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Briscoe Subbing For Hinchcliffe

Ryan Briscoe at speed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. [Russ Lake Photo]

Ryan Briscoe at speed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  [Russ Lake Photo]

By Joe Jennings

Indianapolis, Ind. – Schmidt Peterson Motorsports announced today that Ryan Briscoe will drive the No. 5 Arrow Electronics Honda-powered car in the Indianapolis 500 as a replacement for James Hinchcliffe, who was seriously injured in a fiery practice crash here on Monday.

Based on owner points, Briscoe will start 32nd in the 500, being flanked by second-time starters Bryan Clauson and James Davison.

“We have high expectations, especially since we watched him go to the back last year and work his way all the way through again. He’s as good as we can have in the car,” Sam Schmidt, team co-owner, said.

“I am really happy to have Ryan; it was an easy pick,” co-owner Ric Peterson added.   “He’s got a ton of experience and knows how to come from the back. Also, he’s got a lot of miles on this track.”

Arriving in Indianapolis on Wednesday, Briscoe was introduced to his new team and expressed delight in being selected for the assignment, even though late in the game. To gain familiarity with the car, he was allowed to take practice laps early Thursday afternoon.

“You never like to being involved in a situation like this and my first thoughts are with James (Hinchcliffe),” Briscoe said. “To have this opportunity is great. Coming into the Indy 500 the day before Carb Day is not the ideal situation. You sort of prepare for this race about a year out, factoring in practice and the whole process. Then when something like this happens, you throw that plan out the window.

“I feel with my experience and the team’s experience along with Allen McDonald’s experience in setting this car up, I feel that within a few laps today and Carb Day I will be able to find my groove and get up to speed and from there, we have high expectations for giving this our best shot at getting to the front. Hopefully, the gods are with us.”

After the practice laps, Briscoe expressed guarded optimism, saying, “It was great going out there and getting used to going 220 miles per hour again, to feel the line and the fit. We also practiced pit stops; we didn’t run a ton of laps but had a good shakedown. I did run flat out, felt a little bit of tire drop-off, so I got a hint of what to expect. Tomorrow is going to be important once we get out in traffic – it will be a whole new ballgame.”

While Briscoe hasn’t talked with Hinchcliffe, he plans to visit with him soon.

Beyond the upcoming 500, the Schmidt Peterson team hasn’t decided on its driver assignment for the No. 5 car, especially since Briscoe has a two-week commitment in June while competing with Chevrolet Corvette for the 24 Hours of LeMans.

 

 

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