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Franchitti Gets Big—But Not Record — Check for Win @Indy

@Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

Dario
Dario Franchitti with the Borg Warner Trophy signaling he’s won the Indianapolis 500 twice. The traditional post-race victory photo session was on Monday morning after the race. Franchitti's first win came in 2007.
Dario Franchitti, his team/car owner Chip Ganassi and the Target Chip Ganassi Racing Team took home a hefty $2,752,055 paycheck Monday night, May 31, at the annual Indianapolis 500 Victory Banquet for Franchitti’s second victory at the Indy 500 on Sunday.

The payout, while sizeable, is far short of 2009’s record winner’s payout of $3,048,005 to Helio Castroneves, Roger Penske and Penske Racing. It is also less than the $2,988, 065 that Ganassi’s other driver, Scott Dixon, earned for his lone 500 victory in 2008.
Dario
Dario Franchitti, the 2010 Indianapolis 500 champion, shows this year’s Daytona 500 victor, Jamie McMurray, where his likeness for his first Indy win in 2007 is located on the Borg Warner Trophy during the annual victory photo session the day after the Indianapolis 500.
Both men drive for team/car owner Chip Ganassi and his Target Chip Ganassi Racing Team in their respective racing series: Franchitti in the IZOD Indycar Series for open wheeled race cars and McMurray in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series for stock cars.











The 2010 overall purse, $13,592,815, is also less than those in the past two years. Both record-setting 2008 and 2009 field payouts topped $14 million--$14, 315, 315 for Castroneves’ third victory last year and $14, 406, 580 for Dixon in 2008.

In 2009, Castroneves check got a boost from money garnered from his winning the pole and the annual Pit Stop competition in addition to claiming the race. This year, Castroneves was again the polesitter and his team defended their Pit Stop Challenge crown, while Franchitti was the third-fastest qualifier.

Usually, the winner’s payoff and the overall purses get larger every year for the Indy 500. This year was an exception, but lower payouts than the previous year have happened before.

Dan Wheldon received more than $1 million Monday at the awards dinner--$1, 007,305 to be exact—for second place. He also finished second last year. Other payouts included Marco Andretti’s $630,505 for third, Alex Lloyd’s $425, 305, fourth place, and Dixon’s $377, 305 for fifth.


Again! Dario Franchitti wins the Indy 500 @Indy

@Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

Dario
Scotland’s Dario Franchitti (C), his Target-Chip Ganassi Racing owner Chip Ganassi (L) and Franchitti’s wife, actress Ashley Judd (R) celebrate in Victory Lane at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Franchitti, low on fuel, outlasted second-place finisher Dan Wheldon to win the 2010 Indianapolis 500.

Kisses

Kisses


A Day @Indy

@Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

Kanaan
Tony Kanaan waves to a wildly cheering crowd on the way to the grid. Kanaan, who started in last place, rifled through the field and was in second challenging for the lead before having to stop for a “splash and go” just a few laps before the checkers. He finished 11th.
Petty
The legendary Richard Petty removes his trademark hat for the National Anthem. Petty was co-owner, with Michael Andretti, of John Andretti’s #43 Window World-sponsored car.
Fisher
Sarah Fisher, her husband Andy O’Gara and father-in-law John O’Gara, all owners of Fisher’s #67 Dollar General-sponsored Dallara-Honda, wait on the grid during the pre-race ceremonies.
Andretti
John Andretti and his wife Nancy listen to the invocation before the start of the race. John crashed and was out of the race on lap 43.
Lloyd
Members of the Dale Coyne team service their driver, Alex Lloyd, in the pits. Lloyd, who qualified 26th, climbed steadily and ended up in fourth place — it was a great day for this small-budget operation.
Mario
1969 Indy 500 winner Mario Andretti watches grandson Marco’s progress during the race.
Lloyd
Marco Andretti’s crew changes tires during a pit stop. At the end of the race, Marco was initially listed as finishing fifth, but was soon moved up to third after race officials determined he was passed under the last-lap yellow flag by Alex Lloyd and his own teammate Danica Patrick.
Mario
Danica Patrick lights up the tires as she leaves after her last pit stop. Patrick struggled with her car all month and even during the early part of the race, but rallied by day’s end to finish sixth.
Wheldon
Second for the second consecutive year, England’s Dan Wheldon stops by his Panther Racing pit immediately after the checkered flag to acknowledge his crew before heading to the post-race tech area.
Patrick
After the race there were lots of hugs for a job well done. Patrick has now finished in the top ten in last four
Indy 500s.
                Dario
A happy Dario Franchitti tells a world-wide television audience how it feels to claim his second Indianapolis 500 crown. After winning his first one in a downpour and this one in sweltering, record-setting heat, Franchitti may hope for more crazy weather next year!


Carb Day Jam-Packed with Fans and Fun @Indy

@Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

Friday’s Carburetion Day, the last chance for the IZOD IndyCar Series drivers and teams to ready their cars for the 2010 Indianapolis 500, dawned bright and beautiful at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Legions of race fans flocked to the
Romancini
Mario Romancini, this year’s American Dairy Association “Fastest Rookie of the Year,” nearly caused a yellow flag when his smoking car skidded to a stop in the pits. The IMS fire crew thought the Conquest Racing car was on fire -- but it wasn’t -- and Romancini’s crew dragged the car up to their north end pit.
famed century-old oval in anticipation of a day filled with fast times and frolic. The “Miller-Lite Carb Day” is party day and this year was no exception. Carb Day is an amazing entertainment bargain — a motorsports and music-filled day for only $10!

By the time the Indycars started their motors at 11am, IMS track officials were opening up blocked-off sections in the stands to accommodate the huge crowd — the biggest in recent years. With the second practice week cut from the schedule
Lloyd
Alex Lloyd waits in his car as his Dale Coyne Racing crew makes adjustments on Carb Day. Lloyd’s car is sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America, which is celebrating the centennial anniversary of its founding.
this year, this hour-long session was the only chance for many to shake down the car in race trim and perfect their pit stops.

Butler University men’s basketball coach Brad Stevens, who led the hometown favorites to the NCAA “Final Four” in March, waved the green flag to start practice. When the engines stopped,
Pippa
Pippa Mann made history as the first woman pole sitter at Indy. Mann was fastest qualifier for the annual Indy Lights Freedom 100 race.
Target Chip-Ganassi drivers Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon had the speed edge on polesitter Helio Castroneves, his Penske teammates Ryan Briscoe and Will Power, and the rest of the 500 field.

After a short break, the Firestone Indy Lights gridded for an historic Freedom 100. For the first time in IMS history, a woman claimed the pole position for a race. England’s Pippa Mann, driving for Sam Schmidt Motorsports, set the pace with a 187.989 four-lap average, edging her teammate Wade Cunningham by nearly a quarter of a second.

It was a short race for Mann. Falling to fifth place by lap two, she was then caught up in a spin by Jeff Simmons. Simmons looped it right in front of Mann and she ran into him, taking her out of the contest and leaving her with bruised feet.

But the day wasn’t lost for Sam Schmidt Motorsports, owned by the former Indy driver paralyzed during a race in 2000, as Cunningham won his third Freedom 100 after a three-way battle with Charlie Kimball and James Hinchcliffe.

It was now time for the annual Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge, one of the most
Gibbons
Billy Gibbons
popular events of the month with fans and drivers alike. Defending champion Team Penske Car #3 and driver Helio Castroneves won the eight-team showdown with a rookie crew chief and right front tire changer, Sean Hanrahan. Hanrahan took over from longtime chief mechanic Rick Rinaman, 60, who now trains all of Penske’s pit crews in Indycar and NASCAR among other duties. This was Team Penske’s fifth consecutive pit stop challenge win and 12th overall.

The #3 Team Penske crew defeated the Newman-Haas crew of Hideki Mutoh in the finals. This may be an omen for Sunday’s race--last year Helio swept the pole and the pit stop competition in prelude to winning the 500.

This team is just incredible. Today is their day and I’m just so proud to work with them,” said Castroneves afterwards.

The immense throng of fans appreciated the quick turnaround between pit stop rounds this year. For the first time, the Pit Stop Challenge ended before the headliner band, ZZ Top, took the stage. It must have been a thrill for these members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to play a concert on race weekend at the IMS. ZZ Top’s band members, especially Billy Gibbons, are known “car freaks” who attend many car shows, auctions and other autosport events.


“Backstage” at the Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge @Indy

@Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

Even the Indy 500 drivers have a chance to relax on Carb Day in the staging area for the Pit Stop Challenge. Although they take the competition seriously, they still are able to hang out and watch each other compete. Laughs abound and winners and losers alike are teased. Pit Crew Contest


Dario Franchitti Fastest on Carb Day @Indy

@Speed Words & Photo by Annie Miller Carr

Team Target-Chip Ganassi was on top in Carb Day Practice.

Penske Racing may have stole most of the qualifications headlines, but it was Team Target-Chip Ganassi who outpaced the field during Carburetion Day final
Dario
Dario Franchitti sits in his car on Carburetion Day after posting the fastest speed in the final practice session before this year’s Indy 500.
practice before the 2010 Indianapolis 500.

Quickest was Dario Franchitti’s lap of 225.574 mph, with teammate Scott Dixon just a tick slower at 225.159. The TCG drivers were the only two above the 225 mph mark. Will Power of Penske Racing was third fastest with a 224.993 lap.

The biggest surprise of the day — and maybe of the entire month — was FAZZT Racing’s Bruno Junquiera. Junqueira, who sat on the pole in 2002 when he drove for Ganassi, didn’t even get on the track until the “Bump Day,” the second day of qualifying. He’s had a total of 51 laps in the car — only eight of them before he became the fastest qualifier on Bump Day, with a four-lap average of 225.662.

Yet his 224.898 lap today was fourth on the speed chart—and ahead of pole sitter Helio Castroneves’ 224.793. Junqueira also bested his teammate, Alex Tagliani, who ended up ninth.


Castroneves on the Pole Again @Indy

@Speed Photo by Annie Miller Carr


Helio
Castroneves and Team Penske nailed down Helio's fourth career Indy 500 pole.
Helio Castroneves saved his best for last during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500.

Castroneves, the first of nine drivers to run during the final 90 minutes of qualifying, recorded a four-lap average speed of 227.970 mph to win the PEAK Performance Pole Award presented by AutoZone for the Indianapolis 500.

Sitting second to FAZZT Race Team's Alex Tagliani with 90 minutes left in the first segment of Pole Day qualifying, Castroneves and Team Penske withdrew the qualified time of the No. 3 Team Penske car for a shot at the top spot. With a four-lap average of 226.774 mph, he took the top position.

More ... @Speed Open Wheel Racing News & Info Forum


In (Partial) Defense of Danica @Indy

@Speed Words & Photos by the wordy Annie Miller Carr


Unheard of — shocking — a chorus of boos raining down on Danica Patrick from the stands at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway last Saturday.

Danica
Danica Patrick made some strides in the last 10 minutes of final IndyCar practice, leaping from second-last 32nd to a still-disappointing 21st.
Patrick has been a media fan and media darling since her Indy Racing League debut four years ago. She was the first woman to win a series race, and has been in contention to win the Indianapolis 500 twice. Crowds descend on her for autographs. Her souvenir sales probably top those of all the other IndyCar drivers combined. Broadcast and print advertising are saturated with her image.

What happened?

Almost immediately after her dismal qualifying laps this year, Patrick complained in her public address interview about her car, blaming her poor performance this season on her Andretti Autosport team. Fans disapproved of the bad-mouthing. The boo-birds reacted.

True, Patrick did sound petulant. It’s never wise for any driver to be so publicly vocal about his/her team’s problems. The common response for a racer in this situation is to admit the team as a whole is struggling to find answers — but all the finger-pointing is reserved for those behind-closed-doors meetings in the team motor home. Patrick should have been more prudent.

But the fact is, she is right. Something is definitely amiss at Andretti Autosport Racing, formerly Andretti-Green Racing. From the team’s inception in 2004, owners Michael Andretti, Kim Green and Kevin Savorie assembled a formidable group of experienced engineers, crew chiefs and mechanics who knew how to win in open-wheel racing. Michael Andretti’s brilliant driving career yielded two CART championships and added to his family’s illustrious reputation despite never winning at Indy. Kim Green had won the 500 in 1995 with Jacques Villeneuve when he worked for his brother Barry Green at Forsythe Racing. The team was well-funded and attracted even more sponsors along the way.

Kanaan
Tony Kanaan ponders his Indy 500 qualifying run.
Andretti-Green Racing audaciously fielded four cars that first year. Three of their drivers, Dario Franchitti, Bryan Herta and Tony Kanaan, were respected veterans — Herta and Kanaan in particular were considered among the best at setting up cars. The three also were adept at hazing the fourth driver, rookie Dan Wheldon. Practical jokes abounded. The entire team was cooperative and in high spirits.

Andretti-Green oozed chemistry — a winning one: IRL series championships in 2004 (Kanaan), 2005 (Wheldon) and ’07 (Franchitti) and two Indianapolis 500 victories in 2005 (Wheldon) and 2007 (Franchitti). Owner Michael Andretti entered a fifth car for himself at Indy in 2006 and finished third.

The team did change but continued to succeed. Herta retired, Wheldon bolted to another IRL team and Franchitti tried NASCAR. They were replaced by the Andretti family’s third generation hope, Marco, Patrick and an underperforming Hideki Mutoh from Japan, allegedly hired to garner favor with series engine supplier Honda. Key engineering and mechanical staff also left.

Even with some personnel and driver changes, the team performed well for a while. Marco Andretti nearly won Indy, did take the checkers at Infineon Raceway and was the series “rookie of the year” in 2006. Patrick’s garnered three top-five finishes in the Indy 500 and won in 2008 at Motegi. Kanaan, the only original driver left, has been extremely consistent — finishing in the top three in the series championship race five times and posting five race victories.

But by last year, rifts appeared. The chemistry had disappeared. The team, which had already missed Herta’s savvy engineering input, lost others noted for their expertise — John Anderson among them. A rift among owners over the team’s direction culminated with Andretti buying Green and Savorie out. The off-track discord was reflected in on-track results — not a single trip to victory lane. The wheels were coming off.

The 2010 season has started off even worse for the newly dubbed Andretti Autosports. The team’s downward slide is accelerating. Frustration, bubbling last year is now in full boil. Although Andretti hired respected veteran team manager Tom Anderson, something isn’t clicking. The team’s 2010 lineup, Kanaan, Marco Andretti, Patrick and Ryan Hunter-Reay, who won for another team last year and unseated the lackluster Mutoh, are mired in the weeds with finishes mostly in the teens. This is especially true for Marco, whose underachievement has derailed his once-promising career. The team was notably down on speed last year. Now their aero packages are also missing the marks. The cars are a handful, even for Kanaan, who’s crashed twice so far this month and nearly — gasp — didn’t qualify for the 500.

If the able Kanaan, a whiz at shaking down cars, can’t handle them, who can?

Patrick shouldn’t have been so publicly vocal, as she herself has never been known as a set-up genius. She may be trying to challenge her team to do better, but provoking them like this can backfire.

But Danica’s only telling the truth. The once high-flying team is headed the wrong way. Drivers are fighting the cars — and vice versa. The guys in the garages have lost their touch and can’t seem to get it back. Nothing they try seems to work. And sponsorship money, which has already dwindled, may be drying up even more than expected after this season if there is no turnaround. Michael Andretti, whose success seemed limitless five years ago, now looks only too human.

Questions abound. Answers are elusive. And the boos are echoing off the walls at Andretti Autosport.


The tale of two Maple Leafs @Indy

@Speed Words & Photos by the wordy Annie Miller Carr


The good …

One of the biggest surprises this month has been Quebecor Alex Tagliani and the upstart FAZZT Racing team. Team principals, Canadians Andre Azzi and Jim Freudenberg, and Tagliani, announced the team’s formation only last August and hired long-time Walker Racing team manager Rob Edwards to run their effort.
Tags, Mom & Wife
Alex Tagliani (L), his mother Gabriella (C) and wife Bronte (R) were all smiles after “Tags” qualified in the second row for this year’s Indianapolis 500.

“Tags,” as he’s known, was consistently fast during practice week. And he and his FAZZT crew are doing it with equipment bought from fellow Canadian Marty Roth’s defunct team. For a number of years, the wealthy and arrogant Roth fielded cars for himself in the Indy Racing League. Obviously, it was good equipment, but Roth was only known for berating his crew and finishing last by a wide margin.

Now the affable Tags, and FAZZT Racing are proving how good Roth’s equipment is — and just how bad … well, you get the drift.

Tagliani, who qualified early on Saturday was the provisional pole sitter for quite a while until Helio Castroneves topped his speed. After the new “shootout” pole runs late in the day, he ended up fifth and will start in the middle of the second row for Sunday’s Indianapolis 500.

The bad and the ugly …

It appeared to be a sure-fire combination. KV Racing co-owners Karl Kalkoven and former driver Jimmy Vassar had fielded Vassar’s longtime buddy Paul Tracy last year. This year, they all decided to do it again, and jaw-droppingly somehow—somehow—talked Barry Green into heading up Tracy’s crew—perhaps because of unfinished business. Tracy and Green, who won the 1995 Indianapolis 500 with Jacques Villeneuve as team manager at Forsythe Racing, still feel they were cheated out of an Indy win eight years ago.

Tracy’s once bright career, which started in 1991, has faltered because of Tracy’s volatile personality. No one doubts his driving talent. But he’s been fined and put on probation several times for being overly aggressive on the track. And out of the car, Tracy--said to be brash, sullen and argumentative by many of his former associates-- has had run-ins with nearly all of his past teams. Almost immediately after his Indy racing debut, he was tabbed by Roger Penske to drive
Tracy
A scruffy Paul Tracy, on the bubble Sunday, withdrew to make another attempt. The move backfired and he failed to qualify.
one of his cars. The pairing was very successful for several seasons. Yet Tracy left Penske to drive for Newman-Haas in 1995, only to return to Penske the next year. But in 1997, after winning three early races and leading in the points, Tracy finished near the bottom of the field in the last five races. His days with “The Captain” are rumored to have ended in a heated argument with his boss—some say it came to blows—in the team motorhome.

That’s when Barry Green hired him at Team KOOL Green. After eight top-10 finishes, Tracy’s 1998 season started unraveling at Detroit, when then CART chief steward Wally Dallenbach placed him on probation for risky driving after Tracy collided with Christian Fittipaldi. At Portland, he was fined $20,000 and denied a final qualifying run, again for what was termed ‘unjustifiable risk” after he and Michel Jourdain Jr. wrecked. After six races, his probation ended, but at the Houston race Tracy again was in trouble. After a public altercation in the pits with his team owner—yes, Barry Green-- Dallenbach fined him $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct. “Bad Boy” Tracy, however, just wouldn’t learn. After a two-car accident with former Newman-Haas teammate Michael Andretti during the season’s finale in Surfer’s Paradise, Australia, Tracy was banned for the first race in 1999 for blocking, “unjustifiable risk, and, again, for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Despite the public Houston row, Green retained Tracy. In 2002, Tracy was second in the Indianapolis 500 to Penske driver Helio Castroneves in a controversial finish under the yellow flag. To this day, Tracy has contended—loudly and often to anyone who will listen--that he was ahead of Castroneves when the yellow came out and should have been declared the winner.

Since then, the Scarborough, Ontario native hasn’t set the racing world on fire with top finishes, but his fiery reputation hasn’t dimmed in the least. He had a couple of good points years with Forsythe Racing. But at the 2006 race in San Jose, “PT” made a driving mistake on a curve and smashed into Alex Tagliani’s race car. Afterwards, Quebecor Tagliani, still in his helmet, and Tracy had fisticuffs over the wreck. Both were fined and Tracy once more was on probation. It didn’t take long for Tracy to get himself in hot water again. At the next race, Denver, Tracy and points leader Stephan Bourdais were in a battle for second place on the last lap. Tracy’s car was having brake troubles, but still he went too fast into the last corner and hit Bourdais from behind. Frenchman Bourdais was livid and confronted Tracy. Tracy invited a fight, but Bourdais, still in his helmet, walked away.

"Too bad he wouldn't take his helmet off, then we really would have settled things” Tracy said after the race. “But French guys always keep their helmets on." Later, he said this anti-French remark was only a joke and apologized, but Tagliani and Bourdais were still insulted.

Tracy hasn’t had a full time ride since CART disbanded two years ago. Last year, in his first Indianapolis start since 1995, he qualified 13th and finished ninth.

This year, Kalkoven, Vassar, Green, Tracy and a well-seasoned crew were expected to be in contention to win. Tracy led Thursday’s practice with a red-hot 226+ mph lap in 60-degree weather. But the temperature climbed on Saturday, and Tracy’s GEICO-sponsored car lost three miles an hour. Although he qualified at 223.892 mph, Tracy found himself on the bubble with time running out on Sunday. The team decided not to stand on their speed and wait to be bumped. Instead, they withdrew the car’s qualification to attempt to qualify with a faster, safer speed. Tracy went out, but went even slower—taking only two laps in his run before waving it off and getting back in line behind others to qualify again. But the 6pm gun sounded before he was able to make another run—and Paul Tracy was out of this year’s Indianapolis 500.

A bitter Tracy covets the Indianapolis win that has eluded him. He’ll be 43 by the next 500—and will he convince KV, Green and GEICO to try it again?


Extraordinary - NASCAR's Moment of Silence @Charlotte

@Speed Photo by Kevin Throne

Moment of Silence
A most extraordinary act at a sporting event happened on Memorial Day, 2009, at 3pm, the time designated for a national moment of silence to remember those armed service personnel who have died in the protection of our country. NASCAR threw the red flag to stop the cars on the front stretch while the teams all lined up at the edge of their pit boxes and the fans stood. As soon as all were in place, the track announcer called for a minute of silence and the race track went totally silent. Extraordinary!


Castroneves Wins His Third Indy 500 Crown @Indy

@Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

Castroneves
The 2009 Indianapolis 500 victor Helio Castroneves and his Team Penske crew celebrate his third win by climbing the front straightaway fence at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Helio then kissed the yard of bricks at the start-finish line followed by holding up three fingers to commerate his third win.
Petty
"The King" Richard Petty greets the fans sitting behind his team's pit just before the start of the 2009 Indianapolis 500. Petty was the car owner for the #43 Window World car driven by John Andretti.
Dixon & Franchetti
Scott Dixon, 2008 IRL and Indianapolis 500 champion, greets his Team Ganassi teammate Dario Franchitti, who won the 500 in 2007, after the race. This year, Dixon finished sixth and Franchitti seventh.
Reay
Ryan Hunter-Reay slid onto pit road and hit the inside pit wall on lap 19 during the 2009 Indy 500.
Rahal
Graham Rahal surveys the damage to his car after hitting the wall and sliding down the main straightaway on lap 55.
Wheldon
Dan Wheldon gets a kiss from wife Susie after finishing second in the Indianapolis 500.
Bell
Townshend Bell, the fourth-place finisher at this year's race, in for a pit stop.


Castroneves is Clear Choice for the 500 Crown @Indy

@Speed Words & Photos by the wordy Annie Miller Carr

Last year, it was hard to pick a favorite to win the Indianapolis 500. There was no consensus pick to win the annual Memorial Day weekend event—the most famous race in the world.

This year, the choice is easy. Simply put, it is Helio Castroneves’ race to lose.

Castroneves is nearly always upbeat and smiling, but this year there is a determined glint in his eyes. The 33-year-old Brazilian has a second lease on life, and it shows.

Penske & Helio
Helio Castroneves and his team owner, Roger Penske, may have lots more to smile about Sunday.
Last fall, he, his business manager and sister Katiucia and lawyer/agent Alan Miller were charged with six counts federal tax evasion. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service said the three hid nearly $5.5 million in taxable income from 1999-2004 racing earnings in a shell corporation based in Panama and run by a group which included Castroneves’ father. The IRS claimed that Castroneves owed $2.3 million in taxes.

Castroneves, to the shock of racing—and “Dancing With The Stars”—fans everywhere, was hauled into a Miami federal courtroom in chains when he was indicted—a prosecutorial move that many considered a gross injustice in itself.

With the IRS’s almost 95 percent conviction rate on such charges, a great many thought Castroneves would be sitting in a federal prison cell for up to six years. After a six-week trial and six days of deliberation, the jury found all three not guilty of six of the charges on April 17. The jury was hung on the seventh count, a conspiracy charge, and federal prosecutors could have re-charged the three. However, on Carburetion Day, the prosecutors decided not to pursue the matter and dropped the remaining charge. Helio and Katiucia Castroneves and Alan Miller were all completely exonerated.

Although he firmly declared his innocence, his emotional reaction after the verdict revealed that Castroneves may not have believed he could get a fair trial in a foreign country. In turn, the IRS and the prosecutors may have worried that
Penske Team Drivers
Don't count out Castroneves' teammate, Ryan Briscoe.
Castroneves’ worldwide fame and popularity may have affected the jury’s decision.

However, there is another way of looking at the situation. It was a complicated trial. As federal prosecutors tried to explain the convoluted U.S. tax rules, the judge declared a recess after one juror fell asleep. If anything, the jury may have decided, “If we Americans can’t understand the ins-and-outs of our own tax code, how can these two Brazilians?”

The months-long off-track ordeal made its mark. This May, Castroneves’ effervescence has had an edge. He just won’t be stopped. He’s totally dominated the month. He was consistently quick every practice session. He claimed the pole position. He was the fastest during Carburetion Day final practice. He and his car #3 Team Penske crew won the annual pit stop contest, setting a new record time in the semi-finals.

And on Sunday, “Spiderman” Helio Castroneves should climb the Indianapolis Motor Speedway fence again, after taking the
Dixon
Last year's Indy 500 champion Scott Dixon has had a relatively quiet month, but could find his way to Victory Lane anyway. His Team Ganassi partner, Dario Franchitti, is also a threat on Sunday.
checkered flag for a third time at Indy.

That said…

…There’s always room for speculation! If Castroneves should falter, others who are mentioned as possible Indy victors are:

  • Dario Franchitti. The 2007 Indy winner returns to open-wheel racing looking like the IRL champ of old after a mediocre turn at NASCAR. Since his return to the IRL, Franchitti has already won one race—Long Beach. This month he’s outshone his Team Ganassi stablemate, Scott Dixon, who did the series “double,” (victorious at Indianapolis and claiming the IRL championship) last year. The Scotsman will start on the front row with Castroneves and…
  • Ryan Briscoe. Castroneves’ Penske teammate is a steady and able driver. He definitely has the equipment and the engineering/strategy savvy to get him across the yard of bricks first. The Australian won the first race of the year at St. Petersburg.
  • Scott Dixon. The aforementioned New Zealander has lost his 2008 edge on the competition. But don’t count him out for claiming back-to-back Borg-Warner trophies. Dixon won last month at the Kansas, the only oval the series has seen so far in 2009. He qualified fifth.
  • Tony Kanaan. The crowd sentimental choice, Kanaan is the leader of the Andretti-Green Racing team. He wants this race
    Kanaan
    Andretti-Green Racing's Tony Kanaan (car #11) is hungry for an Indy win.
    badly and has come close, finishing in the top 10 five out of the last seven years and leading at lap 190 in 2006. But AGR juggled its engineering staff and has struggled this year. Kanaan has had an unspectacular 2009 and month of May.

Dark Horses and New Faces:

  • Dan Wheldon. Wheldon has gone from AGR to Ganassi to Panther Racing since winning the 500 in 2005. He had a minor accident on pole day and had to qualify on the second day, putting his backup machine on the outside of Row 6, his worst Indy start ever. But he found speed on Carburetion Day. Wheldon’s ability to pass in traffic during the final practice did not escape notice by pitside observers. Comments like “He’s really tearing it up out there today” were overheard. (Hmmm, the last time he started in Row 6—16th—he won.)
  • Graham Rahal. The second-generation driver would like nothing better to put his face on the Borg-Warner trophy along with his father’s, 1986 winner and current IRL team owner Bobby Rahal. He’s looked strong all month. Rahal impressed all with his amazing skid maneuver to avoid T-boning a crashed John Andretti during practice on May 11, the second day of qualifications. His experienced and talented team, Newman-Haas, has never won Indy despite claiming numerous CART/Champ Car championships in the past 30 years. Can they do it this time, in the second year of the IRL/Champ Car reunification? Rahal starts on the inside of Row 2 on Sunday.
  • Moraes
    Young Mario Moraes and his KV Techonology Racing car #5 have been surprising.
    Mario Moraes. Who? Don’t you mean Andretti? Or brothers? No, watch out for this Brazilian who once had—and may still have—his sights on Formula 1. Driving in 2009 for potent KV Racing Technology, owned by former Champ Car head Kevin Kalkoven and ex-Indy Car driver Jimmy Vassar, Moraes has raised eyebrows with his adjustment to the Brickyard. He led last year’s race and was third-quick on Carburetion Day. He’ll start this year’s race on the inside of Row 3.
  • Will Power. Another Australian, this former Champ Car winner was hired by Team Penske as a substitute for Castroneves for the first two races of 2009 while Castroneves was in the courtroom. Power did well, but sat out the Kansas race when Team Penske decided to run only Briscoe and Castroneves. After this race, who knows if Power will have a ride. But a murky future doesn’t seem to have bothered him this month. Qualifying on the outside of Row 3, he finished second to Castroneves in Friday’s final practice.
  • Marco Andretti and Danica Patrick. OK, these two AGR drivers have to be mentioned. They’ve won at other tracks…and have found their way to the front of the field at Indy in the past couple of years. They both seem to have a knack for this track. An Indy victory by either of these two drivers would be unbelievably tremendous for the series. Marco, a third-generation American driver from a legendary family whose miserable luck at the IMS is well-known…a big plus for the IRL. If Patrick would take the checkers, it would be a landmark…historic…sheer bedlam… the answer to the IRL’s dreams. But both have been off the radar this month, and this may not be the year for either. But if others have bad days …


    Friday - Carb Day@Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Dario From David Carr's @Speed Report:   A large crowd attended the Carb Day festivities at The Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday. Track officials reported this was the earliest infield and North Forty parking had filled up since Carb Day was shifted to Fridays a few years ago. The crowd should be big. For $10 they enjoyed warm weather, a caution-free Carb Day practice session, Team Penske dominating the practice speed charts and the pit stop contest, an entertaining Firestone Indy Lights 100 race, a parade of vintage cars and a free concert from “Three Doors Down.” Certainly a lot of value for your entertainment dollar.

    Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves set the quick time of the practice session, a 223.920mph circuit that bested everyone but team mate Will Power by nearly a mile an hour. Power was second quick at 223.560mph in his Verizon sponsored machine followed by encouraging performances by ...

    More ...@Speed Open Wheel Forum

    Danica
    Danica Patrick talks to one of her crewmembers during Carburetion Day, the last day of practice for this year's Indianapolis 500. Patrick was far down--23rd--on the day's speed chart.


    Marco
    Marco Andretti and his crew enjoy the antics of the fans in the stands during the annual pit stop competition. We won't say exactly what they were staring at, but if you think it has something to do with inebrieted young women doffing their clothing, you might be right.

    Servia
    Spain's Oriol Servia gestures to his crew during Carburetion Day practice.








    Helio
    Helio Castroneves gives a thumbs up to madly cheering fans on his way to winning the annual pit stop competition. Castroneves and his car #3 Team Penske crew set the quickest time in the 32-year history of the contest during the semi-final round with a 7.636 second stop against their teammates, Ryan Brisco and his car #6 Penske men.

    It was a great day for Castroneves. The polesitter for this year's Indianapolis 500 was also the fastest during the final practice session, with a speed of 223.960mph.


    Bump Day@Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Hunter-Reay

    On Bump Day, the fourth and final day of qualifications for the Indianapolis 500, Ryan Hunter-Reay qualified, got bumped from the provisional starting field, and then made a bonzai run to re-qualify back into lineup as the 6pm “gun” sounded to end the day. Hunter-Reay won the $50,000 from Firestone Tire as the last qualifier for the race. The money will come in handy, as there is a wedding to pay for. The Floridian recently announced his engagement to Beccy Gordon, sister of race driver Robby Gordon.




    Buddy & Kara
    While some are elated, others are deflated after Bump Day. The 1996 Indianapolis 500 winner and 2000 Indy Racing League champion, Buddy Lazier, shown with wife Kara, was bumped out of the race thus ending a 14-year Indianapolis 500 qualifying streak.


    Scheckter
    Almost overlooked in the bumping finale frenzy was Tomas Scheckter’s terrific 221.496mph re-qualifying effort. After E.J. Viso bumped John Andretti and put Scheckter “on the bubble,” Scheckter withdrew his Saturday qualification speed and chose to make another attempt. His second try landed him in the middle of row 9.


    The Indy 500 Field Is Full - Bump Day Tomorrow @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    The provisional field is now full. Others qualifying for the race today include Townsend Bell, Oriol Servia, Tomas Scheckter, Mike Conway, E.J. Viso, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Milka Duno and Nelson Phillipe. 1996 Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Lazier also qualified, but was bumped from the field.
    Tagliani and Mom
    Alex Tagliani is greeted by his mother after qualifying his Rexall Edmonton Indy car for this year's Indy 500. The Canadian's 220.553mph run puts him in the middle of the ninth row.
    Doornbos
    Robert "Bobby D" Doornbos gives a thumbs up after posting the fastest qualifying speed--221.692mph-- on the third day of qualifications for the 2009 Indianapolis 500. Doornbos' two crashes this month has had his Newman-Haas-Lanigan crew working overtime, but he will start in the middle of the eighth row on raceday.

    More shuffling in the lineup will probably occur tomorrow on the last day of qualifications, or "Bump Day." Drivers not yet qualified will be trying to go faster than those who are currently the slowest in the provisional lineup--and "bump" their way into the field of 33.





    John Andretti
    John Andretti was all smiles during Saturday's rain delay. Andretti qualified for this year's Indianapolis 500, but his speed was only good for the last row--and it may not hold through bump day.





















    Castroneves Grabs the Pole for the Indy 500 @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Helio & Adriana
    The 2009 Indianapolis 500 polesitter, Helio Castroneves, and his girlfriend Adriana Henoa snuggle for the cameras during the official qualifications photos.
    Danica slow
    Danica Patrick was not happy with her qualifying run. She was the second slowest of the 11 qualifiers on pole day and will start on the inside of row four.

    Helio & crew
    Helio Castroneves and crew celebrate winning the pole for the 2009 Indianapolis 500.

    Kanaan DQed
    Tony Kanaan (M) and his Andretti-Green teammate Marco Andretti (R) react to the announcement that Kanaan's first qualification run was disqualified because his car was underweight.

    For more info, check the @Speed Open Wheel Forum.


    Scott Dixon Wins The 2008 Indy 500 @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Bricks
    New Zealand’s Scott Dixon, winner of the 92nd Indianapolis 500, kisses the bricks on the start finish line at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
    Wreath
    Scott Dixon is “#1” in victory lane at the Indianapolis 500. Dixon led 115 of the 200 laps of the race and held off Vitor Meira and Marco Andretti at the end.
    Wife
    Scott Dixon and his new bride Emma enjoy the post race activities after winning the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday. The couple were married after the 2007 season.
    Milk
    Scott Dixon swigs the winner’s traditional drink of milk in victory lane Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.


    Who Will Win The Indy 500 @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    indy Pro
    Eventual Indy Pro Series winner Dillon Battistini leads Richard Antinucci, Wade Cunningham and Robbie Pecorari down the Indianapolis Motor Speedway main straightaway toward the white flag.
    Battistini
    England’s Dillon Battistini holds the winner’s trophy high in victory circle after claiming the Indy Pro Series’ Freedom 100 race for Panther Racing.
    Hildebrand
    J.R. Hildebrand comes back into pit lane with a bent front wing following his altercation in turn one with James Davison on lap 30 during the Indy Freedom 100.



    Simmons
    Jeff Simmons takes a swig of water after finishing eighth in the Indy Freedom 100. Simmons is the only driver doing “double-duty” this weekend, driving in both the Indy Pro Series race and tomorrow’s Indianapolis 500.

    Who will win?              

    He’s merry, and extremely popular among his fellow drivers; always joking, it seems, except when he’s behind the wheel. He’s modest and self-depreciating, always poking fun at his own rather prominent nose. Rarely have I seen this man angry. But I have seen him dejected, utterly distraught, after the last two Indianapolis 500s. He’s come so close, victory in his grasp, only to have it slip through his fingers. He wants this race!
    Penske Team
    Penske teammates Ryan Briscoe (L) and Helio Castroneves (R) try to interpret
    hand signals from friendly rivals, ...
    Andretti/Green Team
    ... Andretti Green Racing teammates Danica Patrick (L) and Tony Kanaan (R) just before the Driver’s Meeting.

    But tomorrow may be his day. This might be the most unpredictable Indy 500 in years. It’s hardly seemed like May all month. It’s been chilly and rainy—no shirtsleeves in sight and certainly no “farmer’s tans.” Everyone’s been bundled up in thick coats and layers of sweatshirts—and toting umbrellas.

    With the worst weather in memory, track time has been very limited for the Indy 500 veterans. Those much needed practice days for the rookies
    Dixon
    Polesitter Scott Dixon waves to the crowd during his introduction at the Driver’s Meeting.
    and “transitional” drivers coming over from the Champ Car Series were cut to a precious few.

    But Saturday, the day before the race, the sun is finally out. It’s in the mid-70s, warm and not a rain cloud in sight. Tomorrow’s weather prediction is hotter and more humid—a huge change from anything seen all month. Everyone will be behind the eight-ball, trying to figure out how the heat and humidity will affect the cars and how the track will change. The weather may throw the rookies and the Champ Car guys, none of whom have ever driven a 500-mile race, further under the bus than they already are. Some pitsiders fear that attrition, especially of the wrecking kind, will be prevalent. A few are saying the first couple of laps might be a little too interesting. Let’s hope not.

    Moraes
    Rookie Mario Moraes of Dale Coyne Racing fires racing T-shirts toward fans prior to Saturday's ceremonial Drivers’ Meeting.
    With the weather and track changes, a handful of drivers who are masters at “chasing the track” will be heavy favorites. Tony Kanaan is one of the best. He’s due—even overdue. And he’s got one of the savviest crews in IndyCar. Andretti Green Racing won it last year. They could win it again with the driver they rely on for most of their set-up knowledge.

    Kanaan
    Tony Kanaan
    Kanaan's going to get some competition, to be sure, particularly from fellow Brazilian Helio Castroneves, who will be trying to tango past him at every opportunity. A win by Castroneves, even more world-famous since his “Dancing With the Stars” championship, or by fan-favorite and glamour-girl Danica Patrick might be considered “better” by the series brass. A victory by either of these two drivers would launch IndyCar into the stratosphere, enabling the newly reunited and premier open-wheel series to regain some of its former glory-- and do some mighty-needed catching up in the popularity polls to NASCAR.

    But look for the # 11 7-11-sponsored racecar in victory circle. And Tony Kanaan will have the biggest grin on his face ever—and that is saying something. In fact, a lot of people, including his fellow competitors, just may be smiling with him.


    Carb Day @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Andretti
    Marco Andretti (R) gets a little advice from Grandpa Mario before Carb Day Practice.


     
    Luyendyk
    Tony Kanaan gets encouragement from two-time Indy 500 champion Arie Luyendyk before Carb Day practice. Kanaan ended up fourth fastest on the day.
     
    Andretti
    John Andretti surprised everyone with his 221.699mph speed on Carb Day. Andretti, racing for underfunded team Roth Racing, was fifth on the speed charts.

     
    Wheldon
    Dan Wheldon is all smiles after posting the top speed, 223.934mph on Friday, Carburetion Day, the final practice day before Sunday’s Indianapolis 500.

    Carb Day practice, scheduled for an hour, was cut to 12 minutes of green time because of rain.


    Smiles All Around For Qualifyers @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Rice
    Buddy Rice and wife Michelle show off infant daughter Mina after the 2004 Indy champion qualified for this year’s race.
    Fisher
    Car owner and driver. Sarah Fisher pumps her fist after her qualifying run. Sarah formed her own team this year and is the first woman driver owner at the Speedway.
    Andretti
    John Andretti flashes a big smile after qualifying for his ninth Indy 500.

    Rahal




    Proud papa Bobby Rahal, the 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner, congratulates his son Graham Rahal. Nineteen-year-old Graham, a rookie, is the youngest qualifier for this year’s race.






    Everybody Was Out To Practice @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Yasakawa
    Roger Yasakawa (R) and his car owner Greg Beck (L) check tires after practice.
    Lazier
    1996 Indy 500 winner Buddy Lazier sits in his car as his crew makes adjustments. Buddy was one of the slower non-qualifiers Friday.
    Papis
    Max Papis greets his son Marco while mom Tatiana looks on. Marco should have plenty of racing genes, as his maternal grandfather is former F-1 champion and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fitttipaldi.
    Fisher
    Sarah Fisher smiles as she leaves the pit lane for the day. Sarah was one of the faster non-qualified drivers on the day

    Luyendyk
    Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Arie Luyendyk (L) advises rookie Alex Lloyd (C) and his car-co-owner Chip Ganassi.
    Junqueira
    Bruno Junqueira lights up the tires as he exits the pit to practice.


    Rain Returns To Spend A Day @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Front Row Drivers
    Dan Wheldon and Scott Dixon react to a comment by Ryan Briscoe
    during the front row press conference.
    Dixon Indianapolis 500 pole winner Scott Dixon answers a question during the front row press conference Sunday May 11.

    Rain cancelled all track activity today.

    Read more in the @Speed Open Wheel Forum.



























    Pole Day @Indy

    @Speed Words by David Carr - Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Pole Pose
    Weldon
    Chip Ganassi's Front Row

    Well, two thirds of it.
    Scott Dixon (L) and Dan Wheldon (above) swept the top two qualifying spots for Target Team Ganassi on do-overs and were joined on the front row by Team Penske’s Ryan Briscoe who also used a second attempt to post his quick time.

    Read the whole story in the
    @Speed Open Wheel Forum.

    Brown
    Antron Brown, NHRA
    Top Fuel driver, and his
    crew chief, Lee Beard visited
    on Pole Day.
    Helio
    Helio Castroneves took only
    one bite at the apple around
    3:00pm and had to settle
    for fourth on the grid.
    Danica
    Danica Patrick held the pole
    early and did not make a
    later attempt to try to
    get the pole back.














    Finally! Fast Friday @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Papis
    Max Papis signals to his Rubicon Racing
    crew. Papis’ father-in-law, Emerson Fittipaldi,
    will be driving the pace car for this year’s 500.
    Raindrops have hindered the first week of practice for the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500. Although all drivers enjoyed a full day of practice on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were complete washouts. Fast Friday dawned with more precipitation expected by mid-afternoon. With Saturday’s pole day looming, nearly all of the entered driver and car combinations hit the track.

    Team Ganassi has been fast all year and Friday was no exception. Scott Dixon was quickest of the day at 226.968mph. Andretti Green Racing’s Marco Andretti, who had Tuesday’s fast time, was second at 226.710. Andretti’s teammate Tony Kanaan was right behind him (226.688).
    Rice & Bell
    2004 Indianapolis 500
    champion Buddy Rice (in
    car) of Dreyer & Reinbold
    Racing talks with
    teammate Townsend Bell.

    Dixon and Wheldon, who was sixth-fast today, have a chip on the shoulder this year and have extra incentive in aiming for the pole. Last year, despite being at the top of the speed charts most of the first practice week, they were embarrassingly shut out of the front row on pole day.

    Friday was marred by several incidents. Rookies Mario Dominguez and Alex Lloyd both hit the first turn wall. Dominguez was unhurt, but Lloyd is spending the night at Methodist Hospital for observation.
    Scheckter and DeFerran
    Tomas Scheckter (L) tells his Luczo Dragon Racing
    engineer Grant Newberry and 2003 Indy 500 winner
    Gil de Ferran how his car is handling.




    In a freak pit accident, longtime mechanic Chuck Bucknam, working this year for Dale Coyne Racing, was jumping out of the way of Marco Andretti’s car—only to be hit by Andretti’s AGR teammate Danica Patrick, who could not avoid striking him. Bucknam sustained a concussion and facial and scalp lacerations.

    For more info, check the @Speed Open Wheel Forum.





    ARCA Rookie Joey Lagano Wins @The Rock

    @Speed Photo by Kevin Thorne

    Finish trophy ARCA Rookie Joey Logano held off a late race challenge by Ken Schrader to get the victory driving his Joe Gibbs owned Venturini preped Chevy.

    After his battlle with Schrader, Lagano pitted under yellow for fresh tires with ten laps to go, returned to the track in fourth, and a lap later he was leading and never looked back.



    groupSchrader did not have any new tires left to put on. He won the "Hard Charger" award, starting in position 31 to finish second.

    Roush Fenway Racing’s Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., the only other driver who pitted with Logano during that final stop, finished third.


    Size Matters @Twin Ring Motegi

    Danica Since the 2005 Indianapolis 500, Danica Patrick has faced questions of when she would win an IndyCar Series race.

    Patrick, who turned 26 three weeks ago, won in Japan on her 50th IndyCar Series start.

    "Finally!" Patrick said in victory lane. "This is a long time coming. It was a fuel strategy race, but my team called it perfectly for me. I know I was on the same strategy as Helio (Castroneves) and when I passed him for the lead, I couldn't believe it. This is fabulous."

    Helio Castroneves, making his 100th IndyCar Series start, was told by his team to let Patrick pass because they were looking at the points to be earned with a finish vs running out of fuel before the end. He finished 5.8594 seconds behind Patrick and Scott Dixon was third. Dixon's Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate, Dan Wheldon, finished fourth and Tony Kanaan was fifth.


    Hamlin Expressed Relief After Win @Martinsville

    @Speed Photo by Kevin Thorne

    Hamlin Virginia native Denny Hamlin finally broke through. "First Virginia win for me! Finally the curse is over ... I think ... I hope! We've had such bad luck over these first few weeks." Crew chief Mike Ford chimed it "I was more worried about a green white checkered finish with the 24 behind us running 2nd than I was with the fuel pickup issue. We had plenty of fuel in at the end of the day so really wasn't a concern here."

    Hamlin started the day second on the grid and overcame some late race difficulties to pass Jeff Burton with 74 laps to go. Hamlin was able to hold off Burton and a late charging Jeff Gordon to score his first victory in the Cup series at Martinsville Speedway.

    "I've raced here probably three times in the Late Model Series and their 300 lapper or 200 lappers they run here each fall and that's kind of our Super Bowl race, to come here at Martinsville. So this has always been a big racetrack to me," Hamlin said. "It feels good. It's just been so close so many times (that) to finally break through here definitely means a lot.


    Dale Bows Out, Then Hot Times & Burton Wins @Bristol

    @Speed Photo by Kevin Thorne

    Fans Dale
    fire Burton


    Edwards Dishes Up Win, Then Serves Champagne @Vegas

    @Speed Photo by Les Welch

    Edwards


    Mark Martin Grabs The Nationwide Moment @Vegas

    @Speed Photo by Les Welch

    the pass Martin


    Hometown Favorite Busch On Cup Poll @Vegas

    @Speed Photo by Les Welch

    Busch
    43 spin 43 spin 43 spin
    43 spin 43 spin 43 spin


    Newman & Penske Finally Win the 500 @Daytona

    @Speed Photo by Kevin Thorne

    Newman
    Ryan Newman, with a BIG assist (push) from teammate Kurt Busch, crossed the
    finish line first to give himself and Penske their first Daytona 500 wins and a one-
    two finish for the Penske team, a first for Penske @Daytona. Tony Stewart,
    having no help at the finish, had to settle for third while the leader with three
    laps to go Jeff Burton got caught in the middle and shuffled back to the 13th spot.


    Stewart
    Tony Stewart
    Nationwide Series Winner
    Bodine
    Todd Bodine
    Craftsman Truck Series Winner

      Duel Winners

    Hamlin Earnhardt
























    Ella Sofia Gordon Gets First Win @Talladega

    @Speed Photo by Kevin Thorne

    Gordon
    Ella, pictured with her mother, the car owner (far right), and, of course, her driver, celebrated her first win with a look of consternation. She was evidently of the feeling that her driver Dad should have won by two laps!! After all, he sat deep in the field and confessed he even yawned as he drove the race. Ella obviously felt Jeff Gordon should have kept the peddle to the metal the whole race.


    Tony Tigers To Second Victory @The Brickyard

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Stewart Tony Stewart swept past a fading Kevin Harvick with 10 laps left to claim Brickyard 400 win number two. The Rushville, Indiana native took the checkered flag nearly three seconds ahead of Juan Pablo Montoya, who posted his best finish yet as a NASCAR competitor. Jeff Gordon's third-place finish boosted his NEXTEL Cup points lead. Kyle Busch was fourth and polesitter Reed Sorenson, fifth. Harvick fell all the way back to seventh behind Mark Martin.

    Stewart showed his muscle all day long and was always in the hunt. His first Brickyard win was in 2005. Stewart is now fifth in the NEXTEL
    Brick Kiss
    Tony Stewart and his Home
    Depot crew kiss the bricks.
    Cup point standings, behind Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth and Jeff Burton.

    Of the nine yellow flags, six were for crashes--all of them during the first half of the race. Wrecking out were Jeff Green, Ryan Newman, Tony Raines, Kasey Kahne, Jimmy Johnson and J.J. Yeley. There were 14 lead changes among five drivers. Besides Stewart and Harvick, also leading laps were Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch and Greg Biffle.


    Sorenson Surprise @The Brickyard

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Sornson
    Reed Sorenson
    contemplated his first
    Cup pole as he signed a
    hat after qualifying ended.
    Reed Sorenson, who set fast time in the morning, managed to stay atop the speed charts during almost the entire late afternoon qualifying
    Earnhardt
    Fans cheer as Dale Earnhardt Jr.
    and car #8 leave the garage area
    during the morning practice session.
    Sorenson, in his #41 Target/Maxwell House Dodge was the sole driver to lap at more than 184 mph (184.028) in during the rain-delayed earlier practice session. Later, with the shadows falling over the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, Sorenson, the second driver to qualify, bettered his earlier mark with his pole winning speed of 184.207. It is Sorenson’s first pole in the NEXTEL Cup Series.

    Johnson
    Defending NEXTEL Cup and Brickyard
    400 champion Jimmy Johnson heads
    out to practice in his #48 Lowe’s
    Chevrolet. Johnson starts in the
    10th row for the race.
    NEXTEL Cup rookie Juan Pablo Montoya will start alongside his Ganassi Racing teammate in the front row. If Montoya leads a lap tomorrow, he
    Newman
    Ryan Newman and wife Krissie
    head to pit lane for qualifying.
    Newman will start third on Sunday.
    will not only be the first driver to race in the Indianapolis 500, the United States Grand Prix and the Brickyard 400, but he will also become the first to lead all three races. Ryan Newman will start third, Dale Earnhardt Jr., fourth, and Kasey Kahne, fifth.


    Rain Plays Havoc With NASCAR's Schedule @The Brickyard

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Montoya
    Juan Pablo Montoya (front, L) signs autographs
    while being interviewed at the Indianapolis
    Motor Speedway Friday. If he qualifies, the
    Columbian will make history as the first driver
    to compete in the Indianapolis 500, the U.S.
    Grand Prix and the Brickyard 400, all at the IMS.
    Friday was a total washout for Allstate Brickyard 400 practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Rain started falling about 12:30pm, about an hour before the cars were to take to the IMS oval. It rained steadily until about 5pm, and the safety trucks and track dryers were
    224
    Jeff Gordon’s Hendrick Racing crew
    pushes the 24 Chevrolet through the
    Indianapolis Motor Speedway garage
    area before the rain began. Gordon,
    who has won both the NASCAR
    championship and the Brickyard 400
    four times, is the current NEXTEL
    Cup points leader.
    dispatched to dry the oval. But the respite only lasted for 45 minutes. More raindrops forced IMS and NASCAR officials to call it a day around 6pm.

    The NEXTEL Cup cars will practice Saturday from 8:30-11am, weather permitting, with qualifying at 4:05pm. There will be no practice after qualifications. The showers also postponed Friday night’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at O’Reilly Raceway Park. The trucks will race Sunday morning at 10am at ORP.


    Team Speedsport Dodges A Bullet @Augusta

    @Speed Photo by Kevin Thorne

    On a perfect day for drag racing, a record crowd witnessed over 70 of the top names in the IHBA battle for their part of the crown jewel of
    Haas
    John Haas has the candles lit as he
    takes the Augusta Southern Nationals win.
    dragboat racing, The Augusta Southern Nationals. In Top Fuel Hydro the two boats from Missouri battled it out with the St. Louis based Speed Sports team with pilot John Haas taking the win over Kanas City based Hot Licks Bullet piloted by Jarrett Slivey. Top Alcohol Hydro saw Kent Price take the win with Steve Westerfield taking home the trophy in Top Alcohol Flat Bottom. Brutus Utter took home the Pro Mod honors.

    Other winners included Dave Lipinski in Pro Comp Eliminator, Randy Reynolds in Pro Eliminator, Charley Wilkie in Top Eliminator, Ron Morton in Modified Eliminator, Tommy Turner in Stock Eliminator, and Skully Alley, Jr. in River Racer.

    Plans are already in the works for the 23rd Augusta Southern Nationals to be held July 18-20, 2008. Mark it on your calendar and make your plans now to attend.

    The Augusta Southern Nationals is held as a benefit for the Chapter 9 Georgia Special Olympics.


    USGP to Hamilton on Historic Day @Indy

    @Speed Photos & Words by Annie Miller Carr

    First Turn
    The first turn of the USGP at Indy usually is a melee and this year was no exception. Anthony Davidson’s Super Aguri Honda (upper left) plows through the grass while David Coulthard of Red Bull Racing (center) remains mired there. In the lower part of the picture, Rubens Barichello’s Honda (L) and Ralf Schumacher’s Toyota (R) also are off course and headed for the grass.

    McLaren Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton rewrote the history books Sunday when he won the United States Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Hamilton is the youngest Formula 1 driver and the first F-1 rookie driver to triumph at the IMS. Moreover, he became the first black driver to win a major race in the history of the famed Brickyard.
    Sato
    A turn 2 corner worker waves the
    yellow flag as Takuma Sato’s Super
    Aguri Honda goes spinning
    through the gravel.

    Hamilton, from England, edged out his McLaren teammate, two-time defending Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso, by 1.5 seconds. The two
    Rosberg
    Nico Rosberg makes a fast exit from
    his Williams after his engine blew
    and the car caught fire near turn one.
    Ferraris crossed the line after the two McLarens, with Felipe Massa finishing third and Kimi Raikkonen fourth. The top four finishers also started the race in the same positions.

    Also scoring points on the day were Heikki Kovalainen in fifth, Jarno Trulli, sixth, Mark Webber, seventh and Sebastian Vettel, eighth.
    McLarens
    Try as he might, this is about as close as Alonso (R) got to his McLaren teammate Hamilton the entire day.
    Vettel added to the historic perspective by, at age 19, being the youngest driver ever to score a point in a Formula 1 race. Vettel was subbing in Robert Kubica's BMW Sauber as Kubica was not cleared to drive after wrecking in the Grand Prix of Canada.
    The Winner
    Lewis Hamilton of McLaren Mercedes waves to the fans after winning the 2007 United States Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.





    Hamilton led 66 of the 73 laps. The only time he relinquished the lead was when he pitted. Alonso pulled to within a half a second on lap 41 after both had made their second and final pit stops, but Hamilton was able to once again extend his lead in the closing laps.


    Rookie Hamilton To The Pole Again @Indy

    @Speed Photos & Words by Annie Miller Carr

    It’s obvious that Lewis Hamilton likes racing on North American soil. On Saturday, he became the first rookie to win the pole in the eight
    Hamilton
    Hamilton sweeps through turn 13 of the
    IMS road course which is turn 1 of the oval track.
    year history of the United States Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
    Hamilton
    An elated Lewis Hamilton
    clapped his hands, gave
    two thumbs up and waved
    to the cheering crowd as
    he came into the pits.
    Hamilton drove a quick lap of 1:12:331 and outran his McLaren Mercedes teammate Fernando Alonso by .017 thousanths of a second. It was also Hamilton’s second consecutive pole, as he won it in Montreal last weekend. It will also be the first all-McLaren front row at the USGP at Indy.

    Hamilton
    The impressive Sebastian Vettel, who will
    make his F-1 debut Sunday, is only 19 years old.
    Scuderia Ferrari, which has dominated the USGP at the IMS, was relegated to the second row. Felipe Massa qualified third and Kimi Raikkonen fourth. In the third row will be BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld and Heikki Kovalainen of Renault.

    Sebastien Vettel continues to surprise. Vettel, Sauber’s test driver, is subbing for Robert Kubica, who was not medically cleared to race after his horrific crash in the Grand Prix of Canada last Sunday. Vettel, who posted the second-fastest lap in the morning practice, will start seventh alongside Toyota’s Jarno Trulli.


    Formula One Cars Hit The Track @Indy

    @Speed Photos & Words by Annie Miller Carr

    Alonzo
    Fernando Alonso speeds through
    turn 9 in his McLaren Mercedes
    on his fast lap of the day.
    Defending Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso of McLaren Mercedes toured the 13-turn Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course with a quick lap of 1.11.925(130.375mph) to claim top speed on Friday.

    The Spaniard set the time during the morning practice session. He was fastest again in the afternoon, but failed to top his earlier time.
    Hamilton
    Lewis Hamilton’s McLaren leads
    Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen through
    turn 6 during the afternoon session.






    His teammate, Britain’s Lewis Hamilton, was only .153 of a second behind him. The two Ferraris followed, with Felipe Massa besting Kimi Raikonnen. The surprise on the day was David Coulthard, who was sixth-quickest, right behind Nick Heidfeld. Heidfeld had posted the second-quickest time in the morning round, but fell to fifth in the later practice.



    Massa
    Third-quick on Friday was
    Felipe Massa in his Ferrari.
    Sutil








    The only incident of the day - a minor spin
    into the turn 11 gravel by Spyker’s Adrian Sutil.













    Formula One "Walkabout Day" @Indy

    @Speed Photos & Words by Annie Miller Carr

    Hamilton
    McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton gives
    a “thumbs up to the fans” while onstage.
    Thanks to Bridgestone, fans at the United States Grand Prix Pit Walkabout Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway were treated to the
    Sato
    Another popular moment -
    Sato elated fans with an
    amusing description of
    his amazing pass of
    Raikkonen during the
    closing laps @Canada.
    unprecedented in Formula One — a nearly three-hour stretch of onstage interviews with almost all the drivers who compete in the series. The event opened activities for the USGP Sunday on the 13-turn IMS road course.

    The crowd cheered for all their favorites, and most of the drivers responded to the fans’ enthusiasm. Chief among those was Formula 1 rookie
    Alonzo
    Spain’s Fernando Alonzo
    of McLaren, F-1 champ
    for the past two years,
    acknowledges the lively
    fans @Indy.
    sensation Lewis Hamilton of Vodaphone McLaren Mercedes. Hamilton, who has led every F-1 race this year, won his first Grand Prix of Canada last Sunday in Montreal. The engaging Englishman, who said during his interview that he has never been to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, currently leads the F-1 point standings.
    Rosberg
    Nico Rosberg of AT&T Williams,
    like the rest of the drivers,
    threw hats to the appreciative
    crowd around the stage
    following his interview.

    The only regular driver missing onstage was Robert Kubica, who was undergoing medical testing to determine if he could race this weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Dr. Gary Harstein of the FIA and the IMS medical director, Dr. Geoffrey Billows, decided against allowing Kubica to drive, saying it was too risky for him after his vicious wreck at Montreal. Taking his place in the BMW Sauber will be the team’s German test driver, 19-year-old Sebastian Vettel.

    The F-1 cars take to the track Friday for practice.


    Earnhardt to Hendrick @Mooresville

    @Speed Photos & Words by Bob McSwain

    Earnhardt
    Kelly Earnhardt Elledge (Jr.’s sister)
                               Rick Hendrick
                                                    Dale Earhhardt, Jr.
    Ricky Hendrick, the late son of Rick Hendrick, told his father that he needed to sign Jr.

    In fact, he had signed Jr. years ago. In a humorous story, Jr. related how at 16 he and Kenny Schraeder were on a trip to the
    Hendrick
    midwest. At some point in the trip, Jr. and Kenny met Rick and Dale Earnhardt, Sr. At a restaurant Hendrick slid a
    ...

    read more by Bob McSwain


    Official Indy 500 Winner Photo Day @Indy

    @Speed Photos & Words by Annie Miller Carr

    Winner This year’s Indianapolis 500 champion Dario Franchitti and his car co-owner and teammate, Michael Andretti, pose for photographers during the annual victor’s photo session Monday morning at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Franchitti won the rain-shortened race Sunday.

    In the post-race interviews, Andretti hinted that he may once again retire from racing—this time for good. Obviously it wasn't meant to be, to win it as a driver,” said Andretti.

    Mr. & Mrs. “We won (the Indy 500) as an owner. Two of the last three years isn't too bad,” Andretti noted. Dan Wheldon, now at Chip-Ganassi Racing, won the race for Andretti-Green in 2005.

    Also during the photo session, Franchitti kissed his wife, actress Ashley Judd, while one of his sponsors (L) and Judd’s pooch, Buttermilk, looked on.

    Be sure and check out more @Speed Indy 500 news on the board!

    Or is it now called a blog?


    Casey Mears In 600 For The National Guard @Lowe's

    @Speed Photo by Kevin Thorne

    Mears No one would ever have said that a Rich Hendrick team winning a race was an upset.

    Yet tonight Casey Mears won (right), and it should be considered an upset. Even though he drives for Hendrick Motorsports, it was an upset! Mears had never ... read more by Bob McSwain

    Kasey Kahne
    Kasey Kahne raced to his first Busch Series win of the season Saturday night.
















    Dario Franchitti @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Dario Franchitti

    Castroneves & Family Polesitter Helio Castroneves and family head to the garage area after his third place finish
    in the Indianapolis 500. Helio had a bad pit stop that caused him to drop to deep in the field, but he battled his way back into contention at the end.
    Maarco Andretti Marco Andretti shakes the hand of a friend after the Indianapolis 500. The young Andretti's car flipped upside down on the backstretch late in the race, but he was unhurt.


    The Day Before ... Who Will Win @Indy?

    @Speed Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Just my opinions, but here are the
            main contenders for the 91st Indianapolis 500
    ... read more by Dave Carr

    Drivers


    The Best Bargain In Motorsports - $10 Carb Day @Indy

    @Speed Photos & Words by Annie Miller Carr

    crowd A massive crowd jammed to Kid Rock and enjoyed the annual pit stop competition, won by polesitter Helio Castroneves, in addition to watching the final day of practice for The 500. Andretti Green Team Andretti Green Racing showed their stuff today with Tony Kanaan (R) at the top of the speed charts, followed by Dario Franchitti (C) and Michael Andretti (L).

    Schmidt & Lazier Former Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Lazier (R) explains to his car owner Sam Schmidt how his car handled during the final practice. Schmidt, a former 500 competitor who was paralyzed in a racing accident, saw his Indy Pro Series driver, Alex Lloyd, win the Freedom 100 race today. Al, Jr.



    Al Unser Jr., a two-time Indy 500 champion, wipes his brow after climbing out of his car after practice.

    Carb Day, and hot weather is upon us in Indy this week. The weather is hot and dry, very similar to what one expects in late ... read more by Len Ashburn


    All 33 Starters Practiced On Carb Day @Indy

    @Speed Photo by Glenn Smith

    Helio
    Pole sitter Helio Castroneves leads fastest of the day Tony Kanaan through turn one during Carb Day practice for the Indy 500.


    Carburetion Day Pit Stop Competition @Indy

    @Speed Photos & Words by Annie Miller Carr

    Castrnavs

    "Spiderman" Helio Castroneves climbs the fence after his pit stop competition win. Castroneves also won the pole position for the Indianapolis 500 earlier in the month.

    Spider Man 3 was recently released in movie theaters setting all sorts of records for opening week theatrical grosses. Helio Castroneves did his own Spider Man routine climbing the fences after his ... read more by Dave Carr
    Hearn

    Helio Castroneves hugs his Penske teammate Sam Hornish Jr. after Castroneves's pit crew beat Hornish's during the annual pit stop competition.


    Harvick Breaks Johnson's All Star Win Streak @Lowe's

    @Speed Photo Ted Seminara

    Harvick


    PJ Wooshes Out ... Kite Doesn't Fly ... @Indy

    @Speed Photos & Words by Annie Miller Carr

    Hearn
    Richie Hearn gets ready
    for his refresher test.
    “Bump Day” at Indy is always filled with elation and tears and remarkable stories. This year was no different from any other.

    Richie Hearn climbed into his Hemelgarn/Racing Professionals car #91 at 10:15am and took the car out on the track for the first time this month for a refresher test. By 2:39pm, Hearn and his amazing crew, led by longtime chief mechanic Mark Bridges, had the car into the race with qualifying speed of 218.860mph! Hearn was even the first qualifier of the day, filling the 33-car field.

    Giebler
    After qualifying,
    a relieved Phil Giebler thanks his crew
    for getting the car he wrecked yesterday
    fixed in time.
    By 2pm, Mark Weida and the Playa Del Racing crew had Phil Giebler’s #31 machine repaired after Giebler crashed it on the final lap of a qualifying attempt late yesterday afternoon. Giebler put it in the show less than two hours later. Even though his qualifying laps today (219.637 average) were about two miles an hour slower than his abbreviated run Saturday, it didn’t matter to his exhausted but very happy crew. Giebler bumped Jimmy Kite’s #18 PDM car from the field.

    Roberto Moreno was then “on the bubble.” But Moreno had been practicing faster than his qualifying speed of yesterday (216.229). The Chastain
    PJ & Jaques
    A disappointed P.J. Jones is consoled
    by friend and fellow driver Jaques Lazier.
    Motorsports team took a big gamble and withdrew car #77’s qualifying run and Moreno re-qualified the car at 220.299.

    While Hearn, Giebler and Moreno were celebrating, others were frustrated. P.J. Jones and the Diversified Team Leader crew just couldn’t get the #40 “Whooshmobile” up to speed. The team ran out their engine mileage allotment from Honda. Jones and the team admitted they were too
    Kite
    “Bumped” Jimmy Kite gets a “good luck”
    hug from the legendary Linda Vaughn
    just before his unsuccessful attempt
    to get his car back into the 500 field.
    slow and weren’t finding the right combination on the car. They decided to pack up and end their efforts.

    Jimmy Kite made a last-ditch qualifying run just before the 6pm closing, but after one lap in the 214.7mph range his PDM crew waved him off.

    Between qualification attempts, cars already in the race practiced. Dan Wheldon's top speed of 222.797 was just a tick faster than his Target-Chip

    There will be no track activity until Carburetion Day on Friday.


    And Then There Was One small spot ... @Indy

    @Speed Photos & Words by Annie Miller Carr

    Yasakawa
    Yasakawa (R) confers with team
    co-owner Robbie Buhl after he
    posted the fastest qualifying
    speed Saturday.
    Ten more cars qualified for the Indianapolis 500 Saturday, leaving one more spot to fill in the 33-car field on “Bump Day.”


    Quick qualifier today was Roger Yasakawa, who toured the IMS oval with a four-lap average speed of 222.654mph. Yasakawa occupies 23rd place on the provisional grid. Right beside him, on the outside of row 8, is John Andretti who joins first cousin Michael Andretti and Michael’s son Marco in the race. Comprising row 9 is Al Unser Jr., Alex Barron and Jon Herb. Jaques Lazier, Milka Duno and Marty Roth are in row 10, and in the last row are Roberto Moreno and Jimmy Kite.
    Andretti
    John Andretti poses for his
    official qualification photos.



    Kite’s speed, 214.528mph, is the slowest. His PDM owner, Paul Diatlovich, indicated that they may withdraw that speed tomorrow and try to qualify car #18 with a faster time.


    Rookie Phil Giebler was well on his last lap of a qualifying run late this afternoon when he crashed into the outside wall in turn 2, then spun halfway around and hit the inside wall. The three laps he completed were all over 221mph. Giebler climbed out of the car and was unhurt, but his Playa Del Racing #31 sustained considerable damage to the right side and rear wing. The car is fixable and the crew is thrashing, but it is a question mark whether they can get it ready tomorrow before the expected rain comes around 4pm.


    Milka
    Milka Duno seems to be saying
    “I did it!”
    after having trouble getting up to
    speed earlier in the week sparking
    rumors that she might be replaced.
    Yasakawa, Duno, J. Andretti and Al Unser Jr. made the lineup earlier this afternoon, with Unser qualifying at 2:20pm. The rest waited until after 5pm. In the nearly three hours of open practice, many teams worked on their racing set-ups. Dan Wheldon set the pace for the qualified cars at 224.895mph in his #10T backup car.


    P.J. Jones did not make a qualifying attempt in his #40 , but practiced at more than 217mph. He is expected to try to qualify tomorrow.


    In addition to Giebler and Jones, at least two more cars may make banzai runs to get into the race. Hemelgarn Racing withdrew their entered
    Moreno
    Injured driver Stephan Gregoire (R)
    advises his replacement Roberto Moreno
    during practice. After he wrecked the
    car and broke one of his vertabrae on
    Thursday, Gregoire had to
    relinquish his ride. Moreno qualified the
    car late Saturday afternoon.
    car, #91, and acquired 19T from Jon Herb’s Professional Racers team. However, Hemelgarn has re-christened 19T as #91. Richie Hearn is slated to drive the car. He and the Hemelgarn crew intended to get the car on the track today but failed. They will try Sunday.


    Also, it was revealed that Larry Foyt, son of A.J. Foyt and manager of Foyt Racing, took a driver’s physical this week. Now that primary drivers Darren Manning and Al Unser Jr. seem safely in the race, the team may wheel out one of their available backup cars for Larry. When asked what the team’s intentions were, Larry sounded as cagey as his father: “Well, you never know what is going to happen here (at the IMS).”


    Larry Foyt is right. With more backup cars ready, who knows what Bump Day will bring?

    Lazier
    OK, Jacques, here it is.

    After he saw that I put up a picture of his brother Buddy and Buddy’s wife Kara last week (see below) after Buddy qualified, Jacques made me promise I would put up him and his actress wife Angelique if he qualified today!


    Search for Speed Ends @Indy

    @Speed Photos & Words by Annie Miller Carr

    Hornish
    Defending Indy 500 champion Sam Hornish Jr.
    heads into the pits.
    It was the last full day of practice at Indy--but the first sunny, warm and virtually windless day this week. So nearly all the race teams took advantage of the optimal track conditions to either find more speed to qualify or, for the qualified cars, finalize their race set-ups.



    Last year’s 500 winner Sam Hornish Jr. of Penske Racing, who will start this year’s race in the middle of row 2 in his primary car, set top speed in his backup car (6T ) at just a tick over 225mph. Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Dario Franchitti and Marco Andretti rounded out the top five of those already qualified. At times today, it resembled race day on the track, as the quicker cars of Penske, Target-Chip Ganassi and
    Yasakawa
    Roger Yasakawa, one of the
    quickest non-qualified drivers today.
    Andretti-Green sparred around the oval.



    Two non-qualifiers edged over 222mph. Versatile John Andretti dusted off the rust in fine fashion and was the fastest non-qualifier at
    Fisher
    Sarah Fisher, one of Yasakawa’s
    teammates at Dreyer & Reinbold
    Racing, has had a steady month.
    222.830. Roger Yasakawa was right behind him at 222.409. Milka Duno, who struggled with the wind Wednesday and yesterday, had a better day today, inching above 218mph.



    On the track for the first time all month was the Beck Motorsports entry driven by Alex Barron. Jimmy Kite’s PDM #18 returned to the track after his Wednesday crash. Chastain Motorsports announced that Roberto Moreno, who had been rumored to replace Duno if she couldn’t get up to
    Sharp
    Scott Sharp’s team works on the Team Rahal-
    Letterman #8. The team struggled finding speed
    for qualifying, but improved in race trim.
    speed, will instead sub for the injured Stephan Gregoire in the #77.



    The remaining 11 machines will be added to the 33-car field tomorrow, the third day of qualifying for the race.








    Good News, Bad News & Ugly Rumors on Thursday @Indy

    @Speed Photos & Words by Annie Miller Carr

    First the bad news: A brisk, cold north wind blew strongly down the main straightaway Thursday, and the windy conditions may have contributed to the month’s first crash with serious injury. Stephan Gregoire’s #77 Chastain Motorsports car spun and backed hard into the short chute wall around 1pm. Gregoire was taken by ambulance to Methodist Hospital, where an MRI revealed he’d fractured his third thoracic vertebrae. He will spend the night in the hospital and be released Friday. Before his wreck, the Frenchman had just become the fastest non-qualifier at 216.891mph.

    The Good News: John Andretti finally climbed back into an Indy car. After his refresher course, John ran 67 laps in his #33 Panther Racing
    Andretti
    John Andretti Back In A Car
    machine with a fast lap of 216.737. But the NASCAR habits are hard to break. His cousin Michael told him that he was running too low a line on the track and John violated the pit road speed limit at least twice.

    John Andretti is adjusting, but admitted the learning curve is large after so many years out of an open-wheel race car. “I just learned a lot of things today,” he said. “It's a lot to digest, and unfortunately the weather didn't want to cooperate today as much as I'd hoped.” “Old Blue Eyes” is shown waiting to take to the IMS oval after his 13-year absence.

    Other quick non-qualifiers were Al Unser Jr. (217.590) in Foyt Racing’s #50 and Roger Yasakawa (217.230). Yasakawa, who, like John Andretti, had to take a refresher test, got up to speed quickly on his first day in the #24 Wellman Corbier/Dreyer and Reinbold third car.

    Milka & Big Al
    Milka and Al Unser, Sr.
    As for the qualified cars, the Target-Chip Ganassi team topped the charts as they had all last week before pole day’s downfall. Scott Dixon led the way at 219.985 and Dan Wheldon followed with a 219.773. The pair dueled for laps around the track, taking turns at giving each other tow. Darren Manning was a surprise third in the #14 Foyt machine at 219.116.

    Milka Duno got some instruction from four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Sr., one of the IndyCar Series driver coaches, after her practice laps today.

    By 4:30pm, most teams, perhaps chased by the stiff wind, had exited pit lane. Quite a few had even packed up for the day and left the garage area. With little activity on track, it was time for the rumor mill to work overtime. A lot of talk revolved around Milka Duno. The Venezuelan rookie, who has little oval track experience, is having her difficulties acclimating and it is said she may step out of the #23
    Kyte's Crew
    PDM team thrashing on Jimmy Kite’s #18
    SAMMAX car. Citgo, who sponsors the car, is owned by the (anti-U.S., anti-free enterprise ... ed.) Venezuelan government. It is speculated that if Duno goes, so does the sponsor. Word spread late today that SAMMAX may withdraw. Others are saying that Duno will be replaced by Brazilian veteran Roberto Moreno and the sponsor will stay.

    More last-minute deals are coming together. Richie Hearn in the second Hemelgarn/Racing Professionals entry is said to be sure thing and Greg Beck Motorsports is expected to run Alex Barron if more money is found. Barron has already driven two Indy car races for Beck this year.


    Almost Like Old Times - Andretti, Jones @Indy

    @Speed Photos & Words by Annie Miller Carr

    On a blustery, unseasonably cool day, the second week of practice for this year’s Indianapolis 500 got underway with qualified drivers working on raceday set-ups and unqualified ones looking for more speed. A few new driver-car combinations took to the track for the first time: P.J. Jones for Team Leader #40, Roger Yasakawa in a just-announced third car for Dreyer-Reinbold Racing, and Jimmy Kite in the #18 PDM Racing entry. Kite’s day came to a quick end when he hit the first turn wall, sustaining moderate damage to the car’s left front suspension. He was uninjured.


    Meira But the most anticipated new driver-car arrival only got halfway there. The third Panther Racing entry made it on to the track, but the driver, John Andretti, stayed in the pits while his qualified teammate Vitor Meira shook down car #33 for him. Afterward Vitor [C) told John Andretti (L) how his #33 Panther Racing entry handled after Victor shook it down. Listening in is Aldo Andretti (R), John’s father and twin brother to Mario Andretti. John Andretti, who’s spent the past 13 years in NASCAR, hasn’t driven Indy cars since 1994 and must take a driver refresher test tomorrow.


    Jones P.J. Jones’ car will be a crowd favorite. Painted a familiar screaming STP red, the #40 car is a tribute to Andy Granatelli’s famous 1967 “Whooshmobile,” piloted by P.J’s dad, 1963 Indianapolis 500 champion Parnelli Jones (sitting on the wall waiting for P.J. to take to the track). Parnelli was running away with the race in ’67 when a $6 bearing broke and ended his day just four laps from the finish. P.J.’s car even has “Whooshmobile” on the sidepods.


    Danica Top speed of the day, 221.189mph, belonged to Danica Patrick’s Andretti-Green Racing Motorola #7, which will start eighth on race day. Patrick promptly said it was the “happiest I’ve been all month. It felt like a race car.” After posting the quick speed of the day, Danica signed autographs as she left the pits.


    Jaques Lazier’s 217.159mph was the fastest for a non-qualified car.


    Also returning to the track today was rookie Milka Duno, who wrecked her SAMAX Motorsport #23 last week. But after a few very slow laps, Duno brought the car back in and said it needed more work.



    Hendrick Dominates With NASCAR's Design @Darlington

    @Speed Photos by Kevin Thorne

    Gordon Jeff Gordon won the postponed Dodge Avenger 500 on Sunday afternoon to score Chevrolet its fifth-consecutive win for the new Chevrolet Impala SS and the tenth win in 11 races for Chevy. Gordon's victory is his seventh at Darlington Raceway, the track notorious for being "too tough to tame." Hendrick Motorsports has won all of the NASCAR designed "stock car" races since the car's introduction.


    "That's the way to win races," said Gordon. "This is an awesome race team. The guys to thank is the Hendrick engine shop. It was a great call by Steve Letarte. What an amazing year we're having. This is so much fun. I'm having a blast. It's unbelievable when you win races."


    Gordon led a trio of Chevy drivers to the checkered flag with Denny Hamlin in the No. 11 FedEx Express Impala SS crossing the finish line second and Gordon's Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson finishing third giving Chevrolet a 1-2-3 finish.


    Sunday Qualifying Sees Two Thirds of the Field Set @Indy

    @Speed Photos & Words by Annie Miller Carr

    The new qualifying format for the Indianapolis 500 provided more bumping excitement on Sunday. Eleven drivers, the most allowed and a full third of the field, made their way into this year’s race. This is unusual for the second day of qualifying, which normally yields only a few new drivers into the Indy lineup.

    Buhl & Fisher After the day’s allotment of 11 was filled, five bumps happened. Two drivers who were knocked out of the field made their way back in, but one was immediately bumped out again.

    Scott Sharp, Jeff Simmons, Buddy Rice, Ed Carpenter and Kosuke Matsuura, all bumped out yesterday, re-qualified and stayed in the starting field today. Drivers who made their first qualifying attempts today who remained in were Sarah Fisher, A.J. Foyt IV, Vitor Meira, Davey Hamilton and Darren Manning. Sarah Fisher is shown at left being congratulated by her team owner, Robbie Buhl, after she qualified. Buhl, a former driver himself, was Fisher’s teammate a few years ago. Unser & Manning

    Marty Roth qualified today, but was bumped out later by Foyt. Jon Herb also made it in, but was bumped by Fisher. Buddy Lazier made the lineup, then was bumped by Rice. Al Unser Jr. qualified, but was bumped by Herb. Lazier later bumped his way back in, ousting Herb again.

    Two-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Jr. shook hands with his A.J. Foyt Racing teammate Darren Manning after the latter qualified. At the time, Unser was also in the starting 500 field. Later, Unser was bumped. Buddy & Kara Lazier

    Buddy Lazier managed to qualify twice and then posed with his wife Kara for his official qualifying photo. Jon Herb, who has qualified and bumped twice, is still out of the field. So is Unser Jr.

    Five of Sunday’s qualifiers have faster speeds than Saturday’s slowest qualifier, Michael Andretti.

    The track is quiet until Wednesday when practice resumes. Qualifying begins again on Saturday.


    Castroneves and Penske Hit Target @Indy

    @Speed Photos & Words by Annie Miller Carr

    Castroneves All week, the two Target-Chip Ganassi race cars of Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon were the ones to beat. On Pole Day, they were just that—beat.

    Helio Castroneves claimed the top speed with the second-last qualifying run of the day, then withstood a valiant effort by Tony Kanaan to win the pole for the Indianapolis 500.

    Castroneves piloted his #3 Team Penske Dallara/Honda around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval with a four-lap average of 225.817mph. Kanaan Kanaan’s #11 Team 7-Eleven Andretti-Green entry was faster than Castroneves on three of his qualifying laps. But Kanaan’s fourth lap was way short, and Castroneves and his Penske crew erupted into jubilant celebration. With a thumbs up for the cheering fans, Castroneves headed for television interviews which, along with the team's celebration, lasted so long that the official qualifying photos had to be postponed until Sunday morning.

    Kanaan’s (right) speed, 225.757, put him second and in the middle of the front row. Kanaan’s teammate Dario Franchitti, who ended up third and on the outside of row one, held the provisional pole at 225.191 until the last second duel between Castroneves and Kanaan.

    Franchitti & Judd Dario Franchitti and his actress wife, Ashley Judd, were all smiles when Franchitti was on the provisional pole. Franchitti was the quickest early but fell to third at the end of the day’s qualifying.

    The Target-Chip Ganassi team of Dixon and Wheldon were relegated to the inside and outside of the second row respectively. Last year’s Indy 500 champion Sam Hornish Jr. Castroneves’ Penske teammate, is in the middle of row two.

    In the third row are Ryan Briscoe, Danica Patrick and Marco Andretti, with Tomas Scheckter and Michael Andretti, the slowest of the 11 first day qualifiers, in a partial row four.


    Team Ganassi On Top Of Speed Charts All Week @Indy

    @Speed Photos & Words by Annie Miller Carr

    Dixon Target-Chip Ganassi Racing made it a clean sweep for the first practice week on Friday. The team’s drivers set the pace each day, with 2005 Indianapolis 500 winner and current IndyCar Series point leader Dan Wheldon taking home the prize the first two days and Scott Dixon the last. New Zealander Dixon (right) was the only driver to crack the 227mph barrier this month with a 227.167 Friday at 1:10pm while the sky was overcast.

    “On our first run we had a bit of understeer and for our second one, we took some wing out, and it just went quicker,” said Dixon. He also admitted he got a little help on his hot lap: “We got a bit of a tow off of Sam (Hornish Jr.).

    Kanaan & Franchitti Wheldon was second quick, but a full half a second slower at 226.650. Andretti Green Racing claimed the next three spots with Tony Kanaan in third, Marco Andretti, fourth and Dario Franchitti in his best showing of the month in fifth (shown waving to fans while talking with Franchitti).

    Where was Team Penske? Sam Hornish Jr. was sixth and Helio Castroneves a distant ninth.

    The pole day weather forecast calls for sunny skies and a high of 76 degrees, a bit cooler than it has been in the past few days.


    Thursday Was Dixon's Day To Speed @Indy

    @Speed Photos & Words by Annie Miller Carr

    Dixon Target-Chip Ganassi Racing is still setting the pace at Indy. Dan Wheldon had been the fastest driver all week, but Thursday, it was his teammate, Scott Dixon (left), who was fleet. Shown here, he seems to be pondering, “How can I go faster?” Dixon

    Dixon’s mark, 226.473mph, bested Andretti- Green Racing’s Danica Patrick (right) by just a fraction (226.348). A chagrined Danica checks out the large screen readout of speeds just after she came within a whisker of being the fastest driver of the day. Wheldon, who was third quick, and Tomas Scheckter of Vision Racing were also over 226mph. All the top speeds were set during a frantic final 15 minutes of practice.

    Finding even more speed will be the task tomorrow on “Fast Friday,” the final day of practice before qualifying begins on "Pole Day."


    Earnhardt, Jr. Announced 2007 His Last Year @DEI

    @Speed Photo by Ed Hill

    Earnhardt

    Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Vice President and General Manager of JR Motorsports, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge held a news conference to announce that Jr. will end his DEI driving carreer and move to another team in 2008.


    Wheldon — Again — On a Rain-Shortened Day @Indy

    @Speed Photos & Words by Annie Miller Carr

    Wheldon Rain kept the cars off the Indianapolis Motor Speedway today until 4pm. But when the cars finally got on the track, Target-Chip Ganassi Racing's Dan Wheldon topped the speed charts for the second consecutive day with a 226.391mph mark.

    Wheldon’s early dominance has a lot of teams scratching their heads and knitting their brows--and a lot of pitsiders predicting the #10 car on the pole after Saturday’s qualifications. Team Penske

    But Team Penske may have something to say about that. Perplexed Team Penske drivers Helio Castroneves and Sam Hornish compared notes during “yellow light” time. Castroneves ended up second quick Wednesday at 225.820, allegedly in a race set-up. Wheldon claims his car was halfway between a qualifying and a race set-up.

    Andretti Michael Andretti and son Marco, looking almost as concerned as Team Penske, huddle with Bryan Herta after practice. Marco was third fastest Wednesday.

    Although Herta is not driving in the 500 this year, he is still with Andretti-Green Racing, test driving and piloting the team’s new sports car effort.



    Heat and Speeds Climb @Indy

    @Speed Photos & Words by Annie Miller Carr

    Foyt Temperatures climbed into the mid-80s and speeds into the mid-220s on Tuesday, May 8, the first real full day of practice for this year’s Indianapolis 500.

    Dan Wheldon, the 2005 Indy victor, led the pack at 225.074mph in his #10 Target-Chip Ganassi Dallara/Honda. Two-time winner Helio Castroneves’ #3 Marlboro-Penske was close on his heels…er…rear wing with a 224.996. Twenty-seven cars turned laps, with 19 of them over 220mph.

    A.J. Foyt Jr., known for taking things into his own hands at the track, pounds on a mirror from Al Unser Jr.’s race car. Foyt surprised many Al Jr. when he tabbed Unser Jr., whose off-track escapades have made frequent headlines, as one of his drivers this year.

    While other veterans were finding speed quickly, Al Unser Jr. struggled. The two-time Indy 500 champ’s 206.930 was slowest for the day.


    Exclusive Club of Rookies Take to the Track @Indy

    @Speed Photos & Words by Annie Miller Carr

    The Indianapolis Motor Speedway opened Sunday for practice for this year's Indianapolis 500, but the first two days were devoted to rookie orientation and driver refreshers for a few veterans.

    Duno The only two rookies entered in this year's race are Venezuelan distaff driver Milka Duno and Oxnard, California's Phil Giebler. Giebler was the slowest driver on the track Sunday--nearly 209.4 mph. But he improved considerably on Monday to over 217mph.

    Duno (shown describing how her car handled during her last laps on Monday), whose previous racing experience was solely on road courses, racked up 153 laps on the IMS oval. Her fastest speed, set late Monday, was 215.949.

    Even Michael Andretti, who hasn't driven an Indycar since finishing third in last year's 500, took the opportunity to practice. He posted the Vision Drivers quickest lap of the month so far, 221.579, Monday afternoon.

    Indy 500 veterans and Vision Racing teammates (L-R) Ed Carpenter, Tomas Scheckter and A.J. Foyt IV joke around during a lull in Monday's practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The three drivers were on hand to watch their fourth teammate, Davey Hamilton, during his driver's refresher test.

    Tomorrow the rest of the veterans take to the track and practice begins in earnest for this year's race.


    And Again, Jimmie Johnson @Richmond

    @Speed Photo by Greg Gage

    Johnson


    Cousin Carl, Just Cruzin', Pickin' & Grinnin' @Nashville

    @Speed Photo by Kevin Thorne

    Edwards But that all happened in the second half of the race. Said Edwards, "I felt really confident going in, like it was our race to lose, then they dropped the green flag and we went backward like a rock." But the crew made some big changes in the car and proceeded to lead a race high 74 laps and cruise to victory almost five seconds ahead of David Reutimann. It was Edwards' third Busch win in a row at Nashville and second in a row in the series this year.


    Even In Retirement, DW Tears Up The Track @Bristol

    @Speed Photos by Kevin Thorne

    Busch winner Carl Edwards, Cup winner Kyle Busch, & track distructor Darrell Waltrip

    Edwards Busch Waltrip


    Wings, Wings, Wings, And More Wings @Bristol

    @Speed Photos by Kevin Thorne

    wings Gordon The Impala nameplate (but not the car) returned to Cup competition on a high note with Jeff Gordon winning the pole position for Sunday's Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Gordon put his NASCAR designed Impala SS on the pole with a 15:295 second lap, his fifth pole at Bristol.

    Speaking of NASCAR's design, Gordon said "I just didn't think we would run these kinds of speeds. I just definitely didn't think we would run Pit road a .29. That is impressive. We had it set up pretty loose to get through the middle and man it was. But off the corner it is just fantastic. You aren't going to be able to run a car that loose all day long in the race. But you are going to have to run it loose because these cars just don't turn in the middle like the old cars do. I think we are going to have to have a compromise of pretty loose on entry, we'll see. We didn't play around with race setups today at all and it paid off for us."

    Gordon doesn't seem to like NASCAR's design. "It's no Monte Carlo. It's an Impala. Ours was the best of the group today and that's really all that matters. But there is no way you're going to get the car to feel like our current car. It has twice as much downforce. It doesn't have the limitations that this car does. It's harder to adjust and it definitely creates some more challenges from a drivers' standpoint. Any time you have something that feels good, it's hard to step backwards."

    The Food City 500 is the first event to feature NASCAR's next generation of race cars and takes the green flag on Sunday, March 25 at 2:00 p.m.


    Skinner, And Again Johnson & Burton @Atlanta

    @Speed Photos by Kevin Thorne

    Skinner Johnson Burton


    Rick Hendricks' 150th, Johnson's Third Win @Vegas

    @Speed Photos by Les Welch

    Johnson Hendricks 150









    A Slip, A Spin, And A Win @Vegas

    @Speed Photos by Les Welch

    Busch Burton


    Waltrip's Toyota Teething Troubles Continue @Vegas

    @Speed Photos by Les Welch

    Michael Waltrip continuted to miss the handle on the Toyota, spun out on his qualifing attempt and missed qualifying for the race.

    Waltrip Waltrip Waltrip

    Waltrip Waltrip


    NASCAR Motor Corp. Tests Its "COT" Model @Bristol

    @Speed Photos by Kevin Thorne

    NASCAR Hybrid

    NASCAR Hybrid


    Gordon on Cup Pole @Fontana

    @Speed Photos by Gary Nastase & Ron Lewis

    Gordon Jeff Gordon came out on top in the race for the pole beatin Kasey Kahne by about two tents of second. Gordon's speed was 185.735 mph.

    "It feels good to me just to get out from restrictor-plate racing [at Daytona] and have a car that has downforce and be able to drive it Gordon through the corners and work with the teams on the handling," said Gordon. It was a great come back after beig one of those who crashed on the last lap in the Daytona 500 and finished 10th.

    Kasey Kahne's speed was 185.519 while Michael Walthrip's Toyota was unable to break into the field again this week.


    Harvick Handed 500 Win @Daytona

    @Speed Photos by Kevin Thorne

    smoke After the heaviest hitter, Tony "Smoke" Stewart exited due to a wiggle followed by a tap which sent both the first and second place cars heading for the outside wall, Mark Martin survived to be the odds on favorite.

    Harvick Not only was Martin the favorite to win on the basis of performance, not since Dale Earnhardt, Sr. won his his Daytona 500 had there been such a ground swell of positive feelings for a driver to win his first Daytona 500.

    But it was not to be. Thanks to a wiggle of his own, a hard charging Harvick passed Martin on the outside seconds after a multi-car "big one" began. It took NASCAR almost 10 seconds to display the yellow flag. Not until Harvic and Martin had crossed the line did the yellow flag come out.

    Harvick was declared the winner even though Martin had been in the lead when the crashing began and the yellow should have been displayed.



    The 2007 Racing Season Opens "Wet'n Wild" @Daytona

    @Speed Photos by Kevin Thorne

    rain In one of the most spectacular finishes in the 45-race history of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the No. 01 TELMEX/Target Chip Ganassi Racing Lexus Riley trio of Scott Pruett, Juan Pablo Montoya and Salvador Duran emerged on top in a three-car battle over the final hours of the race.




    While the No. 01 team never fell out of the top-three overall positions in the final 21 hours of the race, the battle came to a head late in the 20th hour with Ryan Dalziel in the No. 11 CITGO/SAMAX Pontiac Riley leading Montoya in the No. 01 and Max Angelelli in the No. 10 SunTrust Pontiac Riley in a nose-to-tail fight for the overall lead. Dalziel managed to keep both vaunted road racers behind him, although Montoya and Angelelli did exchange second place a handful of times. rain




    The battle continued for nearly an hour before Dalziel surrendered the lead to Angelelli when Dalziel pitted for fuel and tires. Angelelli led one lap before Montoya claimed the lead for good in Turn 4 with slightly less than two hours and 45 minutes remaining. At the conclusion of that lap--Lap 578--Angelelli pitted and Montoya moved out into the lead.




    Montoya pitted two laps later and managed to maintain the lead of the race. He was pressured from behind by both Dalziel and Angelelli for the better part of another hour before both Angelelli and Dalziel pitted before him to turn their cars over to co-drivers Jan Magnussen and Patrick Carpentier, respectively.




    rain Montoya gave control of the No. 01 machine--and the race lead--to Pruett with slightly more than 90 minutes remaining and the 2004 Rolex Series Daytona Prototype co-champion steadily pulled away over the remainder of the race, crossing the stripe 1:15.842 ahead of Carpentier to secure the victory. It was the third-closest finish in Rolex 24 At Daytona history.





    JJ - 2006 Cup Champion Crowned @Miami

    @Speed Photo by Kevin Thorne

    Johnson


    Kenseth Shines in the Night @Miami

    @Speed Photos by Kevin Thorne

    Kenseth Harvick Matt Kenseth lead the most laps including the last eleven after he passed and was pulling away from teammate Carl Edwards when the checker flag fell. Kenseth pretty much dominated the race, but lost the lead on a bad pit stop and had to battle back to regain the lead.

    Meanwhile, for Kevin Harvick, it was just a matter of getting through the race to collect his series championship trophy. That spot had been decided a month ago. He wound up sixth in the race.




    Martin Wins The Battle, Bodine The Truck War @Miami

    @Speed Photos by Kevin Thorne

    Bodine While Mark Martin was hard at work keeping his truck out front, Todd Bodine vibrated his way to a lap down 21st place finish to win the 2006 championship.

    Bodine's truck started the race with a vibration that only got worse as the race went on. After a season of consistency, Bodine had to let any visions of a good finish go, blurred as they might be, to keep the truck together and finish the race. Luckily he had help in the form of Johnny Benson's bad luck which kept him from challenging for the championship points lead. Benson was collected in an accident but managed to stay on the lead lap and later had to pit under green for a cut tire that put him three laps down.

    Martin "We finally did it," Todd Bodine said. "We've been racing for a lot of years. I've got brothers racing, cousins, nephews, and it's the first time we've won something this special. I can't imagine what it means to me, to my family."

    While Bodine was protecting his championship position, Mark Martin was battling to win his last truck race in a Jack Roush truck. In 2007 Martin will be driving a Wood Brothers truck for a minimum of five races, more depending on sponsorship.


    Stewart Wins Cup & 2006 IROC @Atlanta

    @Speed Photos by Kevin Thorne

    Winner Sunday

    Tony Stewart, who failed to qualify for the "Chase" after having won two previous Cup championships, can only race for wins. On Sunday at Atlanta he held off Jimmie Johnson for his fourth victory of the season and second win of the 2006 chase series. After the win, once again Stewart climbed the fence to the flag stand to capture the checker flag for the second time that day. Unlike the last time, he was able to get back to his car without venturing into the crowd. Stewart is having fun! Without any of the pressure those in the chase are feeling, Stewart is winning chase races where he couldn't "buy" a win last year.

    Johnson didn't really mind the runner-up finish. It helped moved him to a much better position than where his chase started ... to within 26 points of current leader Matt Kenseth.

    Earnhardt overcame the loss of a lap (because of a flat tire early in the race) and took the lead when he stayed on track while all the other drivers on the lead lap pitted during a late race caution. He may not have exactly wanted to say out while running third, but Stewart and Johnson both waited 'til the last possible moment to enter the pits and Earnhardt didn't, or couldn't, make the turn. In the end, Earnhardt IROC Champ and Kenseth dueled for third with Earnhardt winning the battle by just a few inches.

    Atlanta scrambled the chase standings ... Hamlin moved from fourth to third, 65 points behind Kenseth, Earnhardt moved into a tie with Burton for fourth, 84 points back, Harvick slipped from second all the way to sixth, 121 points behind, while Gordon -- who survived getting hit it the rear by Jamie McMurray after slowing with a flat tire -- jumped from ninth to seventh but lost ground in the points, from 141 to 146. Martin, Kahne and Busch, all 201 or more points behind, were all but eliminated from contention

    Saturday

    IROC winner Tony Stewart did win a championship this year ... that of the 2006 International Race Of Champions (IROC)! He earned the championship by finishing third in the Atlanta edition of the 2006 series just behind Matt Kenseth and ahead of Ryan Newman.

    Winner of the IROC race, for the second consecutive year, was Martin Truex, Jr. He held off the hard charging three behind him to win the battle while Stewart was winning the war. "I didn’t know until I crossed the finish line that I had won,” Truex said. “It was one of the better races I’ve been a part of."

    Stewart stayed out of the fray most of the race, choosing to lay back and preserve his championship hopes. Entering the race, four drivers – Stewart, Kenseth, Newman and Max Papis – had a mathematical chance of winning the title.

    "I was playing defense, really, trying not to get into any situations that were going to cause us to have any problems," Stewart said. "I just needed to do what we did today and stay out of trouble and keep Matt (Kenseth) in sight. At the end there I thought we had a shot of running for it, they got a little wild and crazy up there. I was ready to go for it if we had a chance at the end, but (it was) one of those days where third was better than trying to run for the thing."

    After the race, Stewart said he was just beginning to comprehend the honor of winning the IROC title. "To know that my heroes – Mark Martin, AJ Foyt – have won this and all the other champions that have won this title, it’s awesome to have this honor," Stewart said. "It’s not a truck winner championship where you’re racing 42 other guys every week, but when you’re racing 12 other champions from other series – there’s a reason they’ve won their championships – to be the guy that wins this four-race series, it’s incredible."


    Mike Bliss finally got his first win of the season in his unspoonsored truck Saturday night. He did it by holding off a challenging Terry Cook for the final two laps. "After I got to 10 truck lengths (ahead of the pack) I started to breathe a little, and then they said a truck's coming up," Bliss said. "Yeah, I was concerned when I looked in the mirror and saw him coming. I just ran it wide open the last two laps, and it was kind of sliding around. I'm glad it wasn't two laps longer. I probably wouldn't be here."

    Rookie Erik Darnell finished third, while David Reutimann and Rick Crawford rounded out the top-five. Local driver David Ragan, from Stockbridge, Ga., finished sixth.


    Kahne Sweeps 2006 @Lowe's

    @Speed Photos by Kevin Thorne

    Winner He seems to be doing just about everything right, but despite winning this week and getting a second last week, Kasey Kahne is still stuck in eighth place with little more than a mathematical chance of winning the championship. And almost to a man, the other drivers are feeling the same frustration. Try as they might, it seems that nobody can gain more than a few points on the leader, Jeff Burton. Said Kahne, "He ran another great race. If he keeps running great races, you're not going to be able to catch him."

    As for Burton, his response was "We're not going to take ourselves too seriously just yet. We will continue to put a good effort together. I think we're our biggest competition."

    The hard luck award had to be split between Jeff Gordon, who lost an engine and scored an DNF, and Mark Martin, who was taken out by a late race crash when J.J. Yaley turned into him while attempting to head for the pits. Gordon sits in 10th, Martin dropped one spot to fourth.


    Friday the 13th @Lowe's

    @Speed Photos by Kevin Thorne

    Winner It was one of those nights! Leaders crashing out with one lap to go, a longer than scheduled race, a first time winner, numerous yellow flags yielding even more yellow laps, and multiple red flags including one for NASCAR to figure out who belonged in what posiion on the track. And that was only the last 10 laps!! Champ

    When the flags settled, Dave Blaney had won his first Busch race after Mears lost the back end on his car and took out Edwards as they battled for the lead on lap 199. What followed was the final red flag of the night with for the clean up with a green, white, checker situation when the race was restarted.

    Kevin Harvick finished high enough to wrap up the season championship.


    Grand-Am Cup Crowns Season Series Champs @VIR

    @Speed Photos by Les Welch

    champs A championship battle to the finish between the No. 95 Turner Motorsport BMW 330i of Will Turner and Don Salama and the No. 27 Bill Fenton Motorsports Acura RSX of brothers Hugh and Matt Plumb stole the spotlight in the Bill Black Chevrolet Street Tuner Six-Hour Enduro at VIRginia International Raceway Sunday as the Acura drivers won the race but the second-place finishing BMW teammates sealed both the Grand-Am Cup Series ST driver and team championships.

    champ car The victory was the second of the season for the Plumb brothers after winning at Barber Motorsports Park in July and their success helped Acura clinch its fifth Grand-Am Cup ST manufacturer championship in the last six years. Matt Plumb crossed the finish line 6.255 seconds ahead of Turner in the No. 97 BMW and the winners averaged 81.529 mph in the six-hour race. The No. 68 SpeedSource Mazda RX-8 of Ken Dobson and Scott Schlessinger finished third.

    series champs While the Acura team celebrated the VIR victory, they came up just short in trying to beat Turner BMW and its drivers for the ST driver and team championships. After a rare mechanical failure sidelined the No. 70 SpeedSource Mazda RX-8 of former series champion Sylvain Tremblay on the opening lap, the championships and ultimately the race came down to a two-team battle between the Turner BMW and the Fenton Acura outfits.

    winning car Salama led the opening lap of the race, Matt Plumb led the final lap and for the six hours in between the two teams were rarely separated on the race track. Each of the four drivers led at various points and in one nearly three-hour stretch between laps 46 and 109, the No. 95 BMW and the No. 27 Acura ran first and second, with each taking a turn up front. third place Matt Plumb took the lead for good when he passed Dobson for the lead with just under 45 minutes remaining, but when Turner also passed the Mazda 15 minutes before the finish for second place, any slim chance of the Plumbs taking the title were gone. Turner and Salama clinched the title with 285 points, eight points ahead of the Plumb brothers.


    Grand-Am Cup Drivers Duel Elements @VIR

    @Speed Photos by Kevin Thorne and Les Welch

    Mikel Miller and Tim Traver co-drove their No. 83 BGB Motorsports Porsche 996 to victory in a wet and wild Title Sponsor Wheel Enhancement GS Enduro presented by EMC Mechanical to close out the 2006 Grand-Am Cup Series GS season as Anders Hainer, Turner Motorsport and Porsche sealed championships after six hours of racing Saturday at VIRginia International Raceway.

    The victory was the first in Grand-Am Cup for both Miller, Traver and the Florida-based BGB team that drove a smart and strategic race in cold and ultimately rainy conditions. The winners stayed in lead-pack contention throughout the six-hour race on the 3.27 mile VIR circuit Turner but never looked back when Miller took the lead for the one and only time all day less than 45 minutes from the finish. Miller was trailing the race leading Automatic Racing BMW M3s of No. 90 Nick Longhi and No. 09 David Russell but slipped by for the lead when both BMWs pitted. Miller kept the Porsche up front for the rest of the race and crossed the finish line a comfortable 25.922 seconds ahead of Jeff Segal who co-drove with Longhi in the No. 09 BMW for Automatic's best finish of the season.

    "This was a very challenging race, the longest race I have ever driven in and the first time I raced at night," Miller said. "Plus it rained at the end when we were racing in the dark and I saw cars go off everywhere. I radioed to the crew and said 'guys, it might be time to put rain tires on.' That worked out great and I can't thank BGB enough for giving us a great car and the perfect strategy."

    pass Traver overcame his own challenges when he took over after Miller started the winning Porsche.

    "I had a flat tire early on so I had to come in and get it changed but we stayed on the lead lap," Traver said. "The BGB team did a great job, the strategy for rain tires was great and Mikel did a great job in the rain. This win is kind of a monkey off our back. We have been there all season but things kept happening. Today's race was difficult and challenging like our whole year but to win in the final race, it was just amazing."

    96 Bill Auberlen, who co-drove with Joey Hand and Chris Gleason, finished third in the No. 96 Turner Motorsport BMW M3 while their teammates Anders Hainer and Boris Said crossed the finish line in sixth place in the similar No. 97 Turner Motorsport BMW. The sixth-place showing was good enough for Hainer to clinch the 2007 Grand-Am Cup Series Driver Championship and give the No. 97 Turner machine the GS Team Championship. Hainer and Said co-drove to victory in the No. 97 BMW for the team's sole victory of the season one race ago in Salt Lake City and the race car finished no lower than sixth place in the year's final seven races. Joey Hand (Trois-Rivieres) and Nic Jönsson (Mid-Ohio) also drove the championship winning ride in spotlight appearances during the 2007 season.


    Chase Competitors Set - Harvick Hot @Richmond

    @Speed Photo by Kevin Thorne

    Chase Drivers
    Harvick And then there were ten ...

    Earnhardt, Jr. made it in this year, but "kicked to the curb" was current champ Tony Stewart. His only chance to repeat this year went up in smoke when "Smoke" was forced to a back up car because of a crash earlier in the weekend. He dropped three positions, to eleventh, while the beneficiary of his misfortune was Kasey Kahne who slipped into the bottom position.

    Kevin Harvick passed Kyle Busch on the last lap to complete a sweep of the weeked @Richmond. Harvick could have "played it safe", needing only to finish 40th or better to remain in the Chase. He didn't, and picked up both the Cup and Busch race wins.


    Kenseth Goes Back For Seconds @Bristol

    @Speed Photo by Kevin Thorne

    Kenseth Matt Kenseth is starting to make a habit of double dipping. With his win of the Bristol night race, he can now claim:
    • His second straight Bristol night race;
    • His second Cup win in a row, having won Michigan last week, too; and
    • His second NASCAR victory in as many nights, having won the Busch race.
    Oh, and to top it off, Kenseth has nailed down a top ten spot in the Chase!

    "The last two weeks have been just unbelievable," said Kenseth. "If we can go into the Chase like this, we'll have a shot at the championship." NASCAR changed the championship winning format after Kenseth's 2003 championship and this is the first year since that he has been in contention.


    Johnson Pulls One Out Of A Hat @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller-Carr

    Tires were supposed to be a problem in Sunday's Brickyard 400. They were — for Jimmy Johnson. Johnson’s day looked done on lap 40 when he saved NASCAR the trouble of throwing it's second competition yellow flag to check tire wear by bringing out the yellow himself. Smoke trailed from his #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet as he blew a left front tire in turn one, damaging the fender, and he limped back to his pit.

    Pass for the lead Things didn’t get any easier for Johnson when he got there. It was a long pit stop—27 seconds—to fix the fender. Then his crew spilled fuel and, as Johnson left, the pit erupted in flames. Luckily, the fire was extinguished quickly and there were no injuries.

    But the NEXTEL Cup points leader wasn’t about to sit back and just motor around the track. Johnson bonzaied back into contention and by lap 84 he was running seventh, lap 112 he was third, and five laps later he passed eventual runner-up Matt Kenseth for the lead. The yellow came out on lap 141 for debris on the track, and most of the cars, including the #48, pitted. But Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman and Joe Nemecheck Junior Pit Stop decided to stay out. Struggling with an ill-handling car all day, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was deep in the pack when crew cheif Tony Eury also elected not to pit. This savvy pit strategy set Earnhardt, Jr. up for the lead, but when the green flew, Johnson was on the attack again. On lap 151, Earnhardt, Jr. flew by Busch in turn two with Johnson closing fast. By the end of the lap, Johnson passed Earnhardt, Jr. and was out in front for good. Earnhardt, Jr. brought it home sixth and vaulted into 10th place in "The Chase."

    After his win, Johnson admitted he was concerned about his chances following his early tire woes. “I was really nervous because I knew we had a fast race car, but I knew I had to come through traffic, and I knew it would be harder on the tires coming through traffic,” he said. “But Chad (Knaus, his crew chief) knew something that would help that left front survive. Two short runs after that and the tire pressures were right, and this baby was money after that.”

    Polish Victory Lap Johnson is the second driver to win the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400 in the same year. When asked about this feat, Johnson replied, “I’m speechless right now. I can’t thank this (the Rick Hendrick Lowe’s team) enough for what they’ve done. We overcame a left front flat tire to Brick Kiss rally back. We drove all the way to the front. I never thought I would win at this racetrack (the Indianapolis Motor Speedway).”

    It was car co-owner Hendrick’s fifth win at Indy—widening his lead as the winningest NASCAR owner at the IMS. Rounding out the top five were Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer and Mark Martin. Pole sitter Jeff Burton faded to 15th.


    All Childress Front Row for Brickyard 400 @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller-Carr

    Burton Jeff Burton (shown talking tires with a Childres Racing tire specialist) is one of only eight drivers who have raced in all 12 Brickyard 400s, but his highest starting position before this year was 16th. It was lucky 13 for the Cingular Wireless Chevrolet driver — his 182.977 mph has him sitting on the pole.

    Burton was second out to qualify on Saturday morning and the rest of the field couldn’t best him as the temperature climbed. Kasey Kahne, who was last to qualify, made a valiant try in the heat of the day, but wound up fourth.

    Burton’s shares the front row with Richard Childress Racing teammate, NEXTEL Cup rookie Clint Bowyer. NASCAR points leader Jimmy Johnson will Stewart start fifth and four-time Brickyard 400 winner Jeff Gordon begins the race in the eighth row. Tony Stewart, defending Brickyard 400 and NEXTEL Cup champion, is mired back in row 16. He's shown here discussing his ill handling car with Kasey Kahne.

    Immediately after his qualification attempt, Burton literally dashed out the back gate of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway garage area and headed to O’Reilly Raceway Park in nearby Clermont Johnson to practice and qualify for Saturday night’s Busch Series race, the Kroger 200. Burton returned for the afternoon NEXTEL Cup practices.

    Tire wear may be an issue during tomorrow’s race. Several teams had left front tires go down in the final practice sessions, and NASCAR officials may throw a yellow flag early in the race — around lap 15 - to check for tire problems.


    Kurt Busch Fastest in Brickyard Practice @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller-Carr

    Worried Busch Back in the garage and watching the scoring monitor, Kurt Busch wasn’t confident his speed would hold up (as his expression indicates), but in the end his quick lap of the day, 182.039 mph, was the fastest speed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the first day of practice for the 2006 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Busch posted the fast lap in his #2 Miller Lite Dodge during the second of two afternoon practice sessions. Kasey Kahne was the runner-up to Busch on the speed charts with a lap at 181.995 mph. Kahne (below left) driver of the #9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge talked with Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who drives the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet, in the garage area before the start of Friday’s second practice session.

    Busch credited his Penske crew for his success on Friday. “They have given me what every driver dreams of, a position to go for the pole on Kasey & Dale Pole Day. I hope I can deliver for the Miller Lite team tomorrow,” he said. “It feels good that we have done our homework and it has translated into a solid start so far this weekend. It's just real exciting to have a shot at the pole."

    The Penske driver can be excused for doubting himself this weekend. He’s been distracted for the past couple of weeks -- he got married. But his car owner, Roger Penske, had no doubts at all. "I was cruising around in the garage area this morning, phone rang, and it was Roger, Busch related. “He was pumping me up on what this (Indianapolis) means to him, and he had already let me know this before the wedding. And now it is after the wedding, and he is still letting me know what it means to him.”

    Busch and Penske better not get too confident. Conditions for qualifying won’t be nearly the same as they were Friday afternoon between 3:30-4:30pm, when Busch was quick. Qualifying starts at 10am Saturday. Scott Riggs Busch is 25th in the qualifying order, but even by the time he takes to the track the temperature won’t be quite as hot.

    Scott Riggs sits in the right rear wheel well as he helps his crew fix his damaged #10 Stanley Tools/Valvoline Dodge. Riggs brought on the yellow during Friday’s first practice session for the Brickyard 400 when he brushed Indianapolis Motor Speedway wall. You break it, you fix it!


    Danica Patrick Not Going To NASCAR Says A-G @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller-Carr

    Andretti-Green Racing announced Tuesday, July 25 that Danica Patrick will leave Rahal-Letterman Racing and race for them in 2007. Patrick may be taking the spot vacated by Bryan Herta, who has asked to race the team’s entry in the American LeMans Series for sports cars. bye bye

    Michael Andretti, one of the three owners of AGR, said the team will continue to field four cars in the Indy Racing League. Three are confirmed, current drivers Tony Kanaan and Marco Andretti, plus Patrick. Dario Franchitti, who drives the remaining AGR car, may keep his ride or move with Herta to the team’s ALMS effort.

    Patrick, the league’s 2005 Rookie of the Year, has struggled mid-pack this season. At the beginning of the year, Rahal-Letterman chose to use the Panoz chassis. Several races ago, the team switched to the more successful Dallara chassis, which is said to work better with the league’s Firestone tires. The team is trying to catch up and she has come home fourth the past two races. But the improvement didn’t deter her switch.

    Contract details were not released, but Patrick is rumored to be making $3 million for next year.

    Patrick will be joining the IRL’s most successful team. AGR drivers have stood atop the podium 22 times--half of them last year--since Michael Andretti, Kim Green and Kevin Savorie started the team in 2003. The team won back-to-back championships in 2005 with Kanaan and 2006 with Dan Wheldon, who jumped to Target-Chip Ganassi this year. Wheldon also won last year’s Indianapolis 500 and Marco Andretti came within a whisker of winning the May classic this year. But AGR hasn’t been up to par in 2006. Although the team has raced strong, they have finished behind Team Penske and Target-Chip Ganassi. Kanaan’s victory at Milwaukee was the team’s first this season.

    Rahal-Letterman may return to the rival Champ Car series next year after two years in the IRL. Bobby Rahal’s talented teenage son, Graham, may be one of the drivers.


    Ishimaru Crowned Emperor of IHBA @Augusta

    @Speed Words & Photos by Kevin Thorne & Glenn Smith

    Dale Ishimaru took the running of the 21st annual Augusta Southern Nationals with a pass of 4.98 seconds and a speed of 228.22 MPH in the Problem Child over Daryl Ehrlich who stuttered off the line. Ishimaru related after the race, "It's all about set up and the team. We had the fastest official pass of the weekend on that final run.
    Problem Child Problem Child
    Problem Child
    Even after John's crash, we have confidence in my boat and the safety of it. I just pull down the cockpit and launch it. Winning here is just great."

    crash But is was Top Fuel Hydro driver Andy Reynolds who stole the show. Reynolds, driving his Parental Discretion Advised Top Alcohol Hydro left the line in a normal fashion, but 200 feet down the course, the boat started to wiggle. The boat hopped from side to side before digging in and flipping high into the air. It landed with force enough to break the boat apart before slipping under the water. Reynolds quickly popped out of the capsule and surfaced near the partially submerged race boat. Safety workers quickly pulled Reynolds from the water and took him for the mandatory check up at the medical center. Andy was checked out and released. Ellis

    Asphalt drag race motorcycle pilot Skip Ellis was piloting something a bit different on his week off. He's shown here making a pass down the liquid quarter mile in the modified division Pure Insanity boat, something some might say is just a bit more calm than his usual just under 200 mph ride.


    Stewart Presents Victory Junction With Check @NHIS

    @Speed Words & Photos by Contessa & Charlie

    Petty Presentaton This morning was very emotional for everyone in the media center. Kyle & Pattie Petty were here to receive a sizeable donation to the Victory Junction Camp. Seated together were Kyle, Pattie and Tony Stewart. Petty Presentaton Stewart had vowed to raise $1 million within 10 years, but was able to cut the time in half through charity concerts etc. via the Tony Stewart Foundation . This is not Tony's first donation to the camp,but his third.

    Pattie accepted the check with Kyle by her side. With her voice trembling, and clutching Tony's hand for support, Pattie expressed her gratitude to Tony and all others who have donated. Tony was one of the first drivers to get on board.

    Tony was presented with a framed letter and drawing from one of the children. Kyle read the letter to the crowd.


    Ferrari Finishes First (and Second) @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Schumacher passing Alonso Michael Schumacher became the first five-time winner at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway by winning the seventh United States Grand Prix from the pole position. It was the German's fourth straight victory at Indy.

    Ferrari dominated the United States Grand Prix weekend, as Schumacher's teammate Felipe Massa started alongside Schumacher in the front row and came in second. It was Massa's best finish since joining the team this past winter.

    Schumacher's margin of victory was 7.984 seconds and gained six points on Alonso (both shown above) in the battle for the 2006 Formula 1 championship standings. Alonso, who finished fifth, still leads Schumacher by 19 points.

    First Turn Turn 1 on the IMS road course has provided some of the most exciting moments on the tour. This year was no exception. Massa grabbed the lead from Schumacher going into the turn. Defending Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso charged from his fifth place starting position to challenge Schumacher for second, but Schumacher pinched his rival down on the track going into turn 2 and Alonso backed off. Meanwhile, Juan Pablo Montoya ran into the back of his McLaren teammate, Kimi Raikkonen. Raikkonen in turn hit Jenson Button, sending Button into Nick Heidfield, who flipped and barrel-rolled though the sand. Even farther back in the pack, a second crash involved Christian Klein, Mark Webber, Franck Montagny and American Scott Speed. When the smoke cleared, all eight drivers had been eliminated. Sato vs Montero

    On the restart on lap 9, Takuma Sato crashed into Tiago Montero in the same turn (right), causing the second full-course yellow.

    After yet another restart, Massa held the lead until the first round of pit stops. Schumacher, running in second, pitted earlier than Massa. When Massa pitted, his pit stop was slower, and Schumacher was able to pass his teammate before Massa left the pits. Schumacher was never challenged and cruised to the checkered flag.


    Stewart Wins - A Photo Essay @Daytona

    @Speed Photos by Kevin Thorne, Penny Holder and Glenn Smith

    Daytona Pre Race
    Daytona Pre Race Daytona Pre Race
    the finish pass for the lead
    Spider Smoke Spider Smoke Spider Smoke
    Spider Smoke Spider Smoke Spider Smoke
    Spider Smoke


    Ferrari Fills Front Row @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Schumacher Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro’s Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa will start 1-2 on Sunday for the seventh United States Grand Prix.

    Schumacher, who has won the race four times, now also has four USGP poles to his credit. The German’s quick lap was 1:10.832, besting his Italian teammate by nearly 0.6 of a second. This is the third time that Ferrari drivers have comprised the front row at Indianapolis. Schumacher is shown speeding through Turn 13 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway roadcourse on his way to his fourth USGP pole.

    Renault’s Giancarlo Fisichella will start third. Fisichella continues to have a much better weekend than his teammate, last year’s Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso. Alonso has been the polesitter for the past five races, but only qualified fifth for Sunday’s race.

    Villeneuve Another team that is struggling this weekend is the usually strong Team McLaren. McLaren drivers Kimi Raikonnen and Juan Pablo Montoya will start 9th and 11th respectively.

    Alongside Fisichella in Row Two is 2002 USGP winner Rubens Barichello, Shumacher’s former teammate at Ferrari, who now races for Honda. Sharing Row Three with Alonzo will be 1997 Formula 1 champ and 1995 Indianapolis 500 victor, Canadian Jacques Villeneuve (above) in by far his best starting position of this season.

    American Scott Speed qualified 13th.


    Rahal Falters; Lloyd Wins Liberty Challenge @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Lloyd vs Rahal It seemed like polesitter Graham Rahal would win the Indy Pro Series’ inaugural Liberty Challenge going away on Saturday, but fate intervened. Rahal led from the green flag and built up a seven-second lead by lap 20. Then Scott Mansell pulled to a stop past turn 12 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course with an electrical fire, bringing out a full-course yellow. When the green flag fell again, Rahal charged a little hard into turn 1, went through the grass and emerged back onto the track. But Rahal's miscue gave Alex Lloyd enough time to slip past him into first place. Lloyd is shown holding off Rahal for two laps until the checkers.




    Test Drivers On Top @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Scott Speed
    It was an odd practice day on Friday for the United States Grand Prix:

    Fast time of the day was set by a test driver, Lucky Strike Honda Racing's Anthony Davidson of Britain, with a lap at 130.222 mph. Another test driver, Poland's Robert Kubica of BMW, was third.

    Seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher was second-quickest, but had the only big off-track excursion of the day. The German lost control of his Ferrari and spun in turn 4, ending up in the sand trap. Schumacher took exception to the way in which Alonzo the course workers were removing his car from the "kitty litter." The tow truck lifted the rear of the car and the nose hit the sand. Schumacher scolded the course workers and then helped them by lifting the front of the car.

    Spain's Fernando Alonzo (right), the 2005 Formula 1 champion and current points leader, struggled to find speed in his Renault and ended up a distant 10th on the time chart. His teammate, Italian Giancarlo Fisichella, fared much better--in fourth place.

    Rahal Best performance of the day wasn't turned in by a Formula 1 driver. Seventeen-year-old Graham Rahal (shown passing his teammate), in his first appearance in the Indy Pro Series, qualified on the pole for Saturday's Liberty Challenge race. The Ohioan, who has already won in Formula Atlantics, toured the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course at 109.580 mph. Rahal, whose father is 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, is driving a second entry this weekend for Kenn Hardley Racing.


    Drivers Gear UP For The USGP @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Massa Formula 1 is back in the United States, on Independence Day weekend, and this year race fans around the world will be expecting more fireworks on the track than behind the scenes.

    Formula 1 drivers spent Thursday in a whirlwind of media interviews, press conferences and autograph sessions. Fans wandered about the Indianapolis Motor Speedway pits on the walkabout tour and stood for hours in front of the SpeedTV stage awaiting a glimpse of their favorite drivers. (Massa, left, waves after an interview; Jarno tosses a hat to the crowd.)

    Jarno But the crowd on Thursday was barely half of what is was in the past several years--despite the presence of the first American driver in the series in 13 years. There may be a variety of reasons, World Cup and the projected 90-degree heat for the weekend among them. But the main factor is probably the fallout from the 2005 United States Grand Prix.

    Last year’s debacle, when only six cars started the USGP at the IMS, caused what many consider the biggest uproar in the history of motorsports. The blame fell on Michelin Tire, one of the two rubber suppliers of the series, but the problem went deeper than that.

    True, during the Friday practice sessions the then two Toyota drivers, Jarno Truli and Ralf Schumacher, crashed both their Michelin-shod cars. By Sunday morning, Michelin advised the teams that use their rubber not to race, and they didn’t. But two Bridgestone teams, Jordan and Minardi, also considered boycotting the race in what appeared to be a strategic revolt of the teams and other engine manufacturers against Scuderia Ferrari (the only team who would have been left to race), Bernie Ecclestone, the F-1 major domo, and the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the overall sanctioning body of Formula 1. But, at the last minute, Jordan and Minardi capitulated, and all three Bridgestone teams ended up racing.

    Team Williams
    Williams drivers Mark Webber & Nico Rosberg.
    Michelin ended up negotiating a settlement with Tony George and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, whereby fans who bought tickets in 2005 received refunds and free ducats for this year’s race. George, who was powerless to stop the chain of events at his own track last year, and Ecclestone are due to negotiate for future USGPs. The IMS’s contract to host Formula 1 expires this year. Ecclestone has said that attendance on Sunday will be an important consideration on whether the IMS will get the nod to host the series again.
    Ecclestone is posturing—alluding to possible interest from a group in Las Vegas. Yet media sources in that city tell this reporter that Ecclestone’s claims are groundless. Ecclestone also says up to ten other cites around the globe are vying for a spot on the F-1 calendar.

    So more is at stake for drivers, teams and sponsors this Sunday than the victor’s trophy. The future of F-1 in the U.S hangs in the balance. Sponsors want exposure in the giant American consumer market, but will that be enough to influence Ecclestone to have the series continue on American soil?


    Hornish Runs Circles Around The Field @Richmond

    @Speed Photos by Kevin Thorne

    Hornish Hornish Sam Hornish, Jr. claimed Honda's 100th win in a run-away for the Team Penske entry. Said Sam, "You have to keep the lead here. It's hard to pass on the track." And with the help of his crew, that's just what he did ... for 212 laps while running the most consecutive laps led while setting the mark for the third most total laps led in IndyCar history.

    The race ended under caution after Hornish's teammate, Helio Castroneves, suffered a flat right rear tire. Vitor Meira dove under Dario Franchitti to claim the sixth runner-up finish of his IndyCar Series career.





    Breaktrough Oval Win for Bourdais @Milwaukee

    @Speed Photo by Kenn Heinlein

    Mile Winner Sebastien Bourdais’ breakthrough first Champ Car oval win happened at The Mile in front of 28,357 fans was the first win there for Champ Car powerhouse Newman/Haas Racing since 1986. In three previous Milwaukee starts for the team, Bourdais crashed twice and finished sixth after an infraction while running in contention.

    Bourdais won in convincing fashion, scoring his fourth straight Champ Car World Series victory, and his ninth series win in the last 11 races. Domination would be a word to describe the Frenchman’s recent successes, but not a term used to describe his luck on ovals. That is, until today.


    Hornish Gets Big--But Not A Record--Check @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Trophy Kiss At the annual Indianapolis 500 Victory Banquet, Sam Hornish Jr. pocketed $1,744,855 for taking the checkered flag at this year’s race on Sunday. The winner’s sum was not a record for polesitter Hornish and his Marlboro Penske team. Buddy Rice’s payout for the 2004 race is still the most---over 1.76 million.

    Rice led more laps during the 2004 race and his team also won the annual Checkers/Rally’s Pit Stop Contest. However, Team Penske still racked up the pit stop winnings this year, as Hornish’s teammate Helio Castroneves and his crew claimed first prize in the contest.

    Hornish was also named the 2006 recipient of the Scott Brayton Award. The award is given yearly to the driver who best displays the racing spirit and character of the late driver Scott Brayton, who was killed in a practice accident at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway after claiming the pole in 1996.

    R.O.Y. Race runner-up Marco Andretti picked up a check for a whopping $698,505. His earnings included $25,000 for being unanimously voted as the Chase Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year. The 19-year-old became the fourth Andretti to win this honor, joining his grandfather Mario, his father Michael and uncle Jeff. Afterwards, a proud Mario and a beaming Michael teased Marco by declaring that his allowance was ending. Andretti deservedly swept the rookie honors. For his qualifying run, Marco was named the Fastest Rookie of the Year earlier in the month by the American Dairy Association.

    Young Andretti also garnered compliments, nearly all on his driving skills, from other drivers during the ceremony. However, Marco did pick up a big nod from Tomas Scheckter for bringing so many beautiful young ladies with him to the track. Coming from man-about-town Scheckter, this was high praise indeed.

    The total purse for the 2006 Indianapolis 500 was a record--$10,518,565.


    Kahne For A Change @Lowe's

    @Speed Words & Photo by Kevin Thorne

    Riggs Kasey Kahne broke Jimmie Johnson’s streak at four consecutive Nextel Cup wins at Lowe's by winning the Coca Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway Sunday evening.

    Kahne took the lead from Carl Edwards on lap 371 of the 400 lap race to post the fourth win of his career and his first at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Johnson had dominated the races at Lowe’s for the past two years, winning four in a row and five of the last six. Johnson finished second to Kahne’s Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge fielded by Evernham Motorsports. Kahne coasted to a 2.114 second win over Johnson’s Lowe’s Chevrolet.


    The Samsational Thrill Of Victory @Indy...

    @Speed Photos by Annie Miller Carr & Greg Gage
    Words by Annie Miller Carr

    Finish Winner Sam Hornish Jr. capped off a nearly perfect month at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway by edging rookie Marco Andretti by .0635 seconds to win the Indianapolis 500. It was the second closest finish and the first time in the 90 years of the event that the winner made a pass for the lead on the final lap. It was the Defiance, Ohio native’s first Indy 500 championship and his car owner Roger Penske’s fourteenth.

    Hornish made only two missteps all month. His initial one was his bump day crash in his backup car. The second one nearly cost him his victory. On a yellow flag pit stop on lap 151, Hornish left his pit with the fuel hose attached. For the infraction, he was levied with a 60 mph “drive through” (the pits) penalty by IMS chief steward Brian Barnhardt when the green flag waved on lap 163. Rookie Townsend Bell of Vision Racing was also assessed the same penalty, and the two cars came into the pits at the same time. Bell’s right front tire touched second Hornish’s Marlboro Dallara-Honda, breaking Bell’s suspension. Miraculously, Hornish’s car escaped unscathed and the whole Q&A	incident dropped Hornish from second place to seventh.

    But the Penske driver rallied and steadily climbed back into contention setting up his thrilling final lap duel with the third-generation Andretti.

    ... And the Agony Of Defeat @Indy

    Lady Luck smiled on Sam Hornish Jr. today, but broke Tony Kanaan’s heart for the third year in a row.

    Kanaan	Kanaan was the runner-up in the rain-shortened 2004 Indianapolis 500. Last May, he had the strongest car all month, was the polesitter and the odds-on favorite to win. Instead, he watched then-teammate Dan Wheldon claim the victory while he finished eighth.

    This year, he and his 7-11 sponsored Dallara-Honda performed flawlessly from the start. He ran in the top five nearly and took over the lead from Wheldon on lap 183. But Kanaan his crew, led by his race strategist and team co-owner Kim Green, knew he was running short of fuel. He was still leading with only seven laps to go when the yellow flag came out for Felipe Giaffone's wreck. Kanaan used the yellow to pit for a “splash and go,” but when he emerged from the pits he had fallen to seventh.

    When race action resumed, Kanaan was able to pass his teammate Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon before the checkered flag fell. But fifth place was not what he wanted. He was visibly upset when he exited the car. His crew tried to console him. The normally affable and approachable Brazilian waved off the media for a few minutes while he composed himself. Kim Green consoled a distraught Tony Kanaan after his disappointing finish in fifth place. He led the race as late as lap 193, seven laps from the end. When he finally allowed interviews, he was smiling through tears.


    Driver Meeting Hi-Jinx @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Although there are no race cars running on the track, the day (Saturday) before the race doesn't mean the drivers can relax. The day is filled with off-track activities, including media photo shoots, autograph sessions and the annual ceremonial drivers' meeting.

    This year's drivers' meeting was memorable for a joke perpetrated on 2004 Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon. It is well known that Wheldon was the victim of many a prank pulled by his former teammates Dario Franchitti, Bryan Herta and Tony Kanaan at Andretti-Green Racing. Even though Wheldon is now driving for Target-Chip Ganassi Racing, it seems that he still has a "tease me" sign on his back.

    During the drivers' meeting, the past year's race winner receives some awards, including a plaque, a ring and the mini Borg-Warner Trophy, a small replica of the huge trophy that stays at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.

    Joke on Weldon It started when Wheldon got the small trophy. When he returned to his chair, he put the trophy underneath it. In a few minutes, the Englishman was called up to get a plaque. While he was up, Helio Castroneves (partially hidden behind his teammate, polesitter Sam Hornish Jr. and below Patrick), seated beside Wheldon, stole the trophy and passed it up to Danica Patrick, seated above them auditorium style. She in turn passed it up to Eddie Cheever and Max Papis, and the trophy was hidden behind Papis. Looking on are Marco Andretti (L) and Tomas Scheckter (R, next to Patrick) and Ed Carpenter (far R).

    Joke on Weldon When Wheldon returned to his chair, it didn't take him long to realize his trophy had disappeared and he was being joked with. Whenever Wheldon left his chair to receive another award, the devilish (grenning and guilty) Castroneves would swipe the prior award and pass it off to another driver, etc. Hornish supresses a smile, while Scott Dixon (R), Wheldon's teammate, pretends he knows nothing.

    Eventually, Wheldon reclaimed his prizes. If past history means anything, Castroneves better watch out--Wheldon retaliates!


    Insiders Say Hornish Clear Favorite @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photo by Annie Miller Carr

    Castroneves Is Sam Hornish Jr. the favorite for this year's Indianapolis 500 on Sunday?

    Well, will there be chicken in your box lunch? Will Jim Nabors sing "Back Home Again in Indiana?" Will there be balloons rising above the Pagoda?

    Sam did it again on Friday during Carburetion Day, the last practice session before the race. His 220.698 mph fast lap was at the top of the speed charts. Hornish has been the quickest in nearly every practice session and is the polesitter.

    In the photo: Team Penske drivers Sam Hornish (L) and Helio Castroneves (R) watch a quarterfinal run of the annual pit stop contest.


    Spiderman's Crew Wins Pit Crew Contest @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Castroneves Team Marlboro Penske driver Helio Castroneves now has two Checkers/Rally's Pit Stop Competition titles to go along with his two Indianapolis 500 victories.

    The event is held annually on Carburetion Day, the final day of practice before the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

    The 2001 and 2002 Indy 500 champion and his car #3 crew, led by chief mechanic Rick Rinaman, changed four tires in 8.0852 seconds, a record time for the final round. They beat Dario Franchitti's car#27 Canadian Club Andretti-Green mechanics, who had a time of 8.4428.

    Even though Castroneves' team won in record time for the finals, they went even faster in the semifinals! Their scortching 7.7365 is the quickest time ever posted in the the event's history.

    Following his win, "Spiderman" Castroneves delighted the massive, cheering Carb Day crowd with his traditional fence climb.

    Team Penske has now won a record nine competitions in the event's 30-year history.


    Infiniti Pro Series Adds Drivers to 500 @Indy

    @Speed Photos by Annie Miller Carr & Greg Gage
    Words by Annie Miller Carr

    The Infiniti Pro Series, started by Tony George in 2002 to be a feeder series for his Indy Racing League, kicks off its fourth annual Freedom 100 Friday (Carburetion Day) at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

    How many Indy Pro Series graduates have qualified for this year's Indianapolis 500?

    Answer: There are six: Marco Andretti, Ed Carpenter, P.J. Chesson, Arie Luyendyk Jr., Thiago Medeiros and Jeff Simmons.

    Simmons Simmons took over the third Rahal-Letterman car after another Infiniti Pro Series veteran, Paul Dana, lost his life in a wreck at the Patrick Homestead course earlier this year. He is teammate to 2004 Indy winner Buddy Rice and last year's IRL and Indianapolis 500 "Rookie of the Year" Danica Patrick.

    Carpenter is part of the three-car Vision Racing team, partly co-owned by his stepfather and mother, Tony and Nancy George. Andretti is driving for Andretti-Green Racing, which is fielding five cars, including one for Marco's father and team co-owner, Michael Andretti.

    Two Aris Arie Luyendyk Sr. is his son and namesake's team owner. Arie has reunited some of his old Treadway crew who were part of his second Indianapolis victory in 1997, including engineer Tim Wardrop, chief mechanic, Skip Faul and tire man Steve Turner.

    Chesson's also has a famous co-owner, NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets. Chesson's brother James is now driving in Infiniti Pro and will start Friday's race in mid-pack.

    Medeiros Medeiros, who won the 2004 Freedom 100, was very successful in the junior series with seven wins. His #18 PDM machine was the last to qualify for this year's Indy 500 and is the slowest in the starting field.

    Two other Infiniti Pro drivers were entered in this year's 500, but failed to make the field. Jon Herb, originally slated to drive the Playa Del Racing car #12 as a teammate to Jacques Lazier, was replaced by Roger Yasukawa when Herb failed to get the car up to speed.

    Marty Roth, who still drives in the minor series, crashed his #25 entry in the final hour of qualifying on Bump Day and never made an attempt.


    Riggs To The Pole @Lowe's

    @Speed Photo by Kevin Thorne

    Riggs Scott Riggs, who sat on the pole for last weeks "open" also grabbed the pole at Lowe's for this weekend's race, this time at 187.865 mph which took 28.744 seconds for the lap.

    The "outside pole" went to Jeremy Mayfield at 187.292 mph followed by Jimmie Johnson at 186.651 mph.











    The Invisible Man @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photo by Annie Miller Carr

    Quick--who finished second in the Indianapolis 500 last year? Hint: a Brazilian. No, not Helio Castroneves. No, not even Tony Kanaan.

    Another hint: He finished ahead of his more famous Rahal-Letterman teammates, the 2004 Indy 500 champion Buddy Rice and rookie sensation Danica Patrick.

    Give up?

    It's Vitor Meira.

    And he's good. Very very good. And he's quiet. Very very quiet. And he's savvy. Very very savvy. He reminds some pitsiders of another very good, very quiet, very savvy driver: Al Unser Sr. He gets through traffic like nobody's business. Then all of a sudden--with 10 laps to go--there he is, running the top five and ready to pounce.

    Meira He's stealthy--like a panther. Fittingly, this year he's driving for Panther Racing. The team is not nearly as well-financed as the Penske, Ganassi or Andretti Greens. In fact, Panther has scaled down to a one-car operation and is looking for sponsorship. They have nothing written on the sidepods of their #4 Dallara-Honda. If they don't find some money soon, they may not be able to compete too much longer. (Some of the team's mechanics told a photographer to write a check and they would put "Annie's Photography" on the car.)

    Meira, car owners John Barnes and Mike Griffin and their team may be on a limited budget. But, by golly, there Panther and Meira are--starting on the outside of row 2, qualifying at 226.156mph. They've been consistently among the top 10 fastest cars every day in practice too.

    Hey, Donald Davidson...when was the last time an unsponsored car won this race? It could happen this year. Someone write them a check...a big one!!!


    Marco Andretti Snares Fastest Rookie Award @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    AG The American Dairy Association handed out its "Fastest Rookie" award to Marco Andretti (@left). The award is given annually to the rookie who posts the fastest qualifying speed for the Indianapolis 500. Marco isn't the first in his family to win the award. Marco's father, Michael (@right), was the 1984 recipient. (His grandfather Mario was also the fleetest rookie in 1965, but the award did not exist then.)

    Michael Andretti co-owns, with Kim Green and Kevin Savorie, the Andretti Green Racing team, which is fielding five cars in the 500 this year. Drivers Dario Franchitti (below right), Bryan Herta (below left) and Tony Kanaan (above center), the 2002 fast rookie winner) Herta returned to the stable, but 2005 Indy winner Dan Wheldon left to join Target-Chip Gannassi, leaving a seat open for Marco. Michael, after a year's retirement, returned to the cockpit to drive alongside his son. Franchitti

    Marco deserves another award--for the most miles racked up in practice in May at the Speedway. His father and fellow AGR teammatesput Marco to the test whenever the sun shone during the rainy month. Last Friday, for instance, pitsiders watched in awe as the AGR team worked in unison to tutor Marco in just about every traffic situation the 19-year-old might face during the race. Marco's car 26 would speed down the main straightaway into turn one, surrounded by cars 1 (his father), 7 (Herta), 11 (Kanaan), and/or 27 (Franchitti) passing, re-passing, pinching him down a little, etc. Marco is some pupil.

    He passed--literally--with flying colors.


    Team Penske Dominates Front Row @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Front Row
    The front row for the 2006 Indianapolis 500: Polesitter Sam Hornish Jr. (R), his Marlboro Penske teammate Helio Castroneves (center) and 2005 Medeiros Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon of Target-Chip Ganassi Racing (L) and their crews. Hornish crashed his (unqualified) backup car later in the day but was unhurt.

    Brazilian rookie Thiago Medeiros qualified with the slowest speed (215.729) in the field and survived being "on the bubble" for about 40 minutes. Medeiros demolished the PDM team's only chassis on Thursday. PDM acquired one of Super Aguri Fernandez's backup Panoz tub and, with 14 teams giving them other required parts, the team thrashed many long hours to get the car--dubbed Frankenstein because of it's rag-tag appearance--on the track.

    Curry & Roth Car owner and driver Marty Roth had Vision Racing's Larry Curry (L) advising him today, but still wasn't fast enough to make a qualifying attempt. Canadian Roth's effort ended late in the day when he crashed into the turn one SAFER barrier and then made contact with the wall in the short chute between turns one and two. He climbed from the car uninjured.

    From Dave Carr's "Bubble Day" notebook ...

      The final day of qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 is traditionally a dramatic event featuring more story lines than you’d find in a daytime soap opera. While Sunday’s action at 16th and Georgetown officially consisted of a single qualification attempt to fill the field, there was no shortage of off-track storylines to follow. ... read more


    Who Else @Lowe's?

    @Speed Photo by Kevin Thorne

    Jimmie Johnson

    Jimmie Johnson


    Hornish On The Pole For Team Penske @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Penske & Hornish Car owner Roger Penske (R) and driver Sam Hornish (L) and Hornish's crew smile big for the official photos at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Saturday. Hornish claimed the pole position for the 90th running of the Indianapolis 500 with a four-lap average speed of 228.985mph.

    Hornish In the morning practice session before qualifying began, Hornish gave fans a thrill with a the speediest lap of the month - 229.996 mph.



    Dario & Ashley Dario Franchitti and his wife, actor Ashley Judd, pose for pictures with his Andretti Green crew. A rev-limiter problem caused Franchitti to be the only qualifier to wave off his first attempt. He qualified later in the day on his second try and will start 17th.


    Chip and Weldon Last year's Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon shakes hands with his car owner, Chip Ganassi, after landing a spot in the front row for this year's race. Wheldon's qualified third at 227.338mph. Wheldon had hoped to challenge Sam Hornish for the pole, but fell short. Danica


    Danica Patrick went quicker in on qualifying day than she had all month. On each of her four qualifying laps she went faster that the prior lap. Her four-lap qualifying average speed of 224.674 was 10th fastest and her provisional qualifying position is on the inside of row four.






    Kahne On Pole; Busch Wins Truck Race @Lowe's

    @Speed Photos by Kevin Thorne

    Kahne Kasey Kahne and his Evernham Motorsports team nailed the pole for the allstar event with a combined pit stop and fast lap of 132.465 Busch mph edging out Jimmie Johnson and team's time of 131.774 mph. Completing the pole sweep for the Evernham Motorsports teams was Scott Riggs who will start on the pole for the "Open" qualifying race to complete the allstar race field.


    Kyle Busch ran away with the win in the Cratsman Truck Series race. "Ran away"? Try winning by 3.154 seconds over the second place Terry Cook duplicating the one-two finish in last years race. It was Busch's fourth win in 19 starts in the trucks.


    Fans Treated To A Speed Show @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Kanaan Fans hadn’t seen anything like it for years. Friday afternoon, Team Penske drivers Sam Hornish and Helio Castroneves and Target-Chip Ganassi pilots Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon traded fast time of the day amongst themselves. It was just like old times, when Rick Mears and Mario Andretti used to play one-upsmanship on “Fast Friday.”

    When it was all over, Hornish came out on top at 227.925 mph, but it was still slower than Dan Wheldon’s fast speed so far this month, 228.663, posted Sunday. Unless someone is really sandbagging, one of the aforementioned four drivers will be the polesitter after tomorrow's qualifications. Is Kanaan's smile (left) one of a confidential sandbagger?

    Hornish seemed to take it all in stride, but two other drivers were beaming after the checkered flag fell. Andretti-Green Racing’s Tony Kanaan Kanaan, who was a bit behind the pack most of this week, made his way into the top five today at 226.104. Kanaan’s post-practice discussions with his crew made one think he thought he could have gone faster if a slower car hadn’t impeded him on his speediest lap.

    Also having a fine final practice was Vitor Meira, who ranked eighth today. Meira, driving for Team Panther, has been stealthy. He’s frequently been in the Top 10, and his 225.336 today was his quickest this month. Operating under the radar is nothing new to this Brazilian … hey, who finished second in last year’s Indy 500?

    Rahal-Letterman Racing’s Jeff Simmons caused the most serious yellow flag of the session, slamming the first turn wall in the final hour of practice. Simmons had just marked up his quick lap of the month, 225.281, good enough for the 10th fastest time this May, when the accident happened. He was unhurt.

    Oh, just in case you thought we got through at least one day without any rain…while the Indianapolis Motor Speedway safety crews were cleaning up Simmon’s wreck, it started sprinkling on the main straightaway and in the pits — on a day when the weatherman predicted no precipitation. Scott Dixon waited in his car under a tarp and an umbrella while the sprinkles. He was second quick on the day at 227.322.


    Practice Delayed Is Practice Denied @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photos by Annie Miller Carr

    Wheldon Dan Wheldon, 2005 Indianapolis 500 winner, leaves the pits at the start of Thursday’s abbreviated practice session for the 90th running of the Indianapolis 500. Rain delayed the start of practice until 3:45pm.


    Max Papis made his first appeareance in the second Cheever Racing entry. Two crashes marred the practice session. Arie Luyendyk Jr. and Thiago Madeiros, both rookies, had minor crashes and were uninjured.
    Hornish

    Sam Hornish (above) waits while his crew works on his #6 Marlboro Penske. Once again, Hornish had the top speed of the day (224.951) and Helio Castroneves, his Penske teammate, was second-quickest. Just after this picture was taken, the skies opened up again to halt practice for the day at 5:42pm.




    Finally! Some Track Time @Indy

    @Speed Photos by Annie; Words by Dave & Annie Miller Carr

    Sharp Thirty-one Indy cars and drivers jammed plenty of action into Wednesday’s Indy 500 practice session before a thunderstorm (what else?) stopped practice at 4:30pm. The Marlboro Penske duo, Hornish (224.381) and Castroneves (223.392) were fastest—allegedly with more fuel on board?


    Sheckter  A delighted Scott Sharp (shown with engineer John Dick) of Super Aguri Fernandez Racing was third with a 223.293, his best of the month. Buddy Rice rebounded from the only wall-banger this May with a 222,895 in the 15T Rahal-Letterman entry is shown checking his computer readouts during practice Wednesay.


    Rice… But another team has shown up in the top 10 speeds of the month and was quick again today—a surprising one. Vision Racing, co-owned by Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Tony George and his wife Laura and actor Patrick Dempsey of Grey’s Anatomy, has improved significantly over past performances. Over the winter, the Georges and Dempsey hired fleet Tomas Scheckter as a teammate to stepson Ed Carpenter (shown conferring in the pits). Townsend Bell came over from the Champ Car series to run a third car. They also augmented the engineering staff by hiring Steve Newey. Carpenter


    Newey’s influence has been felt. The seventh-quickest lap overall this month, 225.262mph, belongs to Carpenter. Scheckter’ fast lap is eleventh and rookie Bell’s thirteenth (shown in his office waiting for a track clean up). Both Bell (222.511mph--sixth) and Scheckter (221.815--tenth) were in the top 10 speeds recorded today.



    Prudhomme NHRA team owner Don "The Snake" Prudhomme and Top Fuel Dragster pilot Melanie Troxel stopped by last weekend with Melanie picking the wrong day (Saturday) and Prudhomme lucking out. Don picked the right day (Sunday) to indulge his long-time and well-documented penchant for Indycars. “The Snake” visited old friends like A.J. Foyt early in the day before the raindrops ceased and the track finally dried. But when the cars finally took to the brickyard for practice, he camped out at the Andretti-Green pits. He stayed close to Marco's pit where Granddad Mario was advising his rookie grandson. Prudhomme also talked for awhile to Marco’s mother and Michael’s first wife, Sandi, and Marissa Andretti, Marco’s sister.



    Again, A Washout @Indy

    @Speed Photo by AMC; Words by Annie Miller Carr

    Bell Chinese water torture is nothing. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway saw the fastest unofficial laps posted at the track all month but was denied any qualification attempts by the return of a brutal form of Hoosier water torture that has slowly and painfully drowned ... read more



    Rookie Townsend Bell lights up the tires as he leaves the pits Sunday during practice. Bell's quickest lap was 224.779, second-fastest to Marco Andretti among the rookie crop and 13th overall. Weldon


    Dan Wheldon prepares for practice Sunday. He posted quick speed of the day before rain halted track activity before qualifying could begin. The first weekend of qualifications was totally rained out for the first time in 23 years.




    Pole Day Washout - Tomorrow Looks No Better @Indy

    @Speed Photo by AMC; Words by Dave & Annie Miller Carr

    Weldon & Ganassi On a soggy pole day at Indianapolis, there was little for drivers to do but placate the press. Defending winner Dan Wheldon (left), his teammate and 2003 Indy Racing League champion Scott Dixon, and their boss, Chip Ganassi (right), was one of the teams who met with journalists at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway media center.

    Wheldon, who has been chasing after Penske Racing's Sam Hornish for top speed of the month, virtually promised that he and engineer Indy Brown have something up their sleeves when they do get a chance to run for the pole.

    "Hornish has been very quick these first three days, but I can guarantee I'm going to magic something from somewhere just on Pole Day," said Wheldon.

    Andretti The other team gracing the IMS interview room was the entire Andretti-Green stable. Many of the media questions directed towards the progress of rookie Marco Andretti, son of team co-owner Michael Andretti and grandson of racing legend Mario Andretti.

    A few years ago, during a press conference before a race in the Andretti hometown of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, Michael said Marco, then in the Star Mazda series, was a more talented driver at that age than he was. But, feeling the pressure of the Andretti name, Marco left the sport for a while. Michael told his son that he would support his son's return to racing only if Marco decided to do it for very specific reasons: having fun and doing it for himself. On Saturday, Michael was asked if he thought Marco was doing just that.

    "I think he is... He's doing it for himself. I think his three 'big brothers' (referring to teammates Dario Franchitti, Bryan Herta and Tony Kanaan) are making sure of that, as well. I think he's been doing a fantastic job with the pressure that's been on him. He's been performing. You see him; he's right up there with all of us in times. So far, so good."

    Young Andretti concurred. "I'm definitely excited to, I say, finally be here. I'm only 19. I'm definitely happy and ready to get going. I'm not really worried about trying to fulfill anybody's expectations toward me because I think mine are pretty high for myself."


    Friday a Complete Washout @Indy

    @Speed Photo by AMC; Words by Dave & Annie Miller Carr

    The last practice day before the first day of qualifying was a total rainout Friday.

    For three straight pole days, the weather has been dismal-unseasonably cool, overcast and wet wet wet. This weekend is already projected to be the same, with highs hovering between 50-60 degrees and showers--until Tuesday.

    Dan & Helio If we do get qualifying in this weekend, most pitsiders agree that one of three drivers will be 2006 Indianapolis 500 polesitter The two men in the picture, defending Indy 500 champion Dan Wheldon (L), now with Target-Chip Ganassi Racing, and two-time winner Helio Castroneves (R), plus Castroneve's Penske teammate Sam Hornish are the odds-on favorites. In what little practice time drivers have had, they have swift and sure. In fact, no one would be surprised if these three made up the front row, although Wheldon's teammate Scott Dixon could be a factor as well.

    Hornish seems to be a man on a mission this month. He raised quite a few eyebrows Thursday with his 226.7+ in very windy conditions. After setting that lap almost right after practice started, his team packed up and left the pits and didn't return that day. They seemed ready and confident.

    With a shorter entry list that normal because of the lack of available engines, some teams, pretty assured that they will make the field, may be foregoing a run at the pole. Instead, to make efficient use of their one practice engine per car, they may be working on race day setups this week. There are whispers that even a couple of the Andretti Green cars and Rahal-Letterman may be doing this.

    In any case, the biggest rumor Friday was that Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials would go ahead and run qualifications on Monday and Tuesday. Why? Something about the new Honda leases starting on Wednesday...


    The Weatherman Gets Fooled Again @Indy

    @Speed Photo by AMC; Words by Dave & Annie Miller Carr

    It never fails. Indiana has enjoyed a warmer and drier than usual spring. Of course, we all knew that as soon as the engines fired up Dixon this May the temperatures would drop and rain would start falling. Today was supposed to be a washout and it was this morning. But the weatherman was wrong — again. The skies cleared and by 2pm racecars were on the track. Despite a stiff wind gusting to 35mph from the southeast, it didn’t take long for brave Sam Hornish to set the quick speed of the month, 226.789. Hornish has been the fastest man in every practice session.

    Scott Dixon (right) has good reason to smile. His Target-Chip Ganassi team and Team Penske with Hornish piloting have been the class of the field so far this May.

    A few teams, notably Team Fernandez and Panther Racing, decided to skip today. Rahal-Letterman may wished they had too. For the second year in a row, 2004 Indy 500 winner Buddy Rice found the second turn wall, hitting it twice. Luckily, this year he sustained only knee contusions and is expected to be cleared to race tomorrow.

    A total of 19 cars practiced today before (what else) rain ended practice at, with the Penske and Ganassi drivers at the top of the speed charts--as they have been all week.


    Danica Prepares To Dress For Driving @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photo by Annie Miller Carr

    Danica Tuesday, May 9 was the first time that Indianapolis 500 veterans (except those who needed refresher tests) could practice for the 90th running of the race. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway had planned a ceremonial opening, with the six former Indy 500 winners on this year’s entry list taking the first lap in formation. A goodly number of media types were at the yard of bricks to see the cars of defending champion Dan Wheldon, Helio Castroneves, Al Unser Jr., Eddie Cheever and the Buddys Lazier and Rice take to the track.

    But there was plenty of media pandemonium a distance away from the start-finish line. Up in pit 26, to be exact. Some photographers were camped out--some for almost an hour--awaiting the trackside arrival of last year’s fourth-place finisher and Indy 500 and IRL rookie of the year, Danica Patrick.

    By day’s end, the sophomore driver had posted a fast lap of 220.302mph in her #16 Argent Mortgage Panoz-Honda. But this was disappointing, as she was only 21st fastest out of the two dozen cars that practiced. Today she did better—her 223.084 was 12th quickest, with 23 cars on the track and bested her Rahal/Letterman teammates Rice (15th) and Jeff Simmons (19th), who brushed the wall after running three laps. She was also fastest among the Panozes.

    Once again Sam Hornish of Team Penske had the top speed of the day, 226.056 before rain closed practice at 3:30pm. He was followed by Wheldon and a surprising Kosuke Matsuura. Andretti-Green racing improved their speeds from yesterday, and Tony Kanaan and Bryan Herta rounded out the “Fast Five.”


    OCC Donates To Victory Junction Gang @Richmond

    @Speed Words & Photos by Greg Gage

    Orange County Chopper Orange County Cycles unveiled their Sunoco bike at the Richmond International Raceway. This bike was created as a way of raising funds for the Victory Junction Gang Camp. This camp is sponsored by Kyle and Richard Petty. The build of the Sunoco bike will air in June. Orange County ChopperThe photos show the Mikie,Paul Jr., Paul Sr. and Vinnie with the bike, then with Richard and Kyle Petty. Also, this is the first bike built by the Teutul's that uses all Teutul parts, totally from the ground up, no outsourced parts.



    Owner Roger Penske Reviews T&S With Hornish @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photo by Annie Miller Carr

    Penske It was a busy day Tuesday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway before raindrops ended practice 5:10pm. Two dozen drivers and 26 cars were on the track today, with Team Penske, the Honda development team, using both their backup cars as well as their two primaries.

    Team Penske topped the speed charts, with Sam Hornish’s #6 Dallara-Honda fastest at 224.881mph. His teammate, Helio Castroneves, was a tick slower at 224.106mph in his #3 Dallara-Honda. Target Chip Ganassi’s two drivers, defending Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon (223.916) and Scott Dixon (223.797), also in Dallara-Hondas, were right behind the Penske duo. The two Penske backup cars were also in the top six swiftest machines. The quickest rookie today was Townsend Bell of Vision Racing, who wound up 10th fastest.


    Rookies And Vets Get Tested @Indy

    @Speed Words & Photo by Annie Miller Carr

    Marco Third-generation Indianapolis 500 driver Marco Andretti was one of four rookies who passed their driver’s test during Rookie Orientation Program Sunday and Monday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Marco is the son of veteran 500 driver Michael Andretti and grandson of 1969 Indy 500 champion Mario Andretti. Michael Andretti is coming out of retirement to join his son in trying to make the 2006 500 field. While Marco was participating in the rookie testing, Michael was undergoing a refresher test.

    Also passing their rookie tests during Rookie Orientation were Townsend Bell, P.J. Chesson, and Thiago Medeiros, who won the inaugural Freedom 100 Indy Pro Series race at the Speedway in 2004. Besides Michael Andretti, drivers taking refresher tests were Larry Foyt, 1992 and 1997 Indy 500 winner Al Unser Jr. and rookie Arie Luyendyk, Jr., who was bumped from last year’s 500 qualifying field.


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