Indy Lights - Sam Schmidt Motorsports: Long Beach Firestone Indy Lights Advance

INDIANAPOLIS, April 14, 2011: After a frustrating outing in last Sunday’s Honda Grand Prix of Alabama, the next Firestone Indy Lights race can’t come soon enough for Sam Schmidt Motorsports (SSM).

This weekend’s Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is just what the four-car SSM team needs to put Alabama out of its mind, where a first-lap accident involved the SSM trio of Esteban Guerrieri, Victor Carbone and Josef Newgarden, and nearly collected a fourth SSM driver, Conor Daly.

Newgarden had to pit for repairs to his No. 11 Robo-Pong/SSM Dallara, but he rejoined the rear of field before the race went green again. The No. 7 Lucas Oil/SSM Dallara of Guerrieri and the No. 3 Nevoni/SSM Dallara of Carbone could not continue. A few laps later as Daly was battling for a spot on the podium, he had his own on-track incident with another car, forcing his No. 77 Mazda Road to Indy/SSM Dallara into the pits for a new nose cone.

The best SSM could muster was Newgarden’s sixth-place effort, a far cry from the Newgarden-led 1-2-6-9 finish SSM earned in the season opener on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla.

Thankfully, Cali is calling. The 11-turn, 1.97-mile temporary street circuit in Long Beach is home to Round 3 on the 13-race Firestone Indy Lights schedule, and it’s where SSM can get back to its winning ways, something the team has done 38 times in its 11-year history, winning a series-best four championships along the way (2004, 2006, 2007 and 2010).

Long Beach is a scenic street course that once held Formula One races. It provides a festival atmosphere for die-hard race fans, and the vibe emanating from the Southern California port city is enough to energize even the most sullen personalities. It’s exactly what the doctor ordered for the SSM team, which will seek redemption in Sunday’s 45-lap race.

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

Are you familiar with the prestige and traditions that surround the Long Beach Grand Prix?

“To be honest, I don’t know very much about the event because I’ve never been there before. I lived in Los Angeles for one year, but I’ve never been to the track before and I’m really looking forward to that event. I really enjoy street courses as we progress and, hopefully, we can do well there.”

Because it’s Long Beach, will you put more pressure on yourself to do well?

“Because I made a big step from F2000, I don’t expect results to come right away, but I’m a really competitive kind of guy. I’m not here to be second. I’m here to win. It’s just going to take a little bit (of time) for the results to come as I try to learn as much as I can.”

From Long Beach, you go to Las Vegas to test on the oval. What are your thoughts about racing on ovals?

“I like it because it’s completely different than everything I’ve been driving. I started racing go-karts when I was 8 years old, and in 10 years, I’ve never driven anything like that. That’s why I’m very excited, because it’s something completely different for me.”

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

Are you looking forward to racing in Long Beach?

“I’m very excited about going to Long Beach. I’ve heard it’s a very nice place, and California is one of the places I dream about seeing. So, at least I will accomplish one of my dream goals. But, I am going for work, obviously, and I hear the race atmosphere is very nice, as well. I’m looking forward to the weekend.”

It’s another street race and only your second street race. How are you adapting to street racing?

“I’m not that used to street races, to be honest, because in Europe we didn’t do it much. We got good in St. Pete so, yes, you could say I like them (street courses). I like to be close to the wall. To put a good lap together, you know, on the limit, it’s more exciting when you have the wall right there and sometimes when you kiss it.”

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

You’re aware of the prestige surrounding Long Beach. Are you ready to finally get a chance to race there?

“Yes, absolutely. Judging by what I saw in St. Petersburg, I know Long Beach is going to be very similar, if not better. I’m very excited about going there. We’re going to be on a lot of street courses this year, so it’s going to be fun to get back on one. Another interesting thing is that Firestone will be bringing the 2011 tire. Long Beach will be the first time we will use that tire, so it will add a different dynamic to the weekend. I’m interested to see how everyone progresses with that.”

You don’t race for more than a month after Long Beach. What will you do during the down time?

“We test at Vegas and then we test at Kentucky, and then follow that up with the Indianapolis open test. We’re very excited to test on the ovals. I’ve never done that before.”

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

Have you given much thought to the fact that you finally get to race at Long Beach?

“I’ve always looked forward to Long Beach. I’ve been there the last few years just to watch, and I couldn’t really imagine driving on it, so I’m extremely excited to get on the track. I love street courses. The Long Beach event is huge. I know a lot of people there, so I’m just really looking forward to getting there.”

Do you really like street racing that much?

“I love street racing. My favorite type of road racing is street racing. It should be a lot of fun. No one can test on street courses, so it’s just about getting on it as soon as you hit the track.”