Kasey Kahne cruises to third Coca-Cola 600 triumph

May 27, 2012

By Reid Spencer
NASCAR Wire Service

CONCORD, N.C. -- Kasey Kahne continued his emphatic turnaround Sunday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway, handily winning the Coca-Cola 600 for the third time.

In his 300th NASCAR Sprint Cup start, Kahne posted his first victory of the season, his first since joining Hendrick Motorsports and the 13th of his career. The win was Kahne's fourth at Charlotte.

Kahne beat runner-up Denny Hamlin to the finish line by 4.295 seconds. Kyle Busch ran third, followed by Greg Biffle, Brad Keselowski and Dale Earnhardt Jr., as nine cars finished on the lead lap at the 1.5-mile track.

Biffle extended his series lead to 10 points over Roush Fenway Racing teammate Matt Kenseth, who finished 10th, the first driver one lap down. Hamlin is third in the standings, 15 points back and one spot ahead of Earnhardt, who trails Biffle by 18 points.

Kahne said he never lost confidence, despite a miserable start to his season.

"I never doubted myself," said Kahne, who has recorded top-10 finishes in his last six points races after an average result of 28.5 in his first six races for Hendrick. "I was upset at some of the things that may have happened. I made a huge mistake at Phoenix and hit the wall there (in the second race of the season), but other than that, we were solid -- we were fast.

"It was just a matter of getting past those (six) weeks and moving on and putting some solid races together."

After his final pit stop under green on Lap 354 of 400, Hamlin trimmed Kahne's advantage to less than a second early in the run but fell back as the race continued.

"As the track cooled off, it freed up for us -- the car got better," Hamlin said. "Ultimately, it gave us a shot to win. . . . The first 10 laps of the last run, we got to them (Kahne), but we wore our front tires trying to get around them.

"Everything was executed great today, the pit calls, getting on and off pit road, the pit crew themselves. We had a very, very solid day."

A caution on Lap 319 for debris in Turn 3 interrupted some of the best racing of the night. Before the yellow, Biffle and Kahne had swapped the lead repeatedly, with neither able to gain a clear advantage. Hamlin was in the mix, too, trailing the top two cars by less than a half-second.

Hamlin and Earnhardt stayed on the track under the caution, while the other eight lead-lap cars came to the pits on Lap 320 for two-tire and four-tire stops. After the subsequent restart on Lap 326, Kahne needed fewer than eight laps to blow past both Earnhardt and Hamlin into the lead.

On Lap 333, Kahne powered past Hamlin off Turn 2 and began to pull away. Kahne maintained an advantage of more than one second through a cycle of green-flag pit stops that began on Lap 353 when Biffle and Kyle Busch brought their cars to pit road.

That round of pit stops proved disastrous for Jimmie Johnson, who dragged a fuel can out of his pit stall and returned to pit road under green to serve a stop-and-go penalty. The miscue put Johnson a lap down and left Kahne and Hamlin to decide the race between them.

The race concluded in three hours, 51 minutes, 14 seconds -- the fastest-ever Coke 600 -- prompting Hamlin to suggest that "everyone's trying to get to last call." The average speed of 155.687 mph broke the record 151.952 mph set in 1995 when Bobby Labonte won NASCAR's longest race.

Notes: Kahne is the ninth different winner in 12 races this season and the 16th different driver to win a Cup race for Hendrick Motorsports . . . Biffle led a race-high 204 laps . . . Danica Patrick finished 30th, five laps down, in her Charlotte debut . . . Pole-sitter Aric Almirola ran 16th, two laps down . . . Johnson finished 11th, one lap down.

RACE RESULTS

1. (7) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, 400, $355,675.
2. (8) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 400, $284,831.
3. (17) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 400, $236,898.
4. (4) Greg Biffle, Ford, 400, $199,915.
5. (24) Brad Keselowski, Dodge, 400, $174,010.
6. (12) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 400, $142,015.
7. (23) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 400, $165,276.
8. (14) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 400, $163,676.
9. (28) Carl Edwards, Ford, 400, $161,781.
10. (20) Matt Kenseth, Ford, 399, $157,226.
11. (3) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 399, $155,541.
12. (15) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 399, $135,319.
13. (5) Clint Bowyer, Toyota, 398, $135,619.
14. (16) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 398, $145,613.
15. (9) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 398, $113,305.
16. (1) Aric Almirola, Ford, 398, $177,466.
17. (10) Regan Smith, Chevrolet, 398, $128,488.
18. (18) Landon Cassill, Toyota, 398, $127,075.
19. (22) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, 398, $137,930.
20. (29) Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevrolet, 398, $129,796.
21. (31) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 397, $128,638.
22. (25) Casey Mears, Ford, 397, $112,838.
23. (19) Joey Logano, Toyota, 397, $103,755.
24. (13) Trevor Bayne, Ford, 397, $94,880.
25. (21) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 397, $144,430.
26. (39) David Gilliland, Ford, 397, $107,538.
27. (42) Kurt Busch, Chevrolet, 396, $112,413.
28. (26) Bobby Labonte, Toyota, 396, $109,677.
29. (37) Travis Kvapil, Toyota, 395, $100,005.
30. (40) Danica Patrick, Chevrolet, 395, $92,880.
31. (41) TJ Bell, Ford, 390, $96,730.
32. (2) Marcos Ambrose, Ford, 367, $126,513.
33. (11) AJ Allmendinger, Dodge, 361, $133,055.
34. (6) Mark Martin, Toyota, Engine, 338, $89,055.
35. (30) David Ragan, Ford, Engine, 281, $88,205.
36. (32) Michael McDowell, Ford, Engine, 228, $88,080.
37. (38) Scott Speed, Ford, Fuel Pump, 136, $87,855.
38. (35) David Stremme, Toyota, Rear Gear, 86, $87,742.
39. (34) Stephen Leicht, Chevrolet, Vibration, 74, $92,300.
40. (36) Dave Blaney, Chevrolet, Engine, 54, $84,165.
41. (43) Joe Nemechek, Toyota, Vibration, 47, $84,005.
42. (27) Cole Whitt, Chevrolet, Vibration, 33, $83,925.
43. (33) Josh Wise, Ford, Vibration, 15, $84,290.

RACE STATISTICS

Average Speed of Race Winner: 155.687 mph.
Time of Race: 3 Hrs, 51 Mins, 14 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 4.295 Seconds.
Caution Flags: 5 for 23 laps.
Lead Changes: 31 among 11 drivers.
Lap Leaders: A. Almirola 0; M. Ambrose 1-2; A. Almirola 3-5; M. Ambrose 6-8; G. Biffle 9-14; M. Ambrose 15-22; G. Biffle 23-113; M. Ambrose 114-120; Kyle Busch 121-124; G. Biffle 125-134; J. Gordon 135-138; Kyle Busch 139-171; D. Ragan 172; Kyle Busch 173-190; G. Biffle 191-219; K. Kahne 220-221; G. Biffle 222; L. Cassill 223; G. Biffle 224-280; K. Kahne 281-307; D. Hamlin 308; G. Biffle 309-315; K. Kahne 316; G. Biffle 317; K. Kahne 318; G. Biffle 319-320; D. Hamlin 321-332; K. Kahne 333-353; B. Keselowski 354; K. Harvick 355; J. Gordon 356; K. Kahne 357-400.
Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): G. Biffle 9 times for 204 laps; K. Kahne 6 times for 96 laps; Kyle Busch 3 times for 55 laps; M. Ambrose 4 times for 20 laps; D. Hamlin 2 times for 13 laps; J. Gordon 2 times for 5 laps; A. Almirola 1 time for 3 laps; L. Cassill 1 time for 1 lap; K. Harvick 1 time for 1 lap; D. Ragan 1 time for 1 lap; B. Keselowski 1 time for 1 lap.
Top 12 in Points: G. Biffle - 453; M. Kenseth - 443; D. Hamlin - 437; D. Earnhardt Jr. - 435; J. Johnson - 405; M. Truex Jr. - 404; K. Harvick - 398; Kyle Busch - 391; T. Stewart - 388; C. Edwards - 372; B. Keselowski - 368; C. Bowyer - 366.

RACE AWARDS

3M Lap Leader: Greg Biffle, 204 Laps
American Ethanol Green Flag Restart Award: Kyle Busch
DIRECTV Crew Chief of the Race: Greg Biffle, No. 16 crew chief Matt Puccia
Mahle Clevite Engine Builder of the Race: Roush Yates Engines, No. 16
Mobil 1 Oil Driver of the Race: Denny Hamlin
Moog Chassis Parts Problem Solver of the Race: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Steve Letarte 0.150 secs
USG Improving the Finish: Carl Edwards, 19 places

Franchitti wins wild Indy 500

 

 

By T D Davis

Dario Franchitti said he knows Dan Wheldon is smiling today because three of his best friends finished 1-2-3 in the world's biggest race, The Indy 500.

All three drivers, Franchitti, Tony Kanaan and Scott Dixon had said before the race they wanted to win the race in honor of their friend who died in a tragic crash at Las Vegas last year.

After a record number of lead changes, the Indianapolis 500 came down to a shoot out in the last few laps with Franchitti, Kanaan, Dixon and Takuma Sato playing a part in one of the most exciting Indy 500 finishes in years.

With Tony Kanaan bringing the field to the green with six laps to go, Franchitti, Dixon, Sato, pole sitter Ryan Briscoe, Justin Wilson, and James Hinchcliffe all had the top spot in sight. Franchitti grabbed the lead from Kanaan only to have Dixon snatch the lead from him Franchitti regained the top spot taking Sato with him. Sato attempted to pass Franchitti on the inside and when the car's tires touched Sato spun to the outside wall. With the yellow caution flag out, Franchitti got his third Indy 500 win. All have been under caution.

"I just want to dedicate this to two of Indianapolis' finest, Dan Wheldon and Michael Wanser." Franchitti said in victory lane. "Thanks to all of the Indianapolis fans for their tribute to Dan today.  What a race. What a race. I think D-dub (Wheldon) would be proud of that one."

(Michael Wanser died last Oct. 23, exactly one week after Dan Wheldon passed away. Wanser was the 6-year-old son of Target Chip Ganassi Racing team manager Barry Wanser. Michael Wanser was suffering from acute myeloid leukemia.)

Concerning the final battle with Sato, Franchitti said, "I moved over, and I saw him coming. I came back over and I moved up the track. He got loose underneath me. Kind of reminds me of Emerson (Fittipaldi) and Little Al (Unser) at the end there. This means the world. This is Indianapolis. To be on this trophy on either side f Dan, that means more than anything. The last week I've been studying my buddy JR's book, Johnny Rutherford gave me his book with a wonderful inscription, and he said he hoped to welcome me to the three-time club. To be in the company of guys like that means so much. What a great race today, to be able to come from the back of the grid after being in the pit lane and being spun."

Sato had a slightly different view of the last lap in incident in turn one.

Sato said he didn't feel Franchitti gave him any room and that caused the cars to touch resulting in his car spinning into the safer barriers. Sato finished 17.

Dixon managed to avoid Sato's spin to finish second with Kanaan third. Servia Oriol was fourth and Briscoe was fifth.

After starting seventh, Josef Newgarden from Hendersonville, TN finished 25^th in his rookie race after the engine stopped running on his Dollar General sponsored car on lap 161.

T

96TH INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRESS CONFERENCE,Guy Fieri

 

 MODERATOR: Obviously, Guy Fieri does not need a moderator here, ladies and gentlemen. This is our celebrity Pace Car driver for the 96th Indianapolis 500, Guy Fieri. Guy, you showed up here yesterday morning, we treated you like a race car driver. The first thing you got to do was give a physical at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. How was that first impression here?

 GUY FIERI: I didn't go through all the physical that the guys go through. They said they have to strip all the way down, I'm like: "Wow, that's great. I'm glad we're passing that piece." It was great, though. Everybody has been so friendly. I understand why this is such a popular race, not just by the fans and the media, but by the drivers. Everybody is so hospitable. Indianapolis just rolls out the red carpet. I've been texting my friends and emailing and tweeting and everybody. They're like, "What's it like?" And I said you just can't get it. From television, it just gives you like one-tenth of what the experience is, and if you haven't been to a race, then you are missing it. This is a lifetime event to come to. Someone asked if it was on my bucket list to be a pace car driver, I said, "Listen, it was on my bucket list to make it to the race." So I don't even know what level of bucket this would be to be the Pace Car driver. I was nervous, I'll be very honest. I mean, it was a nerve-wracking two weeks or three weeks that I have been really thinking about it. Because I thought you just drove around and waved. The car doesn't look like it's going that fast on TV. Then I talked to a few of my buddies and they said, "No, no, it goes." But I got great training and it's been awesome.

 MODERATOR: So Johnny Rutherford, three-time Indianapolis 500 winner, gives you some training. Two questions: What did he have to say to you? And then we were waiting for you to come in Pit Lane. Photographers wanted to get a picture of the exchange. Next thing we know, somewhere on the track where we couldn't see you, you must have convinced him to let you drive because you came by with your hook and horns out the window.

 FIERI: It happened a couple times. So JR and I -- and what a great guy. Talk about a legend of legends. And he's so in it and understands it and gets it. I was joking yesterday, saying, "Just let him take and run that car with everybody." I would just love to see he could run that ZR1. We came out of the pits at about 80 and came into that little side track there, and we were flying. I'm stuck to the side of the window not knowing if I was going to make the first turn. It was just a really cool experience. We talked about the track. We talked about the lines. We talked about when to get in it, when to get out of it, just all of these key things. It was like driving school 101 times a thousand. He just took the time with me and explained things. And I've always been a car freak, so I understood a lot of the components. But then what happened is we were driving around, he says, "OK, now you do it." That was quick. So we go through it, I drive. And he kind of, he says: "Really good. I like that." And he says: "All right, now you're done. Get out." So we stop in the middle of the track and he says, "Now let me show you." So he gave me like a little beginning driving lesson. I drove, then he gets in it. That's when we took Turn 4 at 125, 130 miles an hour in a street car; a ZR1 but a street car. I'm like, "We're never going to survive this corner." Came right out of it. He looked at me and said, "That's how you do it." Amen.

 MODERATOR: Have you thought a little bit, or has anybody talked to you a little bit about what you'll see tomorrow morning? Obviously, the place has been relatively empty. You're going to come here tomorrow, hundreds of thousands of --

 FIERI: Empty? Were you here yesterday for Carb Day?

 MODERATOR: Wait until you're here tomorrow, I guess is my point. So you're going to go into Turn 1, and have they explained to you this place that's so big is going to feel small and intimate?

 FIERI: It was a cross between Disneyland and a Rolling Stones concert yesterday. I mean, everything from kids to rockers yesterday. It was out of bounds. So many people. As we were driving around, my team from Chevy, who has been super-awesome about this whole experience, as they're were driving giving me like some real culture, went to the Museum and did all those pieces, and went to the basement of the Museum, by the way, it was just, oh, man. We got to see it with the lights on, which is I guess is not how it normally goes. But they said, "Oh, yeah, this knoll and this golf course and that area and this thing and that tree people will be in." I'm like, "Get out." They said it's going to be just packed, over 300,000 fans. And, listen, if it's already not nerve-wracking enough, I've got the greatest race car drivers in the world behind me. I'm driving the Chevy car, doing four laps, maybe five or six or 12, depends on how I feel. (Laughter) This might be the longest Pace Car driving that you've ever seen. I was thrown off the track today. They said to me: "You're done. Johnny gave you the gold star, you're finished." I said: "No, I don't feel comfortable. I want to do more." They're like, "We're not buying it; you're off." But I heard it's just crazy. I heard the colors in the stands and how it's just filled up and all the people and all the flashes, I can't wait. I'm really excited.

 MODERATOR: We'll take a couple questions.

 Q: Guy, when you hauled off into Turn 1, was that like eating those Triple Six wings from Minnesota, the same kind of shock?

 FIERI: (Turn) One is not what gets me all freaked out. (Turn) One I really enjoy. But I don't know, tomorrow when it's filled with hundreds of thousands of people. It's (Turn) 4 that's really kind of -- that's the one where you really kind of -- how good are these tires? It's that kind of thing. I know the car is going to be fine, but it's just getting that. Because there's not a time in life, you don't go driving around in your street car at -- and I've got some great Chevies. You don't take a corner at 105, you know. That's just not normal. Well, maybe it is, but now it is. Now I'm probably in trouble at home. But they're all -- I mean, just thinking about that. And watching how these guys take them, passing on the inside and then coming into that corner and making it look so simple, it gives you a whole different respect.

 Q: Two questions: How do you keep the sunglasses on the back of your head without them falling off? And what's in your personal car collection?

 FIERI: Well, if they'll stay on my fat head this way, then they will stay on my fat head that way. There's just not a nose there. It's a funny thing: I'm a chef, and I own restaurants. So when I go into my restaurants, if I hang my glasses on my shirt, then I lean over a pot or something, they fall in. Or if I set them down, then I lose them. And I can't wear the dangly thing; I'm not rolling that way. That's just kind of how it started. It was funny, because I never knew that it was like a thing until these little kids showed up for Halloween all dressed up with their spikey, blonde hair and sunglasses on the back of their head. I'm like, "Uh-oh, that's what I'm getting known for?" I'm a big car freak. When I bought my first car was right after I opened my first restaurant, and I was 26. I had a bunch of cars before then, but like my first real hot rod, I bought a '71 big-block Super Sport Chevelle. I remember showing it to my dad when I first got it. My dad looked at it, he says, "How much did you pay for this?" I said, "I think paid like 25,000 bucks." He said, "25,000 bucks? You could have got a down payment on like a two bedroom, one bath, made a real estate investment." I said, "Dad, did you ever try to do a smoking burnout in a two bedroom, one bath?" (Laughter) You can't cruise a two bedroom, one bath. But I've got a reproduction Carroll Shelby '65 Cobra that Carroll gave me. Rest in peace, great man. I've got the Chevelle. I've got an '07 C6 Vette. I've got a 2011 Super Sport Camaro, the first yellow one that came off the line, which we supercharged. I've got a Kodiak 4500 truck. If you've ever seen one of those, awesome. Most of my cars are yellow, by the way. I've got a big yellow car thing, don't ask me why. It started out with the Chevelle; I never would buy a yellow car in my whole life, and then I bought the Chevelle and that got me stuck. But that 4500 runs on 44s, big old monster truck. I've got a 3500 HD -- 2500 HD crew cab that hauls the "Diners Drive-ins and Dives" '68 Camaro around the country. And then I've got a bunch, I've got Jeeps. I've got a'76 CJ5 2012 Rubicon. I've got a Cadillac. I've got a '67 C10, blah, blah, blah, and it just goes on and on. I'm a man that's short of garage space.

 MODERATOR: I'll ask one more question and we'll take you out for a photo op real quick with the car. I'm sure you've been asked this a lot. You were here with D3 last year to do some stuff.

 FIERI: Yeah, a year and a half ago, I think.

 MODERATOR: Have you had a chance to sample any food while you've been here? Anything that when you think Indianapolis you think about in terms of food?

 FIERI: Well, you know, when we shot here -- and this is kind of my theory on places like Indianapolis. When you find an area that has a chance to get real cold, and we were here for the Super Bowl with no snow, which was crazy, but people spend time indoors when you get an area that has a lot of history. So when you start compiling those kinds of pieces and being in the Midwest and start adding it up, you really start to find some real culture in food; and not just like Midwestern culture like a steak-and-potatoes place. We went to St. Elmo's last night, which was really good. Had a great dry-aged steak, 28-day dried steak. If you haven't had that, by the way, dry aging is the way to roll. The culinary tips will now start coming out.  But it's been great. We've had a really nice experience. Everybody is so genuine and so cool. Like when we came for the Super Bowl this year, although it was just pandemonium, it was just a really nice environment and a lot of real friendly people. I'm always encouraging people to come here and try out the DDD joints.

 Q: Did you get to try the shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo's?

 FIERI: I'm sorry, did I try it three times did you say? (Laughter) Have I completely cleansed my sinuses from 400 pounds of horseradish?

 Q: Did you get to try 1933?

 FIERI: I did not get to try 1933. I was there with my buddy, Brandon Bernstein, who is a Top Fuel dragster and drag racer. It's his favorite place. So every time I come to town, Brandon says, "We've got to go to St. Elmo's." So we enjoy it so much, we're going back tonight, so we'll be there for round two.

 Q: Have you gone to any of the iconic Mug-N-Bun or Charlie Brown's? Those are kind of iconic for the race itself.

 FIERI: Are they here at the track or are they outside of the track? The only difficulty that happens with my schedule is I get like a schedule. I don't get to get up and have like a free day and just wander around town. Everything is always to the minute. So we'll be packed until we leave on Monday. And then we go Monday to Providence, Rhode Island, and start shooting DDD and then some charity events that weekend. It just goes like that. So no, I don't get a chance to. I'm adding them up, though, because when I get done doing all this, I'm going to come back around and go, "I'm supposed to go to that place." But I had like 12 people tell me about Mug-N-Bun today. I'm like a name like that, and then a bar called the Angry Beaver or some Wild Beaver or whatever? Crazy.

 MODERATOR: Thank you very much for taking the time. Let's go out and get a photo op.

 FIERI: Nice to meet you folks. Thank you.

Indy Still The Greatest Racing Event

I’ve been to the Daytona 500, I’ve been to the spring Talladega race when it was a summertime sizzler and I’ve been to the Bristol race when the stands were still filled with screaming fans. All, along with other NASCAR events, are great pulse pounding races. But…..in my opinion when everything is taken into consideration, the Indy 500 is the greatest show in racing. I know, a lot of my fender racing buddies thinks I’ve lost my mind.  Yes, I know if the entire Daytona Speedweek, with the seemingly endless races, is taken into consideration that may be the biggest week long spectacle. But, we are talking about a one-day head-to-head event versus The Indy 500. When everything is taken into consideration….tradition, the crowd, the sheer spectacle…Indy wins.

Nashville connections at Indy
A Nashville connection to the Indianapolis Speedway was established a long time ago when record label owner Mike Curb began sponsoring and/or owning race cars that competed at the famed Brickyard. While Curb continues to be actively involved in several facets of motor sports another Nashville record label owner has affirmed his connection to the Speedway.
Scott Borchetta's company Big Machine Records will be one of the sponsors for the Brickyard 400  through BigMachineRecords.com.
Borchetta will join with the Indianapolis Speedway and Crown Royal for the Crown Royal Presents the "Your Hero's Name Here" 400 at the Brickyard Powered by BigMachineRecords.com NASCAR Sprint Cup race on July 29. The race weekend will feature Big Machine artists The Band Perry, Justin Moore, The Mavericks, Greg Bates and others performing for fans in attendance and viewers tuning in to the race on television.
Big Machine Label Group artists will be on hand at The Brickyard to ensure the winner of Crown Royal's annual "Your Hero's Name Here" contest is provided an experience to remember. The contest is an effort to showcase those individuals who make a difference in their communities without asking for anything in return. The field has been narrowed to five finalists who will attend the race on July 29. The ultimate winner will wave the green flag to start the race and deliver the trophy bearing his or her name to the race winner in victory lane.

5 AM and Already Stuck In Traffic
My pal Larry Woody would be going nuts right about now.....it's 5 AM in the morning and traffic is already backed up at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Woody hates waiting in line, especially at race tracks (and I suspect boat docks as well). He figures that if you know 300,000 or so fans are going to show up, track management should be able to get those fans in and out in an orderly and speedy manner. And, at Indy, there is an air of order. But the speed is reserved for the track.
Fans don't seem to mind. They are scurrying around trying to find an easier access to the Speedway. Some are in cars....a huge mess on Georgetown Ave, the street that runs along the front straightaway, some are walking, some are on bikes, some are just standing attempting to get their bearing. But mainly they are all in "a line" waiting to get inside the Speedway. It's the truly the epitome of  "hurry up and wait". But, when the green flag waves at noon today, they will all have found their way inside the track to watch one of the greatest spectacles in motor sports, the Indianapolis 500.

Brad Keselowski saves fuel to win Nationwide race at Charlotte

May 26, 2012

By Reid Spencer
NASCAR Wire Service

CONCORD, N.C. -- Fuel miser Brad Keselowski got 73 laps out of his last tank of fuel and had enough left in the tank to outrun Denny Hamlin in Saturday's History 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway and do a celebratory burnout afterward.

The victory was Keselowski's first in the series this year and the 18th of his career. Hamlin crossed the finish line .838 seconds behind the 2010 Nationwide champion. Kyle Busch ran third, followed by Kevin Harvick and Elliott Sadler.

Busch said after the race that coaxing 73 laps out of his fuel cell would not have been a possibility. Though Keselowski declined to say how he saved enough gas, he did point to a fuel-economy advantage for this No. 22 Penske Dodge.

"The Dodge has been known for having a bit of a fuel-mileage advantage over the last season and a half," Keselowski said. "I think there's other areas where we're slightly behind, being quite honest. And so, when you have an opportunity to maximize your advantage, that's what you've got to do."

Keselowski pulled away after caution for an accident off Turn 2 on Lap 147 of 200, when Brian Scott and Cole Whitt hit a patch of oil and slammed into the inside wall. The victory was the first in the series for Keselowski's crew chief, Jeremy Bullins.

Pole-sitter Joey Logano took four tires during a pit stop on Lap 144, dropped from third to 15th when the rest of the contenders stopped for fuel only and came home sixth.

A broken driveshaft on Lap 66 sidelined series leader Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who spent 22 laps in the garage for repairs. Stenhouse finished 26th but retained his lead by 13 points over Sadler, with Austin Dillon (11th Saturday) in third place, 28 points back.

Danica Patrick finished 13th, despite falling a lap down when an early cycle of pit stops was interrupted by the third caution of the race -- a blown engine in Angela Cope's Chevrolet.

Hamlin likewise dropped a lap early when his crew changed the carburetor on his No. 18 Toyota on pit road. Though Hamlin didn't think his car ever achieved sufficient straight-line speed, he was able to drive to the front after regaining the lost circuit as the highest-scored lapped car under caution for Travis Pastrana's spin off Turn 4 on Lap 60.

"I complained about the motor early -- just didn't feel like it ran at the end of the straightaway for some odd reason," Hamlin said. "I've been wondering where our speed was all weekend. We tried to change the carburetors, and that didn't fix it. Just got stuck 14th or so for a while until we got the handling (where) it was at least drivable, and then we were able to make our move to the front.

"We were good on long runs -- just didn't have a lot of front-line speed. I have to get better at our race-day adjustments. I just feel like I'm sending our crew chief off in the wrong direction at the start of these races."

Pastrana looped his No. 99 Toyota twice during the race after spinning on his qualifying lap and failing to post a time. The X-Games star finished 24th, five laps down.

The No. 41 Ford driven by 19th-place finisher Timmy Hill failed height-stick inspection after the race. The car was deemed too low in front. If NASCAR imposes penalties, they will come next week.

RACE RESULTS

1. (10) Brad Keselowski, Dodge, 200, $46,425.
2. (13) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 200, $40,725.
3. (12) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 200, $31,150.
4. (7) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 200, $29,925.
5. (6) Elliott Sadler, Chevrolet, 200, $29,793.
6. (1) Joey Logano, Toyota, 200, $27,500.
7. (8) James Buescher, Chevrolet, 200, $23,593.
8. (16) Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 200, $22,643.
9. (5) Sam Hornish Jr., Dodge, 200, $21,918.
10. (21) Joey Coulter, Chevrolet, 200, $15,825.
11. (2) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 200, $21,843.
12. (20) Mike Bliss, Toyota, 200, $19,993.
13. (3) Danica Patrick, Chevrolet, 200, $22,168.
14. (22) Michael Annett, Ford, 200, $18,968.
15. (19) Mike Wallace, Chevrolet, 200, $19,793.
16. (23) Reed Sorenson, Ford, 200, $11,925.
17. (14) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, 200, $11,700.
18. (25) Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, 199, $17,943.
19. (24) Timmy Hill, Ford, 199, $17,868.
20. (28) Tayler Malsam, Toyota, 198, $18,393.
21. (34) Casey Roderick, Chevrolet, 198, $17,668.
22. (26) Johanna Long, Chevrolet, 198, $17,618.
23. (31) Kyle Fowler, Ford, 196, $17,568.
24. (42) Travis Pastrana, Toyota, 195, $17,503.
25. (36) Joey Gase, Chevrolet, 193, $11,475.
26. (4) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford, 179, $18,533.
27. (37) Erik Darnell, Chevrolet, Accident, 176, $17,398.
28. (11) Cole Whitt, Chevrolet, 167, $17,363.
29. (29) Joe Nemechek, Toyota, 157, $17,318.
30. (39) TJ Bell, Chevrolet, Handling, 151, $11,105.
31. (9) Brian Scott, Toyota, Accident, 146, $17,263.
32. (18) Jeff Green, Toyota, Driveshaft, 141, $17,193.
33. (15) Jason Bowles, Toyota, Accident, 137, $17,148.
34. (17) Josh Richards, Ford, Accident, 134, $17,118.
35. (32) Danny Efland, Chevrolet, Brakes, 103, $17,088.
36. (35) Angela Cope, Chevrolet, Engine, 51, $10,600.
37. (43) Morgan Shepherd, Chevrolet, Electrical, 39, $10,575.
38. (40) Mike Harmon, Chevrolet, Overheating, 30, $10,556.
39. (41) Robert Richardson Jr., Chevrolet, Engine, 13, $10,435.
40. (38) Chase Miller, Chevrolet, Ignition, 10, $10,330.
41. (27) Josh Wise, Chevrolet, Ignition, 8, $10,295.
42. (30) Scott Speed, Chevrolet, Electrical, 5, $10,270.
43. (33) Kevin Lepage, Toyota, Vibration, 3, $10,209.

RACE STATISTICS

Average Speed of Race Winner: 123.414 mph.
Time of Race: 2 Hrs, 25 Mins, 51 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 0.838 Seconds.
Caution Flags: 7 for 38 laps.
Lead Changes: 12 among 7 drivers.
Lap Leaders: J. Logano 1-21; K. Harvick 22-54; J. Bowles 55; K. Harvick 56-58; K. Kahne 59-67; K. Harvick 68-110; J. Logano 111; J. Allgaier 112; M. Wallace 113-114; K. Harvick 115-127; J. Logano 128-131; K. Kahne 132-133; B. Keselowski 134-200.
Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): K. Harvick 4 times for 92 laps; B. Keselowski 1 time for 67 laps; J. Logano 3 times for 26 laps; K. Kahne 2 times for 11 laps; M. Wallace 1 time for 2 laps; J. Allgaier 1 time for 1 lap; J. Bowles 1 time for 1 lap.
Top 10 in Points: R. Stenhouse Jr. - 430; E. Sadler - 417; A. Dillon - 402; S. Hornish Jr. - 373; C. Whitt - 336; J. Allgaier - 336; M. Annett - 331; M. Bliss - 291; D. Patrick - 264; J. Nemechek - 262.

FRANCHITTI LEADS FINAL PRACTICE; DIXON TAKES PIT STOP CONTEST; GUERRIERI WINS FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100

            

INDIANAPOLIS, Friday, May 25, 2012 - Dario Franchitti hopes Miller Lite Carb Day is again a good indication of Indianapolis 500 Race Day.
Franchitti, who will start the 96^th Indianapolis 500 from the inside of the sixth row, topped the speed chart for the final practice session, the final opportunity for teams to fine-tune their cars before Race Day.
Franchitti, driving the No. 50 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, topped the speed chart with a quick lap of 222.360 mph with his teammate Scott Dixon (222.274 mph) and Andretti Autosport's Marco Andretti (221.702 mph) right behind. Franchitti led the final practice in 2010 before winning the race.
Similarly, Scott Dixon hopes that winning the IZOD Indy 500 Pit Stop Competition could be a good omen for him.
Dixon, driving the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, defeated Oriol Servia of Panther/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in the championship round. His pit crew received the $50,000 first prize for its speed and accuracy.
The winner of the competition has gone on to win the Indianapolis 500 six times, most recently with Team Penske's Helio Castroneves in 2009. It was the first-ever win for Target Chip Ganassi Racing in the pit stop contest.
Also on Miller Lite Carb Day, Esteban Guerrieri overtook race leader Tristan Vautier and Gustavo Yacaman in Turn 1 on Lap 38 and went on to win the Firestone Freedom 100.
A close final two laps were expected, but the No. 4 Belardi Auto Racing car driven by Jorge Goncalvez made moderate contact with the Turn 2 wall on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Lap 39, bringing out the yellow flag. He was checked at the infield care center and cleared.
Guerrieri, winning for the second time this season, pumped his fist as the No. 11 Pistas Argentinas/Sam Schmidt Motorsports with Curb-Agajanian car crossed under the checkered flag. It was the fourth consecutive year that a Sam Schmidt Motorsports driver won the race.
Carlos Munoz, who got around Vautier and Yacaman before the caution finished second with Vautier settling for third place.
Lynard Skynard headlined a concert to conclude the busy day.
MILLER LITE CARB DAY NOTEBOOK:
Firestone Indy Lights announced today its intentions to debut a new race car for the 2014 season.
A request for proposal was distributed to potential manufacturers and development firms earlier this month for both engine and chassis, and series officials will begin reviewing and evaluating the submitted applications after the due date of June 30.
The desired attributes of the 2014 Firestone Indy Lights car include:
•New chassis is to reflect current contemporary race car design with a forward-thinking, sophisticated and exciting formula. Chassis must be adaptable to compete on road, street and oval circuits with a minimum of facility-specific parts.
•New chassis to surpass all current FIA static and impact regulations while having the flexibility to accommodate a broad spectrum of drivers and seating positions.
•Improved aerodynamic performance that must also allow for enhanced sponsor placement opportunities on the car.
•Improved technological package to include but not limited to: paddle shifting, data systems and sensors.
•Potential to integrate an alternative fuel source.
The project will be under the supervision of INDYCAR Vice President of Technology Will Phillips and Firestone Indy Lights Technical Director Vince Kremer.
Firestone Indy Lights is the official stepping stone to drivers and teams striving to reach the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500, and is the third rung on the Mazda Road to Indy driver development ladder system. Recent Firestone Indy Lights graduates competing in the 96^th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 27 include 2011 champion Josef Newgarden, 2009 champion JR Hildebrand, 2005 champion Wade Cunningham, James Hinchcliffe and Charlie Kimball.
TONY GEORGE JR. (Director, Firestone Indy Lights): "As we look to the future for Firestone Indy Lights, we believe it's important that we do everything we can to attract new drivers, teams, partners and manufacturers to our series to continue to improve our formal system of driver development. The debut of the new car in 2014 will be a key step in this process while allowing our teams to operate as a true business through improved value proposition."
VINCE KREMER (Technical director, Firestone Indy Lights): "With our premium on safety, our goal is to develop a car that is technology relevant to the new IZOD IndyCar Series car. It is our intent to remain a spec series, as it creates the right platform to identify driver talent and contain costs. While it is important for us to gain a manufacturer badge for the engine and receive the endorsement of the auto industry, we want to make sure it is done in the right economic structure for our teams."

***

Quaker Chemical Corporation, an official sponsor and technical partner of Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing (SFHR), will serve as a sponsor of the No. 39 Sarah Fisher Hartman/Curb-Agajanian Dallara-Honda driven by rookie Bryan Clauson this Sunday in the 96^th Indianapolis 500.
Quaker, with over 90 years of experience, provides process chemicals and fluids, fire resistant hydraulic fluids, liquid casting lubricants and multipurpose greases supporting a wide range of manufacturing industries.
***
GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series driver Ricky Taylor is at the Speedway today with his brother, American Le Mans Series driver Jordan Taylor, to support Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor, which is participating in pre-race ceremonies prior to the Firestone Freedom 100 with the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda.
Ricky Taylor will compete in the Rolex Sports Car Series event Friday, July 27 on the IMS road course during the inaugural Kroger Super Weekend at the Brickyard.
RICKY TAYLOR: "It's pretty special today. I came with the Cape guys, who are running a (USF2000) car in Freedom 100 pre-race. It's nice to be here, and it's a really special place. It's nice to be able to share it with those guys." (About racing at IMS at Kroger Super Weekend in July): "It's a whole new perspective for me. We've tested here two years in a row, but to race here is going be pretty spectacular. The whole city of Indy is a pretty special place for me and (the SunTrust Wayne Taylor Racing) team. I've been watching the Indy 500 my whole life. I can't wait to be able to race at IMS myself."

***

A $100,000 purse is up for grabs among 12 IZOD IndyCar Series teams in the IZOD Pit Stop Challenge today at 1:30 p.m. today.
The Pit Stop Competition consists of four rounds of head-to-head competition in which teams change four tires and simulate fueling.
Unlike past years, the winning team in each round will advance by having the quickest time from drop of the green flag until the car reaches the finish line. The winning team will receive $50,000, with the remainder of the purse being distributed based on finish.
Seven entrants qualified through their performance at 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series races following the Indianapolis 500:
No. 2 Team Penske with Ryan Briscoe
No. 3 Team Penske with Helio Castroneves
No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing with Scott Dixon
No. 12 Team Penske with Will Power
No. 26 Andretti Autosport with Marco Andretti
No. 27 Andretti Autosport with James Hinchcliffe
No. 50 Target Chip Ganassi Racing with Dario Franchitti
These five entrants qualified through time trials May 16:
No. 38 Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing (Graham Rahal)
No. 4 Panther Racing (JR Hildebrand)
No. 22 Panther/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (Oriol Servia)
No. 14 ABC Supply Co./A.J. Foyt Racing (Mike Conway)
No. 28 Andretti Autosport (Ryan Hunter-Reay)

***

Grammy Award-winning singer and actress Olivia Newton-John visited the Speedway today. She will serve as the honorary starter of the Firestone Freedom 100, in which her nephew Emerson Newton-John will compete.
Olivia Newton-John also will attend the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday.
OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN: "I'm really excited. It's very exciting to be here. This place is huge, and you can feel the energy from all of the people that come through here. There's a lot of excitement, and it's great to be a part of it. It feels like an old movie, standing up and saying, 'Gentlemen, start your engines.' It's a new thing for me. I like new things. It's very exciting. My whole family is here to watch my nephew Emerson Newton-John in the (Firestone) Indy Lights race. Tomorrow I'll be riding in the (500 Festival) parade and going to a couple of events. I think I'll have to be the 'grand marshall-ette.'"
***
ESPN pit reporter Jamie Little is working Sunday's telecast of the Indianapolis 500 on ABC while pregnant with her first child, who is due Aug. 8. The child is a boy.
Little will wear a specially-made fire suit during the telecast as she works pit road. The top half has expandable material down both sides and the bottom part is similar to maternity pants, complete with a stretchy belly band.
Little, who also works as a pit reporter for ESPN's NASCAR coverage, will miss the Crown Royal Presents the "Your Hero's Name Here" at the Brickyard on Sunday, July 29 at IMS while she is on a two-month maternity leave. Her last race will be the IZOD IndyCar Series race on July 8 at Toronto. She will return for the NASCAR weekend in early September at Richmond.
Her husband, Cody Selman, is a native of Indianapolis and is working the "500" as a tire changer on the No. 39 Sarah Fisher Hartman/Curb-Agajanian Chevrolet driven by Bryan Clauson.
JAMIE LITTLE: "I've been lucky with my pregnancy. I feel normal, and everything seems normal. I'm making a conscious effort to eat and drink more, especially when I'm on pit road and it's hot. But other than the fire suit being a two-piece and not a one-piece and having to get alterations every week to make it more comfortable, it's been normal." (About her child being a boy): "I'm very excited because I've been a tomboy my whole life, and my mom still doesn't understand why or how I was always a tomboy."

***

Susie Wheldon was presented with the Champion of Champions ring Thursday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that her late husband, Dan, earned for his unforgettable victory last May in the 100^th Anniversary Indianapolis 500.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Belskus and Ken Keltner of Herff Jones presented the ring to Susie Wheldon. The Champion of Champions Ring by Herff Jones features 1 carat of diamonds and 14-karat gold.
SUSIE WHELDON: "I just want to take a moment to thank everybody for the outpouring of love and support over the past several months for me and my family. Everyone from Indianapolis, around the country and the world, my racing family and Dan's fans. It has been so comforting to have the support of so many during such a difficult time. I am honored to be here to be here to accept this Champion of Champions ring on behalf of my husband. Dan loved the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and what it meant to win here, and I am proud to be here to represent him as a two-time winner. I'm proud to be here with my children, Sebastian and Oliver, to celebrate their father's life and legacy and him as a great champion and ambassador of the Indianapolis 500. Thank you again for all of your love and support."

***

Firestone Indy Lights team Jeffrey Mark Motorsport has joined forces with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Alexander's Army in the quest toward finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.
Alexander's Army is a group of caring individuals dedicated to raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Cystic fibrosis is a chronic genetic disorder that drastically impacts the digestive and respiratory systems of those afflicted. For the 70,000 patients worldwide battling CF, the average life expectancy is just 37 years old.
Jeffrey Mark Motorsport fields the No. 19 Freightliner Jeffrey Mark Motorsport car driven by Juan Pablo Garcia today in the Firestone Freedom 100.
JEFFREY MARK (Owner, Jeffrey Mark Motorsport): "The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation holds a special place in my heart. Having a cousin affected by the disease, I have become familiar with the daily struggles these families encounter. I am thrilled our organization is able to team up with Alexander's Army and assist those in need."
***
Bob Jenkins served as the honorary starter of Miller Lite Carb Day practice today. Jenkins is a longtime Indianapolis 500 and IZOD IndyCar Series broadcaster, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network anchor and IMS Public Address announcer.
BOB JENKINS: "Well, it's the second-most thrill I've ever had at the Speedway. The first was several years ago when I was allowed to drive A.J. Foyt's 1961 winning car around the track. But this is certainly a very close second, to get to wave the green flag and be the ceremonial starter for the final day of practice is just a huge thrill for me and something I will never forget." (On his emotions as the cars were passing by him to start practice.): "It was very emotional. I must say that my eyes got a little watery, because this place has meant so much to me over the years. I'm very, very lucky to play a small part in it."

***

Indianapolis 500-winning drivers will take ceremonial laps in classic Indy 500 vintage cars from decades ending in the number "2" during pre-race ceremonies Sunday morning before the 96^th Indianapolis 500. The lineup of drivers and cars:

Driver	Car (Driver)
Buddy Lazier	1912 National (Joe Dawson, winner)
Mario Andretti	1922 Duesenberg (Jimmy Murphy, winner)
Bobby Unser	1933 Ringling & Henning Wonder Bread Spl. (Joe Russo, 17th)
Parnelli Jones	1952 Kuzma (Troy Ruttman, winner)
Johnny Rutherford	1962 Watson-Offy (Rodger Ward, winner)
Kenny Brack	1972 McLaren (Mark Donohue, winner)

***

Ed Carpenter, the only team owner/driver in the 96^th Indianapolis 500, will have his university's support when he takes the green flag Sunday.
Butler University, just 8 miles from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, announced Thursday the Butler Athletics logo will be displayed on Carpenter's No. 20 Fuzzy's Vodka/Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet on Race Day.
Carpenter is a 2003 graduate from Butler's College of Business in marketing. He is friends with many at the school, including head men's basketball coach Brad Stevens.
ED CARPENTER: "I am so thrilled to have the Butler Athletics logo adorning our Fuzzy's Vodka Chevrolet in Sunday's Indy 500. We have had so much support over the years from the Butler alums, students, facility and fans that it will be an honor to carry the Butler colors this Sunday in the race. I want thank President Danko, Coach Stevens, Michael Kaltenmark and others for their participation with our team effort. We look forward to strong race Sunday."
JAMES DANKO (President, Butler University): "Ed Carpenter is certainly one of Butler's most prominent alumni, and we are honored that he will proudly display the Butler colors for the Indy 500. Ed is not only a highly capable driver and IZOD IndyCar Series race winner, but off the track he conducts himself in a manner representative of the Butler Way. Seeing the recognizable Butler Bulldog logo take the green flag on the side of the No. 20 car this Sunday will be a proud moment for the entire Butler family. Needless to say, we're all pulling for Ed and Ed Carpenter Racing to represent Butler all the way to Victory Lane."

***

INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRACTICE:
At 11 a.m., the ambient temperature was 85 degrees with a relative humidity of 51 percent and southwest winds at 5 mph. Skies were sunny. The track temperature was 104 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.
11 a.m. - GREEN. #28 Hunter-Reay first on track.
11:10 a.m. - All 33 starters are on pit lane or on track.
11:19 a.m. -- #25 Beatriz only car not to turn lap at speed.
11:21 a.m. -- #50 Franchitti fastest at 221.986.
11:25 a.m. -- #9 Dixon fastest at 222.059.
11:30 a.m. - Track temperature is 109 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.
11:35 a.m. -- #50 Franchitti fastest at 222.360.
11:50 a.m. - YELLOW. Debris.
11:55 a.m. - GREEN.
Noon - CHECKERED. #50 Franchitti fastest at 222.360. Teammate #9 Dixon second at 222.274. #25 Beatriz was only driver not to turn lap during final practice.
Fastest rookie: #67 Newgarden, 13^th, 219.571.

***

FASTEST TIMES/SPEEDS OF PRACTICE:

Pos.	Car	Name	Time	Speed
1.	50	Dario Franchitti	40.4749	222.360
2.	9	Scott Dixon	47.4906	222.274
3.	26	Marco Andretti	40.5950	221.702
4.	15	Takuma Sato	40.7097	221.078
5.	2	Ryan Briscoe	40.7194	221.025

***

Thirty-two drivers combined to turn 1,230 laps during final practice today, increasing the total for the month of May at IMS to 13,611 laps. There was one caution today in practice for five minutes.

***

Brad Larsen, the lead mechanic for the No. 39 Sarah Fisher Hartman/Curb-Agajanian Chevrolet driven by rookie Bryan Clauson, received the Clint Brawner Mechanical Excellence Award today.

Larsen, 30, will receive a $5,000 check and a plaque with his name. He led the effort to rebuild Clauson's car after he crashed during Pole Day qualifying last Saturday.

Brawner was renowned for his mechanical wizardry, serving as chief mechanic for six national champions and 51 race victories. The Clint Brawner Mechanical Excellence Award, in its 26th year and sponsored by Firestone Racing, is awarded annually to the Indianapolis 500 chief mechanic who, according to the Clint Brawner Foundation, "exemplifies the mechanical and scientific creativity, ingenuity, perseverance, dedication, enthusiasm and expertise" of its namesake.

BRAD LARSEN: "When we first unloaded the car this month, it was fast," said Larsen. "It ran pretty good all week, then we spooked ourselves a little bit on Friday, got a little lost. We looked pretty good Saturday until he hit the wall. I love working for a guy as nice as Bryan as well as Andy(O'Gara) and Sarah (Fisher)."

***

INDIANAPOLIS 500 POST-PRACTICE QUOTES:

DARIO FRANCHITTI (No. 50 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda): "The car is real good. We've got a good set-up for Race Day. It would have been nice to have had that motor for qualifying." (About Race Day heat): "The forecast has been running in the high 90s. We've known that for weeks, so we know what we're going to be setting up for. It's definitely going to be slippery. We'll deal with that (heat) on Sunday, but it's going to be hard work behind the wheel in those conditions; hard for the pit crews to keep their focus in that heat. It'll be a hot day."

 

SIMONA DE SILVESTRO (No. 78 Nuclear Clean Air Energy Lotus HVM Racing Lotus): "It's been a good day. The car feels pretty solid. The changes we made have been positive, and that's a good thing. We're still slow, but I'm happy with the car. It's going to be a long race, but if we can keep up the momentum up, I think we'll be OK."
RYAN BRISCOE (No. 2 IZOD Team Penske Chevrolet): "It was a good final practice for the IZOD car. We ran the entire session. We made a lot of changes and made good use of the time. This was a good session for us. We learned a bit, and this positions us nicely as we head into the race."
ED CARPENTER (No. 20 Fuzzy's Vodka/Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet): "We weren't quite as good this morning as we were on Sunday afternoon in the hotter conditions. But we will still be good when it is hotter this Sunday. The track surface was cooler today than last Sunday. So I feel better about our setup for Sunday. We had a couple of issues today, so I'm glad it happened today rather than Sunday. That is what Carb Day is for. But overall, I think we'll be OK. I'm looking forward to going racing now. This week always kind of drags out now, so it felt good to be back in the car today. Now it's time to get prepared for Sunday."
SCOTT DIXON (No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda): "There's still a lot of unknowns. Previously we knew what to expect because we knew everybody had the same stuff. I think we are expecting a lot of unknowns. I think our car seems good. I think we can expect to see a very tight race with a lot of passing." (About practice): "For us, it was just concentrating on the car and making sure it feels decent in traffic and making sure the systems work. It's nice to come out of the warm-up (Carb Day) with confidence and know that it's a car you feel happy with. The speeds are one thing, and there are big holes. I was hanging in the back of the pack quite a bit just to get in dirty air and see how the car is. I was pretty happy - a lot happier than we were in that first week."

 

MARCO ANDRETTI (No. 26 Team RC Cola Chevrolet): "Obviously, the goal today wasn't to be the fastest. I think the car is ready. I think the track was a bit green at the start, but toward the end there, I got my good race car back. It should be good." (On any engine advantage): "Well, when you're in big packs, you're just trying to get the feel of what the car is going to feel like. I mean, I was never really turned down and seeing what we can run. We'll find out Sunday." (On passing in the slipstream): "I think the leader should just have to make the first move, and if you come off of (Turn) 4 too low, you should then have to turn into the next corner low. But I guess the new Indy rule is we have to leave a car width on the inside, which they just sprung on us this morning." (On going back to single-file restarts): "I wasn't a fan of the double-file restarts at this place, in particular. You'll see, especially the way these cars tow, it's crazy enough with single-file restarts. We're always three-, four-wide anyway. If you restart two-wide, it's a recipe for disaster." (On his confidence for the race): "I think we're definitely in it. I think it's going to be our race to lose."

 

SIMON PAGENAUD (No. 77 Schmidt Hamilton HP Motorsports Honda): "It felt good to get back in the race car. It's what I love the most. It's so great to see such a big crowd today and feel the support of the Hoosier people. The biggest thing for me today is the fact we have a really good race car. I feel very comfortable with it. I can run in traffic with no problem, so we have a good baseline. It's going to be a lot hotter in the race, but we'll have some good data to start with. I feel a lot more confident for race day."

 

TOWNSEND BELL (No. 99 BraunAbility-Schmidt Pelfrey Motorsports Honda): (About not feeling well earlier this week): "I feel fine. I'm back to normal, 100 percent. It felt great to get back out there." (About car): "I think it's going to be good. We have a nice comfortable race car. I feel like I'm good in traffic. I'm maybe not as fast on my own as I'd like to be, but we can run all day comfortably. " (Does the "500" ever feel like just another race, especially as a veteran?):"No. This is what my year is all about. It's always special."
ORIOL SERVIA (No. 22 Panther/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Chevrolet): "I'm really happy. We put the team to the test. They've worked really hard in the last couple of days to try to put together all of the data that we got from running the whole week, and we came up with a setup a little bit different from what we've been running. Just having the time to think and go through the notes helped a lot. Usually Carb Day is a day that you just do a couple of outings to make sure that you didn't change the car much, but we actually changed the car, and it felt really good. I'm feeling very confident for the race."

 

JAMES JAKES (No. No. 19 Boy Scouts of America Honda): "We had a gearbox problem all morning. We didn't really run. We did nine laps, and that was nine laps slow. The guys have got to go back, take the car apart again and find out what the problem is. It was not a good morning. Before I can even think about the race, we've got to get the car running right. The gearbox was off, so the engine wasn't the right combination. We weren't even running at full power there."
WILL POWER (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet): "The Verizon car was quite good out there today. It was pretty hot out there, which is likely what we will see in the race. We ran through our check list and we garnered a lot of useful information. We are looking good for the race."
HELIO CASTRONEVES (No. 3 Shell V-Power Pennzoil Ultra Team Penske Chevrolet): "We certainly made the most out of our final practice in the Shell-Pennzoil car today. We made changes, ran in traffic, and now we have a very good understanding of the car and what we will need to do on Sunday."
CHARLIE KIMBALL (No. 83 NovoLog FlexPen Honda): "It was really good to get back in the car on Carb Day and go through the one-hour practice. All credit to the Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi racing crew for putting it back together in fine form. It's quick and slippery. We have a really good setup. I'm back to being confident in our race car. We just have to stay smart on Sunday, and there's no reason the NovoLog FlexPen car can't be up front at the end, which is the team's goal."
GRAHAM RAHAL (No. 38 Service Central Honda): "The Service Central car feels really good, and I think we're pretty confident going into Sunday. I'm really definitely happy with the way the car feels. We have to get a little more speed and have to get the car to tow-up a little bit better behind people, but I can follow awfully close, and I think it's a good sign of things to come. We're looking forward to getting out there and start racing."

 

JOSEF NEWGARDEN (No. 67 Sarah Fisher Hartman/Dollar General Honda): "The car has changed a lot. We've had a phenomenal car the whole month, and things are starting to change. The car is accelerating with the change. It's weird to spend the whole week trying to figure out the car, and you're feeling good the whole time. Then all of a sudden, you're not feeling so comfortable anymore, and you've got no more practice time. It's time to race! You just have to hope you roll the dice right for Sunday and come up with the right calls. (About fans and heat): "I know there's going to be a ton of loyal fans out here on Sunday, and they're going to fight through the heat for us. Everyone needs to stay hydrated, just like us drivers on Sunday. Hopefully we don't have any incidents with fans overheating."

 

BRYAN CLAUSON (No. 39 Sarah Fisher Hartman/Curb-Agajanian Honda): "It was a busy day, since it was the last day everybody gets to work on their cars. Everyone was out there putting the finishing touches on their cars. Our car was pretty good this morning. We've got a couple of things to work on before Race Day on Sunday, but we made some good changes during the session to give us a good direction before we roll out Sunday on Race Day. (About racing in Hoosier Hundred USAC race tonight): "We're going to get a little extra practice in tonight when I run the Hoosier Hundred. I'm going over to the Indiana State Fairgrounds tonight, and it will be a lot of fun. Like the Indy 500, it's another great race with a lot of tradition that I haven't won. I'd like to add my name to the list of guys who have won that."
MIKE CONWAY (No. 14 ABC Supply Co./A.J. Foyt Racing Honda): "It didn't feel quite as good as it did on Sunday, so we may go back on a couple of little changes. I feel pretty confident going into the race. We know what we've got, so we just need to repeat that, and we should move forward." (About heat Sunday): "It's going to change things on the car, but we have enough data on the computer to figure out what we need to change, so we'll be OK."
WADE CUNNINGHAM (No. 41 ECat/ABC Supply Honda): "We worked on traffic and full downforce; we ran more downforce than a few of the other cars. I suspect that they were trying to match their downforces from today to what they believe they will be running on Sunday in warmer temperatures. We went the other way and ran as much downforce as we thought we'd be running in the race to try to match the gears to it. We didn't put up a stunning time, but what we did is what we think where the race is going to be, and I don't think the guys in front of us will be running as little wing or running the speeds that they ran today. When you're starting 26^th on the grid like me, it's probably better to be running too much downforce rather than not enough."
TAKUMA SATO (No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda): "We improved the car in a few areas. I was reasonably happy with the balance. We still need to improve some areas we weren't very happy with, but we improved the car from (last) Sunday. I was able to run in traffic, which was definitely good preparation for Sunday. The most important thing now is to analyze the data correctly and make the changes we think will improve the car for the Indy 500 but obviously make sure we don't misjudge it. To prepare for the race mentally, you just need to keep your focus. There is good excitement building. Tomorrow will be a good autograph session and the parade. You can feel the atmosphere coming. The Indy 500 is here!"

 

JUSTIN WILSON (No. 18 Sonny's BBQ Honda):"I think we're in good shape. I really like the Sonny's BBQ car. We've got a couple of little things to do, but generally speaking, I think we'll just put it away and bring it out Race Day. I'm really pleased with it. Race Day is going to be hot and sticky, and the track is going to be slick. We'll just try to move forward whenever we can pick our way through, be smart and be there at the end."
MICHEL JOURDAIN JR. (No. 30 Office Depot/RLL Racing Honda): "The car wasn't as fast as we wanted. It's frustrating because I am running flat-out behind guys. and they just pull away. The balance can be a little better, but we are lacking in speed because others just pull away. In practice, we ran this wing (configuration), and I could stay with guys with less wing, but right now they just pull away. We will keep looking at the data and see what the problem is."
JR HILDEBRAND (No. 4 National Guard Panther Racing Chevrolet): "I don't think we really had an expectation going into the practice. It would have probably been a little nicer as a racetrack if it had been hotter. I think our primary concern for the race is what the car is going to do and what the downforce level you're going to need to run because of the heat. We played around with some things today and did a little bit more running (46 laps) than we were expecting, so I think we're as set as we're going to be for Race Day. We were guessing on a couple changes in anticipation of the weather on Sunday, and also were trying to make sure we know what we've got. You certainly don't want to be leaving Carb Day practice with too many questions. We certainly feel good about how our car runs in traffic. I think it's just a matter of adjusting for the conditions on Sunday."
KATHERINE LEGGE (No. 6 TrueCar Dragon Racing Chevrolet): "We ran a fair amount of laps out there. It was the first time I've ran in traffic. We were being very conservative, both myself with the traffic and the car having a lot of downforce in it. I think the car was good in traffic. My crew has done a great job. I think that we're going to have a great race on Sunday. My team has me drinking Pedialite today, hydrating for the heat Sunday. That's probably more of a big deal for the crew guys who are out in it all day. It's going to be really slick out there (on track), and we were hoping for similar conditions today so we could simulate it, but it was a loot cooler ambient and track temperature than what we expect Race Day."

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The ESPN on ABC broadcast team for the 96^th Indianapolis 500:
•Host: Brent Musburger
•Booth: Marty Reid (anchor), Scott Goodyear (analysis), Eddie Cheever (analysis)
•Pits: Rick DeBruhl, Jamie Little, Dr. Jerry Punch, Vince Welch
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The IMS Radio Network broadcast team for the 96^th Indianapolis 500:

•Booth: Mike King (anchor), Davey Hamilton (driver analyst), Jerry Baker (statistics), Donald Davidson (historian), Paul Page (race strategy)

•Turns: Jake Query (Turn 2), Mark Jaynes (Turn 3), Chris Denari (Turn 4)
•Pits: Nick Yeoman, Michael Young, Kevin Lee
•Garage/Medical: Dave Wilson

 

IZOD PIT STOP CHALLENGE NOTES:

•Target Chip Ganassi Racing earned its first IZOD Pit Stop Challenge victory. The team had finished second three times, in 1992 with driver Eddie Cheever Jr., in 2002 with Jeff Ward and in 2011 with Dario Franchitti.

•Target Chip Ganassi earned $50,000 for its victory in the IZOD Pit Stop Challenge.

•This was the first time Scott Dixon advanced to the final of the IZOD Pit Stop Challenge.

•This is the first time Panther/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing advanced to the final of the IZOD Pit Stop Challenge. The team formed shortly before the start of the 2012 Indianapolis 500.

•This is the first time Oriol Servia advanced to the final of the IZOD Pit Stop Challenge.

•The last time the IZOD Pit Stop Challenge winner also won the Indianapolis 500 in the same year was 2009, when Team Penske and driver Helio Castroneves pulled off "the double." The feat has been achieved only six times since the Pit Stop Challenge started in 1977.

FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 RACE RUNNING:
At 12:30 p.m., the ambient temperature was 86 degrees with a relative humidity of 48 percent and southwest winds at 9 mph. Skies were sunny. The track temperature was 116 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.
#28 Krohn stopped at start of pit lane at end of pace lap. Car was late leaving the grid.
Lap 1: YELLOW. Start waved off.. GREEN.
Lap 2: Four-wide entering Turn 1. #26 Munoz takes lead into Turn 1 after starting third. #3 Carbone passes #26 Munoz for lead entering Turn 3. Carbone leads at line by .0182 of a second.
Lap 3: #26 Munoz passes #3 Carbone for lead in Turn 1. #3 Carbone passes #26 Munoz for lead entering Turn 3, leads at line by .0736 of a second.
Lap 4: #26 Munoz passes #3 Carbone for lead entering Turn 3. #3 Carbone noses past #26 Munoz for lead at start-finish line.
Lap 5: YELLOW. Accident in Turn 2 involving #17 Wagner, #22 Ostella, #7 Webb, #15 Dempsey, #42 Newton-John. #17 Wagner , #7 Webb touch in Turn 2, collecting #22 Ostella. All three made hard contact with SAFER Barrier in Turn 2. #42 Newton-John spun across track to avoid three cars initially involved in incident, collecting #15 Dempsey. Dempsey drove to pit lane despite extensive damage. Wagner, Ostella, Webb, Newton-John climb from cars with assistance from Holmatro Safety Team. Heavy damage to all cars involved in accident.
Lap 7: RED.
Lap 8: YELLOW. Red flag lasted 11 minutes, 21 seconds. Green flag will resume race the second time past the flag stand.
Lap 9: GREEN.
Lap 10: #26 Munoz passes #3 Carbone for lead in Turn 1 after restart. #3 Carbone regains lead entering Turn 3, leads by .2015 of a second.
Lap 11: #2 Yacaman, #3 Carbone side by side in Turns 1 and 2 for lead.
Lap 12: #3 Carbone keeps lead. #3 Carbone leads #2 Yacaman by .1546 of a second.
Lap 13: #3 Carbone leads #2 Yacaman by .0756 of a second.
Lap 14: #3 Carbone leads #2 Yacaman by .0591 of a second.
Lap 15: #3 Carbone leads #2 Yacaman by .0723 of a second. Top five cars separated by .8456 of a second.
Lap 17: #3 Carbone leads #2 Yacaman by .0690 of a second.

***

Medical update from Dr. Michael Olinger, INDYCAR medical director: Emerson Newton-John, David Ostella and Oliver Webb were evaluated and released without injury from the IU Health Emergency Medical Center at IMS. They are cleared to drive. The other two drivers involved in the accident, Peter Dempsey and Brandon Wagner, returned to the pits in their cars and did not visit the IU Health Emergency Medical Center.

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FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 RACE RUNNING (cont.):
Lap 19: #3 Carbone leads #2 Yacaman by .0868 of a second.
Lap 20 (halfway): Top 10 - #3 Carbone, #2 Yacaman, #26 Munoz, #27 Saavedra, #11 Guerrieri, #77 Vautier, #4 Goncalvez, #86 Horton, #9 Day, #19 Larrison.
Lap 22: #3 Carbone leads #26 Munoz by .1263 of a second. Carbone has clinched two bonus points for leading most laps in race.
Lap 23: #3 Carbone leads #11 Guerrieri by .0871 of a second.
Lap 24: #26 Munoz passes #11 Guerrieri for second. #3 Carbone leads #26 Munoz by .0197 of a second.
Lap 25: #26 Munoz passes #3 Carbone for lead with outside move in Turn 1. #3 Carbone passes #26 Munoz exiting Turn 4, leads by .0004 of a second at line.
Lap 26: #3 Carbone leads #26 Munoz by .3131 of a second.
Lap 27: #77 Vautier leads #3 Carbone by .0119 of a second.
Lap 28: #77 Vautier leads #3 Carbone by .1809 of a second.
Lap 29: #2 Yacaman passes #3 Carbone for second in Turn 1. #77 Vautier leads #2 Yacaman by .0714 of a second.
Lap 30: #2 Yacaman, #77 Vautier side by side for lead in Turns 1 and 2. #77 Vautier keeps lead on backstretch. #77 Vautier leads #26 Munoz by .0551 of a second. Top eight cars separated by less than a second.
Lap 31: Three-wide for lead entering Turn 1. #77 Vautier leads #26 Munoz by .0750 of a second.
Lap 32: #77 Vautier leads #2 Yacaman by .3403 of a second.
Lap 33: #77 Vautier leads #2 Yacaman by .1761 of a second.
Lap 34: #2 Yacaman, #77 Vautier side by side in Turns 3 and 4 for lead. #77 Vautier leads by .0701 of a second.
Lap 35: #77 Vautier leads #2 Yacaman by .1359 of a second.
Lap 36: #77 Vautier leads #2 Yacaman by .1720 of a second.
Lap 38: #26 Munoz, #11 Guerrieri split #77 Vautier high and low in Turn 1 to take top two spots. #11 Guerrieri leads #26 Munoz by .0352 of a second.
Lap 39: YELLOW. #4 Goncalvez low in Turn 2 and does half-spin, hits SAFER Barrier with left front and left side of car. Does half-spin forward, slides down track.
Lap 40: YELLOW and CHECKERED. #11 Esteban Guerrieri wins Firestone Freedom 100 under caution.
***

FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 WINNER'S QUICK QUOTE:

 

ESTEBAN GUERRIERI (No. 11 Pistas Argentinas/SSM w/Curb-Agajanian): "I'm really, really happy. It was one of those weekends that I trusted I was going to finish well even though I qualified bad. I'm overjoyed. From last to first, I'm really happy." (About pass for lead): "That was a tough one. Halfway through the race, I was fighting with oversteer. My engineer, Tim Neff, told me to be patient, that everything would happen in the last five laps."

***
Medical update from Dr. Michael Olinger, INDYCAR medical director: Jorge Goncalvez was evaluated and released without injury from the IU Health Emergency Medical Center at IMS. He is cleared to drive.

***

FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 POST-RACE NOTES:

•This is the fifth career Firestone Indy Lights victory for Esteban Guerrieri and second victory this season. He also won the most recent event, at Long Beach.

•Sam Schmidt Motorsports now has won seven of the 10 Firestone Freedom 100 races.
•Sam Schmidt Motorsports has won four consecutive Firestone Freedom 100 races, an event record.
•This is the fourth time the Firestone Freedom 100 has finished under caution. The other years: 2004, 2007, 2011.

•Esteban Guerrieri is the first Argentine driver to win a race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

•Rookie Carlos Munoz finished a career-best second. His previous best was fifth at Long Beach.

•Esteban Guerrieri and Tristan Vautier each have finished in the top three of all four Firestone Indy Lights races this season.

•Sebastian Saavedra finished fifth. He will race in the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, the only driver performing the Indianapolis 500-Firestone Freedom 100 "double" this year.

 

UNOFFICIAL FIRESTONE INDY LIGHTS POINT STANDINGS (after Firestone Freedom 100):

1.      Esteban Guerrieri 177

2.      Tristan Vautier 163

3.      Sebastian Saavedra 159

4.      Victor Carbone 122

5.      Gustavo Yacaman 113

***
FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 POST-RACE QUOTES:
J.V. HORTO (No. 86 Juncos Racing): "It was very exciting. Coming from 16th position, it wasn't easy. It's my first time here. I'm still learning. It's the first time on the team, also. It's a new team in the series. I think the whole team did a great job. I'm looking forward to next year. Now that I know how it works, it's a totally different track. For sure I'm going to come back stronger next year."
CHASE AUSTIN (No. 87 Juncos Racing): "I thought we were going to have a few more cautions than we did. The driver messed up. I passed a car trying to catch the lead pack, and I thought I was in fifth, passing him, and I was actually in fourth when I down-shifted. I wasn't in a drafting gear, and it just killed all my momentum. By the time I got back up to speed, they were already gone. I was just sitting there by myself for a while, trying to get the car as best as I could if there was a caution, and it just never happened."
CARLOS MUNOZ (No. 26 Team Dialy-Ser): "I am proud to be here and also I'm really happy to be my first oval race and finish second. There is more to come this year. I hope this is the start of the year, of a pretty good year. I hope to finish like that, and then we can have a great car. And I have to thank my team, Andretti, for the opportunity. It was an awesome race. It was a really fun race. We were overtaking all of the time for second, third, fourth. It was really fun, though. I knew the race was in the last laps. We had a really good car all weekend. I have to thank my team for that."
OLIVER WEBB (No. 7 Lucas Oil/Sam Schmidt Motorsports): "We had a really good start. I got up to eighth from the back of the grid because of an engine change. The car was feeling absolutely amazing. David Ostella, coming up behind me, started to come down. He cleared my right and made contact with someone who made a late move down to my inside and touched my rear tire. Anyone higher than me, we were all collected together. A disappointing way to finish my first Freedom 100."
DAVID OSTELLA (No. 22 TMR-Global Precast-Xtreme Coil Drilling): "I feel so bad for the team. They worked so hard. Going into Turn 2, the guys in front of me kind of just touched and spun. I tried to go high, but I just got collected. It's unfortunate because our team worked so hard."
ANDERS KROHN (No. 28 Bryan Herta Autosport): "It's something very unexpected. I don't think I've ever experienced something like this before, just starting the seize-up right as we left the line here, and it just kept getting worse. It's such a shame, I was so excited to be here with Bryan Herta Autosport with my sponsors I-Tec, Yellow Jacket, Premier Glass & Mirror, and I wanted to put on a good showing for them. And not to take the green flag and cross the Yard of Bricks is so tough. But I want to come back. I will beat this place."
EMERSON NEWTON-JOHN (No. 42 Fan Force United): "It was just a gaggle of cars doing pretty ridiculous things. Two of them got together. I was close to getting out of it. I just got to a certain angle, and the thing broke loose."
BRANDON WAGNER (No. 17 Team E): "It's really unfortunate. We had a great race car. Just sometimes these guys, I don't feel like they use their head. I know it's obviously Indy and a huge race for us, but you've just got to be patient. We were going four-wide. That's fine and all, but when you're only on the fifth lap of the race, that's just crazy. Unfortunately, we had the position going into (Turn) 2, and the 7 (Oliver Webb) just came down on top us. I don't know what happened. I don't know if he didn't see me. It's just unfortunate."
ALON DAY (No. 9 Belardi Auto Racing): "Considering we almost didn't run because we had a damaged engine, I'm pretty happy. My first real lap here was qualifying, and I'm pretty satisfied. I finished the race, and it was good experience. It was my first time on an oval. Of course, I wanted to be closer to the front, but I'm still happy with the finish. The team did a great job changing the engine and working on the car. I'm happy. It's pretty amazing to drive here. It's my first oval, and I'm speechless."
SEBASTIAN SAAVEDRA (No. 27 Team AFS): "I think the experience I brought from racing here in 2009 helped today. I started 10^th, and in the first corner, I was already fourth. It was a bit risky, but I wanted to get points here. From then on, we tried to save tires. I was just counting the laps until five to go, when I started pushing to get to the front. Unfortunately with four laps to go, there was an incident bringing out the yellow flag, and that killed everything. Congratulations to my teammate, Carlos. It was a very solid run, but I'm looking forward to Detroit to regain the points lead."
JORGE GONCALVEZ (No. 4 Belardi Auto Racing): "It was three laps remaining in the race, and I was trying to get the best finish I can. I came in really fast, and I lost the car in Turn 2. I don't know exactly what happened because the car got loose in the back, and I went straight into the wall. I want to win to race, and I thought I had the opportunity. It was very competitive, but it happens."
JUAN PABLO GARCIA (No. 76 Freightliner Jeffrey Mark Motorsport): "I am new to ovals; each lap was new to me. I didn't know what to expect. I finished the race. Now I need to work harder on oval racing. I really don't know how to race on ovals. I am still learning."
TRISTAN VAUTIER (No. 77 Mazda Road to Indy/SSM w/Curb-Agajanian): "It was so close. I really thought I had a good shot (at winning). I had so much fun. A big congrats to my teammate Esteban (Guerrieri). He started last and ran really strong. A big thanks to the whole team. I guess I'll have to come back next year and try to win it. I really thought that we had it. There's only one lap to lead, and that's the last one, and we didn't (lead it). I'm happy and frustrated at the same time. I wanted to win, but I'm here (in third). It's still a great day for Sam Schmidt Motorsports. "
MIKE LARRISON (No. 19 Belardi Auto Racing): ""Well, it got a little hairy there at the start. I got a little high between Turns 1 and 2. I brushed the wall, and we bent one of the U-links on the front end. It had a lot of understeer. I'd get up to the pack, and it just wanted to shove up to the wall. I tried every tool that I had in the cockpit, but I kind of hurt myself there at the start. We were there with the front pack and ended up ninth, so I'm excited for a top 10."
GUSTAVO YACAMAN (No. 2 TMR-Tuvacol-Xtreme Coil Drilling): "It was pretty complicated. It's sad to see that other people weren't following the rules. Something was said in the drivers' meeting, and people weren't following what was said. Applying the rules here - I don't know - it's elective."
***

SATURDAY'S SCHEDULE (all times local):

8:45-9 a.m.	Chase Rookie of the Year Q&A, Coca-Cola Stage
9-10 a.m.	2012 Starting Field/Indy 500 Winners Autograph Session, Pagoda Plaza
9 a.m.-4 p.m.	Indianapolis 500 Memorabilia Show, Plaza Pavilion
10:30-11 a.m.	Public Drivers Meeting, Tower Terrace
11-11:30 a.m.	Roger Penske Q&A, Coca-Cola Stage
1-4 p.m.	Indy 500 Veterans Autograph Session, Plaza Pavilion

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