Daily Trackside Report - Saturday, May 15
May 15, 2010 | By
Welcome to Indianapolis Star Opening Day for the 2010 Indianapolis 500, the sixth race of the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series season. Amy Konrath, vice president of communications/public relations for the Indy Racing League, Mark Dill, vice president of marketing and public relations for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and their staffs are here to assist you. Please direct your questions and requests to anyone in the Media Center.
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This is the 44th edition of the Indianapolis 500 Daily Trackside Report, which was first distributed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1967. As stated on the first page of the 1967 DTR: "This press information has been compiled as an added source of your information in your coverage of the '500.' It is our sincere wish that it will be of assistance in your assignment."
Notes and items of interest will appear on these pages during the month and will also be available on the official IZOD IndyCar Series Web site, www.indycar.com. Performance histories will be issued at the end of each day in the Media Center and on the IZOD IndyCar Series Web sites.
Live timing and scoring reports from the Indianapolis 500 will be available on the Internet at www.indycar.com. The live timing and scoring module provides statistical information, including track segment speeds, lap information and much more.
Feature stories, reports, driver quotes and notes, and photos will be posted on the site each day. More detailed information, including media advisories and VNF coordinates, is available at www.indycar.com/media.
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TODAY’S SCHEDULE (all times local):
8 a.m.
Garages open
Noon-2 p.m.
Indianapolis 500 veteran practice
2-6 p.m.
Indianapolis 500 Rookie Orientation Program
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All six Chevrolet Camaros that have served as Pace Cars for the Indianapolis 500 were lined up on pit road during opening ceremonies today for the 2010 Indianapolis 500: 1967, 1969, 1982, 1993, 2009 and 2010.
“Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts will drive the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Pace Car to lead the field of 33 drivers to the start of the Indianapolis 500 on May 30.
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A parade of 125 Chevrolet Camaros owned by Indiana residents kicked off Indianapolis Star Opening Day ceremonies this morning.
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Seven drivers must complete the Rookie Orientation: #5 Takuma Sato (KV Racing Technology), #25 Ana Beatriz (Dreyer & Reinbold Racing), #29 Sebastian Saavedra (Bryan Herta Autosport), #34 Mario Romancini (Conquest Racing), #36 Bertrand Baguette (Conquest Racing), #66 Jay Howard (Sarah Fisher Racing), #78 Simona de Silvestro (HVM Racing).
The rookie drivers must complete four phases of ROP in order to be eligible for the Indianapolis 500. At least three of the phases must be completed during ROP today and Sunday. The fourth phase may be completed during practice later in the month.
The four phases of ROP include 10 laps at each of the following speeds:
200-205 mph
205-210 mph
210-215 mph
215+ mph
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Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard was the honorary starter today, waving the green flag to start the first practice for the 2010 Indianapolis 500.
GREG BALLARD: “It is a great day. We have a beautiful day for the first day of practice, and for them to allow me once again to start practice by waving the green flag is really, really special. It is very important to the city. The name Indianapolis is known around the world. As many people know, I spent 23 years in the Marine Corps, soI have watched this race in different countries around the world and people ask me about it all the time, so it is very, very special. It brings a lot of attention to the name of Indianapolis around the world and obviously has a great economic impact.” (Do you feel any pressure when waving the green flag?): “Yes! When that car goes by the first time, they are flying about 200 mph and are not that far away from me, and I know it. So you get a little goose bumps, but I know they are under control. I’m always a little nervous because you know everybody is going to be taking pictures, so you want to have a good pose if you at all can.”
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Indianapolis 500 veteran Jaques Lazier was in Gasoline Alley today, checking on the availability of rides for the 2010 Indianapolis 500.
JAQUES LAZIER: “It’s Indy; it's the month of May, so there are always opportunities, but I would think they are very far and few between. We were close to getting something done. Unfortunately that fell through. I think at the point more I'm going to be working the suite, trying to build my sponsors for some races this year and for a full-time situation next year. You come here, and you can't give up. I have been in the race seven times, and you never know what will happen. Someone could struggle and they need to put the car in the show and I'm here if they need it.” (Do you have your helmet?): “I have my American Express card. I never leave home without it.”
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Andretti Autosport owner Michael Andretti talked about the challenge of fielding cars for five drivers this year for the Indianapolis 500 – John Andretti, Marco Andretti, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Tony Kanaan and Danica Patrick.
MICHAEL ANDRETTI: “We have the experience to do it. We did it twice when I was driving, so it shouldn’t be that bad. We ran two weeks ago with no problems. We think it brings value to the team, not taking from it.” (Do you need additional staff?): “No. We’re using some of our Indy Lights guys, and it has actually been quite refreshing to have John come in because he gives us a little different perspective on things.”
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INDIANAPOLIS 500 VETERAN PRACTICE:
At 11:55 a.m, the ambient temperature was 66 degrees with a relative humidity of 51 percent and winds from the north-northeast at 2 mph. Skies were partly cloudy. The track temperature was 99 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.
Noon – GREEN. #3T Helio Castroneves is first car on track. Tony Kanaan is driving #7 car of Danica Patrick.
Drivers in backup cars: #3T Castroneves, #6T Briscoe, #9T Dixon, #10T Franchitti, #12T Power, #06T Mutoh.
12:01 p.m. – YELLOW. Debris.
12:06 p.m. – GREEN.
FIRST ON TRACK, 1984-2009
Year
Driver
Started
Finished
2009
Robert Doornbos
23rd
28th
2008
Will Power
23rd
13th
2007
Jaques Lazier
28th
27th
2006
Marco Andretti
9th
2nd
2005
Danica Patrick
4th
4th
2004
Sarah Fisher
19th
24th
2003
Felipe Giaffone
16th
33rd
2002
Billy Boat
23rd
18th
2001
Stephan Gregoire
29th
28th
2000
Stephan Gregoire
20th
7th
1999
Stephan Gregoire
Did Not Qualify
1998
Mike Groff
32nd
15th
1997
Dr. Jack Miller
17th
20th
1996
Michele Alboreto
12th
30th
1995
Eliseo Salazar
24th
4th
1994
Raul Boesel
2nd
21st
1993
Jimmy Vasser
19th
13th
1992
Scott Brayton
7th
22nd
1991
Scott Brayton
19th
17th
1990
Tero Palmroth
16th
12th
1989
Arie Luyendyk
15th
21st
1988
Raul Boesel
7th