The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

INDYCAR (LEXINGTON) - FAST FACTS


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)

WHAT: IndyCar® Series: Honda 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by Westfield Insurance, 12th race in 17-race 2007 season Indy Pro Series™: Mid-Ohio 100 12th race in 16-race 2007 season

WHERE: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, 13-turn, 2.258-mile road course

WHEN: IndyCar Series: 1:30 p.m. (ET), Sunday, July 22 Indy Pro Series: 10:45 a.m. (ET) Sunday, July 22

DISTANCE: IndyCar Series: 85 laps/191.25 miles Indy Pro Series: 40 laps/90.3 miles

POSTED AWARDS: IndyCar Series: More than $1 million Indy Pro Series: More than $275,000

CARS: IndyCar Series: Dallara chassis; Honda Indy V-8; Firestone tires; 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol Indy Pro Series: Dallara chassis; Firestone tires

PREVIOUS RACE WINNERS: IndyCar Series: Inaugural event Indy Pro Series: Inaugural event

2006 SERIES CHAMPIONS: IndyCar Series: Sam Hornish Jr. Indy Pro Series: Jay Howard

TV: IndyCar Series: Race: ABC (live), 1:30 p.m. (ET), July 22 Talent: Marty Reid, Scott Goodyear, (announcers); Jack Arute, Brienne Pedigo, Vince Welch (pit reporters) Note: Live streaming video coverage of practice and AAMCO Transmissions Pole Qualifying (11:50 a.m., (ET) July 21) is available at www.indycar.com and www.espn360.com.

Indy Pro Series: Race: ESPN2 (tape-delay), 5:30 p.m. (ET), July 26 Talent: Bob Jenkins, Robbie Buhl (announcers); Mike King (pit reporter) Note: Live streaming video coverage of the Mid-Ohio 100 (10:45 a.m., (ET) July 22) is available at www.indycar.com and www.espn360.com.

RADIO: IndyCar Series: Qualifying: IMS Radio Network, live web-cast, 11:35 a.m. (ET) July 21 Qualifying wrap up: IMS Radio Network, 3:30 p.m. Pre-race: IMS Radio Network (live), 1 p.m. (ET), July 22 Race: IMS Radio Network (live), 1:30 p.m. (ET), July 22 Talent: Mike King (host); Davey Hamilton (analyst); Dave Wilson (color commentary); Bob Jenkins, Mark Jaynes, Jerry Baker (turns); Kevin Lee and Jake Query (pit reporters); Kevin Olson (special assignments) Live coverage of AAMCO Transmissions Pole Qualifying (11:35 a.m., (ET) July 1) and the race also will be available at www.indycar.com. The race broadcast is also available on XM Satellite Radio channel 144 “XM Sports Nation” and XM channel 145 “IndyCar Racing”

SCHEDULE (all times local; subject to change): Friday, July 20 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. IndyCar Series and Indy Pro Series garages open 8:45 – 9:15 a.m. Indy Pro Series practice #1 9:30 – 11 a.m. IndyCar Series practice#1 (all cars) 2:20 – 2:50 p.m. Indy Pro Series practice #2 3 – 4 p.m. IndyCar Series practice #2 (two groups)

Saturday, July 21 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. IndyCar Series and Indy Pro Series garage opens 8:25 – 8:50 a.m. Indy Pro Series SWE Pole Qualifying session #1 (all cars) 9 – 10 a.m. IndyCar Series practice #3 (two groups) 11:10 – 11:35 a.m. Indy Pro Series SWE Pole Qualifying session #2 (all cars) 11:50 a.m. – 1:20 p.m. IndyCar Series AAMCO Transmissions Pole Qualifying (single-car, single lap followed by Firestone Fast Six shootout)

Sunday, July 22 6:30 a.m. IndyCar Series and Indy Pro Series garage opens 8:10 – 8:25 a.m. Indy Pro Series warmup 9:50 – 10:20 a.m. IndyCar Series warmup 10:20 a.m. Mid-Ohio 100 pre-race 10:45 a.m. Mid-Ohio 100 (40 laps/90.32 miles/60 minutes) ESPN2 (Taped, 5:30 p.m. July 26) 12:30 p.m. Honda 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by Westfield Insurance pre-race 1:30 p.m. Honda 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by Westfield Insurance (85 laps/191.25 miles) ABC (Live)

THE TRACK: 2.258-mile permanent road course; with a minimum width of 40 feet. Mainstraight: 1,200 feet Backstretch: 3,000 feet Turns: 13 • Owned and operated by TrueSports Inc., Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is a permanent road circuit set in the rolling hills of Lexington, Ohio. Originially built in 1962 by Les Griebling and several Mansfield, Ohio-area businessmen as a location for weekend sports car racing, Mid-Ohio was purchased in 1981 by the late Jim Trueman, whose family has maintained his vision of offering spectators world-class racing in a first-class family environment. The racetrack operates from April 1 through October 30 each year and plays host to a diversity of locally, regionally and nationally sanctioned racing events for amateur, club and professional riders and drivers.

INDY CAR RACING IN OHIO: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course has been called the one of the most competitive circuits in the U.S. and annually hosts a diversity of locally, regionally and nationally sanctioned racing events for amateur, club and professional riders and drivers, including the IndyCar Series. Johnny Rutherford won the first Indy car race on the picturesque Mid-Ohio course in 1980, with Al Unser starting from the pole. IndyCar Series team owners Bobby Rahal (1985, ’86) and Michael Andretti (1990, ’90) have won Indy-style races at Mid-Ohio. Two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Al Unser Jr. won in 1994 and ‘95, while 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner Mario Andretti took the checkers in 1984.

INDYCAR SERIES NOTES: • Five Indianapolis 500 champions are expected to participate in the Honda 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by Westfield Insurance: Helio Castroneves (2001, 2002), Buddy Rice (2004), Dan Wheldon (2005), Sam Hornish Jr. (2006) and Dario Franchitti (2007).

• Five IndyCar Series champions are scheduled to participate in the Honda 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by Westfield Insurance: Scott Sharp (1996 co-champion), Sam Hornish Jr. (2001, 2002, 2006), Scott Dixon (2003), Tony Kanaan (2004) and Dan Wheldon (2005).

• Drivers entered in the Honda 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by Westfield Insurance have combined for 83 IndyCar Series victories, 79 IndyCar Series pole positions and 1,221 IndyCar Series starts.

• The Honda 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by Westfield Insurance is the third of five road/street course races in the 2007 season. Other events in 2007 that have taken place on road and street courses include the April 1 event on the Streets of St. Petersburg won by Helio Castroneves and the July 8 event at Watkins Glen International won by Scott Dixon. The IndyCar Series will also race at the permanent road course at Infineon Raceway (Aug. 26) and the temporary street course at the Raceway at Belle Isle (Sept. 2).

• In 11 races thus far in 2007, there have been six winners. Dario Franchitti, Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Dan Wheldon are the only multiple winners. Franchitti won at Indianapolis, Iowa and Richmond. Wheldon won at Homestead-Miami and Kansas, Dixon won at Watkins Glen and Nashville and Kanaan won at Twin Ring Motegi and Milwaukee. Other winners in 2007: Helio Castroneves at St. Petersburg, Sam Hornish Jr. at Texas. In those 11 races, 14 drivers have finished in the top five in at least one event.

INDY PRO SERIES NOTES: • Camara holds ‘Iron man’ title: Jaime Camara established the Indy Pro Series’ all-time mark for consecutive starts at the Liberty Challenge at Indianapolis on June 16 with his 32nd consecutive start. He extended the streak to 37 at Nashville on July 14. Camara competed for Sam Schmidt Motorsports in 2005 and for Andretti Green Racing in 2006. He returns in the AGR entry in 2007.

• Cunningham can extend record: Wade Cunningham has started in the top 10 in the past 20 consecutive races, which is the Indy Pro Series record.

INDYCAR SERIES STORY IDEAS:

• Franchitti in front: Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti leads the IndyCar Series point standings, but with 2003 IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon within 34 points of his lead, he knows the championship is far from over. Dixon’s Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Dan Wheldon is 97 points back, while Andretti Green Racing’s Tony Kanaan trails by 103 points. Team Penske’s Sam Hornish Jr. (105 points back) remains in the mix.

• Back to Mid-Ohio: The IndyCar Series is making its debut at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, but several drivers have raced on the 2.258-mile road course before. Team Penske’s Helio Castroneves is a two-time Indy car winner at Mid-Ohio, while Andretti Green Racing’s Dario Franchitti is the outright lap-record holder. Other drivers with Indy car experience at Mid-Ohio are: Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Darren Manning and Scott Sharp.

• Local links: Ohio natives Sam Hornish Jr. and Sarah Fisher return to their home state to race in the IndyCar Series for the first time at the Honda 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by Westfield Insurance. Hornish, a three-time IndyCar Series champion, is a native of Defiance, Ohio, while Fisher is from Commercial Point, Ohio. In addition, Hilliard, Ohio-based Rahal Letterman Racing fields two cars in the IndyCar Series. In addition, Honda, which has an automotive and motorcycle manufacturing base in Marysville, Ohio and manufacturing plants in Anna, Ohio and East Liberty Ohio, provides the engines for every IndyCar Series team. Honda also serves as title sponsor of the race.

• Ethanol Power: The 2007 IndyCar Series season marks the first year where the full field is fueled by ethanol. All IndyCar Series competitors employ the 3.5-liter Honda Indy V-8 engine fueled by 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol. The IndyCar Series is the first in motorsports to embrace a renewable fuel source. Ethanol is an environmentally-friendly fuel, distilled from high-starch crops (primarily corn) grown in the United States.

INDY PRO SERIES STORY IDEAS: • Lloyd re-writing record book: Alex Lloyd is re-writing the Indy Pro Series record book by starting the season with seven wins in the first 11 races. Below is a look at some of his milestones: • 9 career victories: Lloyd became the winningest driver in Indy Pro Series history with his victory at Iowa Speedway on June 23. Lloyd has won nine times in 20 starts. He won two of nine last year with AFS Racing and is seven for 11 this season with Sam Schmidt Motorsports. Thiago Medeiros, Jeff Simmons and Mark Taylor each won seven Indy Pro Series races. Dominant streaks Lloyd: Won 9 of 20 starts, including 7 of 11 to start the 2007 season. Medeiros: Won 4 consecutive races in 2004 and 5 of 6 from the final race of 2003 through the first five races of 2004. Simmons: Won 5 of 8 races from Milwaukee 2005 through Homestead 2006. Taylor: Won 7 of 11 careers starts in 2003.

• 7 victories in a season: Lloyd tied Mark Taylor for the most victories, 7, in a season with a victory in Race 2 at Watkins Glen. Lloyd also set the Indy Pro Series record for most consecutive top-five finishes with 13. The streak ended at Nashville.

• 5 consecutive victories: Lloyd is the first Indy Racing League driver to record five consecutive victories, which he did to start the season. Thiago Medeiros held the mark with four straight wins in the Indy Pro Series in 2004. Dan Wheldon and Kenny Brack share the IndyCar Series record with three consecutive wins. Notable all-time winning streaks include: 10 – Richard Petty (1967), NASCAR Nextel Cup 9 – Alberto Ascari (1952-53), World Driving Championship (now F1) 8 – Patrick Carpentier (1996), Atlantics 7 – A.J. Foyt (1964), Indy car 5 – Greg Moore (1995), Indy Lights

• Indy history: Lloyd is the first driver in the history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to win on both the oval and the road course. Lloyd’s first Indy Pro Series victory came last July at the Liberty Challenge when he passed Graham Rahal with two laps to go. Earlier this season (May 25), Lloyd led all 40 laps of the Freedom 100 to win on the oval.

• Cunningham rides hot streak: 2005 Indy Pro Series champion Wade Cunningham comes to Mid-Ohio on a hot streak. He’s won two of the last three pole positions (Iowa and Watkins Glen) and earned a victory in Race 1 at Watkins Glen. He finished second at Iowa and Race 2 at Watkins Glen and fourth at Nashville.

• First-time visitor: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is one of two new venues on the Indy Pro Series schedule in 2007. The series also competed for the first time at Iowa Speedway in June.

• Prendeville has Mid-Ohio victory: The Indy Pro Series is headed to Mid-Ohio for the first time, but some drivers have competed there in the past. Notably, Andrew Prendeville won a Formula Continental event at the facility in 2002.

• Local links: Rookie Brad Jaeger is a Cincinnati native while Jonathan Klein attended the University of Dayton last year before relocating to Indianapolis. Hilliard, Ohio’s Rahal Letterman Racing has a partnership with Andersen Racing, fielding two cars in the Indy Pro Series.

• In the home stretch: The Indy Pro Series is into the second half of the 2007 season. The final five races include three races on road courses and two races on ovals. After watching Alex Lloyd dominate the first half of the season, who will step up to challenge him in the second half?

• Alternating schedule: For the remainder of the 2007 season, Indy Pro Series teams and drivers will alternate racing on ovals and road courses. The stretch began at Milwaukee on June 2 and continues through the end of the season. On June 16-17, the Indy Pro Series competed on the 13-turn, 2.605-mile road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The schedule continued with Iowa (oval), Watkins Glen (road course), Nashville (oval), Mid-Ohio (rc), Kentucky (oval), Infineon (rc) and Chicagoland (oval).

• IndyCar Series influence: Four of the top IndyCar Series teams are fielding cars in the Indy Pro Series this season, including two for the first time. Andretti Green Racing returns for its third season in the series while Panther Racing returns for the first time since its championship-winning campaign in 2003. Target Chip Ganassi Racing and Rahal Letterman Racing enter the Indy Pro Series for the first time.

MILESTONES: • Scott Dixon won his eighth IndyCar Series race at Nashville Superspeedway, breaking a tie he shared with Dario Franchitti for seventh on the IndyCar Series all-time victory list. • Scott Dixon’s win at Watkins Glen International was Target Chip Ganassi Racing’s 14th IndyCar Series victory. • Scott Dixon is the 14th IndyCar Series driver to win back-to-back events. He can tie Kenny Brack and Dan Wheldon’s series record for consecutive wins should he win at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. • Scott Dixon has been running at the finish of every IndyCar Series race since Watkins Glen in September 2005, a span of 27 races, an IndyCar Series record. • Dan Wheldon has led 578 of 2,079 laps this season or 27.8 percent of all laps. Tony Kanaan holds the IndyCar Series record for most-laps led with 889 during the 2004 season. • Helio Castroneves can tie Billy Boat’s 1998 record for most poles in a season should he earn the pole at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. • Helio Castroneves has qualified in the top-10 in 27 consecutive races, an IndyCar Series record. • Scott Sharp needs one win to earn his 10th IndyCar Series victory. • Scott Sharp can extend his series record for consecutive starts to 133 straight races at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. • Scott Sharp became the fourth driver to surpass $10,000,000 in career earnings with his seventh-place finish at Nashville Speedway. • Vitor Meira has gone 70 starts without a victory in the IndyCar Series, the longest drought of any IndyCar Series driver. *** The next IndyCar Series event is the Honda 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by Westfield Insurance at 1:30 p.m. on July 22 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The race will be televised live by ABC and broadcast by the IMS Radio Network. The next Indy Pro Series event is the Mid-Ohio 100 on July 22 at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course. The race will be broadcast at 5:30 p.m. on July 26. ESPN2’s coverage of Sunbelt Rentals 100 will be televised by ESPN2 at 5 p.m. on July 18.