidt Hamilton Motorsports driver Simon Pagenaud spoke to the media today during the rain delay. Today is Pagenaud’s 29^th birthday.

SIMON PAGENAUD (No. 77 Schmidt Hamilton HP Motorsports Honda):“It’s the weather – something you can’t really control. You go with what you can control, and you only go with that. The nice thing is that I am really comfortable in the car. The car has been fantastic. In race trim and qualifying trim, we are very comfortable. I am really looking forward to the race. Qualifying is important. Of course, I would like to be on pole position. But we know what we’ve got. I think we are good enough to be in the top 12 and then go from there. I think in the race we might have something better. I am really putting my sight on Race Day. Today it is important not to crash the car, first, because it is a great race car, and I don’t want to damage it. But we want to make sure we are in a good position to start (the race.) We want to get one good run in. We know what speed we’ve got. It should be pretty good off the bat. I don’t see any reason why we would go back for a second one (qualifying attempt.) We know what we’ve got. But it’s all going to depend on the weather. We drew number 66, so we are going to be one of the last to go out. Depending on the weather, that might not be a bad thing today.” (What would be an ideal birthday present for you today?): “Pole position. That would be a great present.”

***

Schmidt Peterson Motorsports team manager Rob Edwards talked today about the team’s plans for its No. 99 Honda-powered entry, which has not been on track this month or assigned to a driver.

ROB EDWARDS: ”It’s obviously in the garage. It’s being prepared. The focus today is on Simon (Pagenaud) and Tristan (Vautier). If we get to where we need to get to with the two of them, then we’ll have some fun tomorrow. Absolutely 100 percent the focus today is on Simon’s program and Tristan’s program.” (On preparing for qualifying with variable weather conditions): “We got a good chance to run this morning. We’re pretty happy where we are with Simon’s car. We’re not quite where we want to be with Tristan’s car. We got a couple more things to try in qualifying. But I think it’s difficult until everyone gets out there and actually does there run and sees where everyone stacks up. We’re reasonable optimistic but not overly confident.”

***

The crew servicing the No. 1 DHL Dallara/Chevrolet/Firestone driven by reigning IZOD IndyCar Series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay will have a different look this month at the 97^th Indianapolis 500 – crew members will wear bright red pants.

Crew members will go retro by wearing red Dickies® Original 874® work pants with their yellow-and-red crew shirts. Many Indianapolis 500 crews wore colored trousers decades ago.

RYAN HUNTER-REAY (No. 1 DHL Chevrolet): ”I think the crew looks great in red (pants), and it complements the yellow/red paint scheme of the No. 1 DHL Chevy perfectly. It’s such an important race for us, and there is so much history here at the Speedway that having the crew go a little retro and get outside of the box is fitting.”

***

Pole Day schedule revision: The first segment of Indianapolis 500 qualifying will take place until 6 p.m. Fast Nine Qualifying will start at 6:30 p.m., with each car getting one attempt.

If weather forces the first segment to be stopped, Fast Nine Qualifying will not take place.

INDIANAPOLIS 500 POLE QUALIFYING CHRONOLOGY:

At 1:15 p.m., the ambient temperature was 71 degrees with a relative humidity of 79 percent and calm winds. Skies were cloudy. The track temperature was 87 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.

Each qualifying attempt will start on the second time past the flag stand.

1:28 p.m.

SCOTT DIXON/Auckland, New Zealand

Target Chip Ganassi Racing

QA-1

1 – 39.7517 – 226.405

Q – 1

2 – 39.7798 – 226.245

3 – 39.8058 – 226.098

4 – 39.8435 – 225.884

T 2:39.1808 – 226.158

1:32 p.m.

#14

TAKUMA SATO/Tokyo

ABC Supply Co A.J. Foyt Racing

QA-1

1 – 39.8105 – 226.071

Q – 2

2 – 39.8123 – 226.061

3 – 39.8618 – 225.780

4 – 39.8835 – 225.657

T 2:39.2681 – 225.892

1:36 p.m.

#15

GRAHAM RAHAL/New Albany, Ohio

Midas/Big O Tires

QA-1

1 – 39.9246 – 225.425

Q – 3

2 – 39.9564 – 225.246

3 – 40.0191 – 224.893

4 – 40.0008 – 224.996

T 2:39.9009 – 225.139

1:41 p.m.

AJ ALLMENDINGER/Los Gatos, Calif.

IZOD Team Penske

QA-1

1 – 39.4837 – 227.942

Q – 4

2 – 39.4878 – 227.918

3 – 39.5237 – 227.711

4 – 39.5651 – 227.473

T 2:38.0603 – 227.761

1:45 p.m.

#91

BUDDY LAZIER/Vail, Colo.

Lazier Partners

QA-1

1 – 40.2598 – 223.548

Q – 5

2 – 40.2977 – 223.338

3 – 40.3760 – 222.905

4 – 40.4485 – 222.505

T 2:41.3820 – 223.073

1:50 p.m.

#78

SIMONA DE SILVESTRO/Mont-sur-Rolle, Switzerland

Nuclear Entergy Areva KVRT

QA-1

1 – 40.0079 – 224.956

Q – 6

2 – 39.8821 – 225.665

3 – 39.8948 – 225.593

4 – 39.9313 – 225.387

T 2:39.7161 – 225.400

1:54 p.m.

#27

JAMES HINCHCLIFFE/Toronto

GoDaddy

QA-1

1 – 39.4510 – 228.131

Q – 7

2 – 39.5085 – 227.799

3 – 39.6112 – 227.208

4 – 39.6757 – 226.839

T 2:38.2464 – 227.493

1:59 p.m.

#41

CONOR DALY/Noblesville, Ind.

ABC Supply Co./A.J. Foyt Racing

QA-1

1 – 40.6269 – 221.528

UA – 1

2 – 42.0149 – 214.210

3 – Waved off

#41 Daly pulled off on third lap after light smoke started to trail from rear of car.

YELLOW. Track inspection.

2:12 p.m.

SEBASTIEN BOURDAIS/Le Mans, France

Dragon Racing

QA-1

1 – 39.7947 – 226.161

Q – 8

2 – 39.7892 – 226.192

3 – 39.7806 – 226.241

4 – 39.7898 – 226.189

T 2:39.1543 – 226.196

2:16 p.m.

#19

JUSTIN WILSON/Sheffield, England

Dale Coyne Racing

QA-1

1 – 39.6818 – 226.804

Q – 9

2 – 39.7462 – 226.437

3 – 39.7892 – 226.192

4 – 39.8146 – 226.048

T 2:39.0318 – 226.370

2:21 p.m.

HELIO CASTRONEVES/Sao Paulo

Shell V-Power/Pennzoil Ultra Team Penske

QA-1

1 – 39.5339 – 227.653

Q – 10

2 – 39.4150 – 228.339

3 – 39.4619 – 228.068

4 – 39.5010 – 227.842

T 2:37.9118 – 227.975

2:25 p.m.

#16

JAMES JAKES/Leeds, England

Acorn Stairlifts

QA-1

1 – 40.0600 – 224.663

Q – 11

2 – 39.8512 – 225.840

3 – 39.8955 – 225.589

4 – 39.9115 – 225.499

T 2:39.7182 – 225.397

2:30 p.m.

SEBASTIAN SAAVEDRA/Bogota, Colombia

Dragon Racing

QA-1

1 – 40.0121 – 224.932

Q – 12

2 – 40.0496 – 224.721

3 – 40.0799 – 224.551

4 – 40.1034 – 224.420

T 2:40.2450 – 224.656

2:34 p.m.

#63

PIPPA MANN/Ipswich, England

Dale Coyne Racing

QA-1

1 – 40.4276 – 222.620

Q – 13

2 – 40.3578 – 223.005

3 – 40.2604 – 223.545

4 – 40.2783 – 223.445

T 2:41.3241 – 223.153

Mann’s warm-up lap was 224.013.

2:38 p.m.

#60

TOWNSEND BELL/San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Sunoco “Turbo” Panther Racing

QA-1

1 – 39.8431 – 225.886

Q – 14

2 – 39.8929 – 225.604

3 – 39.8745 – 225.708

4 – 39.8938 – 225.599

T 2:39.5043 – 225.699

2:43 p.m.

E.J. VISO/Caracas, Venezuela

Team Venezuela PDVSA Citgo

QA-1

1 – 39.4755 – 227.990

Q – 15

2 – 39.5416 – 227.608

3 – 39.5550 – 227.531

4 – 39.5917 – 227.320

T 2:38.1638 – 227.612

Viso’s warm-up lap was 228.187.

2:47 p.m.

#98

ALEX TAGLIANI/Lachenaie, Quebec

Barracuda Racing

QA-1

1 – 39.4898 – 227.907

Q – 16

2 – 39.5381 – 227.629

3 – 39.6344 – 227.075

4 – 39.6586 – 226.937

T 2:38.3209 – 227.386

2:51 p.m.

#12

WILL POWER/Toowoomba, Australia

Verizon Team Penske

QA-1

1 – 39.2290 – 229.422

Q – 17

2 – 39.2721 – 229.170

3 – 39.3829 – 228.526

4 – 39.4287 – 228.260

T 2:37.3127 – 228.844

Power’s warm-up lap was 221.139.

2:56 p.m.

RYAN BRISCOE/Sydney

NTT DATA

QA-1

1 – 39.9496 – 225.284

Q – 18

2 – 40.0039 – 224.978

3 – 39.9908 – 225.052

4 – 40.0251 – 224.859

T 2:39.9694 – 225.043

3 p.m. weather update: The ambient temperature was 75 degrees with a relative humidity of 68 percent and calm winds. Skies were cloudy. The track temperature was 95 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.

3 p.m.

#11

TONY KANAAN/Salvador, Brazil

Hydroxycut KV Racing Technology-SH Racing

QA-1

1 – 39.6030 – 227.256

Q – 19

2 – 39.6426 – 227.028

3 – 39.6821 – 226.803

4 – 39.6983 – 226.710

T 2:38.6260 – 226.949

3:05 p.m.

#21

JOSEF NEWGARDEN/Hendersonville, Tenn.

Sarah Fisher Hartman/Century 21

QA-1

1 – 39.8214 – 226.009

Q – 20

2 – 40.1024 – 224.425

3 – 39.9285 – 225.403

4 – 39.9984 – 225.009

T 2:39.8507 – 225.210

3:09 p.m.

#55

TRISTAN VAUTIER/Corenc, France

Lucas Oil/Schmidt Peterson Motorsports

QA-1

1 – 40.2232 – 223.751

Q – 21

2 – 40.2271 – 223.730

3 – 40.2035 – 223.861

4 – 40.1944 – 223.912

T 2:40.8482 – 223.814

3:13 p.m.

#10

DARIO FRANCHITTI/Edinburgh, Scotland

Target Chip Ganassi Racing

QA-1

1 – 39.7036 – 226.680

Q – 22

2 – 39.7659 – 226.325

3 – 39.8795 – 225.680

4 – 39.8944 – 225.596

T 2:39.2434 – 226.069

3:18 p.m.

#18

ANA BEATRIZ/Sao Paulo

Ipiranga

QA-1

1 – 40.3606 – 222.990

Q – 23

2 – 40.2553 – 223.573

3 – 40.2258 – 223.737

4 – 40.2409 – 223.653

T 2:41.0826 – 223.488

3:24 p.m.

#83

CHARLIE KIMBALL/Camarillo, Calif.

NovoLog FlexPen

QA-1

1 – 39.7832 – 226.226

Q – 24

2 – 39.8255 – 225.986

3 – 39.8594 – 225.794

4 – 39.9087 – 225.515

T 2:39.3768 – 225.880

#91 Lazier on bubble.

3:28 p.m.

#20

ED CARPENTER/Indianapolis

Fuzzy’s Vodka/Ed Carpenter Racing

QA-1

1 – 39.3985 – 228.435

Q – 25

2 – 39.4202 – 228.309

3 – 39.5121 – 227.778

4 – 39.5975 – 227.287

T 2:37.9283 – 227.952

Bumps #91 Lazier. #63 Mann on bubble.

3:33 p.m.

RYAN HUNTER-REAY/Fort Lauderdale, Fla

DHL

QA-1

1 – 39.3557 – 228.684

Q – 26

2 – 39.4000 – 228.426

3 – 39.4562 – 228.101

4 – 39.4880 – 227.917

T 2:37.6999 – 228.282

#63 Mann remains on bubble.

***

INDYCAR technical update: Qualifying run of #16 James Jakes was disallowed due to failure of post-qualifying technical inspection.

***

3:37 p.m.

#17

MICHEL JOURDAIN JR./Mexico City

Office Depot

QA-1

1 – 40.9934 – 219.548

UA – 1

2 – 40.5663 – 221.859

3 – 40.7256 – 220.991

4 – 41.0087 – 219.466

T 2:43.2940 – 220.461

#63 Mann remains on bubble.

3:42 p.m.

#26

CARLOS MUNOZ/Bogota, Colombia

Unistraw

QA-1

1 – 39.3965 – 228.447

Q – 27

2 – 39.4508 – 228.132

3 – 39.4423 – 228.181

4 – 39.4871 – 227.923

T 2:37.7767 – 228.171

Bumps #63 Mann. #18 Beatriz on bubble.

3:46 p.m.

JR HILDEBRAND/Sausalito, Calif.

National Guard Panther Racing

QA-1

1 – 39.5250 – 227.704

Q – 28

2 – 39.5548 – 227.532

3 – 39.5585 – 227.511

4 – 39.6447 – 227.016

T 2:38.2830 – 227.441

Bumps #18 Beatriz. #55 Vautier on bubble.

3:51 p.m.

#25

MARCO ANDRETTI/Nazareth, Pa.

RC Cola

QA-1

1 – 39.3749 – 228.572

Q – 29

2 – 39.4913 – 227.898

3 – 39.5567 – 227.522

4 – 39.5460 – 227.583

T 2:37.9689 – 227.893

Bumps #55 Vautier. #6 Saavedra on bubble.

3:55 p.m.

#77

SIMON PAGENAUD/Poitiers, France

Schmidt Hamilton HP Motorsports

QA-1

1 – 39.9224 – 225.437

Q – 30

2 – 39.8970 – 225.581

3 – 39.8511 – 225.841

4 – 39.8514 – 225.839

T 2:39.5219 – 225.674

Bumps #6 Saavedra. #8 Briscoe on bubble.

3:59 p.m.

#22

ORIOL SERVIA/Pals, Spain

Panther DRR

QA-1

1 – 39.6228 – 227.142

Q – 31

2 – 39.6664 – 226.892

3 – 39.7118 – 226.633

4 – 39.7196 – 226.588

T 2:38.7206 – 226.814

Bumps #8 Briscoe. #15 Rahal on bubble.

4:03 p.m. - YELLOW. Track inspection.

4:14 p.m. - GREEN. Track open for practice.

***

ENTRY LIST UPDATE:

•Entry for #99, #99T by Schmidt Peterson Motorsports is #81, #81T Angie’s List Schmidt Peterson Pelfrey. The driver is Katherine Legge. She is the 34^th driver assigned to a car for this event.

KATHERINE LEGGE: ”I’m psyched to get back in the car, especially at Indy because this is such a special place. I owe a huge thank you to Honda, Firestone, the IZOD IndyCar Series and especially Schmidt Peterson Motorsports for pulling this together in the last minute to get the car on track. I was talking with Sam (Schmidt) in 2011 about driving one of his cars, and I’m so excited to finally get in one of them and work with the entire team in addition to Simon (Pagenaud) and Tristan (Vautier).”

INDIANAPOLIS 500 POLE QUALIFYING CHRONOLOGY:

4:36 p.m. – Track reopens for qualifying.

4:38 p.m.

RYAN BRISCOE/Sydney

NTT DATA

QA-2

1 – 39.9403 – 225.336

UA – 1

2 – 39.9492 – 225.286

3 – Waved off

#15 Rahal remains on bubble.

4:47 p.m.

#16

JAMES JAKES/Leeds, England

Acorn Stairlifts

QA-2

1 – 39.9135 – 225.488

Q – 32

2 – 40.0221 – 224.876

3 – 39.9448 – 225.311

4 – 40.0112 – 224.937

T 2:39.8916 – 225.153

Bumps teammate #15 Rahal. #16 Jakes on bubble.

***

4:53 p.m. – Track open for practice.

5:06 p.m. - YELLOW. Qualifying attempt for #15 Rahal, who withdrew time.

***

5:11 p.m.

#15

GRAHAM RAHAL/New Albany, Ohio

Midas/Big O Tires

QA-2

1 – 39.9935 – 225.037

UA – 1

2 – 39.9869 – 225.074

3 – 40.0141 – 224.921

4 – 40.0408 – 224.771

T 2:40.0353 – 224.950

#78 De Silvestro withdraws qualified time, which returns #6 Saavedra on bubble.

5:15 p.m.

#78

SIMONA DE SILVESTRO/Mont-sur-Rolle, Switzerland

Nuclear Entergy Areva KVRT

QA-2

1 – 39.9952 – 225.027

Q – 33

2 – 39.9299 – 225.395

3 – 39.9446 – 225.312

4 – 39.9701 – 225.168

T 2:39.8398 – 225.226

Bumps #6 Saavedra. #16 Jakes on bubble.

5:20 p.m.

#63

PIPPA MANN/Ipswich, England

Dale Coyne Racing

QA-2

1 – 39.9716 – 225.160

UA – 1

2 – 40.0347 – 224.805

3 – 40.1238 – 224.306

4 – 40.3335 – 223.140

T 2:40.4636 – 224.350

#60 Bell withdraws qualified time, which returns #6 Saavedra to bubble.

5:25 p.m.

#60

TOWNSEND BELL/San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Sunoco “Turbo” Panther Racing

QA-2

1 – 40.0453 – 224.745

UA – 1

2 – 40.1754 – 224.018

3 – 40.0228 – 224.872

4 – 40.0703 – 224.605

T 2:40.3138 – 224.560

#6 Saavedra remains on bubble.

5:29 p.m.

#18

ANA BEATRIZ/Sao Paulo

Ipiranga

QA-2

1 – 39.9812 – 225.106

Q – 34

2 – 39.9586 – 225.233

3 – 39.9865 – 225.076

4 – 39.9903 – 225.055

T 2:39.9166 – 225.117

Bumps #6 Saavedra. #18 Beatriz on bubble.

5:33 p.m.

RYAN BRISCOE/Sydney

NTT DATA

QA-3

1 – 39.9894 – 225.060

Q – 35

2 – 39.9379 – 225.350

3 – 39.9385 – 225.346

4 – 39.9459 – 225.305

T 2:39.8117 – 225.265

Bumps #18 Beatriz. #16 Jakes on bubble.

5:37 p.m.

#55

TRISTAN VAUTIER/Corenc, France

Lucas Oil/Schmidt Peterson Motorsports

QA-2

1 – 40.2419 – 223.647

UA – 1

2 – 40.3952 – 222.799

3 – 40.0118 – 224.934

4 – 39.9537 – 225.261

T 2:40.6026 – 224.156

5:45 p.m. weather update: The ambient temperature was 81 degrees with a relative humidity of 52 percent and east winds at 1 mph. Skies were partly sunny. The track temperature was 94 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.

5:45 p.m.

#63

PIPPA MANN/Ipswich, England

Dale Coyne Racing

Pulled off track after first warm-up lap.

5:50 p.m.

#60

TOWNSEND BELL/San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Sunoco “Turbo” Panther Racing

QA-3

1 – 39.7973 – 226.146

Q – 36

2 – 39.8588 – 225.797

3 – 39.9078 – 225.520

4 – 39.9799 – 225.113

T 2:39.5438 – 225.643

Bumps #16 Jakes, whose qualified time was withdrawn. #21 Newgarden on bubble.

***

#63 Mann pulled off on warm-up lap at 5:45 p.m. because she reported severe vibration in car.

***

5:54 p.m.

#16

JAMES JAKES/Leeds, England

Acorn Stairlifts

QA-3

1 – 39.8114 – 226.066

Q – 37

2 – 39.8664 – 225.754

3 – 39.8515 – 225.838

4 – 39.8975 – 225.578

T 2:39.4268 – 225.809

Bumps #21 Newgarden. #78 De Silvestro on bubble.

5:59 p.m.

#17

MICHEL JOURDAIN JR./Mexico City

Office Depot

QA-2

1 – 41.0881 – 219.042

UA – 2

2 – 41.1669 – 218.622

3 – 41.4051 – 217.365

4 – 41.2286 – 218.295

T 2:44.8887 – 218.329

Gun to end first session at 6 p.m. fired just after Jourdain passed flag stand after his first warm-up lap.

•Cars in qualifying line when gun fired, in order: #18 Beatriz, #55 Vautier, #21 Newgarden, #78 De Silvestro, #10 Franchitti, #9 Dixon, #83 Kimball, #11 Kanaan.

***

FAST NINE SHOOTOUT NOTES:

The top nine cars will qualify in reverse order of their first-segment speeds, with ninth first, eighth second and so on. Each car will receive one attempt.

Drivers participating in Shootout: #12 Power, #1 Hunter-Reay, #26 Munoz, #3 Castroneves, #20 Carpenter, #25 Andretti, #2 Allmendinger, #5 Viso, #27 Hinchcliffe.

Team breakdown in Shootout:

•Andretti Autosport, five cars (#1 Hunter-Reay, #26 Munoz, #25 Andretti, #5 Viso, #27 Hinchcliffe)

•Team Penske, three cars (#12 Power, #3 Castroneves, #2 Allmendinger)

•Ed Carpenter Racing, one car (#20 Carpenter)

All nine cars in the Shootout are powered by Chevrolet engines. The highest-qualifying driver powered by a Honda engine is #98 Tagliani, who qualified 11^th.

INDIANAPOLIS 500 FAST NINE SHOOTOUT CHRONOLOGY:

6:30 p.m. weather update: The ambient temperature was 80 degrees with a relative humidity of 55 percent and southeast winds at 2 mph. Skies were mostly cloudy. The track temperature was 91 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.

6:34 p.m.

#27

JAMES HINCHCLIFFE/Toronto

GoDaddy

QA-2

1 – 39.8654 – 225.760

Q – 38

2 – 39.4961 – 227.871

3 – 39.5517 – 227.550

4 – 39.6279 – 227.113

T 2:38.5411 – 227.070

#27 Hinchcliffe on pole.

6:39 p.m.

E.J. VISO/Caracas, Venezuela

Team Venezuela PDVSA Citgo

QA-2

1 – 39.3682 – 228.611

Q – 39

2 – 39.4093 – 228.372

3 – 39.4844 – 227.938

4 – 39.5288 – 227.682

T 2:37.7907 – 228.150

#5 Viso on pole.

6:44 p.m.

AJ ALLMENDINGER/Los Gatos, Calif.

IZOD Team Penske

QA-2

1 – 39.3491 – 228.722

Q – 40

2 – 39.4284 – 228.262

3 – 39.5108 – 227.786

4 – 39.5381 – 227.629

T 2:37.8264 – 228.099

6:49 p.m.

#25

MARCO ANDRETTI/Nazareth, Pa.

RC Cola

QA-2

1 – 39.2929 – 229.049

Q – 41

2 – 39.4057 – 228.393

3 – 39.4716 – 228.012

4 – 39.5437 – 227.596

T 2:37.7139 – 228.261

#25 Andretti on pole.

6:53 p.m.

#20

ED CARPENTER/Indianapolis

Fuzzy’s Vodka/Ed Carpenter Racing

QA-2

1 – 39.2418 – 229.347

Q – 42

2 – 39.3054 – 228.976

3 – 39.3402 – 228.774

4 – 39.4815 – 227.955

T 2:37.3689 – 228.762

#20 Carpenter on pole.

6:58 p.m.

HELIO CASTRONEVES/Sao Paulo

Shell V-Power/Pennzoil Ultra Team Penske

QA-2

1 – 39.3408 – 228.770

Q – 43

2 – 39.4533 – 228.118

3 – 39.5718 – 227.435

4 – 39.6937 – 226.736

T 2:38.0596 – 227.762

7:03 p.m.

#26

CARLOS MUNOZ/Bogota, Colombia

Unistraw

QA-2

1 – 39.3034 – 228.988

Q – 44

2 – 39.4077 – 228.382

3 – 39.4372 – 228.211

4 – 39.5098 – 227.792

T 2:37.6581 – 228.342

7:07 p.m.

RYAN HUNTER-REAY/Fort Lauderdale, Fla

DHL

QA-2

1 – 39.3395 – 228.778

Q – 45

2 – 39.4553 – 228.106

3 – 39.5788 – 227.394

4 – 39.5878 – 227.343

T 2:37.9614 – 227.904

7:12 p.m.

#12

WILL POWER/Toowoomba, Australia

Verizon Team Penske

QA-2

1 – 39.2809 – 229.119

Q – 46

2 – 39.4089 – 228.375

3 – 39.5397 – 227.619

4 – 39.6047 – 227.246

T 2:37.8342 – 228.087

Warm-up lap was 220.830. #20 Ed Carpenter wins pole for 97^th Indianapolis 500.

***

INDIANAPOLIS 500 POLE QUALIFYING NOTES:

•This is the first Indianapolis 500 pole for Ed Carpenter and Ed Carpenter Racing. Carpenter’s previous best qualifying spot at Indianapolis was eighth in 2010 and 2011.

•This is the first time car No. 20 has won the pole at Indianapolis.

•Ed Carpenter became the first American driver to win the pole since Sam Hornish Jr. in 2006. Hornish also won the race that year.

•Ed Carpenter is the first owner/driver to win the pole since A.J. Foyt in 1975.

•Ed Carpenter became the first longtime Indiana resident to win the pole since Pancho Carter in 1985. Carter lived in Brownsburg. Carpenter was born in Illinois but moved to Indiana as a young boy. Scott Sharp lived in Indianapolis when he won the pole in 2001 but has lived most of his life in Connecticut and Florida. Indiana native and resident Tony Stewart started from the pole in 1996 after his teammate Scott Brayton died in a practice crash after winning the pole.

•Ed Carpenter’s four-lap average pole speed of 228.762 mph was the fastest since Sam Hornish Jr. won the pole in 2006 with a four-lap average of 228.985.

•Ed Carpenter won the inaugural Firestone Freedom 100 race for Firestone Indy Lights exactly 10 years ago today, May 18, 2003.

•Carlos Munoz became the first rookie to qualify on the front row since fellow Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya also qualified second in 2000. Montoya won the race that year.

•Carlos Munoz is the youngest driver to qualify on the front row in Indianapolis 500 history, at 21 years, 136 days old. He broke the record set by Rex Mays, who was 22 years, 81 days old when he won the pole in 1935.

•Carlos Munoz has qualified on the front row in every INDYCAR race in which he has competed this season. He has won the pole for all three Firestone Indy Lights races this season and qualified second for the Indianapolis 500.

•Marco Andretti qualified third, his best at Indianapolis. His previous best was fourth in 2012.

•E.J. Viso qualified fourth, his best at Indianapolis. His previous best was ninth in 2012.

•The last time a Team Penske car didn’t qualify on the front row was 2011. Penske driver Ryan Briscoe won the pole last year.

•Will Power made the last run of pole qualifying at 7:12 p.m. The last time a qualifying session extended past 6 p.m. was 2011, when Alex Tagliani made the final run at 6:03 p.m. after the start of the Fast Nine Shootout was delayed by rain. The last time qualifying extended past 6 p.m. before that was May 26, 1968. Rain forced the extension, and track-drying efforts allowed the track to open at 6:55 p.m. for 30 minutes of practice. Qualifying began at 7:31 p.m. and ended at 7:54 p.m. due to darkness. Since the field was not filled at that time, qualifying to fill the field took place Monday, May 27.

***

Ten drivers are competing for nine available spots on Old National Armed Forces Bump Day: #6 Saavedra, #15 Rahal, #17 Jourdain, #18 Beatriz, #21 Newgarden, #41 Daly, #55 Vautier, #63 Mann, #81 Legge, #91 Lazier.

***

SUNDAY’S SCHEDULE (all times local):

6 a.m.	Garages open
8 a.m.	Front Row Photo Shoot, Track Adjacent to South Pits
9-10 a.m.	Indianapolis 500 practice

Noon-6 p.m.	Bump Day Qualifying
12:15-6 p.m.	Bump Day Qualifier media availability (each qualified driver), Economaki Press Conference Room
6:15 p.m.	Bump Day Top Story of the Day/Final Qualifier media availability, Economaki Press Conference Room

***

The 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series season continues with the 97th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on Sunday, May 26, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The race will be televised live at 11 a.m. (ET) by ABC and broadcast by the IMS Radio Network, including on Sirius and XM Channels 211 and www.indycar.com. The next Firestone Indy Lights race is the Firestone Freedom 100 on Friday, May 24, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The race will be broadcast by the NBC Sports Network live, during the network’s coverage of Carb Day.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Amy Konrath, INDYCAR
(317) 492-6453 (Office)
(317) 331-7437 (Cell)
akonrath@indycar.com

JAMIE WHINCUP Dominates Opening Races in Texas

RFNCrew — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:54:05 +0000

Red Bull Racing Australia’s Jamie Whincup obviously likes using his passport. The four-time series champion continued his amazing international record at Circuit of The Americas today by winning the opening two races of this weekend’s Austin 400.

Whincup led home teammate Craig Lowndes and Lockwood Racing’s Fabian Coulthard in both of today’s spectacular 27 lap races to extend his lead in the championship chase.

“I’m sorry that the podium was the same for both races, we would have liked to have spiced it up but that’s the way it goes,” Whincup said.

“We had a good run in Perth two weeks ago. We found a gain there and were going to see if it carried through until now, which it has. That wasn’t the case earlier in the season but now we feel like we can have a crack.

“But like last year and the year before we are not going to slow down; we will keep our heads down and keep improving the cars. It always tightens up.

“They are stock cars. They are pretty much all the same, we pretty much run the same componentry and the same tire.

“We are just able to fine tune the balance … all the other guys will no doubt make a step up. For sure it will be more competitive, we just hope we are at the next step when they get there.

“All sport all over the world is swings and roundabouts. Every team at the top plummets to the bottom at some point and then makes their way up again.”

Whincup’s success offshore has been unmatched, the Red Bull Racing Australia driver winning 18 of the last 26 V8 Supercar races held outside Australia from Bahrain 2008 onwards.

He’s also taken 10 of the 22 pole positions in that time, with a total of eight drivers sharing the 13 other pole positions on offer between them, including Fabian Coulthard’s in Texas in race one.

Austin fans are set for more V8 Supercar action tomorrow with an additional two qualifying sessions and another pair of 27 lap events – races 15 and 16 of the 2013 championship.

Party with the V8 Supercar drivers

After-race party planned for Austin on Sunday night

Race fans have already had the chance to meet their favorite drivers in autograph sessions and during grid walks at the Austin 400, but tomorrow night they have the opportunity to join the celebrations at the Official V8 Supercars Afterparty.

The event will take place at The Stage in Austin on the famous 6th Avenue with drivers and crew members from the V8 Supercar championship in attendance.

The Stage is a Texas-styled venue with a 1000 person capacity, an indoor stage and a massive outdoor patio. It is located at 508 East 6th. Click here for ticket information.

Former Australian Ambassador to the US heads to the track

Andrew Peacock to visit Jack Daniels Nissan team

Former leader of the Australian Liberal party and Australian Ambassador to the US, Andrew Peacock is set to tour the Jack Daniels Racing Nissan garage at the Circuit of The Americas tomorrow.

Australian Liberal Party leader Andrew Peacock was Australia’s Leader of the Opposition from 11 March 1983 to 5 September 1985 and 9 May 1989 to 3 April 1990, he was the 22nd Leader of the Opposition. The leader of the opposition is the head of the political party not in power at the time.

He was also the Minister for Foreign Relations from 1975 until 1980, and Australian Ambassador to the US from 1997 until 2000 following his political career.

Peacock will be available for interviews, photos, and video at the Jack Daniels racing garage from 1:15pm tomorrow.

Peacock will join an estimated 3,000 Australians who have made the trip to Texas this weekend for the Austin 400.

—-
RACE RESULTS:

Race 1:

Winner: Jamie Whincup, Red Bull Racing Australia, Holden Commodore, 43:16.6491

Click here to view full results

Race 2:

Winner: Jamie Whincup, Red Bull Racing Australia, Holden Commodore, 44:20.8482

Click here to view full results

Sunday, May 19

8:15: World Challenge TC/TCB – Race 3

—

9:30: World Challenge GT3 – Race 2

11:05: V8 Supercars – Qualifying Race 15

11:30: V8 Supercars – Qualifying Race 16

13:05: World Challenge GT/GTS Class – Race 2

14:15: World Challenge GT3 Class – Race 3

15:15: V8 Supercars – Race 15

17:00: V8 Supercars – Race 16

2013 Standings:

After today’s opening two races of the Austin 400 at Circuit of The Americas

DRIVER’S CHAMPIONSHIP:

1108 – Jamie Whincup

995- Will Davison

981- Craig Lowndes

852- Jason Bright

840- Fabian Coulthard

788- Shane van Gisbergen

777- Garth Tander

762- Mark Winterbottom

747- James Courtney

666- Jonathon Webb

Click here for full standings

TEAM’S CHAMPIONSHIP:

2029 – Red Bull Racing Australia

1757 – Pepsi Max Crew FPR Ford

1707 – Lockwood Racing

1539 – Holden Racing Team

1469 – Team TEKNO V.I.P. Petfoods

1174 – Fujitsu Racing GRM

983 – Norton 360 Racing

852 – Jack Daniel’s Racing

777 – Dodo Insurance Racing

623 – Erebus Racing

Click here for full standings

Further Information:

US CONTACT:Paul Ryan – Paul Ryan MediaPhone: +1 678 644 0404Email: paul@paulryanmedia.com

Julie Loignon

Vice President of Public & Media Relations

Circuit of The Americas

Phone: +1 512 800 5181

Email: Julie.Loignon@circuitoftheamericas.com

AUSTRALIAN CONTACT:Cole Hitchcock – V8 SupercarsPhone: +61 0412 743 097Email: CH@v8supercars.com.au

LINKS:V8 Supercars: http://www.v8supercars.com

Circuit of the Americas: http://www.circuitoftheamericas.com

Tickets: http://circuitoftheamericas.com/v8-supercars

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/v8supercars

Twitter: http://twitter.com/v8supercars

CLICK BELOW FOR TICKETS:

Thru Noggles Goggles .::. May 18

RFNCrew — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:00:49 +0000

Speeds were predicted, and speeds were delivered before the rains brought an early end to Fast Friday. Top speed was 229.537 mph, set by EJ Viso. But Viso wasn’t alone in the progression up the charts. Andretti Autosport teammate Marco Andretti is second at 228.754 mph, one of four drivers above 228 mph. The others are rookie Carlos Munoz and Will Power. JR Hildebrand was fifth quick at 227.549 mph. Of course, the speed increase is due to the extra 40 horsepower the engines were given for Fast Friday and this weekend’s qualifying.

Buddy Lazier completed his refresher program this morning, turning eighteen laps in the 219 mph bracket. Later in the day, the 1996 winner turned a “real practice” lap of 222.464 mph, which was good for 31st quick among the 32 drivers on the track.

Michel Jourdain Jr. managed only 16 laps and did not get out late in the day due to a problem with his weight jacker that required repair before he could begin qualifying preparations. Conor Daly’s car spent the day being repaired and he never made it onto the track before rain stopped running around 3pm. Daly did head out into the rain with two leaf blowers in a humorous and admittedly futile attempt to dry the track before track officials called the day’s proceedings to a close around 3:45 pm.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the qualifying draw, the car that drew the #1 spot was the second car from Ed CarpenterRacing that the team has no current plans to field. Hence, it would appear that Scott Dixon(2nd), Takuma Sato (3rd), and Graham Rahal (4th) will be the first three drivers to take qualifying attempts – unless they choose to wait until later to head out onto the track.

*********************************************

This report filed by Dave Lewandowski:

May 15, 1993 — Pole Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway — and A.J. Foyt cruised around the 2.5-mile oval at 221.114 mph in advance of qualifications. The 35-time starter and four-time Indianapolis 500 winner then saw the yellow caution flag and he learned thatRobby Gordon had made contact with the wall. He drove into the pit stall, climbed from the familiar No. 14 car and walked to the garage on Gasoline Alley with tears in his eyes. Foyt informed Lou Bantle, chairman of the board of U.S. Tobacco and the primary sponsor of the team, that it was time to call it quits. Tony George, president of the Speedway, arranged for a ceremonial lap to a thunderous ovation.

“The green (light) had just gone on and I was thinking, ‘A.J., you could be in the race easy,’ when I saw the yellow light. I knew there had been an accident. When I saw it was my driver, it hit me,” Foyt said that day. “Believe me, this wasn’t a planned deal. It all went off in about 10 minutes — bang, bang, bang, bang. All my life, I’ve done things on the spur of the moment, so this was the real A.J.”

Foyt remains instrumental in Indy car racing with his team, A.J. Foyt Racing, and will be trackside for the 97th Running of the 500 Mile Race on May 26.

**********************************************

Glastonbury, CT’s Denny Zimmerman is now in town and we discussed at length yesterday our “Race Chaser” gathering honoring him and set for Sunday, May 19th at approximately 6:30pm (after the Bump Day quals. are completed). Twenty-five are registered to attend this event at the MCL Cafeteria at 6002 Crawfordsville Road, just behind the Goodyear Store, (and not the Firestone Store as previously reported). Hope to see you there.

**********************************************

The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation sends this press release:

Interested in a Napa Valley wine tasting trip? A behind-the-scenes walrus tour at the zoo? How about an Indiana Pacers basketball signed by ABA legends including Mel Daniels, George McGinnis and Bobby “Slick” Leonard? These are just a few of the dozens of items that will go on the auction block next Wednesday, May 22, at the annual “Racing to Recovery Gala” in downtown Indianapolis.

One of May’s most anticipated events, the “Racing to Recovery Gala”, helps raise money to benefit the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation (SSPF). Schmidt, a former Indy Racing League driver, founded the organization after sustaining a C-3/4/5 spinal cord injury during a racing accident in 2000. This year’s event will be at the Crane Bay in Indianapolis. The party starts at 6:30pm with the red carpet arrival of current and legendary Indianapolis 500 drivers and guests.

“It is a fun night and a great cause,” [says TNG reader] Ida Cahill, President and CEO of SSPF. “This year’s event promises to be the best ever with a new venue and some exciting announcements from the Foundation.” New this year is an online auction, now open, in which premium items are up for bid in advance of the Gala. Included in the online auction is a rare set of U.S. silver dollars signed and carried by 32 drivers in the 2005 Indianapolis 500. Coins signed by Danica Patrick, Helio Castroneves and the late Dan Wheldon are included in the set. Bids are now being accepted at www.racing2recoveryauction.com.

Other auction items at the event will include a Sam Schmidt framed autographed team shirt, a catamaran trip for two to an exotic destination, fashion items, wine tastings and dozens of racing and sports memorabilia. Tickets are still available by contactingevents@samschmidt.org.

For more information, contact:
Jeff Dutton

Bohlsen Group

317-275-2047

jdutton@bohlsengroup.com

***********************************************************

TNG never saw it rain so hard at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway than it did yesterday afternoon. For several minutes, there were sheets of water falling throughout the Courtyard and Food Court. Lightning was cracking overhead, umbrellas were turned inside-out, and more than one trash can was blown over. Anyone who attempted to “make a run for it” was immediately drenched. So much for spring in Indiana.

“Rapid Rookie” CARLOS MUNOZ Tops Practice For Indy 500

RFNCrew — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:53:26 +0000

For Immediate Release

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, May 16, 2013) – Rookie Carlos Munoz topped the speed chart for the second time during the month of May as team’s geared up for “Fast Friday” at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Downloads: DAY 6 TIMESHEET | COMBINED SPEEDS

Munoz, the Firestone Indy Lights point leader, set the fastest lap of the month, so far, with a lap of 225.163 mph (39.9711 seconds) in the No. 26 Unistraw Chevrolet. The lap topped the previous best of the month by Andretti Autosport teammate Marco Andretti (225.100 mph).

Andretti, driving the No. 25 RC Cola Chevrolet, was third on the day (224.882 mph) as Andretti Autosport swept the top three. Reigning IZOD IndyCar Series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay was second (225.006) in the No. 1 DHL car.

Day 6 of on-track activity also featured 33 drivers for the first time as 1996 Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Lazier made his maiden appearance in the No. 91 Lazier Partners Racing car. He contributed three install laps to the 2,227 total logged during the humid six-hour session. Lazier will participate in a refresher course before the track opens for practice at noon (ET) May 17.

Rookie Conor Daly brought out the yellow flag for the first incident of the month when the No. 41 ABC Supply car for A.J. Foyt Racing made contact with the SAFER Barrier exiting Turn 1 midway through the session. He was checked at the infield care center and cleared to drive.

Drivers will get a boost for the seventh day of practice for the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race as they transition from race setup evaluation to mostly qualifying simulations.

As with the 2012 race, the boost level will be upped from 130 kPa to 140 kPa for “Fast Friday” as drivers/teams focus on qualifying setups and the two days of qualifications. The boost level to the 2.2-liter, turbocharged V-6 engines will return to 130 kPa for the one-hour final practice May 24 and Race Day on May 26.

DAY 6 NOTEBOOK:

Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears, 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner Scott Dixon and IZOD IndyCar Series 500-mile race winner Ed Carpenter spoke to the media this morning about the Fuzzy’s Triple Crown, which debuts this season.

Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka will be the major sponsor of the three IZOD IndyCar Series races during the 2013 season that constitute the Fuzzy’s Triple Crown.

A driver who sweeps the races at the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway (May 26), 2.5-mile Pocono Raceway (July 7) and 2-mile Auto Club Speedway (Oct. 19) ovals will be awarded $1 million. A driver who wins two of the three races will be awarded a $250,000 bonus.

The Fuzzy’s Triple Crown renews tradition of the popular series at Indianapolis, Pocono and Ontario (Calif.) from 1971-80 and from 1981-89 at Indianapolis, Pocono and Michigan. Only four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser has won all three races in a single season, in 1978 in the Jim Hall-owned First National City Travelers Checks-sponsored car.

SCOTT DIXON: “It’s exciting. I’m very happy to be a part of it. It is so hard to win two or three of them, so forget about the money, I would be happy with just the getting those wins.”

ED CARPENTER: “To win this race would be great in itself, taking into consideration the amount of preparation that goes into this race alone. To win this race and two others is difficult. That is the exciting thing about winning the Triple Crown.”

RICK MEARS: “One of the great things about having the Triple Crown back is that it shows consistency within the team day in and day out. It is just great all around.”

***

Indianapolis 500 winners Al Unser, Bobby Unser and Johnny Rutherford – who combined to win “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” 10 times – are among the 2013 inductees into the United States Auto Club Hall of Fame.

The Class of 2013 will be inducted into the USAC Hall of Fame during ceremonies Saturday evening, May 18 before the second annual Hall of Fame Classic USAC Traxxas Silver Crown race at Lucas Oil Raceway in the Indianapolis suburb of Clermont, Ind.

Other inductees include Indianapolis 500 veterans Henry Banks, Tony Bettenhausen, Tom Bigelow, Pancho Carter and Jack Hewitt, legendary Indianapolis 500 “roadster” builder A.J. Watson, Indianapolis 500 team owner Bob Wilke, USAC stock car standout Don White and track promoter and race organizer Earl Baltes.

Tickets are priced at $20 for adults and $5 for kids, and adult tickets will admit the holder to pit access starting at 5 p.m.

***

INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRACTICE:

At noon, the ambient temperature was 78 degrees with a relative humidity of 56 percent and calm winds. Skies were cloudy. The track temperature was 100 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.

Noon – GREEN. #7 Bourdais first on track.

12:11 p.m. – YELLOW. Light rain reported over portions of the circuit.

12:20 p.m. – GREEN.

12:43 p.m. – YELLOW. Track inspection.

12:55 p.m. – GREEN.

1:22 p.m. – YELLOW. Track inspection.

1:33 p.m. – GREEN.

2 p.m. – #4 Hildebrand fastest at 224.075.

2:19 p.m. – YELLOW. #41 Daly wiggled exiting Turn 1 and hit the SAFER Barrier with right side of car. Car did quarter-spin to left, moving upward on left side before dropping to track and sliding sideways down short chute between Turns 1 and 2. Car stopped on track at entrance to Turn 2, with nose pointing toward short chute. Daly climbed from car with assistance from Holmatro Safety Team. Heavy damage to right side of car.

2:37 p.m. – GREEN.

2:58 p.m. – YELLOW. Debris. #25 Andretti fastest at 224.882.

3:03 p.m. – GREEN.

***

Medical report from Dr. Michael Olinger, INDYCAR director of medical services: Conor Daly was checked and released without injury from the IU Health Emergency Medical Center. He is cleared to drive.

CONOR DALY (No. 41 ABC Supply Co./A.J. Foyt Racing Honda): “We had just made a change on the springs in the rear. For me, I felt comfortable the whole time. It’s all been reasonably good. I was just trying to experience a little bit more with the car, and there was a car in front and me. The wind, it feels like it’s been gusting more, and the rear was leaning hard on the outside tire, and it just kind of folded over on itself. I just lost it. Just not good.”

***

Schmidt Hamilton Motorsports driver Simon Pagenaud, a native of France, will make crepes for breakfast for his team and media from 9-9:30 a.m. Friday in the Schmidt Hamilton garages, A 11-16 in Gasoline Alley.

***

1981 Indianapolis 500 veteran Bob Lazier said his son, 1996 Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Lazier, plans to make his 2013 Indianapolis 500 on-track debut today in the No. 91 Lazier Partners Dallara/Chevrolet/Firestone.

Bob Lazier talked about the team’s preparation of the chassis, which Jean Alesi drove last year for Lotus, and also about a possible 2014 Indianapolis 500 program for his other son, Jaques.

BOB LAZIER: (Where were you working on the car before bringing it to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?) “We’ve been working on it at Ron Hemelgarn’s shop with (crew chief) Dennis LaCava. Dennis is the real backbone of this organization right now.” (What is your timeline for getting on the track?) “Our goal is to get out today. We started the engine and everything yesterday. So everything is fine in that regards. We plan on going out around 3:30 or 4 (p.m.), something like that. We want to get a little bit of time on it and dial it in to where we want it from that point on. You know, it’s a process. Fortunately, we have a veteran driver. We’ve got a guy that’s has driven 75,000 miles here, probably. So, we’re very comfortable, and he is very relaxed. We’re fine.” (How does it feel to be back with Buddy for an Indy 500 attempt?): “It’s wonderful to be here. I also have my other son, Jaques, here, too. We’re going to try and do a program for him next year, as well. Buddy got this program started last year by coaching Jean Alesi. And that is why we are here now.”

***

Strike, LLC, one of North America’s leading energy services provider, has signed as a major associate sponsor of A.J. Foyt’s No. 41 ABC Supply entry driven by rookie Conor Daly in the Indianapolis 500.

This is Strike’s first foray into motorsports.

The red, white and blue Strike lightning bolt logos are located near the cockpit and on the nose of the red, white and blue No. 41 car.

Headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, just north of Houston, Strike is a leading North American provider of pipeline, facilities, fabrication, maintenance and integrity services to world-renowned companies, delivering America’s energy safely. The integrated network of energy services provided range from upstream production, processing and gathering facilities to high-pressure transmission and distribution lines.

STEVE PATE (Chairman and CEO, Strike): “Many of us in the Strike family are race enthusiasts, and the opportunity to sponsor an Indy car is very exciting. We are looking forward to working with the Foyt team and anxious to cheer Conor on to victory.”

LARRY FOYT (Team director, A.J. Foyt Racing): “We’re thrilled to welcome Strike to our team and to the Indianapolis 500. We appreciate their support and the opportunity to introduce them to the world’s fastest race. We’ll do our best to make it a memorable experience for them and their clients.”

***

INDYCAR officials confirmed the boost levels for the 2.2-liter turbo-charged V-6 engines used by the IZOD IndyCar Series will remain unchanged for the 97th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.

As with the 2012 race, the boost level will be increased from 130 kPa to 140 kPa for “Fast Friday” on May 17 and Pole Day qualifications Saturday, May 18 and Bump Day qualifications Sunday, May 19.

WILL PHILLIPS (Vice president for technology, INDYCAR): “What we had last year worked really well for the full sequence of the Month of May. With the car performance progressing incrementally through natural development of the chassis and aerodynamics, lap speeds are expected to increase in qualifying.”

***

ENTRY LIST UPDATE:

•The name of #5, #5T driven by E.J. Viso is Team Venezuela PDVSA Citgo.

***

2003 Indianapolis 500 winner Gil de Ferran will join the NBC Sports Network team as an analyst during its coverage of Pole Day and Bump Day qualifying. De Ferran is substituting for regular analyst Townsend Bell, who is driving in the 97^th Indianapolis 500.

Joining de Ferran in the booth this weekend will be play-by-play announcer Leigh Diffey and analyst Jon Beekhuis.

NBC Sports Network Formula One pit reporter Will Buxton also will join the broadcast team in the pits this weekend, as F1 does not race. This is Buxton’s first broadcast from the Brickyard.

Bell took Buxton for a ride in the Indy Racing Experience two-seater this morning for use in a feature during the Bump Day broadcast Sunday.

Joining Buxton in the pits will be Kevin Lee, Marty Snider and Rob Miller.

NBC Sports Network will televise qualifying live from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m. Saturday and noon-6:30 p.m. Sunday.

INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRACTICE (cont.):

4:40 p.m. — #91 Lazier to pit lane for first time this month.

4:58 p.m. – YELLOW. Debris.

5 p.m. weather update — The ambient temperature was 83 degrees with a relative humidity of 42 percent and variable winds at 3 mph. Skies were mostly sunny. The track temperature was 118 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.

5:03 p.m. – GREEN.

5:07 p.m. — #91 Lazier on track for first time this month for installation lap. He will attempt his refresher test Friday morning.

5:33 p.m. – YELLOW. Debris in Turn 4.

5:38 p.m. – GREEN.

6 p.m. – CHECKERED. #26 Carlos Munoz fastest at 225.163 mph, fastest lap of the month.

***

All 33 drivers assigned to cars at this event were on track today for the first time this month. #91 Buddy Lazier was on track for the first time today.

***

FASTEST TIMES/SPEEDS OF PRACTICE:

Pos.	Car	Name	Time	Speed
1.	26	Carlos Munoz*	39.9711	225.163
2.	1	Ryan Hunter-Reay	39.9990	225.006
3.	25	Marco Andretti	40.0210	224.882
4.	9	Scott Dixon	40.0948	224.468
5.	3	Helio Castroneves	40.0968	224.457

* — Rookie

***

An Andretti Autosport driver has been the fastest in four of the six practice days so far this month. Carlos Munoz is the only driver to be fastest more than once. A breakdown:

•Saturday, May 11: #20 Ed Carpenter, 220.970 (Ed Carpenter Racing)

•Sunday, May 12: #26 Carlos Munoz, 223.023 (Andretti Autosport)

•Monday, May 13: #25 Marco Andretti, 225.100 (Andretti Autosport)

•Tuesday, May 14: #25 James Hinchcliffe, 224.210, in Marco Andretti’s car (Andretti Autosport)

•Wednesday, May 15: #10 Dario Franchitti, 224.236 (Target Chip Ganassi Racing)

•Thursday, May 16: #26 Munoz, 225.163 (Andretti Autosport)

***

INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRACTICE QUOTES:

SIMON PAGENAUD (No. 77 Schmidt Hamilton HP Motorsports Honda): “I’m very happy with the race car. I think we’re really close to where we want to be. I got to run with Dario (Franchitti) and Scott (Dixon), which was really helpful in traffic. They helped me to see what the car might be like in the race. It’s always difficult to predict what will happen when we’re in the race, but I’m confident. The HP car is pretty fast I think. We just need to keep chipping away.” (About receiving advice from JR Hildebrand about throwing first pitch at Milwaukee Brewers’ game Monday, May 20): “I’m looking forward to the baseball game in Milwaukee because I’ve never been to a baseball game. It’s going to be a lot of fun to go, and Milwaukee is a great city, too. It’ll be great to get there before we race at the Milwaukee IndyFest. JR was a great coach, and he gave me a ton of great tips. Honestly, I think it’s a game I could get addicted to. Big thanks to JR for helping and making sure I don’t embarrass myself when I throw out the first pitch at the Brewers game.”

ED CARPENTER (No. 20 Fuzzy’s Vodka/Ed Carpenter Chevrolet Racing): “It was another pretty productive day. We learned some more things for the race. The last two days we have done some positive things as well as negative ones. And you do learn from the things that don’t work. I think we are zeroing in on things right now. We are getting closer on the setup we like. I’m not sure it’s where we need to be because some of these guys are very quick. There are times that I think we are very good and then other times I am worried. I think that really shows the depth of the field. It’s very competitive. I do feel better with each day right now. The forecast was for rain today, but we dodged it. Conditions were pretty good today. Friday’s forecast doesn’t look good again. But who knows about the weather here.”

ALEX TAGLIANI (No. 98 Team Barracuda-BHA Honda): “Early on today, we felt the Barracuda Racing car was OK. Later in the day, I think we took a big break and tried something pretty risky, and unfortunately it didn’t work. It’s not a big deal, though. We’re just going to reset everything and go back tomorrow to where we know the car has been good in traffic. We’ll also start working a bit more with a qualifying mindset because we’re going to run the boost at 1.4 since it’s Fast Friday. It’s going to be a totally different approach, but overall we know we need to make some improvements on our race car. We’re struggling a bit compared to last year, but we pulled through it in 2012, and the car was kind of a bullet then, so I’m sure the Barracuda Racing boys are going to do the same again this year. We should be in great shape.”

JAMES JAKES (No. 16 Acorn Stairlifts Honda): “We made some great steps today with the Acorn Stairlifts car. To be honest, it’s been going pretty well all week. We are just working with the plan that we have had all week, trying not to concentrate too much on the times on the tow reports but getting the car good in traffic and then looking for single-lap pace with no one else out there. The guys did a great job today. They have had a long few days, so it’s nice to get done early so they can get home, get some rest and get ready for a big weekend.”

AJ ALLMENDINGER (No. 2 IZOD Team Penske Chevrolet): “The IZOD Chevrolet ended up 11^th today in terms of speed, but I feel like we are gaining on the setup. I was able to gain more experience in race traffic, which you can never get enough of. The car is good, and I’m interested to see how the car will handle with the extra boost of power we get tomorrow. Another day of experience behind the wheel, and we’re learning more and more.”

HELIO CASTRONEVES (No. 3 Shell V-Power/Pennzoil Ultra Team Penske Chevrolet): “Another day of trying to find something new in the Shell Pennzoil Chevrolet. We are really digging, and the guys have done a great job so far finding the small bits here and there. Now we turn all of our attention tomorrow to qualifying and seeing what kind of speed we can find.”

CHARLIE KIMBALL (No. 83 NovoLog FlexPen Honda): “Today was another really good day. We spent a fair amount of time working on race stuff. We did a couple of solid, full-tank, new-tire runs in traffic. The car feels really stable. I think we made progress and found a couple of things today that some of my teammates run and liked, and I agree with them. So we went in that direction, as well. I think we’re in really good shape for next Sunday. Now our focus kind of shifts to qualifying on Saturday. Obviously, with Fast Friday tomorrow, we’ll get a little more boost. As race car drivers, we always like to go faster, and I think we have a good shot with the No. 83 NovoLog FlexPen car as we increase that boost. So we’re going to trim out the car and see what we can get out of it.”

WILL POWER (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet): “It was great to be able to get Verizon Chevrolet on track today as we were planning for rain. We are still working our way through our list; it is a process of continual adaptation to the conditions. I feel as though we did find something today that will help us during the race. Looking at the times, you can tell it is going to be tough.”

RYAN BRISCOE (No. 8 NTT DATA Honda): “We didn’t get to do too many laps today as we kind of got stuck in the garage this afternoon with some work that the guys had to do on the car. So we probably didn’t get to do as many long runs as we wanted to do, but the car felt good at the end of the day. We did a single long-run, where we ran with Scott (Dixon) and Dario (Franchitti) a bit, and it was pretty strong. It was pretty strong, so that’s good. We’re looking forward to some more race preparation on Bump Day.”

JOSEF NEWGARDEN (No. 21 Sarah Fisher Hartman/Century 21 Honda): “I thought we had a good day today. We’ve had good days pretty much all week, so that is positive. We worked on our race setup today, which is great because we’ve been waiting to do that all week. And now tomorrow we get to work on qualifying, so I think we’re looking really positive headed into the weekend. We’ll be looking to do well in qualifying, but more importantly we’ll be looking to do well next weekend. I like Fast Friday because it’s the best indicator as to how qualifying will go. You’re really going to see the highest speeds of the weekend tomorrow other than Saturday, and you’ll get a clearer idea of where everyone is at, so that’s always good to see after a long week of testing.”

E.J. VISO (No. 5 Team Venezuela PDVSA Citgo Chevrolet): “The team has been consistently at the top of the charts. Carlos (Munoz) was up there today. Ryan (Hunter-Reay) was really fast yesterday. Marco (Andretti) and James (Hinchcliffe) have been at the top of the charts, and that’s good. It shows that we are a strong team. So far, we’ve been working on the racecraft. I’m sure you’ve seen us out there passing each other and trying different things with the cars. This is what a big team and a team that has plenty of resources is able to do. First and foremost, it’s been a very refreshing season for me. It’s been a while since I have been able to feel I have a team fully behind me. It is what I have been feeling so far with these guys (at Andretti Autosport). Obviously, it’s been a little of a learning curve. Everyone on my crew is new to the team, with the exception of maybe two or three guys. Every beginning is always difficult, but it’s been nice. We’ve had the speed in every race. Talking more specifically about the Indy 500, about this special month for us, just knowing that I have a team and a car that is always fast is always nice. That gives us the liberty to go out and try different things in the car, and taking the chance that it might work or not but knowing that you can always go back to the roots and still have a good baseline.” (How do you feel you will be when you start focusing on qualifying setup?): “I believe that every race car has some fundamentals. I believe the Andretti grip is a fundamental that they have developed that is really good. And then all you have to do is trim the car. Obviously, you smoothly adjust the car for qualifying, but I think we have what we need to find that grip when we really need it in qualifying with very little downforce.”

RYAN HUNTER-REAY (No. 1 DHL Chevrolet): “We worked at it again today – not even sure what day it is anymore, really – we just keep working on the cars and inching in on where we need to be with limited practice days left. I think we’ll see some surprises in qualifying. We don’t really know what to expect. We just need to concentrate on our program and being quick on Race Day. We need to peak in the race and not in qualifying. Hopefully we do well in qualifying, but we need to be able to make sure that we have the race sorted, too.”

TRISTAN VAUTIER (No. 55 Lucas Oil/Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda): “I’m so glad we got a lot of time on the track today since we thought it was going to rain and didn’t think we’d be able to do much. I’m really starting to feel more comfortable out there and can’t wait to get back out there again. I think we’re in good shape at this point now that practice days are winding down before Pole Day.”

SIMONA DE SILVESTRO (No. 78 Nuclear Entergy Areva KVRT Chevrolet): “I think it was a pretty good day. We struggled a little bit in the beginning of the day but were able to figure it out. We were also able to run a little in traffic, and that was pretty fun. I think we have a pretty strong car in traffic. Now tomorrow we will have to see how it goes with some qualifying stuff, but I think today was a really good day and the first time I was pretty happy at the end of the day, so it’s a good thing.”

GRAHAM RAHAL (No. 15 Midas/Big O Tires Honda): “I think today went pretty good. We found a lot of things to make our car better. For our qualifying setup, I feel really good. The Midas/Big O Tires car was second of the Honda’s on the no-tow report. We still have to work on the race setup; we have to make it better. We’ll see what Fast Friday brings. I know there is still some stuff in the bag. We never really got a tow lap, though. Our fastest lap was by ourselves, so I don’t feel too bad about that. It doesn’t look good if you just look at the time sheets without taking that into consideration, but everything is all right.”

MICHEL JOURDAIN JR. (No. 17 Office Depot Honda): “We felt like we were making big progress on the Office Depot car, especially by ourselves. We were much happier as the day was going on, but we tried to run in traffic, and we just couldn’t. We have a lot of work to do to run in traffic.”

ORIOL SERVIA (No. 22 Panther DRR Chevrolet): “Everything is going to plan, so I am happy to be boring in this way! It’s all been good, and we’re not where we want to be yet, but we’re definitely getting closer and closer. Tomorrow is Fast Friday. We’re doing what we have to do, so I’m happy.”

CARLOS MUNOZ (No. 26 Unistraw Chevrolet): “The fastest lap was a tow, an unbelievable tow. Yesterday, I was thanking Hinch (James Hinchcliffe) and all the other drivers for the tow, and today I am thanking him (E.J. Viso) and Ryan (Hunter-Reay). But yeah, this last run I felt really comfortable each time I ran behind people in racing conditions. Each time I felt more comfortable. We are improving the car from the beginning until now, and I think right now we are really strong. We have a real strong car every time we test, and we can go back and make sure we have a pretty competitive car. But tomorrow and Saturday is another thing entirely. We will have to prepare for qualifying.” (How do you feel about tomorrow when you will gain 40-50 extra horsepower?): “I’m excited to feel more speed again. I’m comfortable and think we’ll have a great car, a really secure car. But I will tell you tomorrow how I feel after my first run how it feels to have this boost.”

DARIO FRANCHITTI (No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda): “We didn’t have the day we would have hoped to today. We started to take some of the downforce of out the car, which is usual for qualifying. The tough thing is that the track conditions at Indianapolis were again different today, which makes things challenging. Looking ahead to tomorrow, we’re focused 100 percent on qualifying the car. The boost levels in the Honda engine will be turned up over the next two days in preparation for qualifying. I think we’ll have a closer idea of where we are in tomorrow’s practice session.”

SCOTT DIXON (No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda): “Today was a decent day. We kept it pretty simple overall. We did one qualifying simulation run and then made some changes with the dampers in the car. We also worked on some mechanical things, and it was one of our better days because we just methodically went about our run plan and didn’t run the death out of the car. We just went about our business today and ran with what we had. Looking to qualifying, you’ll see the speeds go up anywhere from 2 to 4 miles per hour. How that pans out for us, we will see.”

JR HILDEBRAND (No. 4 National Guard Panther Racing Chevrolet): “We’ve been working a lot on the race setup in the National Guard Chevy and feel like we’ve been making a lot of good changes. We’re getting to where we’d ideally like to be for Race Day. We had a big tow lap, but the cars that put in those big laps are usually good cars. But that’s not indicative of how fast the car really is or how well it works in traffic; it’s just how many cars you can get in front of you to bang it up into sixth gear and put in a big lap. But we feel like we’re pretty close on the setup, and we’ve been circling around trying to get the car to do a couple different things, but we feel strong.”

TAKUMA SATO (No. 14 ABC Supply Co./A.J. Foyt Racing Honda): “First, I’m glad Conor (Daly) wasn’t hurt. It was horrible to see that he had a big moment today. (How did your day go?): “My day went well because we learned a lot, so again it was productive. There were a couple of things we needed to address, but we learned the car performed well in race trim and qualifying trim, so that was good.” (How does Conor get over that accident?): “The important thing is to find out why it happened. To know that is the most important thing, so once he knows that, he should be able to get back in the car, and in a few laps he will be back up to speed.”

TOWNSEND BELL (No. 60 Sunoco “Turbo” Panther Racing Chevrolet): “The No. 60 Sunoco ‘Turbo’ Chevy is awesome. We’re really happy with the balance, which means at this point we can think about our qualifying setup and optimization. Our basic foundation is really good, so tomorrow we’ll do some qualifying sims and get things tweaked for Saturday. The competition in this series is as strong as I’ve ever seen it, and while I was commentating on the race in Brazil, I had it in the back of my head that I was going to have to get out here with these guys. I think we’re in for an incredible race.”

JAMES HINCHCLIFFE (No. 27 GoDaddy Chevrolet): “Practice today did not go as smoothly as we hoped. We ended yesterday really happy with the car after struggling for part of the day, so it’s was good to end on a positive note. We were looking forward to coming into today and trying a few things. Earlier in the day, we accomplished a few useful things. We had another long run that, in all honesty, proved that we have a slow car even if the handling wasn’t terrible. But late in the day, getting ready for our second long run, we scared ourselves with something. I’m not sure what it was, but there was definitely something amiss on the car because I couldn’t even run a corner flat by myself in clean air, never mind a full lap or with traffic in the mix. Sometimes that happens. We’ll take the car back and have a proper look at it getting ready for Fast Friday. I’m sure whatever the culprit is, we’ll diagnose it and fix it. That’s what this team does. So we’ll be back at it tomorrow. Not an ideal way to end today, unfortunately, losing a bit of running in the pack and ending with a sour taste in our mouth. Luckily there are no points or prize money for today, so we’ll just keep our heads down and get back on track tomorrow.”

CONOR DALY (No. 41 ABC Supply Co./A.J. Foyt Racing Honda): “These guys work so hard. I’m incredibly thankful for the continued opportunity that I have. I’m just glad that the car wasn’t as damaged as it might have looked flying through the air. I tried to save it, and I would have saved it if we had about another 100 yards wider. But I know they’re going to work hard and get it all prepared, and as long as we can get out tomorrow and shake it down and make sure she’s pulling in the right direction, I think we’ll be fine. I think it should be good.”

***

Thirty-three drivers have been on the track to date and turned 2,227 laps today and 9,627 laps this month. Justin Wilson turned 100 laps today, most of any driver. There were seven cautions for a total of one hour, one minute today.

***

FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE (all times local):

7 a.m.

Garages open

9:30 a.m.	Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing media availability, Fourth Floor, IMS Media Center
10 a.m.	Chip Ganassi Racing media availability, Fourth Floor, IMS Media Center
10:30 a.m.	Team Penske media availability, Fourth Floor, IMS Media Center
11:15 a.m.	BorgWarner Louis B. Schwitzer Award Presentation, Fourth Floor, IMS Media Center

Noon-6 p.m.

Indianapolis 500 practice

6:05 p.m.	Fastest Driver of the Day media availability, Economaki Press Conference Room
6:15 p.m.	Pole Day Qualifying Draw, Pagoda Plaza Stage

***

MEDIA CONTACT:
Amy Konrath, INDYCAR
(317) 492-6453 (Office)
(317) 331-7437 (Cell)
akonrath@indycar.com

Thru Noggles Goggles .::. May 16th

RFNCrew — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:59 +0000

IndyCar Series Chaplain Bob Hills, a TNG reader and with whom I recently shared a lunch table, sends a copy of their IndyCar Ministry newsletter:

To view this email as a web page, go here.

From Bob >>>

When many people enter the Indianapolis Motor Speedway they feel different. They feel the history, the emotions, the magnitude and even the reality of the largest one day sporting event in the world. For me I also realize the importance this race, this month and this place has for so many of our racing family. To win the Indy 500 will change a drivers’ life! They will be known around the world as winning the greatest spectacle in racing. For the teams it means being able to wear the winning ring of the Indy 500. So many hope that they win this great race!

Winning the race of life is so much more important! Hebrews 12:1 says .”.., let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. ” I hope that you realize that God has set a direction , a purpose for us! Another thought I have is the reality of the 100′s of thousands of people that will attend this great race. How many of them know Jesus Christ ? How many of them are ready to go to Heaven? So many need a Savior! Let us look for the opportunities to share our story of Christ in our own lives.

God’s speed,

Bob

Prayer Requests

Paul Blevin, IndyCar Official Starter , his mother passed away May 4th . Please pray for Paul & his family.
Please pray for Bill Stewart as he battles Cancer (AML). Pray for Bill & Jenny.
Scott Jasek , Indy Racing Experience, had a heart attack May 4th and is still in Brazil recovering. Pray for Scott and his family.
Pray for Lynn McIntosh (Xtrac) as he battles cancer.
Joe Peterson is experiencing victories in his battle over cancer. His doctor is referring to his progress as a miracle. Continue to pray for Joe.
Pray for our military that so faithfully serve all over the world!
Pray for Bob Hills, David Storvick and our Catholic Chaplains as they minister to our four series!
Pray for the our racing family as we prepare for the Indy 500 and a very busy schedule.
Pray for Lauren Coe, Denver, Colorado, She was severely injured in a car accident and is in a coma.

Only a few spots are left at the…

Third Annual Indianapolis 500 Breakfast

Presented by Companies With A Mission

Jack Arute, Master of Ceremonies – Indy 500 legends Johnny Rutherford and Parnelli Jones – 2013 IndyCar Series drivers Conor Daly and Alex Tagliani – the Gordon Pipers – Presentation of the “Lone Star Johnny Rutherford Award” — Personal interviews and stories — Unique performances and highlights — Special limited edition souvenir for all attendees — Jaw-dropping media presentations — Celebrated in the Pavilion by the famous Pagoda on the grounds of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Celebrating the greatest spectacle in racing and realizing the faith in Christ that exists in our racing community!

Go to www.indycarministry.com/breakfast to place your reservation

IndyCar Ministry is a 501c3 not-for-profit non-denominational organization, which was developed to help the racing community. We exist because of the donations we receive from the racing community and great partners that join with us to reach out to the people that are part of this great sport. Our financial records are available for review by contacting our office. We desire to be good stewards of the blessings we are given.

Thanks to Royal Spa for the continued support of IndyCar Ministry. Go to www.royalspa.com to find:

Hot Tubs – Swim Spas – Gazebos

Saunas – Whirlpool Baths

IndyCar Ministry Staff

Bob Hills

Director & Chaplain

P.O. Box 24297

Speedway, IN 46224

Mobile 317-716-8850 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 317-716-8850 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting

bhills@indycar.com

Fr. Phil DeRea

Catholic Chaplain

P.O. Box 270

Aurora, IL 60507

Mobile 202-494-1900 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 202-494-1900 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting

philipderea@aol.com

David Storvick

Chaplain, Pro Mazda & USF2000

Mobile 317-435-5427 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 317-435-5427 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting

david.storvick@gmail.com

Your financial support allows for us to be present to minister to the four different series within IndyCar. We seek for serve Christ by loving and caring for this racing community. To be available to encourage and comfort in times of crisis and need. Please join with us and partner today! You can help by:

Pray often and regularly for Bob Hills , David Storvick and our Catholic Chaplains as they minister.
Sending donations to IndyCar Ministry, P.O. 24297, Speedway, Indiana 46224
Donating through our website at www.indycarministry.com/give-back/donate-now/
Donating via text = Text Indy 500 72727 (data charges may apply)

If you have any questions about our financial matters or would like to review our financial records please contact:

Michael L. Lowery, CPA, IndyCar Ministry Accountant, mllcpa@sbcglobal.net

3955 Eagle Creek Parkway, Suite B, Indianapolis, IN 46254

(317) 329-5055 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (317) 329-5055 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting — (317) 329-5099 Fax

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The reigning WNBA champion Indiana Fever will serve as the grand marshals of the 56th annual IPL 500 Festival Parade on May 25, the festival has announced. The parade will honor the accomplishments of the team, which made the WNBA playoffs for eight consecutive seasons and claimed its championship in 2012.

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Judy Bickel writes:

Fan friendly? You be the judge!

As we head into the qualification weekend for the Indy 500, I have a few observations I’d like to share regarding opening weekend at IMS and the first 3 days of this week. When IndyCar and IMS reiterate long standing sound bites that they are ‘fan friendly,’ I’d like to add a little commentary of my own.

Over opening weekend, the fans – literally seeking any available sun and wind protection were again, left without a place to gather, except for the aging picnic tables at the Pagoda Pavilion snack bar. This area is the only public place that has seating except in the grandstands where there is no protection from the elements. During the practice week, IMS was charging $10 per day, which is ridiculous. On the first 3 weekdays of this week – even though the weather had improved drastically and the race cars were getting faster, the after work crowd didn’t show up. $10 for a little over an hour doesn’t cut it if you are trying to build interest and expand a fan base. Fan friendly?

The ‘Social Media’ has overtaken MotoGP/Formula 1 garages 35 and 36, formerly used by the IndyCar Series’ fan club, Indy DownForce before being integrated into IndyCar Nation. These garages are located just south of the Pagoda. IndyCar Nation did not provide a place for fans to gather on opening weekend, but will open a center for qualifying weekend and beyond, but out of the Pagoda area, where many gather especially if they have garage or pit access. I know a great number of IndyCar Nation members, as I was very active in Indy DownForce. Many have continued to support the series. Bet if ICN had access to just one of the social media garages this past weekend, we would of filled 30-75 seats at all times. Fan friendly?

Except when the Social Media group did a driver interview, the garages were virtually vacant and did not open at all during the week proceeding qualifying. Guess social media is only active on the weekends. To top the fan snub, some invited to participate (invitation only) in the Social Media garage, were only blogging for a couple of weeks, shunning others who have been at it for a much longer time. How effective can a new blogger be to how many followers? The numbers just don’t add up.

All of social media has exploded the last few years. However, too many, including IMS and IndyCar expect the bloggers and tweeters to carry the load and do the promotion they should be doing themselves. By only using social media, both groups miss a great portion of their fan base in those who choose not to participate, but still want to be active and attend numerous events. Social media has it’s place in promotion, but IMS and IndyCar need to pay more attention to their own promotional and marketing opportunities and take care of their fan base. We have seen over the last few years in dwindling attendance at most all sporting events, so building a larger fan base should be a priority.

IndyCar has gotten the racing formula right. We are having more on track competition than in recent memory. We asked Tony George for more ovals, but we’ve lost ovals. We then asked Randy Bernard for more ovals and more races, we got 3 double header street course weekends. We have also asked Robbie Green for more ovals and more races. Double header street courses might count as more than one event, but seriously – we need to expand the series and not drop off the map in between events. Now, add a few more road/street courses while ignoring the pleas of long time open wheel fans for more Midwestern ovals and that will score even fewer fans who will pay money to participate and attend. Sounds pretty simple, but obviously it is escaping the brass who develop the series.

Is anybody out there listening? Fan friendly? Let your voices be heard!

Judy Bickel

ChampionCrewConversation.com

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ATTENTION READERS, PRINT THIS NEXT ARTICLE FOR $5 OFF ADULT GENERAL ADMISSION

Numerous USAC “Hall of Fame” inductees are heading for Indianapolis, Ind. May 18 to participate in formal ceremonies prior to the second annual “Hall of Fame Classic” USAC Traxxas Silver Crown race at Lucas Oil Raceway. The 2013 class of inductees include drivers, car owners, race organizers, officials and mechanics and most are expected to be on hand or be represented by family members in the case of those now deceased. Living inductees include Bobby and Al Unser, Johnny Rutherford, Jack Hewitt, Tom Bigelow, Pancho Carter, Earl Baltes, A.J. Watson and Don White. Tony Bettenhausen, Henry Banks and Bob Wilke are those being honored who have passed. It all leads up to the night’s 100-lap race which features the opening pavement race in the 2013 series.

Defending race winner Bobby Santos, III is expected to return to the .686-mile paved oval, along with former Lucas Oil Raceway Silver Crown winners Bobby East, Brian Tyler, Tracy Hines, Kody Swanson and Russ Gamester.

It’ll be a festive atmosphere as the Indianapolis community gears up for the fast-approaching May 26 Indianapolis 500. Coupled with the previous night’s “Larry Rice Classic” AMSOIL USAC Sprint race at Bloomington (Ind.) Speedway and Saturday afternoon’s “Pole Day” activities at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it’ll be a weekend for race fans to long remember.

Swanson won the pole for last year’s “Hall of Fame Classic” and led the first 13 laps before surrendering to Santos. Swanson eventually claimed second ahead of Bud Kaeding at the checkered flag. Tickets are priced at $20 for adults and $5 for kids and adult tickets will admit holder to pit access starting at 5 pm.

Encore Replay: Nissan DeltaWing Designer BEN BOWLBY’s Exclusive Sixty-Minute Interview

RFNCrew — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:09 +0000

Originally, we aired this episode on Wednesday, October 31st, as Tech House & Speed devoted an entire show to an exclusive interview with Nissan DeltaWing designer BEN BOWLBY…

It became one of the most downloaded shows of 2012 so we thought we’d spin it one more time…..strap it in and hang on!

Tech House & Speed “Deltawing Special” Preview

Nissan DeltaWing Designer BEN BOWLBY: In a special sixty minute interview, BILL WOOD spent the hour finding out how the project started and every step in between the latest outing at the 2012 Petit Le Mans…! You’ll hear the logic behind the design, the evolution of the project first aimed at IndyCar, why a younger racing audience is fascinated with the innovative design and how the car survived a practice crash that could have sidelined most other teams…and there are few gems that both Bowbly and Wood cover that make for one of the coolest episodes in the three seasons of Tech House & Speed on the RaceFanNetwork….enjoy!

BEN BOWLBY Interview Part 1

BEN BOWLBY Interview Part 2

BEN BOWLBY Interview Part 3

BEN BOWLBY Interview Part 4

If you have missed any episode or guest, or to view special edition clips, look for “Tech House & Speed” in the “RFN Media Center” anytime 24/7

Get interactive by sending an email

Defending Race Winner Tops Indy 500 Practice

RFNCrew — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:33:50 +0000

For Immediate Release

INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, May 15, 2013) – Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti put Honda on top of the speed chart for the first time at Indianapolis as teams continued preparations for the 97th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.DOWNLOADS: Day 5 Timesheet | Combined SpeedsThe 2012 race winner recorded the fastest lap of the day of 224.235 mph (40.1363 seconds) with 27 minutes left in the six-hour afternoon session in the No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

No less than 15 drivers toured the 2.5-mile oval in groups of three, four and five in the final 30 minutes in an effort to experience the balance of their cars in traffic and continue to develop their overall race setup. In total, 32 drivers piled up 2,165 laps without incident on day 5.

Townsend Bell, in his second full on-track session, climbed to second (223.716 mph; 40.2295 seconds) in the No. 60 Sunoco “Turbo” Chevrolet for Panther Racing. Three-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves was among the fastest again (223.699 mph) in the No. 3 Shell V-Power/Pennzoil Ultra Team Penske Chevrolet.

Marco Andretti (221.419 mph) in the No. 25 RC Cola Chevrolet and Andretti Autosport teammate E.J. Viso (220.305 mph), driving the No. 5 Team Venezuela Chevrolet, recorded the fastest non-tow laps earlier in the session.

DAY 5 NOTEBOOK:

The crews for #22 Servia (Panther DRR), #83 Kimball (NovoNordisk Chip Ganassi Racing), #27Hinchcliffe (Andretti Autosport), #8 Briscoe (Chip Ganassi Racing) and #25 Andretti (Andretti Autosport) qualified for the Indianapolis 500 Pit Stop Competition through pit stop time trials held this morning.

The five join the crews for #1 Hunter-Reay (Andretti Autosport), #3 Castroneves (Team Penske), #9 Dixon (Target Chip Ganassi Racing), #10 Franchitti (Target Chip Ganassi Racing), #11 Kanaan (KV Racing Technology), #12 Power (Team Penske) and #14 Sato (A.J. Foyt Racing) who qualified through pit performance at IZOD IndyCar Series events between the 2012 Indianapolis 500 and 2013 Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300.

The Pit Stop Competition will take place at Coors Light Carb Day on May 24.

***

Ed Carpenter will again carry a Butler University logo on his #20 Fuzzy’s Vodka Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet during the Indianapolis 500. Carpenter, a 2003 graduate of the Indianapolis school, unveiled the logo along with Butler University President James Danko, Butler Athletic Director Barry Collier, Butler Men’s Basketball Coach Brad Stevens and mascots Butler Blue II and Butler Blue III.

ED CARPENTER (Owner/driver Ed Carpenter Racing): “It’s a lot of fun being in Indianapolis, my hometown, and Butler is just down the road. It’s nice to be able to do something together. Hopefully we’ll be able to celebrate together at the end of this month. They’ve been great to me from the time I was there (as a student) and since I’ve graduated. It’s a great community and it’s fun to represent them.”

BRAD STEVENS (Butler University men’s basketball coach): “It’s great when you get to follow the race so close because it’s in your hometown. To have a sincere rooting interest is fun too. Ed has been great to us. We’re rooting for him. We’re proud of him and appreciate he’s put the bulldog on his car.”

***

INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRACTICE:

At noon, the ambient temperature was 86 degrees with a relative humidity of 36 percent and winds from the west at 12 mph. Skies were sunny. The track temperature was 113 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.

Noon – GREEN. #20 Carpenter and #41 Daly are first on track.

12:43 p.m. – YELLOW. Track inspection.

12:54 p.m. – GREEN.

1:27 p.m. – YELLOW. Debris on the frontstretch. #6 Saavedra lost decals off his car.

1:39 p.m. – GREEN.

2:22 p.m. – YELLOW. Track inspection.

2:32 p.m. – GREEN

2:50 p.m. – YELLOW. Track inspection

3:01 p.m. – GREEN.

3:09 p.m. - #1 Hunter-Reay sets fastest lap of the day, 222.170 (40.5096).

3:29 p.m. – YELLOW. Track inspection.

3:40 p.m. – GREEN.

***

Charlie Kimball played host to four members of the Indianapolis Colts today at the Speedway. Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks Andrew Luck, Matt Hasselbeck and Chandler Harnish along with wide receiver Griff Whalen toured the No. 83 Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing garage and spent time on the pit lane with the team.

CHARLIE KIMBALL (No. 83NovoLog FlexPen Honda): “I got the opportunity to go to an event a few weeks ago sponsored IU Health Sports Performance that was Andrew Luck’s Change the Play event. I met Griff (Whalen) and Andrew (Luck), and sort of connected being a Stanford fan, getting in (to school there), my dad being an alumni and I think Andrew mentioned that my aunt spoke to his freshman English literature class. It’s all in the family. I’m a Stanford fan, and now an Indianapolis resident and Colts fan. I wanted them to come see my office, because in the Winter, it’s easy to turn on the TV and see these guys go to work on Sundays. I wanted to give them the opportunity see what I think is the greatest sporting venue in the world – the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and see us turn laps at 215, 220 mph and give them the full Indianapolis experience.”

ANDREW LUCK (Indianapolis Colts quarterback): “I didn’t make it out last year. I think we were still in school last year and free weekends were at a premium. Unfortunately, I’m going to be out of town next weekend so I won’t be able to come to the race, but I wanted to come and pay our respect to Charlie because he was kind enough to come out to our IU-Riley event. As a sports fan, it’s awesome to see a spectacle like this, a stadium like this. To see how different athletes operate and how a race car team operates compared to a football team. Hopefully it will be a little educational for us.”

***

Andretti Autosport Firestone Indy Lights driver Zach Veach spent most of Wednesday afternoon in the #26 pit box of his Indy Lights teammate Carlos Munoz. Munoz leads the Firestone Indy Lights points’ standings and is attempting to qualify for his first Indianapolis 500. Veach led a Firestone Indy Lights test May 2 at 190.045 mph. Practice and qualifying for the Firestone Freedom 100 is scheduled for Thursday, May 23, with the race at 12:30 p.m. Friday, May 24.

ZACH VEACH: “It was really special to get to spend some time in Carlos’ pit box today and see my teammate’s dream coming true,” said Veach. “it was a bit surreal because I hope that’s me next year too! But this year, I couldn’t be more thrilled for Carlos and his opportunity. He is such a great guy and has been a huge help to me this season in Indy Lights. I’ll definitely be rooting for the #26 car come Indy 500 race day.”

***

AutoNation, America’s largest auto retailer, announced today it has partnered with 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay to support his Racing for Cancer charity.

AutoNation’s primary charitable focus over the next two years will be cancer awareness and prevention, and Hunter-Reay’s charity will serve as a key component of that program. Hunter-Reay founded the charitable organization following the 2009 passing of his mother due to colon cancer.

Racing for Cancer’s mission is simply to help beat cancer. The organization seeks to unite motorsport fans, sponsors, teams and others in a coast to coast effort to help eradicate the disease. Efforts are focused on early detection and prevention along with an emphasis on supporting childhood cancer initiatives. With the support of AutoNation, Racing for Cancer will have 21,000 teammates in 15 states.

All of the organization’s net proceeds go directly to supporting the cancer community. AutoNation will match the first $500,000 raised through Racing for Cancerand will contribute directly to the designated charities. Seventy-five percent of the funds generated by Racing for Cancer will be distributed in the markets where they’re collected, and 25 percent will be designated to Racing for Cancer’s trust fund programs.

AutoNation will be participating in race-related events in a number of markets coast-to-coast, including Long Beach, Calif., and Northern California; St. Petersburg/ Tampa, Fla., and South Florida; Fort Worth/ Dallas and Houston; and Baltimore, Md.. The company also expects to add Phoenix, Seattle, Atlanta, Las Vegas and Denver to the list, with additional cities to be announced. AutoNation also will participate in Racing for Cancer’s third annual “Yellow Party” on May 23 in Indianapolis, the charity’s signature event and biggest annual fundraiser, held around the Indianapolis 500 each year.

MIKE JACKSON (Chairman and CEO, AutoNation): “All of us are touched by cancer in some way, and we’re proud to join forces with Ryan in the race to help conquer this disease. We’re looking forward to committing our efforts and the efforts of our 21,000-strong team of associates to the fight. Through his professional outreach and personal involvement, Ryan has demonstrated an amazing commitment to fighting cancer and we hope that the contributions we’re able to make will bring us across the finish line that much faster in the battle to defeat cancer.”

INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRACTICE: (Cont.)

At 4 p.m., the ambient temperature was 91 degrees with a relative humidity of 34 percent and winds from the west-southwest at 8 mph, gusting to 16 mph. Skies were mostly cloudy. The track temperature was 126 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.

4:36 p.m. – YELLOW. Track inspection.

4:47 p.m. – GREEN.

At 5 p.m., the ambient temperature was 88 degrees with a relative humidity of 37 percent and winds from the west-southwest at 8 mph, gusting to 17 mph. Skies were mostly cloudy. The track temperature was 117 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.

5:04 p.m. – YELLOW. Tow-in for #41 Daly, who has stopped in the deceleration lane in Turn 4.

5:10 p.m. – GREEN.

5:33 p.m. – #10 Franchitti posts fastest lap of the day, so far, 224.236 mph.

6 p.m. – CHECKERED.

***

Thirty-two drivers were on track today. Only driver not on track was #91 Lazier, who has not turned any laps so far this month.

FASTEST TIMES/SPEEDS OF PRACTICE:

Pos.	Car	Name	Time	Speed
1.	10	Dario Franchitti	40.1363	224.236
2.	60	Townsend Bell	40.2295	223.716
3.	3	Helio Castroneves	40.2327	223.699
4.	1	Ryan Hunter-Reay	40.3420	223.093
5.	8	Ryan Briscoe	40.3945	222.803

***

INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRACTICE QUOTES:

JOSEF NEWGARDEN (No. 21 Sarah Fisher Hartman/Century 21 Honda): “We had a shorter day today but still a productive one for setup changes. We still have a little bit of a list to work on, but I think we are actually sitting quite well. I think the car handles well in traffic and by itself and seems to be quick as expected from this team, as they built a fast race car. We’re looking good. We just have to stay on task. You can get caught off guard around this place easily, so we have to make sure it doesn’t get ahead of us.”

CHARLIE KIMBALL (No. 83 NovoLog FlexPen Honda): “Today was a really good day. We ran through a lot of stuff. We did nearly 70 laps in different conditions, both early in the afternoon and late in the afternoon. We worked on a lot of race stuff and are still focusing on next Sunday, for the race. We have to make sure that the No. 83 NovoLog FlexPen car is going to be happy in different situations and different conditions, whether we’re running in traffic or running by ourselves. We worked on some developmental stuff, just to make sure we have as many tools in our toolbox as possible come Race Day. I think the car is pretty happy. We just have to keep making adjustments and paying attention as things develop. Obviously, as we’re getting closer to the end of the week, we’ll start looking toward qualifying. What’s really important is what happens a week from Sunday, not necessarily what happens on Saturday in qualifying. Saturday is important; it’s just not the only important thing ahead of us.”

E.J. VISO (No. 5 Team Venezuela/Andretti Autosport/HVM Chevrolet): “The preparation is still happening. We’re still following each of the steps of our test plan. Today we still answered some good questions that we had about the car, and what we are trying to do right now is make our race car even stronger. I think we are going to be good for the race, but there are still plenty of details to fix to have an even better car.”

RYAN BRISCOE (No. 8 NTT DATA Honda): “It was a long day and pretty good. We got some long runs in there at the end of the day and got to run in packs, so we were really happy with that. We made some big suspension changes throughout the day and found a really good direction with the car, so we were happy with that, as well. We are definitely moving in the right direction, and we’re really happy with what we have moving into tomorrow and on to qualifying.”

RYAN HUNTER-REAY (No. 1 DHL Chevrolet): “It was a good day for the DHL crew. We tried quite a few different setups because the weather is changing. The wind’s changing; it’s getting hotter. So we’re just logging more data for weather conditions and ended the day on a good note. We were on the top of the charts most of the day but finished with a great race car, so I’m really happy with it.”

JAMES HINCHCLIFFE (No. 27 GoDaddy Chevrolet): “I think the GoDaddy crew made some really good gains today. We had some troubles early on, but we’ve bounced back from that. We’re still fighting the good fight that is Indianapolis. Well keep working at it; we gathered a lot of data over the five (Andretti Autosport) cars today, and we’ll see where we are at come week’s end.”

SIMON PAGENAUD (No. 77 Schmidt Hamilton HP Motorsports Honda): “It’s day five, so we got to touch closely to what we think will be a good setup for the race. We optimized some changes that we made, and it was interesting to get to try all of those items. We’ll definitely have a strong race car. We can race in the pack pretty easily. Since it’s hot today, that’s a great testing environment because that’s similar to what the weather will be on May 26. I’m enjoying driving the car because it feels much more competitive than it was last year.”

TRISTAN VAUTIER (No. 55 Lucas Oil/Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda): “Today was the first day where I really managed to get some time in the pack. I’m glad we made some progress there. It was a good day, although I wish we could have run even more. It was useful time, though, because it gave us a direction to head in. Hopefully we can get some time on the track tomorrow and Friday if the weather isn’t too bad. I really want to keep working because we’re catching up a bit since I’m a rookie, and I need to get comfortable on this track.”

DARIO FRANCHITTI (No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda): (About being fastest of the day): “It doesn’t really count for much, but it’s nice, nonetheless. Right now we’re still very much in the preparation stage. We’re making changes to the car, and sometimes doing one- and two-lap runs. I think we had a pretty tough morning there and made some big changes to the Target car in the afternoon. We ran some and was pretty happy with it, so we went out there with some of the Andretti guys and my teammates – Scott, Ryan, and I think Charlie was involved for a minute there, as well – and some other guys involved in a pack, and really the lap time came from being in the right place at the right time. It was a bit like everybody out there: It was when you got the tow and how big the tow was. So for us, it was more important that the car balanced and how the car is in traffic and stuff, and we’re getting there with that. Still got a little work to do, but we’re closer than we have been.”

TAKUMA SATO (No. 14 ABC Supply Co./A.J. Foyt Racing Honda): “It was a productive day again. After yesterday, we were delayed on the program, but I think we caught up nicely and we tried several things we wanted to try over the last two days, and it was good to see the changes. We collected good data today, and finally we were able to run in traffic to see how the car performed. We found some positives and some not so much. We’ll sort it out in the debrief tonight and hopefully continue to progress tomorrow.”

CONOR DALY (No. 41 ABC Supply Co./A.J. Foyt Racing Honda): “We got over 220 today, which was enjoyable. I got to run in traffic at the end of the day, so that was good experience, a whole new experience for me, and I really enjoyed it. As long as I can keep running like that tomorrow, I think we’ll have a good platform for the race.” (Was running in traffic what you expected?): “It was a little surprising. It’s tough to really get close to people, so I think there’s some stuff we can do with the car to help that. But I think mainly it’s just me trying to figure out how to navigate traffic, so it should get better.”

TOWNSEND BELL (No. 60 Sunoco “Turbo” Panther Racing Chevrolet): (Is it more fun to go fast than to talk about guys going fast?): “It is a lot more fun. It feels a lot more at home for me to jump in and not have to say anything, not have to smile. No one can see me beneath the helmet and just get after it. It’s been great. The car has been solid. The Panther guys have done an awesome job. We had a rocky start with me coming in late from Laguna, but we’ve rebounded nicely since then.”

ORIOL SERVIA (No. 22 Panther DRR Chevrolet): “It was again a difficult day in terms of the conditions. It was very hot and even windier than yesterday. It’s tricky because the car wants to slide around. There toward the end, we made a couple of changes that gave me more grip, which is what we were after. Honestly, it’s hard when you do changes to get a read sometimes because you’re out there and do some laps alone, and you get a perfect read. Then all of a sudden you’re behind a big pack of cars, and you basically lose 200 pounds of downforce. We get caught in trying to see both things – how the changes are and how your car is in traffic because that’s how it’s going to be during the race. It’s an interesting dynamic that happens out there. I think we made the best of it today.”

ED CARPENTER (No. 20 Fuzzy’s Vodka/Ed Carpenter Chevrolet Racing): “We had a busy day. We ran 107 laps, more than twice any other day for us. We had bad day on Tuesday, just a lot of problems. The Fuzzy’s Chevy felt much better today, and we ran in a lot of traffic. With the heat and more cars, the track was more in a race setting. We aren’t where we want to be just yet, but I think we are back into our scheduled plan. We aren’t sure how the weather will play out the next two days, so we wanted more laps today. We have been working on the race car and haven’t trimmed anything out for a qualifying setup. Let’s just hope the weather is cooperating with us to get more laps in for Thursday and Friday.”

MARCO ANDRETTI (No. 25 RC Cola Chevrolet): “Today was interesting, to say the least. We finished sixth overall, but we were trying new things on the car. Obviously, some things aren’t always going to work out for the best. It kind of goes back to ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t try and fix it,’ so not every change to the car is a good change. We made more progress yesterday than today, but that’s why we practice so much here. Tomorrow will be a better day for the RC Cola Chevy. We have a solid idea of the setup we want the car to have at this point.”

JR HILDEBRAND (No. 4 National Guard Panther Racing Chevrolet): “We’re feeling pretty good. We haven’t worked very much on our qualifying stuff yet because there are still a couple of days before we really have to do that. More than anything, once we get to Friday and Saturday, it’s hard to work on race stuff, so we’ve been running through a lot of things to make the National Guard car works well in traffic. And we’ve been trying to figure out what we need to do so we’ve got a fast car but also a car that works well throughout an entire stint. I feel like we’ve made good progress the last few days. It’s always hard to tell running in traffic what other guys are doing, but we certainly aren’t one of the cars struggling to get by people out there. But we’ve got to keep working at it, because at this place you certainly can’t take anything for granted.”

AJ ALLMENDINGER (No. 2 IZOD Team Penske Chevrolet): “It was warmer outside today than it was yesterday, which changed some of the things the IZOD crew out into the setup of the IZOD Chevrolet. The track had less grip than the day before, as well. I got to experience being in race traffic along with practicing pit stops, which was a first for me. Overall, it was another solid day on the track. We continue to learn more and more as the week goes on.”

HELIO CASTRONEVES (No. 3 Shell V-Power/Pennzoil Ultra Team Penske Chevrolet): “The Shell-Pennzoil car was good today. It was interesting out on the track with the wind conditions. We will keep finding little things and making improvements.”

WILL POWER (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet): “We did a lot of race setup work today. Some long runs, and the guys worked on pit stops, too. It was a good day for the Verizon team. We accomplished a fair bit of work today. There is bit more in the car, and I feel pretty good about it.”

SCOTT DIXON (No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda): “The No. 9 Target car was decent today. We went through a bunch of changes. The last run, when everyone was getting big times, we had too much understeer. It was really hard. I could keep up with the pack but couldn’t pass anyone. Looks like the team cars were good. I’m excited to see what they were up to and see if we can make good changes tonight.”

***

A total of 42 cars are at the Speedway, with 41 passing technical inspection. Thirty-two drivers have been on the track to date and turned 2,226 laps today and 5,235 laps this month. E.J. Viso turned 134 laps today, most of any driver. There were five cautions for a total of 43 minutes today.

***

THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE (all times local):

8 a.m.

Garages open

11 a.m.

Fuzzy’s Triple Crown Media Availability, Economaki Press Conference Room

Noon-6 p.m.

Indianapolis 500 practice

6:05 p.m.

Fastest Driver of the Day media availability, Economaki Press Conference Room

***The 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series season continues with the 97th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on Sunday, May 26, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The race will be televised live at 11 a.m. (ET) by ABC and broadcast by the IMS Radio Network, including on Sirius and XM Channels 211 and www.indycar.com. The next Firestone Indy Lights race is the Firestone Freedom 100 on Friday, May 24, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The race will be broadcast by the NBC Sports Network live, during the network’s coverage of Carb Day.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Amy Konrath, INDYCAR
(317) 492-6453 (Office)
(317) 331-7437 (Cell)
akonrath@indycar.com

Thru Noggles Goggles .::. May 15th

RFNCrew — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:00:58 +0000

Bruce Martin of the “National Speed Sport News” reports on yesterday’s activities at the track:

James Hinchcliffe, driving the No. 25 usually driven by teammate Marco Andretti, was fastest in practice Tuesday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (IndyCar Photo)

The “Andretti Armada” continued during Tuesday’s six-hour practice session at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as all five Andretti Autosport drivers went onto the track to simulate Race Day conditions. The same car that was on top of the speed list on Monday was also the fast car on Tuesday, but it was a different driver behind the wheel. Marco Andretti was the fast driver Monday and James Hinchcliffe took the No. 25 Dallara/Chevrolet onto the track for Tuesday’s practice to get a feel for Andretti’s setup. Hinchcliffe must have liked it as he turned a fast lap of 224.210 miles per hour in Andretti’s car in what was boosted by strong tows on the track from other cars.

“We’re good at playing Tow Wars,” Hinchcliffe said of Andretti Autosport. “Not only did I rock the big tow that Marco is famous for I did it in his car. It’s good to be up there but at the end of the day those numbers don’t mean a lot right now. It’s the work you do on the race car and how it will perform in a few weeks.”

Tire management is a key as each car is allowed 32 sets of tires for the month. Each car needs to set aside 12-13 sets of tires for the race so it is very important to manage tires for the long practice runs as well as have the right sets of tires available for qualifications and – worst case scenario – Bump Day.

“We work backwards at the start of the month,” Hinchcliffe said. “We set aside what we need for the race and qualifying day and Bump Day because you can’t assume anything. That is why normally everybody goes out at the end of the day and does a full run, maybe two full runs at the end of the day. You try to do it in the most realistic conditions for what you think Race Day conditions well be. This was a hot day, which is good. We needed a hot, nasty, slick race track and we got that. We don’t know what it will do on Race Day yet but we have done some running in the cool weather and now we are in the hot weather so we will be ready for whatever Memorial Day throws at us. It’s a fluid situation but we probably go through two sets of tires a day.”

J.R. Hildebrand of Panther Racing was able to grab hold of the Andretti’s tow with a lap at 223.652 mph in a Dallara/Chevrolet. That was on Hildebrand’s third lap out of the 67 that he ran on Tuesday.

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James Hinchcliffe should have known better than to ask Will Power such a question. Hinchcliffe asked the Team Penske driver why he hadn’t been on the track much so far this month. Power answered without blinking. Burned up the car in Brazil, he said. Takes time to fix it while trying to run three drivers at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Power went on to say that his Chevrolet-powered program is lagging behind the Indianapolis 500 competition. The delivery was sincere, and Hinchcliffe bought it.

In fairness to Hinchcliffe, Power’s explanation seemed logical to others who heard it. His car caught fire in the May 5 race in Sao Paulo, and race rookie A.J. Allmendinger has been getting most of Team Penske’s laps so far. But seriously, Will? “No, I was only joking,” he said mischievously as the Andretti Autosport driver walked away. “I just told him that.” He laughed heartily. “Just laying low,” he said.

That might seem impossible for someone who has finished second in the series standings the past three years, but Power’s road racing background and 500 history allow some to look past him. He doesn’t have the three Indy wins of his teammate, Helio Castroneves. He hasn’t driven in a pack of cars this month the way Michael Andretti’s five cars have. Until the final minutes of Monday’s practice, Power wasn’t anywhere near the top 10. He finished fourth after a lap of 223.784 mph. Marco Andretti led at 225.100. Until then, many radars weren’t picking up the No. 12 car. “I hope not,” Power said. “I very much like being under the radar.”

This is Power’s sixth 500, and he hasn’t always felt playful despite respectable results. But the 32-year-old Aussie knows that four top-15 finishes and a front-row start here aren’t in step with team owner Roger Penske’s history or the expectations Power sets for himself. He has come here to win. “I definitely feel a different focus this month,” he said. “Last year I came here with three (consecutive) wins; this year it’s been more than 12 months (since winning).

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The Indianapolis Star’s Phillip B Wilson reports on what he believes to be Japan’s greatest export:

Takuma Sato relives last year’s Indy 500 and A.J. Foyt back where he belongs at Indy

A.J . Foyt Racing driver, Takuma Sato talks with Larry and A.J . Foyt as they watch rookie Conor Daly take his test, Monday, May 13. 2013. At The Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Greg Griffo/ The Star

Indy 500 drivers from Japan
Takuma Sato is the eighth driver from Japan to race in the Indianapolis 500, a tradition that began with Hiro Matsushita in 1991. Here’s a list of Japanese drivers and their Indy 500 finishes.
Hiro Matsushita
1991 – 16th
1993 – 18th
1994 – 14th
1995 – 10th
Hideshi Matsuda
1994 – 24th
1995 – 15th
1996 – 8th
1999 – 10th
Shigeaki Hattori
2002 – 20th
2003 – 30th
Tora Takagi
2003 – 5th
2004 – 19th
Shinji Nakano
2003 – 14th
Kosuke Matsuura
2004 – 11th
2005 – 17th
2006 – 15th
2007 – 16th
Hideki Mutoh
2008 – 7th
2009 – 10th
2010 – 28th
Takuma Sato
2010 – 20th
2011 – 33rd
2012 – 17th

Sometimes, words don’t come out right. So A.J. Foyt and Takuma Sato, racers from different generations and countries, have something in common. “He grew up in Texico, uh, Texas,” Sato said of his team boss, the famous four-time Indianapolis 500 winner. “He speaks a lot better English than I do Japan,” Foyt said of Sato. Uh, Japanese? “I don’t speak one word of it,” Foyt said.

Sato actually speaks excellent English and is quick to correct himself when he realizes the words aren’t uttered properly. But he and Foyt don’t talk much about racing. It’s always about something else because one racer realizes when another “gets it.” “When there’s a chance, I never back off,” Sato said before today’s practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That’s how Sato caught Foyt’s attention at last year’s Indy 500, when the 26-year-old driver from Tokyo pulled inside of Dario Franchitti for the lead on the final lap. Sato’s Rahal Letterman Lanigan machine and Franchitti’s Ganassi Racing car were side by side in the first turn. Something had to give. Sato spun out. Franchitti won his third Indy 500. Sato finished 17th but earned respect from competitors and fans for his daring maneuver. That’s what drivers are supposed to do at Indy — even if it’s not the ideal place to pass, you go for it. At the awards ceremony, the 5-4 driver teased Franchitti: “I might be small, but I need more room,” he said.

He lost that race, but it earned him a job. Since teaming with Foyt, Sato’s star has shone like never before. He became the first Japanese driver to win an Izod IndyCar Series race April 21 at Long Beach, Calif. Foyt’s first win as a team owner since Airton Dare at Kansas in 2002 made Sato an overnight hero back home. Front-page news. Not just an article, but the entire front page in Tokyo.

“The best ever from Japan, in every way,” said Masahiko Amano, 51, who writes for Autosport Japan and has been covering the Indy 500 since 1990. “He never says, ‘This is fine for today.’ He stays aggressive all the way.”

Foyt says the risk-versus- reward topic has been broached, though. “We had a talk with him,” Foyt said. “If we told him we had a fifth-place or 10th-place car, that’s where we wanted to finish. Don’t take a 10th-place car and try to win.” Sato almost won back-to-back races entering Indy. He had the lead entering the final corner at Brazil, but Sato smoked worn tires and Andretti Autosport’s James Hinchcliffe passed on the inside for the win. “You saw him at Brazil,” Foyt said of Sato. “He was out of brakes and tires. He didn’t do anything stupid. They had to beat him.”

Sato is the eighth Japanese driver to race in the Indy 500. Last year was his best run — falling back to 17th is overlooked because he was running second. He has finished third at this track, but that was for the 2004 Formula One U.S. Grand Prix. The best Indy 500 finish for a Japanese driver came in 2003, when Tora Takagi finished fifth.

Told of Amano’s compliment about being the best from Japan, Sato is too gracious to accept it. “That’s not my decision, you know?” he said. “The Japanese drivers challenging for the series started with Hiro Matsushita (in 1991). We kept continuing. The way I am today is because they opened the door.”

Foyt has won his favorite race only once as an owner, in 1999 with Kenny Brack. What would it mean if Sato could win the Indy 500? “Out of imagination,” Amano said. Again, the words don’t come out right, but you understand.

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While strolling the Garage Area yesterday, I happened to recognize Derrick Walker coming towards me. He seemed to be in a pleasant mood and was by himself, so I took the liberty of congratulating him on his new appointment in the IndyCar Series. Even though he doesn’t know me from Harry Potter or Ralph Liguori, he was very friendly and thanked me. I feel he’s going to like his new job and do well at it. [See Curt Cavin’s article (next) for more:]

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Derrick Walker, long-time IndyCar and Indy Lights team ownerl, has been named IndyCar’s president of operations and competition. / Greg Griffo / The Star 2011 file photo

Derrick Walker can expect the scrutiny that comes with his new job of IndyCar president of operations and competition, overseeing all things related to racing. Scrutiny from team owners and drivers, manufacturers and partners, fans and journalists. “I know for a fact this job I’ve just signed up for, they don’t give you a gold watch (at the end), and say, ‘Thank you very much, you did a great job,” Walker said Monday after being introduced at Indianapolis Motor Speedway by his new boss, Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles. “It can be a career-ending position.”

Walker, in his second year as general manager of driver Ed Carpenter’s team, won’t start his new job until after the Indianapolis 500. When he does, there will be plenty of issues to tackle. There are already conflicting interests over the bodywork kits that are expected in 2014. IndyCar began talking about adding the kits, which bring variety to the cars, two years ago, and the manufacturers are split on the scope of the project. Some want them at every race, others prefer to have them only at the large oval tracks in an effort to control the cost of development and testing. The recommendation, and others like it, will ultimately come from Walker, who has fought for cost containment from the team side. “Where we go for the future and costs, I think you can never truly go racing and cut costs,” he said. “If you’re trying to do (both), you’ve got to go fly a kite or something because you’re not going to do it. What we in the series need to be trying to do is reduce inflation. Any time you make change unfortunately it’s going to cost somebody some money. … It’s a big issue, but it’s the inflation that’s a killer.”

Miles said Walker is the right man for the job because he has “great common sense” and because of his vast experience: Forty-plus years combined in Formula One, Champ Car, IndyCar and the American Le Mans Series. Walker, 68, worked for Bernie Ecclestone’s Brabham F-1 team in the early 1970s before joining Roger Penske in various capacities from 1976 to 1988. He managed Porsche’s IndyCar program following Al Holbert’s death in a plane crash and later formed his own CART team, Walker Motorsports. The team’s first event was the 1991 Indianapolis 500 with Willy T. Ribbs driving.

Walker Racing (or Team Australia as it was later known) fielded cars for Gil de Ferran, Scott Goodyear, Sarah Fisher, Will Power and Simon Pagenaud, among others. He managed the careers of Power and Pagenaud, and will lead Ed Carpenter Racing through this 500. At IndyCar, Walker will oversee everything that happens on every racetrack IndyCar goes to — from Indy to the streets of Long Beach — and will manage officiating, rule-making, logistics and safety.

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Indianapolis native Conor Daly arrived from his GP3 race weekend in Barcelona, breezed through his IndyCar rookie program and practiced with the veterans. He finished 28th of 32 with a quickest lap of 219.044 mph. “That’s what living the dream feels like,” he said.

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Pippa Mann made her Month of May debut Monday. She’s driving the No. 63 car for Dale Coyne Racing

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Jim Hanks, owner of the Must See Sprint Series, reports on Jeff Bloom:

Veteran sprint car driver Jeff Bloom has been running at Winchester Speedway for a long time. Bloom’s racing career began back in 1968. It wasn’t until 1972 that Bloom began competing in the sprint cars and in particular, the American Speed Association (ASA). Since his sprint car debut at Winchester in 1972, Bloom has twenty-seven second place finishes. Track statistician, Bob Lemons, claims that Bloom holds the record for more second place finishes than anyone in the tracks 100 year history. “How many times should I have won at Winchester? A lot,” states Bloom. ”Something always seemed to

happen for one reason or another. I know I’ve finished second three times in the King of Wings race.

Bloom is eagerly looking forward to Sunday’s Xtreme Speed Challenge at Winchester Speedway. It will be the third race of the season for the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series (MSRXSS) and first for the Must See Racing Super Modified Series (MSRSMS). If you ask Bloom, he will quickly tell you he loves racing at Winchester Speedway. ”I love the race track. But I will tell you this about Winchester. It’s the only race track that I’ve run where you go in the corner hard and you don’t know for sure if you’re gonna exit the corner. You race the track and not the competitors. The second time I ever ran Winchester, I had fast time and tied the track record with a lap of 16.18 seconds for a long time”.

Sunday’s return to Winchester will technically be his first race back since he suffered severe burns in a frightening crash at Marne, MI last August. Bloom attempted his comeback April 14 during the Glen Niebel Classic at Anderson Speedway. Motor issues didn’t allow Bloom the opportunity to compete in the feature event. Sunday’s event will allow Bloom the first chance at extended laps in live competition. “I feel fine. I felt fine at Anderson with what few laps I got before the motor problems”.

The Xtreme Speed Challenge will start what will be a hectic week for Bloom. In addition to Winchester, Bloom will compete in the Must See Racing 60 at Anderson May 22, and the Little 500 three days later. Bloom is a three-time Little 500 winner. He will be inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame next month, and is fairly confident he will have a good day Sunday. “My expectations are to run up front and be competitive. My chances of winning are up in the air because you never know what can happen. But the last time I ran there last August, I was fourth quick, started on the pole, and ran up front. So we’ll see what happens” concluded Bloom.

JAMES HINCHCLIFFE Leads Practice for 97th Indy 500

RFNCrew — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:57:15 +0000

For Immediate Release

DOWNLOADS: PRACTICE 4 SPEEDS | COMBINED SPEEDS INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, May 14, 2013) – The weather got warmer at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but the results at the top of the time sheets remained the same as Andretti Autosport continued to dominate preparations for the 97^th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.

Andretti Autosport’s James Hinchcliffe posted the top lap speed of day 4 at 224.210 mph (40.1410 seconds), but accomplished it in Marco Andretti’s No. 25 RC Cola car as the Andretti Autosport teammates compared notes.

Hinchcliffe, a two-time race winner this season, logged 26 laps in No. 25 entry, while Andretti recorded 22 laps in Hinchcliffe’s No. 27 GoDaddy.com car.

“Marco’s pretty upset with the fact I got the fastest lap in his car,” Hinchcliffe joked.

Andretti, back in his own Chevrolet-powered car, was third-quick overall (223.570 mph). A day earlier, he posted the top speed of on-track activity (225.100 mph).

JR Hildebrand was second in the No. 4 National Guard Panther Racing car (223.652) – the second consecutive day he’s been in the top five under divergent weather/track conditions. Also I the top five again was three-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves, who had a best lap of 223.556 mph in the No. 3 Shell V-Power/Pennzoil Ultra Team Penske car. Reigning IZOD IndyCar Series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay was fifth (223.332) in the No. 1 DHL car for Andretti Autosport.

In all, 34 driver/car combinations recorded a month-high 2,226 laps without incident on the 2.5-mile oval.

DAY 4 NOTEBOOK:

Conor Daly completed the final phase of the Rookie Orientation Program during the final minutes of practice Monday. He had finished the first two phases Monday morning.

Daly missed ROP on Saturday and Sunday because he was competing in GP3 races in Barcelona, Spain.

All four rookies assigned to cars this month – Daly, AJ Allmendinger, Carlos Munoz and Tristan Vautier – have completed ROP. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Kurt Busch also completed ROP on Thursday, May 9.

***

ENTRY LIST UPDATE:

•The name of #55, #55T is Lucas Oil/Schmidt Peterson Motorsports.

***

Driver birthdays during the 97^th Indianapolis 500:

•Saturday, May 18 (Pole Day): Simon Pagenaud, 29

•Sunday, May 19 (Old National Armed Forces Bump Day): Dario Franchitti, 40

Helio Castroneves turned 38 on Friday, May 10, the day before Opening Day.

***

A.J. Foyt Racing is enjoying a resurgence this season in the IZOD IndyCar Series standings, as Takuma Sato leads the standings and won April 21 at Long Beach, Calif., in the No. 14 ABC Supply Co./A.J. Foyt Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone.

It was the first IndyCar Series victory for Foyt since Airton Dare won July 7, 2002 at Kansas Speedway. This is the first time a driver for Foyt’s team has led the series entering the Indianapolis 500 since A.J. Foyt topped the USAC standings entering the 1979 race. The last Foyt driver to lead the championship at any point was Kenny Brack en route to capturing the 1998 series title.

***

INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRACTICE:

At noon, the ambient temperature was 72 degrees with a relative humidity of 39 percent and winds from the east-northeast at 3 mph. Skies were sunny. The track temperature was 99 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.

Noon – GREEN. #20 Carpenter first on track.

12:18 p.m. – YELLOW. Debris.

12:21 p.m. – GREEN.

12:40 p.m. – YELLOW. Debris.

12:49 p.m. – GREEN.

1 p.m. – James Hinchcliffe fastest at 224.210 in #25 car of Marco Andretti, his Andretti Autosport teammate. Andretti is turning laps in Hinchcliffe’s #27 car.

1:01 p.m. — #14 Sato slows on backstretch.

1:49 p.m. – YELLOW. Debris.

1:59 p.m. – GREEN.

2 p.m. weather update — The ambient temperature was 80 degrees with a relative humidity of 37 percent and winds from the east-northeast at 3 mph. Skies were sunny. The track temperature was 112 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.

2:33 p.m. – YELLOW. Track inspection.

2:44 p.m. – GREEN.

***

Lucas Oil, a manufacturer and distributer of petroleum additives and oils for high performance engines, has signed on as primary sponsor for Tristan Vautier‘s No. 55 Honda-powered car in the 2013 Indianapolis 500.

Forrest Lucas, founder of Lucas Oil, first partnered with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports’ owner Sam Schmidt a decade ago when his company served as primary sponsor for Schmidt’s Indianapolis 500 entry for Richie Hearn in 2003. Since then, Lucas Oil has served as a title sponsor each race season on one of Schmidt’s Firestone Indy Lights entries.

Schmidt and Lucas found common ground in their desire to foster growth and development in young open-wheel drivers in Firestone Indy Lights. Vautier is the reigning Firestone Indy Lights champion.

FORREST LUCAS: “Sam asked me if I’d like to sponsor Tristan’s car for the 10^th anniversary of our relationship, and I jumped at the chance. I was attracted to the Indianapolis 500 10 years ago because it’s the biggest race in the world, and it’s a huge pleasure to be part of the race again with a car, driver and team that have every chance in the world of winning. I appreciate all that Sam has done to help young drivers advance their careers, and I’m glad that we’ve been part of that. We sponsored Tristan’s car in the Grand Prix of Long Beach earlier this year, and I can’t wait to see how this young, talented driver fares in the biggest race in the world.”

***

INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRACTICE:

3:20 p.m. – YELLOW. Track inspection. Hinchcliffe remains fastest at 224.210 in #25 car of Andretti.

3:30 p.m. – GREEN.

4 p.m. weather update — The ambient temperature was 86 degrees with a relative humidity of 34 percent and winds from the north-northeast at 3 mph. Skies were sunny. The track temperature was 120 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.

5 p.m. weather update — The ambient temperature was 87 degrees with a relative humidity of 34 percent and winds from the west-southwest at 5 mph. Skies were sunny. The track temperature was 117 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.

6 p.m. – CHECKERED. End of practice. James Hinchcliffe fastest in #25 car of Marco Andretti at 224.210.

***

Thirty-two drivers were on track today. Only driver not on track was #91 Lazier, who has not turned any laps so far this month.

***

FASTEST TIMES/SPEEDS OF PRACTICE:

Pos.	Car	Name	Time	Speed
1.	25	James Hinchcliffe	40.1410	224.210
2.	4	JR Hildebrand	40.2411	223.652
3.	25	Marco Andretti	40.2558	223.570
4.	3	Helio Castroneves	40.2584	223.556
5.	1	Ryan Hunter-Reay	40.2987	223.332

***

INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRACTICE QUOTES:

WILL POWER (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet): “We put in another steady day of work on the Verizon Chevrolet. We feel as though we are making progress on our setup. It was a good day at the office and definitely a beautiful day here at Indy. Hopefully we get more of the same tomorrow.”

GRAHAM RAHAL (No. 15T Midas/Big O Tires Honda): “Everything went to plan today. Our focus today was just to mileage this engine out and move on. I’m proud of the guys at Honda that we made it there without issue. We’re focused on tomorrow now to see what we get. We’re going to shake down the new car tomorrow with a new engine in it. It might be a whole different beast. The Midas/Big O Tires car will be all new, and I’m excited about it.”

JAMES JAKES (No. 16T Acorn Stairlifts Honda): “We did another race simulation early in the day, and I think we made some progress compared to Monday on the Acorn Stairlifts car. Everyone seems pretty excited. And the rest of the afternoon, the guys were busy putting a new engine and switching everything to the other chassis. It was nice that we were able to get the work done well over the last two days so the guys have got quite a bit of time to work on the car today, and it means they won’t get to bed too late tonight and will be able to spend some time with their wives and children. Everyone’s pretty excited to roll out tomorrow. Both the No. 15 and 16 cars will be fresh chassis and motors, so I think everyone is optimistic and excited as to where we will end up.”

ORIOL SERVIA (No. 22 Panther DRR Chevrolet): “It’s starting to get interesting out there. The track was very hot, up to 130 degrees at some points. It makes things a lot more difficult, but that’s how race conditions are going to be. We lose a lot of downforce when it gets hot like this, and it just gets tougher to get a good setup. It still was a great day. We were running in the top five most of the day, so I’m very pleased. Third day of running for us, and we have excellent notes. I’m very happy with where we are.”

AJ ALLMENDINGER (No. 2 IZOD Team Penske Chevrolet): “Today was the first day it has been warm outside, which was something I had not experienced yet. The track changed throughout the day, getting slicker than it’s been on the cooler days, but we were able to make adjustments to the IZOD Team Penske Chevrolet that helped us put down some pretty good laps. I was able to learn a lot with a lot of cars on the track today, which obviously critical for me as we get close to the race. Productive day, in all, but I still have a lot to learn.”

HELIO CASTRONEVES (No. 3 Shell V-Power/Pennzoil Ultra Team Penske Chevrolet): “It was another good day today for the Shell V-Power Pennzoil Ultra Chevrolet. We feel we’ve identified the places where we can improve and so now we have to continue working. Finishing near the top yesterday and today shows we hopefully have the consistency that it takes to win the race in the end.”

E.J. VISO (No. 5 Team Venezuela/Andretti Autosport/HVM Chevrolet): “Very long day for me today; I completed 134 laps; it’s enough to get the engine swapped. Anyways, it was a very good, productive day. We went through some tests, which we found some good answers. We did a couple of long runs with the rest of the Andretti Autosport guys, and we are still finding new answers every time we go on a run together. Today was a little bit hotter than the other days, and the weather predictions say that Race Day is going to be even a bit hotter than today. So I think the running that we did today was pretty productive to gather some data.”

MARCO ANDRETTI (No. 25 RC Cola Chevrolet): “I think today went well. I’m quite pleased with how things are going for us so far. Working with the car in the heat of the day can be challenging, but we made a lot of progress to get where we are. We are going to continue to look at things and try to be faster by Race Day.”

JOSEF NEWGARDEN (No. 21 Sarah Fisher Hartman/Century 21 Honda): “I thought we had another productive day. This is Day 4, and we got through another great set of changes. We made the car a little bit better, and we were able to run in some traffic today and get an idea of what the car is going to do behind other cars. I think we’re on the right path, but we have to keep on it because there’s still more for us to do. But we’re definitely headed in the right direction.”

TAKUMA SATO (No. 14 ABC Supply Co./A.J. Foyt Racing Honda): “Unfortunately not a good day for us. We had a few problems to address, which took a long time to correct, and we didn’t get much running in today. Hopefully tomorrow will be trouble-free.”

MICHEL JOURDAIN JR. (No. 17 Office Depot Honda): “We continued to work on the car; I haven’t been comfortable at all. I am kind of feeling the same as Graham (Rahal) in that we’re not feeling confident in the car. We made some changes in the afternoon, and it was better, but still on the last run I had to catch it two times. It’s better. I have a little bit better feel and a little bit more confidence in it, but we have to make some changes and improvements. Of course, the strong winds are not helping a lot, but there are some things that happen in all four corners, and normally the wind only makes an impact on one or two corners. We are going to continue to work on it to improve the car.”

TRISTAN VAUTIER (No. 55 Lucas Oil/Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda): “This was our first day really working on the car since we didn’t get to run a lot yesterday. We managed to run a lot more in traffic, although we didn’t quite have the speed we needed. We struggled a bit following other cars, but we have more time to practice. I’m sure I need to get more used to this track as a rookie, as well.”

CARLOS MUNOZ (No. 26 Unistraw Chevrolet): “It was another good day of practicing a few different race simulations; I learned a lot on each of them. The conditions were hotter today then the last few practice sessions, so I had to adjust with each of the new tests. The track had a lot less grip, but that is something we need to keep working on in the upcoming days. There are still a lot of days left to figure out which run is going to work, but my team is working really hard to find the best one. I’m feeling more and more comfortable with the No. 26 Unistraw Chevy, and I think our team is doing a good job, but we need to take it day-by-day. Each time I go out on track I’m gaining more confidence, especially on the race runs with my teammates and other drivers.”

SIMON PAGENAUD (No. 77 Schmidt Hamilton HP Motorsports Honda): “It was an OK day. The weather was kind enough to be similar to what it’s going to be on Race Day, so we got to try a lot of things that should relate to the race. It was an interesting day because we got to try a lot of different items, and I can’t wait to debrief with the HP crew to see how we’ll tackle tomorrow. We have a decent car. We just need a small adjustment to make it just right for the race. I’m pretty sure we’re going to get there.”

RYAN BRISCOE (No. 8 NTT DATA Honda): “Today was a bit of a long day. We didn’t do a whole lot of running as we spent a lot of time making some big changes in the garage. It was a lot hotter today. The wind was going in the opposite direction, so we were battling a little bit with some different balance issues than we had yesterday. The changes we made with the rest of the team cars helped lead us in the direction we went. We got back out tonight, ran a bit in traffic, felt like we made some good gains with the car and ended with some good, solid laps. So, we made progress.”

CHARLIE KIMBALL (No. 83 NovoLog FlexPen Honda): “Today was a good day. As far as weather conditions, it was the first time we really had warm on-track temperatures. A lot of times, Race Day temperatures are this warm and this windy, so we tried to do as much as we could with the No. 83 NovoLog FlexPen car in race trim. We ran with my teammates on full tanks and did a long run to see how the tires were holding up and see how the car was going to do. We did a few hot stops and pit stops with launches to get the guys warmed up. Everything feels really good. Toward the end of the afternoon, we thought we may have lost it a little bit, but we made some changes and put the car right back in the ballpark, so everything is good. It’s just a question of what the weather does toward the end of this week and make sure we can keep it in that range and make sure we can be competitive as we trim it out for qualifying.”

RYAN HUNTER-REAY (No. 1 DHL Chevrolet): “It’s certainly getting interesting now with the heat and the wind. Conditions are changing every day, so it’s keeping the team on our toes, and we’re just trying a lot of different settings now. We have five cars, so we have a lot of options, and I think as we work through the week, we’ll work ourselves into a good car. But it’s a work in progress.”

JR HILDEBRAND (No. 4 National Guard Panther Racing Chevrolet): “With the qualifying situation and the added boost for Friday and Saturday, you see a lot of race running these first few days. Besides trying to make the No. 4 National Guard car better and head into Thursday and Friday with some idea of what’s going to happen when you qualify, we spent the entire day running around in some form of traffic. We weren’t trying to put big laps up. We’re trying to understand how the car works behind one car, two cars, three cars, four cars, different speed of cars. It was nice at the end of the day to join the Andretti tow battle that was going on. At the end of the day, you want to figure out how your car is going to work with other cars that you might be able to race with. That’s where the speed comes from, and that’s where the focus is going to be today and tomorrow.”

DARIO FRANCHITTI (No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda): “Our plan was to do somewhere in the region of 140 laps today to mileage out the engine like the No. 9 team did, so we could have the qualifying engine in for tomorrow. Unfortunately, the engine let go before we were able to do that, and we lost a lot of time on track. It was disappointing, but the balance of the car is very good, and we felt we had a really good car in traffic today, which will be important for the race. Hopefully Honda are going to bring a big upgrade for qualifying and the race engines.”

SCOTT DIXON (No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda): “We had a very positive day today even though the speed chart doesn’t show it. We mileaged our engine out, which means we ran it to its limit of 2,000 miles. That is significant because we will have a fresh Honda engine in tomorrow, which will move us up the speed chart. You only have a certain amount of engines per season for cost containment, so that is why we were where we were today. We changed suspension geometries, as well, and we discovered a part was wrong, so we got that corrected today, as well. After we fixed that, the car was back to normal, and we found some great options for the rear of the car. Because we had to mileage the engine out, we turned the power down just to make sure we made that 2,000-mile distance. Tomorrow will be a good test of where we stand speed-wise.”

CONOR DALY (No. 41 ABC Supply Co./A.J. Foyt Racing Honda): “Today was good. We upped our personal-best speed. We also made some setup changes so that I could feel what it did to the car. At the end, I got to run with Bia (Ana Beatriz) and feel what that was like to run close to a car. Slowly but surely gaining experience.”

JAMES HINCHCLIFFE (No. 27 GoDaddy Chevrolet): “Marco (Andretti) is pretty angry with me now. Not only did I rock a big tow, which he is famous for, but I did it in his car, so “Marco Tow-dretti” is pretty upset with me now. It’s good to be up there, but at the end of the day, those numbers don’t mean a lot right now. It’s about the work you do on the race car and making sure the No. 27 GoDaddy car is going to be good not only on one lap, but over 200 (laps).” (About benefit of driving a teammate’s car): “I get to see how good I look in red and blue. There are some things we wanted to see and suss out, and that’s the way to do it. It’s not uncommon. Guys have done it in the past — especially this team. I think TK (Tony Kanaan) drove every single car on the team at some point during the month. It’s standard procedure to feel a couple of things out.”

TOWNSEND BELL (No. 60 Sunoco “Turbo” Panther Racing Chevrolet): “It’s just great to be back out here with Panther Racing. We’ve got so much support from Sunoco and ‘Turbo,’ and they’ve all given me a great opportunity to be in good equipment. I was in Laguna Seca this weekend, and the Panther guys handled every little detail so we were ready to roll when I got back. In a lot of ways, it was like I never left. It’s still John Barnes running the organization, and they still have a lot of great people. I just love coming (to Indianapolis), and luckily this is my seventh time and it starts to feel pretty normal after a while. Although the first outing I don’t think I took a breath for a good three-and-a-half minutes, but the car feels really good so far.”

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WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE (all times local):

8 a.m.

Garages open

10:30 a.m.	Ed Carpenter Racing/Butler University announcement, ECR garage, Gasoline Alley
11 a.m.	Tony Kanaan, Simona de Silvestro media availability, Economaki Press Conference Room

Noon-6 p.m.

Indianapolis 500 practice

6:05 p.m.

Fastest Driver of the Day media availability, Economaki Press Conference Room

***

The RaceFanNetwork.com

Encore Replay: Exclusive Audio from “the Firestone Morning Warm-Up Show at the 2013 Indy 500” Starts at 10am Monday

ED CARPENTER Claims Pole for 97th Indy 500

JAMIE WHINCUP Dominates Opening Races in Texas

Party with the V8 Supercar drivers

After-race party planned for Austin on Sunday night

Former Australian Ambassador to the US heads to the track

2013 Standings:

Thru Noggles Goggles .::. May 18

“Rapid Rookie” CARLOS MUNOZ Tops Practice For Indy 500

Thru Noggles Goggles .::. May 16th

Encore Replay: Nissan DeltaWing Designer BEN BOWLBY’s Exclusive Sixty-Minute Interview

Defending Race Winner Tops Indy 500 Practice

Thru Noggles Goggles .::. May 15th

Takuma Sato relives last year’s Indy 500 and A.J. Foyt back where he belongs at Indy

A.J . Foyt Racing driver, Takuma Sato talks with Larry and A.J . Foyt as they watch rookie Conor Daly take his test, Monday, May 13. 2013. At The Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Greg Griffo/ The Star

Derrick Walker, long-time IndyCar and Indy Lights team ownerl, has been named IndyCar’s president of operations and competition. / Greg Griffo / The Star 2011 file photo

JAMES HINCHCLIFFE Leads Practice for 97th Indy 500