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CHEVY INDYCAR AT INDIANAPOLIS: Team Penske Press Conference Transcript

MEMBERS OF TEAM PENSKE met with members of the media at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Full transcript:

97th INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRESS CONFERENCE

Team Penske

Friday, May 17, 2013

MODERATOR: OK. Good morning, everyone. I’m Bob Jenkins, and it’s my pleasure to host this news conference, which I have done in the past but haven’t in the last few years. But glad I can do it again.
We have the members of Team Penske up here. From on the far end of the line is, of course, the three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves. Tim Cindric, president of Penske Performance. Will Power. AJ Allmendinger. And the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner, Rick Mears.
Tim, I know you have something to say regarding Roger (Penske), who is unable to be here with us today.

TIM CINDRIC: I just wanted to on behalf of Roger send his regards. He’s a bit conflicted this week for sure, as he had promised Mille Miglia. At the Mille Miglia in Italy this week. When he made that promise, he wasn’t quite sure how it all conflicted with pole weekend. So anyway, it’s in the midst of it next they’ll or four days competing in the Mille Miglia with Mario Illien. So he started that process last night, actually ran in to a bit of a mudslide, so he called me actually at 10 o’clock here. So he’d just gotten to the hotel for the first round of that. So he’s having fun. It’s good to see the boss do something a little different than work. But he certainly misses being here at this place, but obviously he’ll be here next weekend.

MODERATOR: Start with the junior member of the team, AJ Allmendinger. Dinger, is –

CINDRIC: Dinger, that’s a good name for you.

A.J. ALLMENDINGER: Thanks, Bob.

MODERATOR: Glad to do it. So was this on your bucket list, seriously?

ALLMENDINGER: Yeah, I mean, back when I was in Champ Car and growing up through open-wheel racing, this was the pinnacle. I always wanted to be here and, you know, as the split happened and Champ Car wasn’t here, and I never got the opportunity to run here, I mean it was always disappointing. The Memorial Day weekend, it was always difficult sitting at home watching it and not having a chance to run it, especially being a Indy-car driver at that point, and obviously over the last seven years being in NASCAR, just to watch it on TV was kind of always a thing Sunday morning before the Cup race, I’d sit there and watch Indy 500 and just always wanted to be here. Always did, and, you know, happy to have the opportunity to be here with Team Penske and for Roger to give me the opportunity to kind of live out a dream and to be here with no better team than Team Penske. It’s kind of a dream come true. And having to deal with Will and Helio a little bit for two weeks straight gets a little much. Today Helio was singing Taylor Swift to me. It was rough. It was hard. (Laughter). But other than that, it’s been a lot of fun so far.

MODERATOR: Is there anything similar from the ChampCar that you drove to these things nowadays?

ALLMENDINGER: No. Not that I remember. The problem was, since I’ve got back into this race car, I’m just trying to remember, was it this hard to drive a Champ Car? You know, seven years of a Sprint Cup car, it’s — everything that I’ve learned back in my open-wheel racing that I’ve gotten used to, you know, it took a couple years switching to stock cars to really feel comfortable in the car. And it’s kind of — the roles have gotten reversed since I’ve come back here. Try to get used it to again and understand what this car likes and how hard you’ve got to drive it to be fast, especially on the road and street courses.
It’s been a tough challenge. I really enjoy it, though, and I feel like the first two races I’ve had decent speed in the race car, decent race pace. Haven’t had the finishes to show it, but Will and Helio have helped me out a lot since I have come back to really just bring me into the race team and, you know, make me feel like actually a member of the race team, not just a part-time, third-time car.You know, it makes me feel like part of the team, and hopefully there’s little things that I’ve brought to the team that hopefully help them, my energy level, my excitement. My charm and good looks. (Laughter).

MODERATOR: There you go. Of course, Kurt Busch was here and did the rookie orientation, a lot of speculation as to whether he might do the double. Is the double something that you might want to do some day and think you can?

ALLMENDINGER: I think I could, but it’s got to be the right situation. This year wasn’t the right situation to try it. I think it’s something that — it’s — there’s so many things that have to line up perfectly to be able to make it happen, and do it the right way, not just to say do it. And that’s the big thing.
You know, one day, you know, one year maybe, maybe the right opportunity is going to show up and everything falls into place at the right time and that’s the right year to do it, but I hope we’re all celebrating after Indy. I wouldn’t be worried about the 600.

MODERATOR: Now, Rick, you are in a great position of being experienced, needless to say, on this racetrack. What do you teach these guys? Or can you teach them anything?

MEARS: Can’t teach these guys anything. Obviously all three of these guys know what to do, they know how to get around these joints and how to drive race cars. I think with A.J., obviously, it’s more of a matter of laps. Like he said, getting comfortable, getting back in the swing of things, getting comfortable with the team, working with the guys. With these cars working on the timing on the racetrack as far as traffic goes, that kind of thing. That’s just laps. That’s all it is. He obviously knows how to drive a race car; all three of them get around this joint pretty well.
So I just kind of stand back and watch if anything pops up that I might be able to help with I try to help. That’s the main thing.

MODERATOR: Now, if Helio is leading on Race Day, and he’s got a full lap on the field, and you’re seeing him as a member of the four-time winner club, will you throw a bottle on the track or anything to keep him from joining your club?

MEARS: I haven’t decided yet. (Laughter).

MODERATOR: Helio, what do you have to say about that?

HELIO CASTRONEVES: I say that Rick, he didn’t win four, he actually won six and a half. (Laughter) Because he’s — he’s been there since my first one. And certainly without him and the Team Penske I would not be able to do what I did. So hopefully, at the end of the race I will get another one, and it will be a dream come true.

MEARS: I’d go for that.

CASTRONEVES: OK. Good. I dream every night, obviously. But we’re working very hard to make that happen. We have three fast cars, very competitive fuel. The course today is a different day, we’ll focus on qualifyings, increasing the boost level. So speed’s going to increase, and it’s going to be interesting.

MODERATOR: Do you still get the chills when you get out there for the first time?

CASTRONEVES: When I walk into this place, I get the chills. It’s just amazing. We went to the museum the first night and to see all the history of this place, it’s incredible. It’s never the same. Always there is something different. And obviously in the situation that we are right now, we’re certainly feeling very confident, but we know what we need to did, as well, there. So now we’re looking strong.

MODERATOR: By the same token, is it different the night before the race here? Do you have a little more trouble sleeping or relaxing?

CASTRONEVES: Certainly you don’t rest as well as you wish. Because first you got to beat the traffic, which is always a good thing. And second, you know, you’re thinking about a lot of things. We’re talking about 500 miles; there’s a lot of circumstances that could play in your favor and could go against you, as well. And I have to say every time in any race but especially this one, when you start playing the national anthem, and the Indianapolis song, everything. It’s just kind of like “(Back Home Again in) Indiana,” thank you.(Laughter) So I knew it was something like that. I didn’t know how to say it. (Laughter).
So basically that’s when the butterfly goes in your stomach. And it is awesome. Especially when you have the crowd there, oh, my God, guys, it’s the best feeling in the world.

MODERATOR: All right, Will. I think the very first time I talked to you was on pit lane after you qualified, and one of the questions I asked you was, where in the world is Toowoomba? And you might refresh our minds as to where that is and how big it is.

WILL POWER: Toowoomba is west of Brisbane, about an hour-and-a-half drive. It’s in the state of Queensland in Australia. It’s an awesome town. It’s got probably over a hundred thousand people.

MODERATOR: Really?

POWER: It’s not as small as you think. People come to Toowoomba. He doesn’t know how to pronounce the name. He calls it Chambawamba. (Laughter).

MODERATOR: Do the residents really get behind you this time of year?

POWER: Yeah, I think so. I don’t go back there very often, but I do there’s a big “Will Power” –

MODERATOR: So how’s the month gone for you so far?

POWER: It’s been interesting. You know, I think just trying to work out a good race car. Obviously qualifying such a different — different thing because you have a different boost levels, so probably going 6 or 7 miles an hour quicker.

ALLMENDINGER: Really? That fast? You didn’t tell me that, Rick.

MEARS: Surprise.

POWER: So you probably won’t being as good as you were. (Laughter) But yeah, I mean, we’re just trying to get good car in traffic. I can tell it’s a very competitive field this year. You can’t really see anyone that’s sticking out as being the quickest. So it’s going to be interesting, I guess, come qualifying day to see when everyone’s on the track by themselves see where they stack up. But we’re still working away and, you know, just hope to have a good solid race car and see if we can qualify up front somewhere. Pole would be nice.

MODERATOR: Tim, elaborate if you will on this boost increase and how you deal with it in terms of setup and so forth.

CINDRIC: It is a bit challenging. I think it’s difficult sometimes for the fans to understand as well because there’s an anticipation typically of the speeds building through the month, and then on Friday you have this large buildup in terms of the speeds. And the teams, it’s difficult for us to actually work on qualifying setups throughout the week until today. Today we have a weather situation where you might have rain from 3 o’clock on. It kind of amplifies the day. But today’s the day when the pressure really starts to mount in terms of for the drivers and really trying to understand how to get ready in a very short period of time. And understanding how the speeds will then affect the balance of the car. It’s a lot to ask of these guys to have that increase in speed, this 5- to 7-mile an hour difference, where they’ll get — you know, if it rains today two or three hours of that today and then right into qualifying tomorrow morning.
So it’s very challenging and, you know, I think that it’s good in terms of the overall impact to the sport to continue to go faster on qualifying day. It’s just difficult to do that in a very short period of time like we have. But I’m certainly an advocate of trying to set new track records here, so I think we need to continue to work towards the right balance of safety and speed.

MODERATOR: So 230 is likely, you think?

CINDRIC: I think you’ll see 230 in terms of the times in practice and tomorrow morning. In qualifying, I think it really depends on the engine manufacturers, and I think that’s yet to be seen. But I guess last year I think it was a low 227. So I think 230 might be a stretch. So I don’t want to put that expectation out there, but I think we’ll see those laps with some draft.

MODERATOR: OK. Let’s open it up to questions.

Q: I’m going to take a shot at each one of you, a question I asked the Ganassi guys already. Each of the drivers — well, in fact both of you, both Rick and Tim can weigh in, too. What is it about your love of the Indianapolis 500 that keeps bringing you back? What makes it special to you personally?

ALLMENDINGER: For me, I mean it’s the prestige of the race. You know, it’s one of those races, and it may be the biggest race in the world when it comes to, you know, if you’re not even a race fan, you don’t really know anything about racing, but you say you won the Indianapolis 500, they know that’s pretty special. And for me, that’s something that the first time I signed with Penske last year, you know, you walk into the main office and the Borg-Warner Trophy is there with the helmets of everybody that’s won the race.You know, for me, it’s like as soon as I walk in, being a NASCAR driver, at that point that’s special right there. You see what that means. And to me, just to — it would be special to have my face on that trophy, have that trophy in your trophy case. And, you know, once you become an Indy 500 winner, that will never be taken away. You’re part of a special club. And that to me is what makes this race so amazing is the fact that, it doesn’t matter who you say it to, if you say you’re an Indianapolis 500 champion, that’s pretty special.

MEARS: Pretty much the same thing. For myself it was, you know, we had heard about Indy, listened to it on the radio early on.Then finally when they came out with a little bit of the live coverage growing up. But for me it was way out of my league. There was no way. I never dreamed of coming here because it was way out of my league. You know, we were just racing around home for fun as a hobby and recreation, and I never realized — even thought about coming here until about six months before I actually got into an Indy car.
I didn’t dream about because I didn’t think it would ever happen. There was no question. So to be able to accomplish that and hook up with Team Penske and the right organization and have the tools to be able to accomplish what we have here is just incredible.

MODERATOR: Will, Tim, Helio.

POWER: Much the same as Rick and A.J. said. You know, it’s just — I didn’t realize how big the event was until I’d actually been through the process of the month. And it’s just — couldn’t believe the media coverage, and Race Day is the biggest eye-opener when you walk out into pit lane and just the amount of people. It’s phenomenal.
And apart from all that, it’s a challenge of getting it right because, you know, it’s such a hard place to get right in the car. And when things aren’t working, you don’t even want to be out there. It’s just so hard. But when they do work, you have a good car and you’re passing people, you know, it’s the best feeling in the world. So it’s a very unique place, nothing like it in the world.

CINDRIC: For me it’s pretty simple. I grew up watching all the history being made. And to be part of and have the opportunity to work with these guys and Roger, it kind of all puts it full circle and perspective for me to understand how difficult it is. I watched my father try and win this race with an engine for 30 years and he never got that done. And to have the chance to be part of five of those is a big deal.
And, you know, Rick, I tell the story all the time about the time when I was kid he went back and got me a hat. And I never forgot that. So, you know, to work with him and these guys, it’s a big deal for me.

CASTRONEVES: Well, several things. History, challenging of going for 500 miles in this place, when you’re able to accomplish that, it’s just an amazing accomplishment. And drinking the milk. It’s all about, do you want to be there. I guarantee everybody’s thinking I want to drink that milk. Those are the things.

Q: Helio, if you want to comment, has there been a change, sort of a transition in mentorship between you having Rick your rookie year and then now seeing somebody like AJ coming in, have you kind of taken over that role of kind of being his mentor and teacher here? I know he’s not a rookie to the Speedway itself but to these Indy cars?

CASTRONEVES: It’s amazing. Helping Jr. here, it’s not — it’s been quite challenge, you know (Laughter). Certainly Rick would be my mentor. I don’t know if I’m Jr.’s mentor, but I’m certainly trying to keep him in line, but he doesn’t need much to be honest, of — you know, it’s easy to say because he’s out there, seems to know exactly what he wants, and it’s good. It’s good to have another guy on our team again to — like he said, his energy, and we just got to keep controlling him a little bit better unless he goes all out of control.So, it’s cool. It’s very nice. I feel awesome.

Q: This is for Rick and all the current drivers. I know weather is a key factor, but every time you take a lap on this oval, what are one or two things that you always have to remind yourself and be aware of?

MEARS: Well, you say weather. One of the key things for me around here was always the weather. Just worry about the weather coming in and setting your strategy when you need to get what done. But as far as the track, we were talking the other day, every time you roll out of pit lane here, like during practice today, the last thing I did as I rolled off was look at the flag, see which way the wind was blowing, what it was doing. Because you always have to figure that into the equation of the change you made on the car.How much of it was the change, how much of it was the wind. So weather as far as all four corners is always changing on you with the wind direction. Temperature changing, they’re very critical and sensitive to that. So weather is a key factor at this place.

ALLMENDINGER: I think for me it’s just every day is like starting over, just kind of a reset. And talking to all these guys about coming here. And I guess in a way you never want to get too comfortable. You want to — for me it’s just going out there and I kind of just reset my mind, and those first laps are always a little — kind of got the nerves built back up just because, you know, I watched this race for many years, and talking to everybody, it’s about, you know, you got to respect this place every lap. Because I think as soon as you let your guard down a little bit, like “OK, I got this place,” that second will bite you.
And as Rick talked about the wind, I’m starting to become familiar now as an Indy driver because you wake up, and a couple days ago opened my hotel room window and the trees are blowing, I’m like, “Oh, crap.” So it’s something that you just got to — for me just got to — I’ve got to start over every day, just a little bit, just kind of work back up to it.

POWER: The wind is so bad around this place, especially this car, more than the previous car because it’s a little bigger. And, you know, the wake that’s left of the car in front is a massive deal. I mean you totally change the balance, so it’s really hard to get the car working around that. But that’s something you’ve got to always be aware of when you go out.

CASTRONEVES: Yes. Same. Weather is always — plays a big factor in this place.
And like junior said, you got to reset every time you come out there.

Q: Question for Tim and for A.J. Tim, I would like to ask this question to Roger but maybe Tim can answer. For the next years in IndyCar will stay with the Dallara chassis. Nevertheless, nothing is impossible in motor racing. Given the circumstance of coming to the right place at the right time, do you think Team Penske will ever build its own chassis like they did in the past? And question for A.J. and (inaudible) which way you want to be both together.

CINDRIC: I think the answer to your question really is obviously to determine on which way the direction of the series goes in terms of what is allowed. At this point in time it’s not an opportunity, it’s not something that’s really in our short-term future. I don’t think it’s in the short-term future of INDYCAR at the moment because of the agreements that they have.
But we do feel like this place was really based on innovation. And there’s a balance between having 33 participants at this race.And if you were to open up a complete innovative scenario like what it used to be, I think you’d really struggle to fill the field. So there’s a certain balance where that can be. But I think it’s somewhere beyond where we are now. But to the extent of Penske building an Indy car, I think that’s probably a ways away.

ALLMENDINGER: Yeah, I mean I think for me it’s — you know, I just — it’s the same as this year, I just kind of look at whatever the best opportunity is for me. I don’t have in mind one series over the other of what I’d like to be in. And for me to be a part of this organization, to be with Team Penske and be one of Roger’s drivers, it’s very special. And I feel like the luckiest guy in the world, honestly, to have a second opportunity at it.
And it’s — it’s as I told Roger, if he wants me here, I’m not going to think about it. I’m going to be here, no matter what it is. And he’s taken care of me and I feel very special to be a part of his family, and to be here to be just called one of his drivers, whether it was a NASCAR driver or IndyCar driver, sports car driver, whatever it is, to be part of Roger’s organization, for me it’s the best thing in the world. So if that opportunity’s there, I’m going to be here.

Q: Helio, can you take us through your first three wins a little bit? I know each of them are different, but this is kind of looking forward to maybe getting number four. Is there anything you can take from those first three as you look back and say, “OK, I need to do X, Y and Z in order to get number four?”

CASTRONEVES: Well, I look at those, and certainly those are the ones that may have happened, but I look more at the ones that didn’t happen, why? Because the recipe was there. You know, we know we can do it. And I look more at the place — at the races that we didn’t do it. You know, 2003 I have a very fast car, and unfortunately we got caught in one of those scenarios where we finished 3/10ths behind my teammate. 2005, I think we finished third. It was ’5 or ’6, when rain came out unexpected, and people took a gamble and just went with what we could tell. I mean I look at those more than actually why. Especially last year, for example, why we didn’t have a better performance than we did. So it was — the rest of it, the other ones that we won, for me the first one was just knowing a little bit and understanding and listening a lot of what we had to say. The second one was an opportunity to put ourselves in and be able to took a chance and gamble. And the third one, it was — the car was extremely well. And we took advantage to make a move at the right point and keep going.
So it’s all about putting ourselves in that situation, and the key to this place is when. That’s the toughest part to find.

Q: When or wind?

CASTRONEVES: When to make it happen.

MODERATOR: We’ve got time for two more questions.

Q: Helio, you touched on it a little bit, but talk a little bit more about what it means to have three wins here and have a fourth. And do you feel fortunate? Is it — how do you sort of explain being able to do this given the frustrations that so many race drivers have had here?

CASTRONEVES: I feel blessed to be in this opportunity, to be in this elite group, I feel blessed. Certainly there was, as you said, there’s a lot of guys, lot of races, and being in very good position, unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be. But again, this place is more about there was so many things that can go wrong, and so few things that can go right. So that’s why this team’s won fifteen times because they found a way to look for those moments that it makes right.
But for me, certainly I’m happy. But I still have a great chance to keep going. And until this team and myself have the fire inside to go and try everything we could, we’re going to keep trying.

Q: For decades, when you’re trying to deal with — whether it was Paul Page or Bob Jenkins or Marty Reid, when you try to tell the millions watching on television, you know, what you’re thinking, that we don’t know, if you’re coming off Turn 4 and you’re about to win, Will or AJ, your first Indy 500, Helio, your fourth, TK says if it happens for him we all know he’ll be thinking about his dad, the promise he made to his dad. But for you three, coming off of Turn 4 about to win your fourth and joining a very elite crew, or you guys about to win your first, where do your thoughts go? Who do you think about? Who’s the first person in your mind that you think about that’s so special that makes this day?

CASTRONEVES: Get off Turn 4. Complete Turn 4. (Laughter) We seen before that did not happen, unfortunately. But you got to be focused. It’s a tough question. For me, you know, I only look at the checkered flag. I want to make sure I see that checkered flag first and then just thank God. For me it’s just, “Thank you, God; you first put me in this position and to do what I love to do.”

ALLMENDINGER: I think for me — and I’ve gotten asked the question already, what — what’s that — do I look ahead to that moment, and it’s too far away. Way too far away. This is kind of a step-by-step process day by day, and for me right now lap by lap.And, you know, I don’t allow myself to think, you know, what’s it going to be like when I come off the corner to win the race. It’s there’s so many things that got to happen in this race to have an opportunity — even have an opportunity to win the race let alone actually have it happen. And, you know, it’s just — I don’t want to let — I don’t even want to allow myself to think like that, you know, what happens.You know, I want that moment if it does happen to just be in the moment. You know, and I don’t know what it’s going to be like. I don’t know if I’m going to be — there’ll be so many emotions that run through, but I won’t allow myself to look ahead. You know, that’s something that, as it happens, it happens. We got a way too long of a time before we get to that point.

POWER: Yeah, I mean, it’s — I couldn’t imagine. I just couldn’t imagine the feeling of winning this race. It’d just be — you know, it’s a life-changer. So, yeah, like AJ I haven’t really — just haven’t thought about it. I mean it’s such a process to have that happen. So many things have got to go your way. I mean things — it’s just got to be your day. It’s such a funny race that you could never predict who’s going to win. You know, you just kind of — if someone moves quick all month, you know, you just can’t tell. So, that’s what makes it pretty cool, makes it great for the fans. If you happen to accomplish winning the Indy 500, I mean it’s the biggest race you’ll ever win because it is the biggest race in the world, AJ.

ALLMENDINGER: You will get that billboard in Toowoomba?

POWER: I might get that. I probably could get the billboard. Maybe even Australian of the Year (Laughter).

ALLMENDINGER: Adam Scott won the Masters; you ain’t getting that.

MODERATOR: Thanks to Helio, Tim, Will, AJ and Rick. Best of luck with the rest of the month, and there will be an opportunity for one-on-ones.

Transcript courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

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Chip Ganassi Racing Press Conference Transcript (May 17)

For Immediate Release 97th INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRESS CONFERENCE Chip Ganassi Racing Friday, May 17, 2013 MODERATOR: Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, for a traditional stop by for Target Chip Ganassi Racing and Chip Ganassi and Mike Hull and a talented group of drivers who not only know how to win here; they know how to win championships. And as I’ve take a look at things over the years, Chip, I think one of the things that makes an organization strong is consistency. I thought to myself how long some of the key players have been with you, and all of them know a little bit about winning. You have to feel good about your chances again. CHIP GANASSI: Certainly. Yeah, I mean, that consistency starts with the guy to my right, with Mike, you know, and the group of people he puts together. And, yeah, I mean when you look at how long Dixon has been around now, it’s quite a long time. And Dario, of course, and Charlie. And obviously bringing back Ryan. It’s — I was surprised after we — after we did the deal with Ryan there a month or so ago — not even a month ago — it was pointed out to me that all four of these guys finished in the top eight last year. So I didn’t realize that beforehand, but certainly consistency is a big thing. And, you know, I think this sport sometimes rewards longevity. Experience. So, yeah, I look forward to this weekend and next. MODERATOR: Mike, you have a talented group of drivers, obviously, that you each are different, each have different styles, each have different things they want, I suspect. You know if you at least come somewhat toward making them happy, they have a chance to deliver the goods, that’s one of your tasks. MIKE HULL: I think keeping them unhappy might be better (Laughter) to be very blunt about it because unhappy race drivers are ones that work really, really hard to be better. But I think as a group what you see in front of you is a definition of partnership. Certainly this month, partnership is good because one day somebody has a really good day, and his teammate doesn’t have a great day, you compare notes and come back stronger the next day. I think that’s truly what we’re all about. Particularly Indianapolis because you have enough time to be able to get everything right when you work together. MODERATOR: No question about that. We’ve got a lot of interest in these guys. We’re going to open it up right away to some questions. Q: Question for you, Ryan. What’s the situation — how are you doing more races and what kind of races you have done? RYAN BRISCOE: I’m just doing this race at the moment. I’m doing the American Le Mans series this year, including Le Mans next month. So from here I will be moving to France for that. So we’re just taking it one step at a time here. It’s been great to be on board at Chip Ganassi Racing again. It’s an amazing feeling. It’s great to team up with Scott again and get to know Charlie and Dario. Working with them on the race car. And I think that longevity that Chip was talking about, it’s certainly made this transition a lot easier, in the fact that I know pretty much everyone on the team. It’s just been seamless. I feel like I’ve just slotted right in and it’s been all business. It’s felt great, and I think we’re just working hard here to get better and better. Hopefully we’ll get a repeat of last year what the team did. Q: This is for Mike and whichever one of the drivers wants to chime in. Since they took the second week out of the schedule, are you working more backwards, but all of your race stuff the first five, six days and then really start focusing on qualifying trim yesterday and today. HULL: Yes. The obvious answer is yes, we do. And I think you’ve seen that for the most part. Most of the team have — you want to work to be at the front at the end of the race and have the opportunity to win. It’s an intensified week, but you have to wait for a couple of days for the place to rubber-up a little bit. Then you really start working. And I think that was evidenced again yesterday when you saw people out there doing runs together and trying to find traffic so you could do that. You might see a fast a lap because of the tow, but you’re more interested in what your car’s going to be like when you have about 40 percent left in the tires. That’s really the difference-maker in how you win the race. That’s what we work on. Q: Drivers? DARIO FRANCHITTI: I agree with Mike. Obviously it’s a balancing between the engine miles and the sets of tires you have, as well. Obviously with the qualifying setups you don’t get full boost until today, so really today is really all about qualifying. Up until now it’s really been about general stuff. SCOTT DIXON: I totally agree. Biggest thing this week already from the start of — with testing we’ve been pretty lucky. Some years you can come and you don’t run three days in a row. So this year it’s been about managing time a lot more because you have a lot of on-track. As Dario mentioned, tires and engine miles. Still very limited. You got to pick the right time. Obviously for us it’s trying to find paths recently in the heat of the day. That’s about it. Q: Chip, your thoughts on where the series is at. Do you feel good about with fans, with sponsors, television? Do you like the direction? GANASSI: I think, you know, it’s kind of a broad question. You know, can you bring that down a little bit? Q: Do you feel like you’re going forward? GANASSI: Obviously the front office is in transition mode, I guess. I’m certainly happy with who’s at the helm there now, whether it’s Mark Miles or Derrick (Walker). I think that’s a good — I think that’s a good addition, great addition. In fact, I think, you know, they still have some work to do there. I think freely admit that. What else? Fans? I think we have some work to do with the fans. We need to do a better job of explaining — of being relevant to — relevant to fans and relevant to the people who put the money in this sport, whether it’s sponsors or manufacturers, whoever. We can do a better job being a little more relevant. What else? Q: How is, sort of, the direction different this year from last year? GANASSI: I think there’s a longer view of things. Which I think, you know, it was my opinion that the prior administration was viewing down their nose, and these people seem to be looking a lot farther down the road. Q: Dario, going for your fourth (win). Any thoughts on adding any members to the four-time winners club? Any pressure on you? FRANCHITTI: There’s no more pressure than there is on anybody else in the field. Doesn’t make you any faster. Doesn’t make the team work any harder. It’s simply right now about the mechanics of trying to put ourselves in a position to challenge on Race Day, trying to make sure the Target car is fast, consistent. And then try and qualify well, ourselves — as I say, when we put ourselves in that position, go race and see how it all works out. Do the best job we can on that day. There’s no more pressure. It’s a great position to be in, trying to win that fourth one. Scott is obviously trying to win his second, and the guys here trying to win their first. And it’s great memories of last year. And looking forward. Hopefully we do have a job — today, tomorrow, and then next Sunday. Q: Chip, when you were filling out the team and deciding to bring Ryan on, what was kind of the decision factor to bring him on? Second, is it maybe like an interview process for a permanent position? GANASSI: I think it’s safe now to tell the story. I was on the plane with Mike Hull one day, en route to another function. And we got in a discussion. I said, "Where’s Briscoe?" He said, "I don’t think he’s anywhere." I said, "What? Well, we got to get him." He said OK. And that was the whole conversation. (Laughter) We can’t leave a guy like that — if a guy like that’s available. We got to get him. It worked out well with some of our staffing. You know, we obviously had the cars, we had the staffing and it was a pretty — pretty — I don’t want to use the word "seamless." It was something done fairly quickly in about two or three days it seems like. And quite frankly, I didn’t know Ryan was available. When I fought out he was, it was just a matter of Mike and I having the conversation. It took, like I said, about five minutes, maybe. BRISCOE: Didn’t take long to say yes. (Laughter). That’s in this case. MODERATOR: Can you quantify it? A second, five seconds, or 10? Q: Dario, you talked a little bit about going for a fourth. Far more than you probably could have ever asked for to win three of these things. What’s it been like just hanging out with the three four-time winners and stuff like that? Kind of say wow, they consider me one of the all-time greats of this racetrack. FRANCHITTI: I am very happy to have won one. So difficult — look at some of the great drivers that didn’t get the opportunity even to win one, so I was happy. Three is beyond anything expected. But I really want the fourth. But hanging out with those guys has been a lot of fun. We see a lot of — we see JR at the track, we see Bobby occasionally. And Helio is still competing. Rick’s here all the time with the Penske guys and A.J. is here and occasionally Al Senior, to hang out with those guys is fun. When they start telling stories, Helio and the younger guys have to sit and listen and laugh. The rivalry those guys had, you know, 40 and 50 years ago are still going on. It’s really a privilege to hang about with guys that I consider my heroes. Q: Charlie, you’re on the uptake, it looks like. How do you feel about chances this year and about this season and a minor question. What is the significance are your number 83? KIMBALL: Well, it’s always great to be back at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and to have the opportunity to just compete in the Indy 500. It’s very special. But to do it with a team like Chip Ganassi Racing has been fantastic. The season started out really well, and we’re seeing some momentum and seeing some results that, frankly, are necessary. Are expected as we gain experiences. So predictions, ideally, as a team, I think every single one of us is here to win. We don’t come to a racetrack to finish second. So the idea is that we’re doing everything we can this week to prepare ourselves. And this weekend to be in position, as Mike said, to race for the win at the end of the race. So, that’s our goal and that’s kind of our expectation. As far as the number, it’s 30 years, this year actually, since Chip’s best result as a driver here at the Indianapolis 500. And he happened to be driving a car that my dad had a hand in designing. So it’s important for me to recognize Chip’s history as a driver and his success here by running the number 83. Q: Scott, as a former winner you’ve been very close to being a multiple winner here the last couple years. Last year looked like you might have a great shot. Just that kind of magnifying, just how difficult it is to win here, as many second-place finishes that you’ve had since your victory. DIXON: I think would two of those have been behind Dario. When are you retiring? (Laughter). That that was five years ago. You know, I love this place, everybody loves this place. It’s good to be back here. Everyone here, Charlie and everybody up here has mentioned, the goal is the same. We want to win the race. I think we’re very fortunate to be with a great team that can put you in that position. Yes, we’ve come up short a couple times. I think probably 2011 was a clear race that we maybe stood on our own feet and should have had a great shot at it. Luckily it went to another great driver. As long as you keep fighting and keep knocking on the door — last year was the perfect scenario, obviously, have a one-two finish. Especially on Target’s 50th anniversary. But that’s what we strive for, to be in that position, every time we come here. Nothing’s changed on that. Nobody remembers the second-place finishers, so we need to try to bump up a couple more. Q: For all the drivers. Talk about road race driving as opposed to oval, what’s your strengths and what do you enjoy? FRANCHITTI: I think they are very different skill sets. Driving on an oval, whether is a short oval, that’s one skill set, superspeedway, another road course, street course being another. And it does take some adapting to. We’ve all driven on road courses racing go-karts. It’s something you definitely have to learn. Preferences, I think, it’s one of the great thing about the IndyCar Series you have to be good at all of them. You can’t have a preference. We all loving coming to Indianapolis, and this is the jewel in the crown in the IndyCar Series, for sure. You have to be good on every track if you want to challenge for championship. DIXON: I think to reiterate, this is the toughest championship to win. To be good at all the disciplines, short oval, super speedway, Indianapolis. It’s one of the toughest series to get everything together. And I think it’s kind of what we like about it, the challenge, that we have a hand. I didn’t come to race on an oval until 1999 when I first started Indy Lights. But it’s a great mix. I love both for different reasons. They are both are very challenging. And I think we have a good mix right now. Maybe a few more ovals would even it up pretty good. KIMBALL: I can’t agree with Scott and Dario more. I mean the only other comment I have is that it’s a testament to a championship-caliber team that the engineers and the mechanics are so versatile that they are able to come up with winning equipment, give us the opportunity as drivers to run up front and be successful on multiple types of tracks and types of races, throughout the season, throughout the championship. That’s a credit to them and to the management that has put them in place. BRISCOE: They really said it all, but I mean honestly, for me, as well. I love them both. When you get to a track, you know, your mindset just changes to what that track is. And you know, that really is the most — the best thing about IndyCar Series here is the diversity. It’s tough on the drivers, it’s tough on the mechanics and the engineers, because the engineering of the car is so different from a track like this to a Milwaukee and then to a Baltimore. So that’s the beauty and the challenge of IndyCar racing, and it makes it unique to anything else in the world. Q: As kind of a follow-up, if each of the drivers can tell us their love for the Indianapolis 500, what it is about the lure of this race and why you guys love coming here. BRISCOE: It’s everything to do with it. It’s something about this place when you drive in through the tunnel where it makes hair stand up on the back of your neck. It’s a race that’s known by everybody in the world. It’s by far the most important race for any driver or any team to win in any form of racing. So I think it’s all that, the history and how people are remembered for having done well at this track. KIMBALL: Ryan hit on a couple of key points. Being lucky enough to live here in Indianapolis, even when I just drive past it on 16th Street, even in the dead of winter with snow on the ground, it still makes you feel special knowing that you get to come here and compete in the Indy 500 and everything that means for a driver, for a team. Have the opportunity to go out and try and win it. Somebody asked me earlier in the week what it was like for my third race, third time here. You know, each year it just gets more and more special because you have your own history to add to the rich history of the race itself. DIXON: It’s the key point to the history that sums it all up. To be in a sport doing something very similar or the same for over a hundred years. Tradition is very important. I think those definitely stand out. You know, I think for me personally, to be on a short list of 67 different who have won at this place, that’s special to me. Dario is on a much shorter list of winning it three times. It’s everything that’s involved. You know, I think a lot of us have been lucky to go to World Cup, Super Bowl, Wimbledon, the Olympics, and nothing compares to Indianapolis. As an event and Race Day with so many people here, the sheer size of this facility, it’s really special. FRANCHITTI: Yeah, I absolutely agree with everything these guys said. But I think it’s one of the few things I’ve done in my life the more you do it, the more it means to you. That’s a very odd feeling. Each time you come back here you just — it gets deeper, deeper. It’s such a great event. You think what a challenge it is to race here, to try to win. People take most of their life to try to compete in this race. It means so much to all involved. It’s a special place. It’s a great, great feeling to win it. It hurts like hell when you don’t. MODERATOR: You know, race drivers life in the now, but the two gentlemen who have won the race, do you have a moment to reflect? Do you reflect and say, "I am really part of the history of the sport, having my image on the Borg-Warner Trophy"? FRANCHITTI: I think when you see your likeness on the Borg-Warner Trophy, it kind of takes me back a little bit. Rocks me back on my feet. You see all the people beside you, whether it’s great drivers that are friends that you know, and guys you consider heroes, guys from really the past who you never met that you are part of that whole hundred years of tradition now. And you’re on that very short list. What did Scott say — 67 winners. That’s very, very special. Not only to the drivers feel that, but every member of the crew and the team. I think Chip as a team owner there. We all feel it. MODERATOR: How about you, Scott? DIXON: As Dario said, I think in looking back at my youth coming from New Zealand and a lot of farmland and not big circuits and the occasionally sheep (Laughter), it’s definitely, you know, special to be able to come through a long road and make it to the world stage and with such a prominent team and achieve — I think that’s what you dream about. So actually you know, make one of your dreams come true is very special. So, yeah, I guess, you know, it’s — as I said, the whole history and the tradition and, you know, what this place means to you just racing. To win it is definitely the top piece, but coming back and trying to do it again after you’ve already done it, it gets tougher. But it also — it makes you want it that much more as well. MODERATOR: Thank you, as always, for your usual visit here. We appreciate you coming in. …I5002013…

CHEVY INDYCAR AT INDIANAPOLIS: Kanaan and De Silvestro Press Conf. Transcript

Tony Kanaan, No. 11 Hydroxycut KV Racing Technology SH Racing Chevrolet, and teammate Simona De Silvestro, No. 78 Nuclear Entergy Areva KV Racing Technology Chevrolet met with members of the media at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Full transcript:

97th Indianapolis 500 Press Conference

Tony Kanaan and Simona De Silvestro

May 15, 2013

MODERATOR: Welcome to Economaki Press Conference Room with another of our 11:00 o’clock press conferences with two very popular drivers obviously. Simona De Silvestro is going into race four and Tony Kanaan has been a fan favorite here for a long time.
TK, welcome back to Indianapolis, as always it’s great to see you.

TONY KANAAN: Thank you.

MODERATOR: Tell us about how things have gone this.

KANAAN: Smooth. The best field days have been more of a weather challenging as far as being cold and windy, but you know, we’re keeping our head straight with the program that we decide to do, doing some race stuff. So far so good. It’s early days to say anything, to predict anything. I think a lot of the times that we see are being posted on huge draft, so the reality is still not there.

MODERATOR: And that’s fairly obvious, we’ve watched that unfold.
Simona, I would think for you this has to feel like just a great opportunity for you. Coming into your fourth 500 with a solid organization behind you. I can imagine your confidence has got to be pretty good.

SIMONA DE SILVESTRO: Yes, definitely. Coming here with KV is a very special feeling. Definitely also having the Chevy engine behind us, it’s going much faster around here so it’s way more fun. For us it’s been going pretty well. Going through the motions every day and sticking to our program, going step by step, and that’s been really important. Working with Tony, too, it’s been a lot of fun, you know, so I feel like as a team we’ve been doing pretty well and going through the motions, and I think it’s the right path right now.

MODERATOR: Tony, I was thinking about this coming in. Simona’s an accomplished race driver, that’s quite obvious. But you have been in this sort of position it seems to me a lot occasionally with drivers, sort of taking them through their paces and understanding Indianapolis and the whole cadence of the event, that seems to be a role that you find yourself in a lot.

KANAAN: Yes, I guess they picked the old guy to teach the young kids all the time, I guess that’s what it is. (Laughter)
It was a role that I got. Not that I wanted it, but back in the Andretti days, and it’s been following me every since. I don’t mind at all. I think if I can contribute to the team’s success, obviously thinking on my own.
But with Simona, it’s different; it’s definitely a lot of fun. I think we knew each other before she was my teammate; we got along even before that. We had a couple accidents in separate occasions, but we caught fire and did similar things that we both went through. I think, you know, last year she had a very, very tough year, which I appreciate. I was watching from far, and the way she handled herself was remarkable. I don’t think I could have done that myself. You know, so she deserves what I can do and she’s extremely fast, so I got to worry about her. (Laughter)

MODERATOR: Very good. Let’s open it up to questions.

Q: I’ve got a question for both of you. How’s your hand?

KANAAN: My hand is OK. It hurts, but I guess — Jimmy Vasser told me in Brazil if I’m going to hurt my hand and go that fast every time he was going to hit the other one. (Laughter)
It’s hurting, it’s going to take a while it heal. Here in Indy I’m doing treatment at St. Vincent with the guys, and Dr. Trammell and all the guys are here in town, so I get a chance to see them every day. But it will take at least eight months to be back to normal. As long as I can drive — there are a couple things that I can’t do, but it’s not in the car. (Laughter)
So my wife will be able to help me out. Don’t get bad ideas, guys. (Laughter)
Typical things — but it sound wrong. (Laughter)
So Simona, how’s your hand?

DE SILVESTRO: Mine are fine. They have been fine since like a year now so it’s all good. I don’t have to wear any funky gloves anymore for s, you know, burn or anything, so we’re all good.

MODERATOR: OK.

Q: Simona, last year was a frustrating season in the Lotus engine. Is there anything positive that you can take over in 2013 with KV?

DE SILVESTRO: Yeah, I think it is. Especially here at the Speedway. Last year was kind of a difficult month but, you know, after I crashed in 2011, I was pretty skeptical about the oval stuff. Maybe last year actually really helped me kind of not having any pressure, just going through what I had to do, get comfortable out there, and I think that’s really helping me this year because I got this the car, felt confident with what I learned last year, and that’s been kind of pretty rewarding to myself. You know when you take a big hit like that; it takes a little bit of time to get the confidence back in yourself and in the equipment around you. So I think actually last year helped me a lot on the ovals, to be honest.

Q: Question for both of you. Tony, first off, I’ve heard you say among other drivers that the Speedway picks you, you don’t pick it. But there’s a lot of fans out there that feel like this place owes you. How do you feel about that?

KANAAN: I don’t feel this place owes me anything. I have had great times here. Although some people would say I’m making an excuse or I’m sounding like — but the experiences that I had which I can only say every time I’ve been here I put myself in the position to win this race. That’s all I can do. There’s a man sitting right beside (points to Scott Goodyear) you that knows exactly what I’m saying.
The way the fans treat me, you know, and the privilege that I have to be here every year. I’ve led in nine of the eleven times — eight out of the ten times I’ve been here. So I don’t think it owes me anything. I love the way the fans think like that, because I think they know how much I work for it. But it will be really unfair for me to say I deserve to win this thing because there’s other 33 people there looking for that as well.
So to me the best memories I have, it’s every time I drive my golf cart out there I can hear my name big time. The year that I started that last, we went all the way to the lead and we ended up finishing 11th because of a strategy at the end. I got out of the car; the entire place was screaming my name and Dario had won the race. If I never win this thing, I think I got the feeling like from the people around here how is it to win. Obviously it will be a lot different if I would have my face on the trophy and stuff like that, but I don’t take it like that, I don’t think it owes anything.
I am not going to go away years from now if I never win regretting or being a little bit bitter about it. I mean, I had great time. My name in IndyCar, it’s a lot bigger right now because of the fans of Indianapolis and because I have not won it yet than actually probably if I had won already.

Q: Simona, for you, obviously over the years, a slightly smaller brunette was vying to become the first woman to win here. Realistically, which — where do you place your chances now that you’ve got your best ride, your best opportunity ever and the speed that you’ve attained so far this week.

DE SILVESTRO: I think anybody that qualifies has a chance to win it. For me it’s always been hard for me to put a result you know as a goal or anything like that. But I feel like if we really do all the work we need to and be as prepared as we can and get a chance to win it for sure, you know, we’re going to take it.
But right now, it’s kind of going through every day and kind of not, you know, expecting too many things. That’s how it went in my rookie year and went really well because I went through the motions and then a pretty good result came out of it. So now with a better team and a better engine and everything, you know, things can work out. You know, I’m working hard towards that goal and hopefully it will happen.

Q: Two questions for you, Tony. Number one, it was already said, you have much more experience than Simona in IndyCar. Nevertheless, is there anything you can learn from Simona? And Question No. 2, last year you were driving together with your friend Rubens (Barrichello). Are you still carrying on to convince him to make a return to IndyCar?

KANAAN: Well, the first question is obviously I definitely can learn a lot from her. More in the street courses right now because I think I can contribute a lot more to her oval experience. But we’re exchanging information every day, her feedback, it’s remarkable. So I think I definitely learn every day with her, and you know, I think it’s a learning process for both of us to understand the way we like cars and how we can migrate from one car to the other.
The Rubens question is, I don’t think Rubens needed any convincing. He wanted to do it, but for somebody like him that came from Formula One and the name that I think he brought it a lot to IndyCar by doing the switch, we didn’t do a good job getting him to stay. When a guy like that put a lot out of his own pocket, almost $5 million to invest in his career after 19 years in Formula One, just because he wanted to keep racing, it was remarkable of him, but to ask him to do it again the following year I don’t think was fair. Not blaming anybody, it was just a situation that we all face right now with the economy. You know, it’s pretty hard to everybody. It’s hard for big names in America already to find a meaningful sponsorship to keep racing. It was just a matter of trying to put the two and two together and he felt that he couldn’t find that amount of money, got another offer to do stock cars in Brazil down there, and he’s doing some TV. That was it. I don’t think it was a choice, just the consequences of the financial situation right now.

MODERATOR: Any questions?
Let me ask you one, Tony, based on something you just said. That is, there’s always this balance between what the engineers say the car is and what the driver likes and what the driver wants. When you’re in a team, you’re the senior member; you give some feedback about what you want. I don’t mean by age now, Tony, come on. (Laughter)

KANAAN: Can I have a wheelchair? (Laughter)

DE SILVESTRO: Who’s got the gray beard?
Then you have Simona who’s new on the ovals and she has a feedback about what she feels or like. How does the team work that out? How does that all sort of get dissected and understood?

KANAAN: I would say me my engineer, as you call me, I’m an older man. He doesn’t fool me anymore. He will do what I say because I have been around. Simona actually, when we find stuff that I don’t want to try. I said, she doesn’t know any better. (Laughter)
Let her do a couple laps, and if it works give it back to me. I had that in the past with Zanardi, I remember, I used to ask Alex all the time, why do I try all those things? Because I don’t want to. (Laughter)

DE SILVESTRO: Simona that’s still going on. (Laughter)

KANAAN: That’s the difference. When you’ve been around a lot, there’s things or days you say I’m not running today and you can see the rookie going, oh, I want to do it. I want to go out. You know. All right.
Like today, I can’t get into much details but we had a decision to make last night about setups and stuff. And the young lady picked — there is stuff I didn’t want to do.

MODERATOR: So you understand, Simona, he’s the senior member of the team.

DE SILVESTRO: Yeah, he is. I tell him sometimes and I always get in trouble for it.

KANAAN: And she understood last night when she was on her way home what happened to her car, so she knows.

DE SILVESTRO: Everybody kept asking me if I got pranked by Tony yet and until yesterday I was fine.

KANAAN: You still haven’t. Just the beginning.

DE SILVESTRO: Well, a little bit. I tried to get in my car and I think he put all kinds of like — well, I don’t even know what it was.

KANAAN: It was grease.

DE SILVESTRO: Grease on my door handle. I almost fell over when I tried to get in my car. (Laughter)
I told him thanks and he was, like, you’re welcome.

KANAAN: I was going to leave you a note and a couple napkins so you could clean your hand.

DE SILVESTRO: I had to do the walk of shame back to the truck and get some napkins and clean my door handle.

MODERATOR: That’s what senior guys do.

DE SILVESTRO: It is. I think they have to try the difficult stuff –

KANAAN: Should we tell about today?

DE SILVESTRO: Oh, yes. No. I wasn’t even — I didn’t even know about this until he threw me under the bus.

KANAAN: That’s not true. Anyway, we want to find Simona a boyfriend.

DE SILVESTRO: We don’t but apparently Tony is convinced.

KANAAN: I want to go to dinner with me, my wife, you and your boyfriend. So I launch on Twitter that people could send me pictures and their phone numbers and we’re going to pick the top five. (Laughter)
But she’s not going to know them. Me, my engineers and her engineer will pick the guy and I’m going to take them to dinner and she’s going to meet him.

DE SILVESTRO: Great.

KANAAN: And if she’s nice enough and he’s nice enough, she is going to come to the banquet with him on Monday night next week.

DE SILVESTRO: He planned all this, I had nothing to do with it. I just got dragged into it somehow.

MODERATOR: We’re going to look at all the data, telemetry; we’re going to make the appropriate decision.

KANAAN: We might get a new sponsor. Maybe he has a lot of money.

DE SILVESTRO: That won’t be bad. (Laughter)

MODERATOR: Well, we need some updates on this one.

KANAAN: Don’t worry, you’ll get it.

MODERATOR: Other questions for these two? Thanks a lot.

Transcript courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the IZOD IndyCar Series.

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NASCAR Champion Kurt Busch To Test at IMS

INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
MEDIA ADVISORY
NASCAR Champion Kurt Busch To Test
IZOD IndyCar Series Car Thursday at IMS
2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Kurt Busch will test a Chevrolet-powered Andretti Autosport IZOD IndyCar Series car Thursday morning, May 9, just two days before IMS opens for practice for the 97th Indianapolis 500.
Andretti Autosport team owner and Indianapolis 500 legend Michael Andretti will be on hand to provide driver coaching and assist Busch, who is expected to be on track from approximately 8:30 a.m.-noon. Under the supervision of INDYCAR officials, Busch will go through the speed phases similar to the Rookie Orientation Program in which all drivers must participate to compete in Indianapolis 500 practice and qualifying.
A pre-test photo opportunity will start at 8 a.m. on pit lane near the MotoGP garages. Busch and Andretti will be available to the media after the test at 12:15 p.m. in the Economaki Press Conference Room on the first floor of the IMS Media Center.
Fans are welcome to watch testing for free from the South Terrace grandstands and the Turn 2 viewing mounds adjacent to the IMS Hall of Fame Museum.
Media wishing to cover this event must RSVP to Suzi Elliott of IMS Public Relations and enter via Gate 2 off 16th Street. Media will be directed to park in the Media Center parking lot.

WHAT: Kurt Busch IZOD IndyCar Series Test
WHO: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Driver Kurt Busch,

Andretti Autosport team owner Michael Andretti

WHEN: Thursday, May 9

Busch will be on track from approximately 8:30 a.m.-noon.

MEDIA Photos: 8 a.m., Pit Lane near MotoGP garages

OPS: Interviews: 12:15 p.m., Economaki Press Conference Room

RSVP: Media must RSVP to Suzi Elliott,

2014 Corvette Stingray to Pace 97th Indianapolis 500

For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 2, 2013

2014 Corvette Stingray to Pace 97th Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS – The all-new, seventh-generation 2014 Corvette Stingray will serve as the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car, leading the field to green at the start of the 97th running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” on Sunday, May 26, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
It marks a record 12th time the Corvette has served as the Pace Car, starting in 1978.
“It is an honor to help inaugurate the all-new Corvette Stingray at the hallowed Brickyard and further the legacy between Chevrolet and the Indianapolis 500,” said Jim Campbell, GM vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “The 2014 Corvette Stingray’s performance was influenced by racing, making this prestigious assignment even more fitting.”
Along with Chevrolet’s return in 2012 as an engine supplier, the Corvette Stingray Pace Car extends a legacy at the Brickyard that dates to the racetrack’s early days.
“Chevrolet is a great partner of the Speedway,” said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and chief executive officer. “That connection is heightened this year with the next-generation Corvette in front of a very talented field of racers.”
Decked out in Laguna Blue Tintcoat with official Indianapolis 500 graphics on the doors, the Corvette Stingray Pace Car differs from production models with only track-mandated safety features and strobe lights. No powertrain upgrades are required to run in front of the IndyCar pack, thanks to its all-new 6.2L LT1 engine, which features advanced technologies including direct fuel injection, continuously variable valve timing and Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation). They help produce an estimated 450 horsepower more efficiently.
The 2014 Corvette Stingray coupe goes on sale this fall, with a convertible model – featuring a fully electronic top that can be operated remotely with the key fob – coming a few months later. Vehicle highlights include:
· An interior that offers genuine carbon fiber and aluminum trim, hand-wrapped leather materials, dual eight-inch configurable driver/infotainment screens, and two new seat choices – each featuring a lightweight magnesium frame for exceptional support
· Advanced driver technologies, including a five-position Drive Mode Selector that tailors 12 vehicle attributes to fit the driver’s environment and a new seven-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Matching that anticipates gear selections and matches engine speed for perfect shifts every time
· Lightweight materials, including a carbon fiber hood and removable carbon fiber roof panel on coupes; composite fenders, doors and rear quarter panels; carbon-nano composite underbody panels and a new aluminum frame help shift weight rearward for an optimal 50/50 weight balance that supports a world-class power-to-weight ratio
· A sculpted exterior featuring advanced high-intensity discharge and light-emitting diode lighting and racing-proven aerodynamics that balance low drag for efficiency and performance elements for improved stability and track capability
· Track-oriented Z51 Performance Package, including an electronic limited-slip differential; dry-sump oiling system; integral brake, differential and transmission cooling; as well as a unique aero package that further improves high-speed stability.
The Corvette Pace Car features the track-capable Z51 package.
Chevrolet and the Indianapolis 500
Chevrolet has a long shared history with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis 500 and the IZOD IndyCar Series. Chevrolet was founded in 1911, the year of the inaugural 500-mile race, and the Chevrolet brothers – company co-founder Louis, Arthur and Gaston – all competed in early Indy 500 races. Arthur Chevrolet competed in the 1911 race and Gaston Chevrolet won it in 1920.
Chevrolet competed in Indy-style competition as an engine manufacturer in 1986-93 and 2002-05 with V-8 engines, and returned in 2012 with the Chevrolet IndyCar twin-turbo V-6 engine with direct injection. In that time, Chevrolet won 118 IndyCar races, powered seven driver series champions and scored seven Indianapolis 500 victories.
2013 marks the 24th time a Chevrolet has served as the official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500, more than any other brand, dating to 1948 with a Chevrolet Fleetmaster. Camaro has served in the role seven times and, with this year’s running, Corvette has led the way a record 12 times.
Connect with Team Chevy on social media. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TeamChevy, follow us on Twitter @TeamChevy, and add +TeamChevy into your Google+ circles.

Team Chevy racing photos are available at: http://media.gm.com/product/public/us/en/gmracing/photos.html
About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.5 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

GRAND-AM Cooldown Lap: Road Atlanta

GRAND-AM Cooldown Lap: Road Atlanta

Visual Studio Ultimate Grand Prix Of Atlanta

Rolex Sports Car Series

Saturday, April 20, 2013

The Recap

Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas combined to score a dominant victory in Saturday’s Visual Studio Ultimate Grand Prix of Atlanta, the first Rolex Series race at Road Atlanta. Meanwhile, John Edwards not only scored his second consecutive victory in the GT class – he scored a milestone second victory of the day in his Stevenson Auto Group Chevrolet Camaro.

Pruett beat Ryan Dalziel to the checkered flag by 17.781 seconds for his 40th career Daytona Prototype victory and 27th for Rojas. The pair opened the season by winning the Rolex 24 At Daytona, and extended their points lead in their quest for a fourth consecutive DP title in the No. 01 TELMEX BMW/Riley.

Edwards and Robin Liddell combined to win in GT in the No. 57 Stevenson Auto Group Chevrolet Camaro. Edwards won the PricewaterhouseCoopers 250 earlier in the day for the team, as he joined Michael Valiante, Bill Auberlen and Paul Dalla Lana as GRAND-AM’s only drivers to win two races in one day. Auberlen and Dalla Lana have achieved the feat twice, most recently sweeping at Circuit of The Americas this season. Patrick Long and Patrick Lindsey finished second, the best showing for the No. 73 Park Place Motorsports Porsche GT3.

Joel Miller and Andrew Carbonell had a day of firsts in GX in the No. 00 Visit Florida/SpeedSource Mazda 6. In addition to scoring their first Rolex Series victories, the pair brought Mazda and the Skyactiv Diesel to victory for the first time in the new class. David Donohue finished second in the No. 38 BGB Motorsports Porsche, looking to give Dr. Jim Norman his fourth consecutive GX victory.
The Stats

DP 1st: Memo Rojas/Scott Pruett, No. 01 TELMEX BMW/Riley
DP 2nd: Alex Popow/Ryan Dalziel, No. 2 Starworks with Alex Popow Ford/Riley
DP 3rd: Jon Fogarty/Alex Gurney, No. 99 GAINSCO Auto Insurance Corvette DP

GT 1st: John Edwards/Robin Liddell, No. 57 Stevenson Auto Group Chevrolet Camaro
GT 2nd: Patrick Lindsey/Patrick Long, No. 73 Park Place Motorsports Porsche GT3

GT 3rd: Jeff Westphal/Alessandro Balzan, No. 63 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 458

GX 1st: Andrew Carbonell/Joel Miller, No. 00 Visit Florida Racing/SpeedSource Mazda 6
GX 2nd: Jim Norman/David Donohue, No. 38 BGB Motorsports Porsche Cayman
GX 3rd: Tom Long/Sylvain Tremblay, No. 70 Mazdaspeed/SpeedSource Mazda 6
Margin of Victory: 17.781 seconds (DP); 2.506 seconds (GT); one minute 4.898 seconds (GX)

Average Speed: 110 mph (DP); 102.819 mph (GT); 94.521 mph (GX)

Cautions: 1 for 5 laps

The Points (Unofficial)

DP: Memo Rojas/Scott Pruett, 128; Alex Gurney/Jon Fogarty, 121; Max Angelelli/Jordan Taylor, 113; Ryan Dalziel/Alex Popow, 111; Ricky Taylor/Richard Westbrook, 102.
GT: Alessandro Balzan, 110; Andy Lally/John Potter, 109; Robin Liddell/John Edwards, 102; Emil Assentato/Anthony Lazzaro, and Paul Dalla Lana, 101; Patrick Lindsey/Patrick Long, 99.
GX: Jim Norman, 173; Sylvain Tremblay/Tom Long, 120; Joel Miller, 90.

Noteworthy

Ø Brumos Racing competed in its final scheduled GT race of 2013. Brumos is the only team to have competed in every Rolex Series race since joining the series in the 2003 Rolex 24 At Daytona. Brumos was the DP winner of the 2009 Rolex 24, and won the 2011 GT title when it joined the class with drivers Leh Keen and Andrew Davis. The team’s future plans are yet to be determined.

Ø Steady rain Friday afternoon forced cancellation of qualifying, setting the lineup for the Visual Studio Ultimate Grand Prix by the point standings. Jon Fogarty took a two-race TOTAL Pole Award streak into the event.

Ø Enzo Potolicchio sat out the event, pairing Stephane Sarrazin with Pedro Lamy in the No. 3 8Star Motorsports Corvette DP. Potolicchio will return to the series with a new Daytona Prototype at Mid-Ohio in June, where he will co-drive with three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans class winner Tom Kimber-Smith. The team will then campaign two Corvette DPs for the remainder of the season.

Ø Josh Hurley and Aaron Povoledo ran for the first time in the Rolex Series. The two long-time competitors in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge ST class co-drove the No. 18 Porsche GT3 for Muehlner Motorsports in a deal that came together at midnight on Wednesday.

Ø GRAND-AM added the position of driver steward to its race control team for the event, giving a driver’s view of incidents being reviewed during the event. Racing great Elliott Forbes-Robinson served in that capacity at Road Atlanta. EFR won the inaugural ALMS championship in 1999 with co-driver Butch Leitzinger, and was a two-time overall winner of the Rolex 24 At Daytona. He won the SRP class in the first GRAND-AM race, the 2000 Rolex 24.

The Numbers:

Ø 11 – DP lead changes among nine drivers in five cars
Ø 40 – DP victories for Scott Pruett
Ø 45 – GX laps led by Sylvain Tremblay
Ø 65 – GT laps led by Jeff Westphal
Ø 94 – Laps led by Scott Pruett (62) and Memo Rojas (32)
Ø 118.704 – Speed in MPH of Scott Pruett’s fastest race lap

Quoteboard:

Ø “We were struggling a little the first day we were here. We obviously improved, so I’m happy with that. The tries went off a little towards the end of my stint. It was hard to drive, but it was still fast.” Memo Rojas, No. 01 TELMEX BMW/Riley

Ø “We were hooked up from the start. We were fastest in the opening test on Thursday, and fastest in Friday’s practice. I’m glad I was out front. I heard it was pretty crazy behind me near the end, and glad I wasn’t part of it.” Scott Pruett, No. 01 TELMEX BMW/Riley

Ø “This is a tremendous road course – one of the greatest courses in North America. Our car was quick in the areas where it’s important to make passes. I caught Memo at one point on a clear track, but then I lost time in traffic. This track really suits our car with its quick, flowing corners.” Jordan Taylor, No. 10 Velocity Worldwide Corvette DP

Ø “I’m elated (to win two races in one day). But as Robin Liddell noted, it wasn’t based on pace – it was the whole package: strategy, perfect pit stops, team work and consistent laps. We couldn’t drive away from anyone.” John Edwards, No. 57 Stevenson Auto Group Chevrolet Camaro

Ø “Road Atlanta is the only track on the GRAND-AM schedule where I’ve raced before prior to this year. I raced here in last year’s Petit Le Mans. It’s a pretty cool track, and I enjoy coming here.” Brendon Hartley, No. 8 Starworks Motorsport Ford/Riley

Ø “Thursday’s promoter test day was my first time in a Daytona Prototype since 2007, when I ran the Rolex 24 At Daytona with 74 Ranch and the Dallenbachs. Also, I’ve never driven at Road Atlanta before, so I was learning both the car and the race track at the same time. This is a great car and fun to drive, and I’m hugely grateful to Peter Baron and the entire Starworks team for giving me this opportunity. I’m evaluating my options at the moment. The sports car world is new to me.” Katherine Legge, open-wheel veteran who tested for Starworks Motorsport during Thursday’s promoter’s test day.

Coming Up:

Round 5 of the 2013 Rolex Sports Car Series season will be Chevrolet GRAND-AM 200 at the Raceway at Belle Isle Park in Detroit on Saturday, June 1 (5 p.m. ET on SPEED).

Pole, Podium, and Points Mark Record-Setting Weekend At Long Beach for Riley SRT Viper

Pole, Podium, and Points Mark Record-Setting Weekend At Long Beach for Riley SRT Viper

Media Contact: 
Matt Cleary, Sunday Group Management

(317) 908-2975 (m)

media

Mooresville, NC (26 April 2013) – Less than one year after joining one of the most competitive categories in motorsport, the SRT Viper program demonstrated the remarkable progress that the Riley Technologies-led effort has made in American Le Mans Series competition as the team set two new significant benchmarks this weekend at the Tequila Patron American Le Mans Series at Long Beach with a pole position and a maiden appearance on the ALMS podium.

It was also another banner day for the firm in GRAND-AM competition as Riley scored victories in both the Rolex Sports Car Series and Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge races at Road Atlanta.

Round four of the 2013 Rolex championship saw Riley’s customer cars score the second 1-2-3 Riley Technologies result of the season in the Visual Studios Ultimate Grand Prix of Atlanta as Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas controlled the race from the green to checkered flag in their BMW-powered Riley. The win marked the 92nd Daytona Prototype GRAND-AM victory for Riley Technologies.

Stevenson Motorsports scored the team’s second consecutive podium finish and moved closer to the championship lead after John Edwards and Matt Bell took a convincing victory with the Riley Technologies-designed No. 9 Stevenson Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro.

On Friday at Long Beach, the No. 91 Fast & Furious 6 SRT Viper GTS-R of pilot Dominik Farnbacher paced the pack to score the first-ever pole position for the SRT Viper with a fast lap time of 1:18.845-seconds on the challenging street circuit. The race weekend marked just the sixth start for the SRT Viper.

The lap time broke the GT Class track record. Showing the depth of the talent behind the effort, the sister No. 93 Fast & Furious 6 SRT Viper GTS-R driven by Jonathan Bomarito was less than a tenth behind with his best time of 1:18.984-seconds locking the car in to third on the grid.

“One year ago, the car didn’t exist; it was still on paper and in the minds of the CEOs,” said Dominik Farnbacher. “Last year, we tried to get the baseline setup so that everything is reliable. At Sebring, for the first time, we drove really hard. The car showed to be really strong there. Now, at Long Beach, the second race, we are on top of the grid. If you look at the field, the top-five lap times are within a tenth-of-a-second. That shows the world-class of ALMS."

On Saturday, Farnbacher and his co-driver Marc Goossens led the race before coming home with a strong third place result. The sister No. 93 of Bomarito and Kuno Wittmer fell victim from a pair of hits late in the race, but recovered to take a top-10 finish with their run to eighth place.

“We’re still learning but we couldn’t be happier with our result, a podium and third- place,” said Farnbacher. “All in all, it was a great race for us and I think we can all be proud of it.”

The acceleration of the program has been clear: the Bill Riley-led group scored the same number of points in the opening round race at Sebring as the group did in its first four American Le Mans Series events in 2012.

“I just want to congratulate all the team members from SRT Motorsports,” said Gary Johnson, SRT Motorsports Racing Manager. “Over the winter we did a lot of work on the SRT Viper GTS-Rs. I couldn’t be more proud of the team. This pole was huge for the team and especially the SRT Motorsports group back in Detroit.”

The SRT Viper will look to continue it’s ascendancy with new accomplishments in round four of the 2013 championship when the ALMS visits Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca May 9-11.

“We put in a huge amount of work in the off-season, so it is gratifying to have this kind of weekend,” offered Bill Riley. “A big thanks to everyone at SRT for their support and to all the guys putting in the effort that they have to get us to this point. The qualifying results showed how incredibly close it is in the ALMS, and we know we have to keep pushing.”

www.sundaymanagement.com

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