Sam Schmidt Motorsports: Firestone Indy Lights Birmingham Advance

INDIANAPOLIS, April 6, 2011: It’s become the mantra of many championship-winning sports teams the past few years, and the “Next Man Up” philosophy is certainly ingrained in the minds of the Sam Schmidt Motorsports (SSM) Firestone Indy Lights team as it rolls into Barber Motorsports Park for this weekend’s Honda Grand Prix of Alabama.

With four front-running car-and-driver combinations backed by veteran team members, there is a simple expectation level at SSM – win. If driver X doesn’t win, then driver Y is supposed to win. If driver Y doesn’t win, then driver Z is supposed to win. You get the picture. If one driver stumbles, it’s time for the “Next Man Up” to take P1.

That philosophy was never more evident than at the Indy Lights season-opening Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg two weekends ago.

During the intense 45-minute qualifying session, all four of the SSM drivers – Victor Carbone, Conor Daly, Esteban Guerrieri and Josef Newgarden – kept their cars in the top-10. As time ticked off the clock during Saturday qualifying, it looked as if Daly, from Noblesville, Ind., was going to start his No. 77 Road to Indy/SSM car on pole in Sunday’s race. But, with just seconds remaining in the session, another driver knocked Daly from the top spot. Who was it? Guerrieri, the “Next Man Up.”

The personable Argentinian put his No. 7 Lucas Oil/SSM car on pole, stealing P1 from teammate Daly, who ended up with the second starting spot. Newgarden, from Hendersonville, Tenn., gave SSM a top-three qualifying sweep.

In the race, it was Daly’s turn to be “Next Man Up.” With Newgarden leading, Guerrieri attempted a pass for the win on a late-race restart. Braking too late, Guerrieri drifted out of the groove and was passed by several cars. As Newgarden cruised to the checkered flag, who was there to replace Guerrieri in second place? Daly, the “Next Man Up.”

Victor Carbone, Driver of the No. 3 Nevoni/Sam Schmidt Motorsports Entry:

What are your thoughts after your first race in an Indy Lights car with SSM?

“Overall, my first race at St. Petersburg was a really good experience. I learned a lot of things as the team is giving me all the tools I need to gain experience and grow as a driver.”

You’ve tested at Barber Motorsports Park. How will that help for race weekend?

“It helps as I know what to expect from the track point of view. My first race weekend at St. Pete was challenging as it was the first time I drove on that street course, so it is always good to know the track that you are going to race.”

Do you like Barber and can you compare it to any other facility where you’ve raced?”

“When I think about other racetrack complexes I like, they not only have a good track but they have good facilities, and this is exactly what Barber has to offer. I really can’t compare Barber to any other circuit. The first thing that comes to my mind about the track is turns seven and eight, which are really unique corners.”

Esteban Guerrieri, Driver of the No.7 Lucas Oil/Sam Schmidt Motorsports Entry:

How much have you thought about that last restart at St. Petersburg?

“I have thought about it for a bit, and I think I made the right analysis of that. But once things happen, you can’t go back, so now I am looking forward again with another bit of extra experience inside me.”

Would you have done anything differently?

“Yes. I lost my braking reference point when I checked out my mirrors to see where Conor was coming. So keeping focus on my reference is what I would have done differently.”

You’ve tested at Barber. Does this help you prepare mentally for the race weekend?

“Yes, indeed, definitely. I will feel more comfortable from lap one and will be able to find the limits quicker and fine-tune the car set-up.

What do you like about Barber, and can you compare it to another racetrack?

“It’s pretty much a great overall circuit. The layout is really fun to drive, the asphalt is very smooth and the facilities and surroundings are very well prepared. As soon as I arrived for the first time, it seemed to remind me of Spa-Francorchamps (France), but in a smaller format and nicer weather.”

Josef Newgarden, Driver of the No. 11 Robo-Pong/Sam Schmidt Motorsports Entry:

What did you do to celebrate your first Firestone Indy Lights win?”

“Not much, really, aside from eating a much-needed lunch meal. To be honest, my mind was already thinking about Barber that Sunday night. It was great to start the year so strongly with a win, but it’s going to be crucial to keep consistent form throughout the year.”

Is there additional pressure racing against your teammates for the win?

“Yes and no. I think when you have very good teammates, there is always going to be more pressure. But, on the other hand, having strong teammates is crucial to being able to push each other ahead of the entire field all year long.”

Talk about having Conor Daly on the podium with you.

“It was great for the SSM crew to have two guys leading the field at the end of the day, but I wish we would have been able to secure a straight one-two-three in the end with Esteban. I know that’s what we are going to be aiming for at Barber, and especially all year long.”

Can you compare Barber to another racetrack where you’ve raced before?

“Barber is the only permanent road course that we go to in the year, and it’s much more similar to a European-style circuit than any other circuit we race on this year. It seems slightly similar to the Hungaroring (Hungary), which I drove on last year in GP3. It’s a very smooth, high-downforce track that’s extremely technical with flowing sections included.”

Conor Daly, Driver of the No. 77 Mazda Road To Indy/Sam Schmidt Motorsports Entry:

How much have you thought about your first Lights race, or has your schedule even permitted you to do so?

“Well, immediately after St. Pete, I flew straight to England and was immediately in GP3 mode. But I was able to visit the Sam Schmidt Motorsports shop all this week to go over things from St. Pete and prepare for Barber. I definitely want to be as prepared as possible.”

Would you have done anything differently?

“I would have cleaned up my final qualifying lap to get the pole. That definitely had a huge effect on the race results. The outside was a very bad place to start and, unfortunately, I got the worst of it through turn one. However, it was very encouraging that we had fastest lap of the race and a car that was able to overtake.”

You’ve tested at Barber. Does this help you prepare mentally for the race weekend?

“The test at Barber definitely gave us some good information for the race weekend, so we’ll do our best to use it to our advantage as a team.”

What do you like about Barber and can you compare it to another racetrack where you’ve raced?

“Barber is a very well-maintained facility and has some great elevation. It’s a pretty unique place. It’s hard to compare Barber to any other track. It’s very unique, but I wish the straights were a little bit longer for better overtaking opportunities.”