Kaiser Loses Stress, Gains Confidence after Strong Qualifying Performance
May 21, 2018 | By Phillip B. Wilson, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
At the end of his final lengthy practice session for the 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil, Kyle Kaiser focused on pit stops Monday afternoon.
Smooth in, smooth out. Don’t go too fast. The rookie has learned that since arriving at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Kaiser, a 22-year-old Californian, has learned a lot and applied enough lessons to qualify 17th for Sunday’s race in the No. 32 NFP/Juncos Racing Chevrolet.
“I think I exceeded everybody’s expectations,” he said. “I think being 21st on Bump Day was exceeding everybody’s expectations. I would have been happy with that or around that the next day, but you get what the car gives you, and the car gave us a little extra. I’ll take that. I’m fine with that.”
What isn’t fine is an uncertain future. Kaiser concentrates on every single daily detail so intently not just because it’s the most important race of his life but because it looks like it will be his last for Juncos Racing in the foreseeable future. 2017 Indy Lights champion Kaiser earned a $1 million scholarship toward four Verizon IndyCar Series races, and this is that fourth start.
Unless more sponsorship dollars are obtained, Kaiser knows he will have to wait for that next opportunity. It’s a bottom-line reality of racing with which he is already familiar. Perhaps a strong “500” will reward him with another ride?
“That’s definitely a positive outlook on it, but I’m going for a good result, regardless,” he said. “It’s the biggest race of the year. It has so much weight behind it. I think we’ve already turned a lot of heads, and I think a lot of people have taken note, which is really positive.”
Just a few minutes removed from practice, Kaiser was vigorously rubbing marks off his helmet as he spoke. There’s always something else he can do.
“I hardly know what’s going on tomorrow,” he said. “I’m not taking any lap for granted this whole month. Every lap I’m doing, I want purpose behind it. Every turn I take, I make it as good as I can possibly make it. I know the reality of the situation, and I think I’m making the most of it.”
Juncos Racing is also two races into a six-race commitment with rookie Rene Binder, who will drive the car in the next stop, two Chevrolet Duel in Detroit races. That’s not a reflection on Kaiser — who has finished 21st, 16th and 19th in his previous starts — again, it’s about sponsorship.
“He’s done an amazing job,” team owner Ricardo Juncos said of Kaiser. “I couldn’t ask for more. He’s been absolutely perfect, in and out of the car. He’s well-spoken, --charismatic – he has everything.
“It’s been difficult, only one car and a new team, but we’ve put things together. On Friday before qualifying, the whole thing started to make more sense. Before, there was a little bit of drama and confusion. It’s very difficult, this place. We know that. We try to have common sense and patience. Friday night, you could feel a lot of tension. We were worried about it.”
Kaiser was, too. Thirty-five cars for 33 spots is simple math. Two weren’t going to make the lineup.
“I was super stressed,” he said. “I was trying to block it out because I knew there was a chance of not even being in the race. That weighed a lot on me because this is everything I’ve been working toward. Having this opportunity, it could be once in a lifetime.”
Then Kaiser delivered a weekend qualifying performance that even Juncos admitted was a surprise. Starting inside of him is defending Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
“Takuma, I think he’s done pretty well here,” Kaiser said with a grin, gleaning the positive from starting next to a winner.
Teams have one final Miller Lite Carb Day practice Friday. A steep learning curve continues. Kaiser continually reminds himself of fundamental keys — hit the marks each lap, stay focused and aggressive, don’t get too comfortable and lulled into a mistake.
“I’m taking it one day at a time, obviously,” Kaiser said.
Come Race Day, be patient. Not that he needs to remind himself of that because everyone else repeats that advice, too. He expects the pressure will build as the day approaches. The plan is to have some dinners with family and friends to take the edge off.
Standing on pit road Monday afternoon, Kaiser didn’t seem the least bit stressed or concerned about next weekend or beyond that.
“I’m sure I wasn’t looking like this last week,” he said. “After Saturday, I’ve been sleeping like a baby and smiling. On Sunday for qualifying, I got in the car with a big smile on my face. I knew the conditions were tough, I knew things weren’t going to be easy, but I was relaxed, I was happy. I’m having fun with it.”