2006 IRL Rd. 4--The 90th Indianapolis 500

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The Brickyard. Once a year, 33 of the top drivers in NA motorsports visit what is considered by many(myself included) as the most sacred ground in all of NA motorsports......2.5 miles of central Indiana blacktop, shaped rectangular-style, crowned by a yard of bricks. And many of the drivers who have won here are, indeed, legends of the sport...Bill Vukovich, Rodger Ward, A.J. Foyt, Jr., Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Mario Andretti, and Bobby Unser, to name a few. The modern era of NA motorsports(1979-present) has seen its' share, as well.......Al Unser, Sr., Johnny Rutherford, Rick Mears, Bobby Rahal, Emerson Fittipaldi, to name a few more..It is a race where legends are born, where, for three hours, it is the center of the motorsports, not just in the United States, but around the world. In the 1950's, this race was not only the biggest race in NA, but it was on the Formula 1 calendar, as well. And, even with the split in NA motorsports, it is still, without a doubt, "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing". It is the 90th running of the Indianapolis 500.

Here is the schedule for the month of May........
Rookie Orientation Program}May 7-8, 12-5 PM EST
Practice Day #1}May 9, 12-6 PM EST
Practice Day #2}May 10, 12-6 PM EST
Practice Day #3}May 11, 12-6 PM EST
Practice Day #4}May 12, 12-6 PM EST
First Day Qualifying(Positions 1-11)}May 13, 12-6 PM EST
Second Day Qualifying(Positions 12-22)}May 14, 12-6 PM EST
Practice Day #5}May 17, 12-6 PM EST
Practice Day #6}May 18, 12-6 PM EST
Practice Day #7}May 19, 12-6 PM EST
Third Day Qualifying(Positions 23-33)}May 20, 12-6 PM EST
Bump Day Qualifying}May 21, 12-6 PM EST
Carburation Day(Final Practice)}May 26, btwn. 12-6 PM EST
90th Indianapolis 500, 1 PM EST, May 28, 2006(live coverage on ABC Sports, with radio simulcast on the IMS Radio Network, webcast on indycar.com, XM Satellite Radio-Ch. 145, and on the United States Armed Forces Network).

[Snowy]

It's time Dario did IMHO

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When activities begin at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway begin in early May, one new addition will be veteran sportscar/open-wheel racer Jeff Bucknum, who has been tapped by Hemelgarn Racing to drive the #92 entry during the month of May. Here are some quotes from the principles....


Ron Hemelgarn, Co-Owner, Carmelo-Hemelgarn Racing:

I watched Jeff very closely last year and was impressed with his performance. He was thrown into a pressure cooker in qualifying at Indy and never put a wheel wrong, getting his entry into the field as the gun went off on the first day. That's tough for anyone, let alone a rookie. Then my good friend AJ Foyt picks him up for two events, Infineon and the Glen. If that's not a ringing endorsement, then I don't know what is.

Jeff Bucknum, #92 Hemelgarn Racing Dallara/Honda:

I had four (IndyCar Series) races last year plus a full season in ALMS Prototypes. I loved my IndyCar events and spent the off-season examining how to approach the season. I clearly wanted to return but it had to be with the right team. My discussions with Rom convinced me Hemelgarn Racing will provide exactly that, quality, and an opportunity to win.

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Of all the races on the NA motorsports calendar, the Indianapolis 500 has probably the most interesting and unique qualifying format around. Without being too technical, here it is in a nutshell.....

As in 2005, qualifying for the Indy 500 is a four-day format, with each day carrying its' own importance. The first three days(May 13, 14 and 20) will set the provisional grid(positions 1-11 on May 13th, positions 12-22 on May 14th, and positions 23-33 on May 20th). Each entry gets a maximum of three attempts per day(including three on Bump Day); also, once the 11 spots per day are filled, the slowest cars on each day can be bumped from the grid, which adds to the excitement. As for Bump Day......

The fourth and final day of qualifying(May 21st), a/k/a Bump Day, is set aside so that, after the 33-car field in provisionally set, any entries not qualified can make one last effort to enter the field. However, once the starter's gun goes off at 6 PM US EDT, that's it.....the field becomes officially set.

If there are any questions, feel free to ask.

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What was long-rumored to be true, that the A1 Grand Prix of Nations' Team USA would field one entry at the 90th running of the Indianapolis 500, came true today as A1GP Team USA principle Rick Weidlinger and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing officials made the announcement earlier today at the Brickyard. Joining them in the one-off for A1 Team USA will be 2-time 500 champion "Little" Al Unser, Jr. Here are some quotes from those involved.....


Rick Weidlinger, Team Principle, A1GP Team USA:

What better way to highlight the United States' participation in the A1 Grand Prix of Nations than with two of the most recognized names in American open-wheel racing--Unser and the Indianapolis 500. The opportunity to showcase A1 Team USA at an American event like the Indianapolis 500 with an American driver like Al is unmatched in motor sports.

Al Unser, Jr., 2-time Indy 500 winner(1992, 1994):

The Indy 500 is my true love. I have had some time off, as you know, and it has been great to enjoy my family but I'm feeling really refreshed and anxious to get back out there and race. Being able to do that with an outfit like Dreyer & Reinbold and carrying the banner for A1 Team USA makes this a month I'm really looking forward to.

Unser, Jr. will join full-time D & R driver(and 1996 500 winner) Buddy Lazier for "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing". Here are their expected sponsors for the 500....

Buddy Lazier, #5 RollCoater/Escort Radar Warning D/H
Al Unser, Jr., #31 A1 Team USA D/H

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If there is one facet to "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" that hasn't changed, it is this......before any driver gets to practice, let alone qualify or compete in the Indianapolis 500, he or she must pass the 4-step program known as the Rookie Orientation Program(ROP). That program is what lies ahead for 2006 IndyCar Series rookies Marco Andretti, P.J. Chesson, and Jeff Simmons, along with returning veteran Townsend Bell.

So, what is ROP? It is a 4-phase program where drivers are required to show that, a: they can drive their rocketships at speed, and b: that they can drive their cars at speed consistantly for a set period of time. Do both of those things, and you are then, and only then, allowed to run with the veterans on practice day #1. Oh, and it doesn't matter where you come from or how good you are.......any driver wanting to compete in the 500 who's never been to Indy must complete ROP. Even former Formula 1 WDC's such as Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet had to pass their respective ROPs' before competing.

Speaking of which.....in the 89th Indy 500 thread, I listed all the Indy 500 rookie-of-the-year award winners in the Modern Era(1979-). Here is a list of all the ROY awards since it was first instituted in 1952. (You might be surprised at some of the individuals on this list...... )

1952: Art Cross(5th)
1953: Jimmy Daywalt(6th)
1954: Larry Crocket(9th)
1955: Al Herman(7th)
1956: Bob Veith(7th)
1957: Don Edmunds(19th)
1958: George Amick(2nd)
1959: Bobby Grim(26th)
1960: Jim Hurtubise18th)
1961: Bobby Marshman(7th) & Parnelli Jones(12th)
1962: Jim McElreath(6th)
1963: Jimmy Clark(2nd)
1964: Johnny White(4th)
1965: Mario Andretti(3rd)
1966: Jackie Stewart(6th)
1967: Denny Hulme(4th)
1968: Bill Vukovich, Jr.(7th)
1969: Mark Donohue(7th)
1970: Donnie Allison(4th)
1971: Denny Zimmerman(8th)
1972: Mike Hiss(7th)
1973: Graham McRae(18th)
1974: Pancho Carter(7th)
1975: Bill Puterbaugh(7th)
1976: Vern Schuppan(18th)
1977: Jerry Sneva(10th)
1978: Larry Rice(11th) & Rick Mears(23rd)
1979: Howdy Holmes(27th)
1980: Tim Richmond(9th)
1981: Josele Garza(23rd)
1982: Jim Hickman(7th)
1983: Teo Fabi(23rd; polesitter)
1984: Roberto Guerrero(2nd) & Michael Andretti(4th)
1985: Arie Luyendyk(7th)
1986: Randy Lanier(10th)
1987: Fabrizio Barbazza(3rd)
1988: Billy Vukovich, III(14th)
1989: Bernard Jourdain(9th) & Scott Pruett(10th)
1990: Eddie Cheever, Jr.(8th)
1991: Jeff Andretti(15th)
1992: Lyn St. James(11th)
1993: Nigel Mansell(3rd)
1994: Jacques Villeneuve(2nd)
1995: Christian Fittipaldi(2nd)
1996: Tony Stewart(24th; polesitter)
1997: Jeff Ward(2nd)
1998: Steve Knapp(3rd)
1999: Robby McGehee(5th)
2000: Juan Pablo Montoya(1st)
2001: Helio Castroneves(1st)
2002: Alex Barron(4th) & Tomas Scheckter(26th)
2003: Tora Takagi(5th)
2004: Kosuke Matsurra(11th)
2005: Danica Patrick(4th)

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Vision Racing, fielding two cars full-time for veteran IRL drivers Tomas Scheckter and Ed Carpenter, will have an additional weapon in the arsensal for "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing", as team officials announced today that Townsend Bell will be joining them for a one-off drive this month in the 500. Here are some quotes from those involved.....

Michael Ball, CEO, Rock & Republic(sponsor for Bell):

What's cooler than an IndyCar doing 200-plus miles per hour around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway? Nothin...

Tony George, IRL founder/co-owner, Vision Racing:

We are extremely excited to have this opportunity to partner with such a progressive and dynamic company like Rock & Republic. Their association with Hollywood and the entertainment industry is a natural link between motorsports entertainment and premium consumer interests.

Townsend Bell, driver #90 Rock & Republic/Vision D/H:

We've developed quite a good frinedship with Rock & Republic and obviously an exciting program in a short time. I introduced Vision to the company and (Tony) George took it from there. Rock & Republic is a hot brand in fashion and it's cool to have some attitude in the car. The best part about the commitment from Vision Racing is that they are doing everything they can to give me a top-shelf program for the month. I have the proper amount of time to prepare, we'll run as many laps as we can in the month as available, and I know I can count on the team to push everyday for the best result. In the end, I want to drive a solid, smart race, be there for the last since and then we'll maximize what we have.

Although Bell has 11 career IndyCar Series starts(10 in 2004, and 1 last year), he will be eligible (as a first-year starter) for the 2006 Indy 500 Rookie-of-the-Year Award.

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Saturday saw two more drivers added to the list of competitors for "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing", as Playa del Racing announced Saturday that veteran IndyCar driver Jaques Lazier and veteran IndyPro Series driver Jon Herb will attempt to qualify for the team. Here are some quotes from the principles.....

Jaques Lazier, #21 Playa del Racing P/H:

I have a really good relationship with everyone on the Playa del Racing team. I drove for them in the 500 last year and though we finished in 16th place, given the fact that this team started just really eight weeks before the race, it was an absolutely fantastic run at Indy. All the accolades go to the team for sure because they gave me a great car.

Jon Herb, #12 Playa del Racing P/H:

This is going to be a great two-car effort by PDR. I am excited to climb back in the cockpit of an IRL car and get to work perparing for qualifying. We know this will be a very competitive field this year so every minute on the track is precious in our preparation. I am just looking forward to getting underway.

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Throw in two more drivers for the 90th running of the Indianapolis 500, as 2004 IndyPro Series champion Thiago Medieros and former IndyCar Series veteran Stephan Gregoire will attempt to make the field for the Memorial Day Sunday classic. Team officials with both PDM Racing and Team Leader Mtrspts. made spearate announcements today, and here are a few quotes from those involved....

Thiago Medieros, #18 STP/Royal Spa P/H:

This is unbelieveable. I knew that the guys were working on something for the '500', but never thought it was for me! I am very thankful for everyone involved in putting this together.

Paul Diatlovich, Owner, PDM Racing:

We have been building a great relationship with Thiago in our Silver Crown program over the past few months, and we couldn't be happier to have him drive for PDM this month at Indy.

Note: No quotes available from Gregoire's announcement; Medieros will have to complete ROP tomorrow, while Gregoire will have to do a refresher test to begin Indy 500 practice.

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Someone once referred to Monza as "The Magic Track"......That pretty much describes the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and today the gates are open, the skies are blue....let's go trackside!

Here are the day's observations......

1}Fast Fact of the Day.....Should both Marco and Michael Andretti qualify for the Indy 500, it will be the fourth time in the race's history that a father and son have competed agst. one another. The other three father/son duos.....Michael and Mario Andretti, Mario and Jeff Andretti and "Big" Al Unser, Sr. and "Little" Al Unser, Jr.

2}Who was first on the track? There are three awards of note that the Brickyard gives out during the month of May, the Borg-Warner Trophy(to the winner of the 500), the Indy 500 Rookie-of-the-Year Award(to the top first-year starter), and the First-Out Award, to the driver that gets out on the track first. That award goes to Marco Andretti, who was the first driver out at 12:10 PM this afternoon. How have past first-out winners done the day of the 500? Uh, not so good; in fact, since 1980, only two first-out award winning drivers have finished 5th or better on raceday; Eliseo Salazar finished 4th in 1995, and Danica Patrick finished 4th last year.

3}Did anyone pass ROP today? Two drivers did, BTW: Marco Andretti and P.J. Chesson, both contenders for the Bombardier Rookie of the Year Award(series rookie honors) passed all four phases of the ROP, clearing their first hurdle at the Brickyard. Marco posted a fast time of 40.803 sec.(220.572 mph) while Chesson posted a time of 41.997 sec.(214.302 mph).

4}How's the refresher training? For veterans Michael Andretti and Al Unser, Jr., it was just another day at the office; both drivers breezed through the refresher course(phases 3-4 of ROP) w/out any problems, setting times of 40.724 sec.(220.999 mph) and 43.607 sec.(206.387 mph).

Fastest Driver of the Session......Michael Andretti(#1 Jim Beam/Vonage Dallara/Honda), 40.724 sec./220.999 mph.

On tap for tomorrow......second day of rookie orientation. As for the veterans, they'll arrive on Tuesday, May 9.

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With clear skies and the throaty roars of the Honda Indy V8's in the background, here are some observations from today's practice session......

1}Congrats, rookies.....For first-time starters Thiago Medieros, Marco Andretti and P.J. Chesson, they successfully completed the 4-phase Rookie Orientation Program and can now begin their assaults on the Yard of Bricks w/the veterans tomorrow. Good luck, rookies....... As for veteran starters Townsend Bell, Al Unser, Jr., Michael Andretti, Eddie Cheever, Jr. and Arie Luyendyk, Jr., they successfully completed their refresher programs(phases 3-4 of ROP) and can also begin practicing for the 500 as well.

2}Fast Fact of the Day.......Over the weekend, two IndyCar Series drivers completed in the Rolex Sports Car Series' U.S. Sports Car Invitational at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in the Daytona Prototype class; Scott Sharp finished 25th overall(21st in class) alongside father-in-law Greg Pickett, while Eddie Cheever, Jr. finished 43rd overall(27th in class).

3}What's this, F1 rules for Indy?? In Formula 1 in 2005 and 2006, teams are required to use the same race engine on two successive race weekends.....well, IRL officials, along with Honda Performance Development officials, have put some similar rules in play for the month of May. From May 9 until May 25, teams will be allowed a new Honda H-16R Indy V8 for use during practices/qualifying. On Carb Day(May 26), teams will receive a new engine from HPD; that engine must make it through Carb Day(final practice), the Indy 500, and then the race weekend at Watkins Glen(June 2-4). Let's hope none of the engines decide to BBQ themselves, hmm?

4}Fastest Driver of the Session: Townsend Bell(#90 Rock & Republic/Vision Dallara/Honda), 221.381 mph(40.654 sec.)

First practice session for "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" commences May 9 at 12 PM U.S. EDT. Good luck to everyone!!!

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To paraphrase legendary IMS trackside announcer Tom Carnegie, who will be doing the PA broadcasts at the track for the 61st consecutive year(dating back to 1946!! )..........And they're on it......!


Anyway, here are the news and notes from the Brickyard following the first official day of practice for "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing", the 90th Indianapolis 500.....

1}Fast Fact of the Day........Firestone has provided over 5,000 Firhawk racing slicks for use during the month of May, utilizing the same tire compounds used successfully during April's Open Test at Indy and the most recent IndyCar Series round, at Motegi. Each team will receive 35 sets of tires(140 total) to use at their discretion during practice, qualifying and the race.

2}Don't tell me.....Penske v. Ganassi already?? Although the session was cut short by rain w/less than an hour to go, all indications are that, come Pole Day, there's a decent chance that either the Captain or the Chipster will have one of their drivers' on the top of the scoring pylon at 6 PM that day. In the session, both Penske drivers set 4 of the top 6 times(both tested their primary and backup cars) sandwiching the Ganassi drivers in 3-4. (Top-10 practice times will be listed at the bottom of the posting....)

3}Past champions honored......for drivers Al Unser, Jr.(1992, 1994), Buddy Lazier(1996), Eddie Cheever, Jr.(1998), Helio Castroneves(2001-2002), Buddy Rice(2004) and Dan Wheldon(2005), the day with all six doing several ceremonial laps around the track to begin the practice session. Making things even more special for them, the green flag starting their parade laps was waved by 4-time Indy 500 winner Rick Mears.

4}Predictions already??! With the fast laps everyone turned today, attention has turned already to what the expected pole speed will be at the end of Pole Day qualifying Saturday.......Maybe Sam Hornish, Jr. knows; here's his prediction....

I think somewhere in the 228.5 to 229 (range) would probably be pretty good, maybe a little bit quicker than that. It'll depend on the weather conditions. If we have a nice 70-degree day and no wind, it might be quicker than that.

Top-10 practice results from the session..........
NOTE--(T)-refers to driver's backup car

1}Sam Hornish, Jr(#6T Marlboro-Team Penske D/H)..............224.881 mph/40.036 sec
2}Helio Castroneves(#3T Marlboro-Team Penske D/H)...........224.106 mph/40.196 sec
3}Dan Wheldon(#10 Target D/H)..........................................223.916 mph/40.194 sec
4}Scott Dixon(#9 Target D/H)..............................................223.797 mph/40.215 sec
5}Sam Hornish, Jr.(#6 Marlboro-Team Penske D/H)...............223.717 mph/40.229 sec
6}Helio Castroneves(#3 Marlboro-Team Penske D/H).............223.388 mph/40.289 sec
7}Tomas Scheckter(#2 Rock & Republic/Vision D/H)..............223.183 mph/40.326 sec
8}Buddy Rice(#15 Argent/Pioneer P/H)................................222.762 mph/40.402 sec
9}Scott Sharp(#8 Delphi D/H).............................................222.752 mph/40.404 sec
10}Townsend Bell(R-#90 Rock & Republic/Vision D/H)...........222.545 mph/40.441 sec

On tap for tomorrow is practice session #2......set for 12-6 PM U.S. EDT on May 10th.

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Maybe it's just me, but I seriously think the rain's followed me from Motegi to the Brickyard.....

Here are some news and notes from the rain-shortened practice session of 10 May 2006......

1}Welcome back, Airton! Sam Schmidt Mtrspts. announced today that former series veteran Airton Dare, who drove for a couple of years w/Foyt Racing, will do a one-off w/SSM and will begin practicing in preparation for Pole Day this Saturday. Dare, who has 1 IndyCar Series victory to his credit(Kansas, 2002) will drive the #88 OCTANE Motors/Sanitec Panoz/Honda for the team owned by former IRL driver Sam Schmidt, who has been confined to a wheelchair since being paralyzed in a testing crash at Orlando in Jan. 2000. This will mark the fifth cons. year SSM has fielded an entry for the 500, and for Dare it will be his 4th start at the Brickyard.

2}Fast Fact of the Day: In the 89 previous runnings of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing", the winners have come from 20 states w/in the USA and 8 additional countries. Ironically( or maybe coincidence??) the state that has fielded the most 500 winners is......the Hoosier State, Indiana, with 7.

3}Slipin' and-a' slidin.......Unlike yesterday, several drivers complained that the track surface was very slick and, as it has can occasionally do, it caught one; Rahal-Letterman's Jeff Simmons(#17 Ethanol Panoz/Honda) spun exiting turn 1 and nudged the inside retaining wall, doing minimal damage to the car(a broken front-wing). The team had the backup car up and running in less than an hour, and Simmons was turning laps in it at around the 222-223 mph range.

4}Predictions.............positions 1-11. With two days of practice in the books, the question of who'll start on pole come raceday is joined by this question, who will "lock" their positions in from Saturday's qualifying sessions. Here's my list of who should (and I emphazize, should) make it into spots 1 through 11.......
Marlboro-Team Penske......Castroneves and Hornish, Jr.(2)
Target/Ganassi.................Wheldon and Dixon(2)
Aguri-Fernandez................Matsurra and Sharp(2)
Rahal-Letterman................Rice and Patrick(2)
Andretti-Green...................Kanaan, Herta, Franchitti(3)
Vision...............................Scheckter and/or Bell(1-2)
Total............12 to 13 drivers have a shot at snatching spots 1-11(meaning when this round of musical chairs stops, someone will be standing, and out of the top-11....... )

Combined practice results(top-10)................
1}Sam Hornish, Jr.(#6 Marlboro-Team Penske D/H)...............226.056 mph/39.813 sec(May 10; 63 laps)
2}Dan Wheldon(#10 Target D/H)..........................................225.636 mph/39.887 sec(May 10; 83 laps)
3}Kosuke Matsurra(#55 Panasonic/ARTA D/H).......................225.140 mph/39.975 sec(May 10; 77 laps)
4}Sam Hornish, Jr.(#6T Marlboro-Team Penske D/H).............224.811 mph/40.034 sec(May 9; 9 laps)
5}Tony Kanaan(#11 Team 7-11 D/H)...................................224.500 mph/40.089 sec(May 10; 86 laps)
6}Bryan Herta(#7 XM Satellite Radio D/H)............................224.292 mph/40.126 sec(May 10; 63 laps)
7}Helio Castroneves(#3 Marlboro-Team Penske D/H).............224.258 mph/40.132 sec(May 10; 60 laps)
8}Helio Castroneves(#3T Marlboro-Team Penske D/H)............224.106 mph/40.160 sec(May 9; 11 laps)
9}Scott Sharp(#8 Delphi D/H)...............................................223.997 mph/40.179 sec(May 10; 105 laps)
10}Scott Dixon(#9 Target D/H).............................................223.830 mph/40.209 sec(May 10; 82 laps)


Practice session #3 is set for 12-6 PM US EDT tomorrow, weather permitting......local forecasts from Indianapolis report a moderate chance of showers/thunderstorms passing through the area, with more rain/storms possible on Friday.

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Apparently all the stormy weather decided to miss the Speedway today. And with that, here are some news & notes from the Brickyard........

Fast Fact of the Day: In the 11 years of the Indy Racing League's existence, 9 people have won "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Here is what they are doing currently.....
1}Buddy Lazier(1996).......currently driving for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in the IRL IndyCar Series
2}Arie Luyendyk(1997).....currently helping his son, Arie, Jr., in his efforts to make the field for this year's 500
3}Eddie Cheever, Jr.(1998)...currently a driver/owner with Cheever Racing in the IRL IndyCar Series
4}Kenny Brack(1999)....currently resides in Belgium and has retired from competiton
5}Juan Pablo Montoya(2000)...currently drives for McLaren-Mercedes in Formula 1
6}Helio Castroneves(2001, 2002)...continues to drive for Marlboro-Team Penske in the IRL IndyCar Series
7}Gil de Ferran(2003)...currently working as Sporting Director for Honda Racing in Formula 1
8}Buddy Rice(2004)...continues to drive for Rahal-Letterman Racing in the IRL IndyCar Series
9}Dan Wheldon(2005)...currently drives for Target/Ganassi Racing in the IRL IndyCar Series


1]So, Secy. Bodman, how was your laps around the track? Today was "Ethanol Day" at the Speedway, and U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman rode in the IndyCar 2-seater w/IMS Radio Driver Analyst Davey Hamilton for three laps midway through the session today. Later, during a press conference concerning the IRL's use of ethanol as a racing fuel(currently a 90-10 methanol/ethanol mix; the series switches to 100% ethanol fuel in 2007), he was asked about it. Here's what he said....

It was just terrific. (Davey) did a great job of keeping me in one piece. It was just terrific. This is my first visit to the Speedway, but I am from Illinois. I've been to Indianapolis but never to the Speedway. It's fun to be here, particulary on the occasion of Ethanol Day, and working on the ethanol program.

When asked about the IRL's decision to begin converting over to ethanol usage, he added,

We're very proud of that in the Energy Department. We work on new processing techniques to produce more ethanol. We believe that it's our near-term solution to importing too much oil.

2]Oops, I did it again......Turn 2 and Rahal-Letterman driver Buddy Rice must have issues or something; last year, Rice was injured in practice and missed the 500 following a practice crash.....and what do you know, he did it again......crashed, that is. 366 days after doing it last year, he smacked the outside wall in turn 2, causing heavy damage to the right-sde and rear of the #15 Argent/Pioneer P/H, suffering contusions to both knees. While he was checked at the Clarian Medical Center(the IMS infield care center), series chief medical officer Dr. Henry Bock did not clear him to resume practice until a more thorough checkup tomorrow.

Here are the current fastest speeds/times from the combined practice charts........
1}Sam Hornish, Jr.(#6 Marlboro-Team Penske D/H)...............226.789 mph/39.684 sec(May 11; 82 laps)
2}Dan Wheldon(#10 Target D/H)..........................................226.088 mph/39.808 sec(May 11; 128 laps)
3}Helio Castroneves(#3T Marlboro-Team Penske D/H)............225.547 mph/39.903 sec(May 11; 23 laps)
4}Scott Dixon(#9 Target D/H)...............................................225.309 mph/39.945 sec(May 11; 109 laps)
5}Kosuke Matsurra(#55 Pansonic/ARTA D/H).........................225.140 mph/39.975 sec(May 10; 77 laps)
6}Sam Hornish, Jr.(#6T Marlboro-Team Penske D/H)..............224.811 mph/40.034 sec(May 9; 9 laps)
7}Dario Franchitti(#27 Canadian Club/Klein Tools D/H)...........224.742 mph/40.046 sec(May 11; 107 laps)
8}Tony Kanaan(#11 Team 7-11 D/H)....................................224.500 mph/40.089 sec(May 10; 106 laps)
9}Bryan Herta(#7 XM Satellite Radio D/H).............................224.292 mph/40.126 sec(May 10; 76 laps)
10}Helio Castroneves(#3 Marlboro-Team Penske D/H)............224.258 mph/40.132 sec(May 10; 60 laps)

Note.....as to the (....), the day indicates when a specific driver set that fastest time/speed on the combined charts, while the laps total indicates how many laps a driver has run all together this month regardless of a specific session


Practice Session #4 is set, weather permitting, for May 12, 12-6 PM U.S. EDT; Pole Day Qualifying is currently scheduled for May 13, from 1-6 PM U.S. EDT(17:00 to 22:00 UTC May 13)

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First, it's sunny......then it rains.......then it's sunny.......is it just me, or is there a pattern emerging?

Practice was rained out today, so track and series officials have changed the schedule for Saturday, May 12. Practice session #4 is set for 9 am-11 am, with Pole Day Qualifying(positions 1-11) set for 12-6 PM.(subject to weather conditions).


1}Fast fact of the day........Ever wonder why the field for "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" has 33 cars in it? Well, back in the early 20th century, the first sanctioning organization for AOWR, the American Automobile Association(AAA) decided that there should be one car on-track every 400 ft. of racetrack. Things have definitely changed since then!

2}Press conference transcripts......two media conferences were held with drivers and officials from Marlboro-Team Penske and Rahal-Letterman Racing. In case anyone would like to read the transcripts, here are the links to each transcript

www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6547 (transcript of RLR media conference)
www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=6548 (transcript of MTP media conference)

Hopefully, all this rain will leave so that they can begin slotting the field for the race.