Indy Drivers Relaxed And Ready To Go

Indianapolis, Ind. – Three days prior to the Indianapolis 500, the 33 drivers showed up for a media session in a relaxed mode, letting everyone know they can’t wait to take the green flag on Sunday. Whether in the front row or far back in the 11th row, the 29 men and four women are optimistic they can carry their team colors toward the front.

Three-time winner Helio Castroneves dreams of gathering in another victory. “I think about it and I dream about it,” he said. The talented Brazilian also admitted he is a bit superstitious, always getting up on the same side of the bed, eating the same breakfast and a host of other routines that guide his life. Also, his new daughter has forced him to change certain of his habits, and he can’t help but smile when describing the positive impact she has had on his life.

Castroneves and the others acknowledge the need to manage the “push-to-pass” button on their cars. Each car has 15 pushes available and they know one or more will be needed as the laps wind down. “It’s a no-brainer to use on each restart,” he said. “Even if you are not in front, you need to use, but there’s only so much you can do.”

Asked to pick a winner other than himself or his teammates, the outgoing driver was momentarily at a loss of words, but finally managed to say, “If not one of us, I hope it is one of the girls.”

Teammate Ryan Briscoe said he will save his pushes as long as he can. “You definitely want to have them at the end of the race, to keep you out of trouble or to make a move,” he said. “We will have to get a feel early-on, and it is going to be a powerful tool during the race.” He also underscored the importance of precise pit stops. “Everyone understands the important of pit stops, and how they affect the outcome.”

Knowing Castroneves seems to be the favorite doesn’t intimidate Briscoe. “I am going to do my best to get my first victory, and he can wait for his fourth.”

Briscoe starts fourth directly behind Castroneves, and he believes it is a good spot to be in. “We all understand the importance of the first lap,” he stated. “Helio is going to be looking out for himself as will Will (Power) and myself, to get the thing rolling. I have a plan to do everything that Helio is doing, as he knows how to win this thing.”

Will Power, the IZOD IndyCar Series point leader says he hasn’t thought about point since arriving in Indianapolis. But he did admit to being an ardent fan of hip-hop music.

Concerning the race, he said it is hard to plan but his second-place starting position is very important. “You have to get out quick, be mistake-free and chose the right down-force level,” he said. Managing the push-to-pass may well make the difference, according to the Australian. “If you wait until late, it may be hard to get through the field.”

In the Andretti Autosport camp, Tony Kanaan has switched to his primary car, but only drops one position, to 33rd, in doing so. “It was a no-brainer,” he said. His team and others trailing in the field are expected to be on alternate pit strategies, and Kanaan believes he can benefit from good decision-making. “Our strategy at the beginning of the race will be based on where I am at.”

His team may well flex its muscles with the five cars. “If we can line-up behind each other to go forward, that may work, but then you have 28 (other) cars saying, ‘I got to get to the front,’ and they go off in every direction. You want to do whatever you can to have clean air.”

Kanaan expects to add wing angle at the start of the race, but doesn’t know how it will pan out. “I can tell you whatever I add it is not going to feel good on the first lap. He also believes the push-to-pass only is beneficial at the end of race.

Marco Andretti wants to believe he has the best chance of his teammates. At least one of his teammates is expected to use the same set-up, but Andretti said the adjustments have to be exactly identical; if not, there’s no telling what the car will do. “If they are not all the way on, they are not the same.”

Danica Patrick said, “We will be better in the race than we were in qualifying. It is not a perfect car, but it will have more down force on it. With the strength of the team, we can improve on Sunday. The push-to-pass hasn’t been tested yet this month, but it will be interesting because it is such a fast track.”

She also wants to forget about her qualifying session, as she was disappointed and uncomfortable in the car. “It was more difficult than something I have ever had around here before.”

Regarding being the leader of the women’s movement in racing, she said, “It is a sign of the culture, as you are seeing many women crossing over in the business world. My first time at Indy everyone was cheering for me and now it is easier for everyone to accept.”

Ryan Hunter-Reay is enthused with his 17th place starting position. “It will be one step at a time and one corner at a time,” he said. “But we are optimistic about the outcome as we have a good plan. I need to take advantage of getting by cars as soon as possible but keeping in mind it is 500-mile race. Your best opportunities, though, come at the start but there’s a fine line involved.”

The Long Beach winner believes his team will rebound for the race. “You can make up for qualifying with good pit stops and good cars, and this team gives me good cars,” he said.

Target Chip Ganassi drivers Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti are among the confident drivers going into the race. Dixon is eager to try out the push-to-pass control, but he doesn’t know how often he will use it. “At the Kansas race, I only used it twice and had 16 left over at the end,” he said. But for Indy, he thinks the drivers should be given an additional allotment.

Dixon’s also concerned about the warmer weather, as so much of the practice time was done with cooler temperatures.

Dario Franchitti said you win and lose as a team. “Everyone makes mistakes, but everyone’s got to do their jobs,” he said. Regarding the nationality of the drivers, the former winner doesn’t believe your native country should have any effect on racing, responding to questions about the need for more American drivers.

Speaking about new series executive Randy Bernhard, Franchitti is enthused. “I am really positive about him and his work ethic,” he said. He also thinks innovation is direly needed in the series and will welcome the advancement of the delta-wing car or a similar vehicle.

“Chip (Ganassi) likes the delta-wing, so I am a little biased, but what I do like about it is the efficiency of the whole thing,” he stated. “And it will be a completely different car to drive and I’d like to talk with A. J. Foyt or Parnelli Jones about the transition from the roadsters to the rear-engine cars.”

Ana Beatriz, the fastest rookie in the field, watched the 500 a year ago after competing in the Firestone Indy Lights race and hoped she could one day make it to the big stage.

“I was so excited to see the race, but it will be so different from the Lights race,” she said. Upon qualifying, she had to pinch herself but acknowledged about being super-excited.

She also gets lots of congratulatory wishes from her new fans.

Tomas Scheckter’s father and former F1 stalwart Jody Scheckter will fly in for Sunday’s race, as he does annually. “He’s very uncover; he won’t stick out” the son said. “My father’s a quiet farmer now, as he brews organic beer that is distributed in North America now.”

Jody Scheckter doesn’t critique his son unless the latter does something wrong. “He might make his comments over dinner; he’s not very critical,” said his son.

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