INDIANAPOLIS 500 (INDIANAPOLIS) - TARGET TEAM FASTEST ONCE AGAIN IN DAY 2 PRACTICE

The second day of practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was delayed a few hours by rain, but following two hours of on track activity, the Target team once again emerged the team to beat. For a second straight day, Dan Wheldon set the fastest lap time of the day, this time after just seven laps, with a speed of 226.391 mph. Scott Dixon was third with a speed of 224.902 mph.

TARGET CHIP GANASSI RACING QUOTEBOARD Day 2 Indy 500 Practice:

Scott Dixon: “Today was pretty decent. I think we still have a bit of under-steer on the car, which is a lot of speed at the moment. We're pretty happy. I think we were the fastest no-tow lap. We tried to stay out of tows today, just gearing up for qualifying. I think a lot of the other guys are using a lot of tires - Dan's on his sixth set, we've just started our third set - so we're trying to save engine miles and tires until we can start at the end of this week throwing in some good, consistent qualifying runs. I think the team in general has a ton of speed and we're definitely looking at the front row. (How did the strategy change today with the rain?) - You kind of expect it and it doesn't really change. You still have your strategies and plan of what you need to get through and it just sort of pushes it back. But, then again, it saves you tires and engine miles, which is good, as well."

Dan Wheldon: “Target Chip Ganassi Racing has done a very good job. They’ve worked very hard leading into this month. It’s been very difficult with the Japanese race and the Kansas race. The car is performing well. The biggest thing right now is that we’re working toward qualifying. We’re kind of in between the two. But at the same time, when you have a genuine shot at the pole, you need to make sure that mechanically the car is very good for when you take off some downforce. By the same token, I think I said this yesterday, I must be getting old because I’m much more concerned with the race than I am the pole. I learned last year that you can have a car; I think Sam (Hornish Jr.) dominated the month last year leading into the race. I think we definitely had a better race car, and we’ve got to continue with that mindset and not get into that whole scenario where you’re throwing away tires and stuff like that to try and get on the pole. It’s the race that counts. I certainly think coming back, forgetting Indianapolis, just coming back for a year with Target Chip Ganassi Racing has helped at a track where fine details make a difference and having the engineer know your particular style can be a big difference. Yesterday I didn’t get into the draft but today I did have a draft. I think that’s part of it. Each day, we’re learning a lot. Some people think we’re running qualifying levels of downforce and to answer those guys, I haven’t been slow in a race yet. We’re just doing our own thing. Andy Brown is working very, very hard on making sure we are mechanically well-sound for the race.”

MAY DAYS AT INDY: Target Team drivers Scott Dixon (No.9 Target Honda-powered Dallara) and Dan Wheldon (No.10 Target Honda-powered Dallara) prepare to take on the world renowned Indianapolis Motor Speedway where they will race for 200 laps on the 2.5 mile oval in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 27, 2007.

VENUE: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was constructed in 1909 with a 2.5-mile oval circuit and remains the largest spectator sporting facility in the world. The Indianapolis 500 has taken place annually on the oval track since 1911, except during world wars in 1917-18 and 1942-45.

CATCH IT LIVE ON THE WEB: Practice for the Indianapolis 500 will stream live on indycar.com free of charge. In addition to the on track action, the video streaming window includes live timing & scoring, audio from the IMS Radio Network, a chat feature and links to other videos. Streaming video also will be available live for qualifying sessions and race day action from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

TV RACE AIR DATE: ABC (live), Noon (EDT), May 27

INDIANAPOLIS REVISITED: In 2006, Target Chip Ganassi Racing ran first and second at the Indianapolis 500, with defending winner Dan Wheldon leading the charge for 148 laps until a tire puncture with 16 laps to go sent Wheldon to the pits. A drive-through penalty for Scott Dixon, for what was deemed a blocking infraction, ultimately cost the Target Team any chance for a win. Despite the set backs, both Target cars remained on the lead lap, and following a caution period with just 5 laps to go, both drivers put in a valiant effort to fight their way to the checkered flag with Wheldon posting a fourth place finish while Dixon had his best result at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a sixth place.

A LOOK IN THE TARGET CAR’S REAR VIEW MIRROR:

Number of Indianapolis 500 TCGR wins: 1 (2000-Montoya)

Number of Indianapolis 500 TCGR pole positions: 2 (1993, 2002)

Number of years TCGR has run the Indianapolis 500: 13 races from 1990-1995 & 2000-2006

Most cars run by TCGR in one Indianapolis 500: four (4) cars in 2001

Total number of laps led by TCGR at Indianapolis 500: 492 of a possible 5360 laps

Total number of laps by TCGR completed at the Indianapolis 500: 3860 of a possible 5360

Number of Indianapolis 500 appearances for Chip Ganassi as a driver: Five (5) 1982-1986

Drivers that have run for Chip Ganassi in the Indianapolis 500: 17 drivers (1990-2006)

DID YOU KNOW THAT? Scott Dixon has the most Indianapolis 500 starts of any Target Chip Ganassi Racing driver. This year’s start will be his fifth.

Dixon’s best start at Indy 500-4th (2003, 2006)

Dixon’s best finish at Indy 500-6th (2007)

DID YOU KNOW THAT? Dan Wheldon, who enters the Indianapolis 500 as the points leader for the third time in four years, has finished in the top five in the last three 500s. He recorded a third in 2004 and a win in 2005 when he entered as the race as the series’ point leader.

Wheldon’s best start at Indy 500- 3rd in 2006

Wheldon’s best finish at Indy 500-1st in 2005

THE (Championship) RACE IS ON! After four races, the Target team is 1-2 in the IndyCar Championship race. Dan Wheldon has the lead in the driver’s points standings with 171 points while Scott Dixon is in second spot with 144 points.

SO FAR SO GOOD: Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon have led a total of 515 laps of 700 in 4 races in 2007. Since joining TCGR, Dan has led 1245 laps (of 3210) and posted 4 wins (in 18 races)

LAST RACE: Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway. Wheldon took the checkered flag for his second victory of the season while Scott Dixon finished fourth.

NEXT RACE: A.J.Foyt ABC Supply Co 225 at the Milwaukee Mile in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! The media is welcome to approach us for any interview requests or feature story ideas they may have throughout the month of May. Target Chip Ganassi Racing drivers and team members will be available for interviews at IMS everyday the team is on track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. For specific requests and accommodations, the team will be happy to schedule a time and place to meet your needs as best we can. Other media opportunities include:

The Big Apple-May 21: To celebrate the 91st Running of the Indianapolis 500, the race’s 33 qualified drivers will visit New York City for media interviews and photo opportunities.

IMS on Thursday, May 24: Both Target drivers will be available for a 1 hour interview session at the Pagoda Plaza Pavilion from 2:30-3:30 pm

CALLING ALL TARGET FANS! Target drivers, Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon, will be visiting a local Indianapolis TARGET in Carmel West at 10401 North Michigan Road to sign autographs for guests from 6-7 pm on Thursday, May 24th.