Indianapolis Motor Speedway Trackside Report, Day 6
8 May 1997
IMS Trackside Report
Day 6, Thursday, May 8
Rain and wet conditions delayed the track opening until 3:01 p.m. At
3:35 p.m., Steve Kinser took the #44 One Call/Menards/Quaker State
entry on to the track, marking his first lap at the Speedway since
1981. At 3:56 p.m., Robbie Buhl in the #3 Quaker State Special turned
a lap at 213.929 miles an hour, fastest of the day. At 4:06, Buhl
turned a lap at 214.521, fastest of the day. At 4:16 p.m., Buhl turned
a lap at 214.864, fastest of the day. At 4:56 p.m., Tony Stewart in
the #2T Glidden/Menards/Special turned a lap at 215.476, fastest of
the day. At 4:55 p.m., Buhl turned a lap at 214.900, second fastest of
the day.
ARIE LUYENDYK: "Like I said, same as yesterday, we tried to do what we
were doing before. To tell you the truth, yesterday's setup was
better. We really didn't make much progress today. We'll try again
tomorrow. I think we're getting close." (Differences between 1997 and
1996): "I don't have that much time. One difference is you don't have
the same people to run against. The competition's the same...I mean,
lap times and things like that."
Tony George, president of the Speedway, and Leo Mehl, vice president
of the Speedway and executive director of the Indy Racing League, met
with the media this morning in the Trackside Conference Room.
TONY GEORGE: (about a 33-car field): "Sure, there's going to be 33
cars starting. It's not a prediction. I mean, it's our intent to start
a full field of cars. It always has been. You know, I think a lot has
been made of the engine situation but we have a lot of challenges that
we have to meet beyond a 33-car field. We go on to Texas and Colorado
in two-week intervals after the Speedway and those are all challenges,
but everyone is enthusiastic about meeting those challenges." (About
future CART participation here): "We really want anybody that wants to
compete in the Indy Racing League or the Indianapolis 500 to feel that
they have an opportunity to do that. I think there is today an
opportunity for them to do that, all things being equal. There's
nothing keeping them away today. I know I've had several conversations
with Al (Unser) Jr., particularly, and he's expressed a lot of his
personal feelings to me. And I know there are others out there who
feel like they want to be back at Indianapolis. I think we will have
Indy-only teams and many of those teams may be what are considered
CART teams today, but we welcome anybody who wants to come run here."
(About the IRL's progress): "I think we're right where I thought we
would be or right where I'd hoped we would be. We're very fortunate to
have him (Mehl) on board and so, based on where we started, maybe
we're a little bit ahead of where we'd like to be." (About the IRL
engine package): "A lot of people who are working on these engines
feel very, very strongly that given time to develop within the next
six months, which means by the end of our season, these things should
be very, very reliable whereby we could, if we had a schedule that
required it, would be running week in and week out. That's one of the
things we've planned for and it just doesn't happen overnight, but
it's around the corner." (About road racing in the IRL's future): "I
don't think I've really...held out much hope for road racing. Maybe I
did at one point. But we've designed these cars around an oval. I
don't think it would be very wise of us to go out and try to run road
courses as part of our schedule with all the oval opportunities that
are out there. Early on, before we really designed these League cars,
we talked to Laguna Seca because they expressed an interest...but
really as the plans developed, road courses weren't part of the
business plan." (About an added race at the Speedway): "There was an
indirect approach to my office _ I didn't speak to anyone on this
subject but it came to me through one of the people in my office. The
question was asked, would we be interested in hosting a CART-
sanctioned race in September, as early as this year? We have to look
at it as a business decision and I don't think it would make sense for
us to do that. We're promoting a golf tournament in September that
we're trying to build. As far as additional races at this venue, I
would be most interested in possibly pursuing a Formula One race but
our open-wheel oval race is in May and that's what I'm interested in
trying to continue to build. They're (discussions with Formula One)
not ongoing at all at this point. Through the years, we've had a
couple of conversations and we've designed what we think would be a
great road course for Formula One. We've got different business
philosophies that have kept us separate right now, but I think we'd
have a great venue for a U.S. Grand Prix. There is a time of year, but
with the construction projects we have going on here, we can't be
running races here past August."
LEO MEHL: (about IRL rule changes): "When we started the League, I
wasn't here of course, but there were contractual arrangements made
with the engine suppliers and the chassis suppliers and now we're
going to announce (Friday, May 16)...what's going to happen in the
future, what the requirements are if you want to build a motor for the
IRL. We're going to announce what the engine supply rules will be and
we're going to distribute a technical specification. We have worked
very closely with them (the manufacturers) on what the spec should be
for the future. We don't want the cars to be obsoleted at the end of
the year. We want the _97s to be able to be updated to _98s. We know
that if I'm an owner and I've got enough money, I'm going to buy
myself a _98. So we think that's going to be the strength of the
League, that the _97s will stay in service. (About IRL qualifying
rules): "The 25 and 8 rule is being discussed right now and has been
discussed for awhile. We will announce also what's going to happen to
the 25 and 8 rule. It's actually a 23 and 10 rule right now because
there're only 23 cars in the point standings that are participating
here." (About CART teams running here in _98): "I think that the teams
are very interested to see the final copy of the rules to know that
they're not going to be changed, or the car builders. They want to
have confidence in the rules, exactly what they are. They do know
that we will treat them fairly, that if they come, they'll come on the
same basis as anybody else..." (About the IRL's future direction): "I
figured it out when I was quietly retired one day. There's nearly a
billion dollars in investment in the last several years and planned
for the future...a billion dollars in investment in racing tracks in
the United States and every penny of it has been in ovals. So it's my
opinion that there is a place in that billion dollar investment for a
very closely competitive, reasonably-priced, open-wheel series that
can concentrate just on that. CART has excellent races, you know, a
good series...a very diverse series and a good series, but we're
looking at an all-oval series and we feel there's a place for that."
(About the _98 IRL schedule): "We're looking for 10 races next year
and we want to build the thing up slowly and give the teams and the
equipment time to develop. We haven't talked very much about road
courses although the subject comes up from time to time. Our intent is
to be the best oval race and open-wheel series in the world."
At 3:17 p.m., Arie Luyendyk in the #5 Treadway Racing WavePhore Miller
Lite entry got loose in the south short chute, did two complete spins
over 580 feet to hit the wall with the front in the middle of Turn 2,
then came off the wall 60 feet to a stop. The car sustained minor nose
cone damage. Luyendyk was examined and released from Hanna Medical
Center and was cleared to drive. "I went into Turn 1...wasn't going
very hard...it was probably cold tires or the wind could've played a
factor," said Luyendyk. "There could've been just a little spot of
moisture on the track also. But they'll probably check that. When it
came around, I slammed on the brakes hard and when it came down into
the grass, that's probably where it picked up speed, but all I'm
missing is a nose cone. I should be back out there in a few minutes."
Blueprint Racing has entered into a year-long partnership with
Arlington, Texas-based High Opportunity Petroleum Enterprises Inc.,
driver Sam Schmidt and owner Ed Rachanski announced today at the
Trackside Conference Room. The car assigned to Schmidt is now called
the #16 HOPE/Blueprint Racing entry. HOPE owners Mark Manuel and Jeff
Walker were also on hand for the announcement. HOPE opened in March
and markets a Universal Prepaid Fuel Card and a Revolutionary HOPE
Fuel Enhancer containing Enviromax Plus, endorsed by three-time "500"
winner Johnny Rutherford. In addition, Blueprint driver Jim Guthrie
announced Cruisin' America as a sponsor for the #27 Jacuzzi/Blueprint
Racing Dallara.
JIM GUTHRIE: (about getting started in the IRL for _97): "We borrowed
$5,000 on VISA from friends for the down payment on the Dallara. We
begged and borrowed parts...we had almost one of everything for
Orlando."
Rookies Sam Schmidt, Vincenzo Sospiri, Affonso Giaffone, Jeff Ward and
Greg Ray met with the media today in the Trackside Conference Room.
AFFONSO GIAFFONE (after telling the media that his "regular" job in
Brazil was building bulletproof cars, he was asked if there was a
market for it): "Unfortunately in Brazil, (the) crime rate (is) high
and (the) market (is) good for me right now." (About starting his
career): "When I started my career, I was 18. My dad wouldn't allow me
to race until I got into business in university. When in university, I
started Formula Fords and put my car in the garage and mom and dad's
outside. That's how I got started."
VINCENZO SOSPIRI (about driving style): "I remind myself to turn
left. My style of driving (is) to get (as) smooth as possible, get
flat(out) and to not change my line."
JEFF WARD (about being at Indy in _95): "Here in _95, it was a big
jump for me but I still have to start over. I just want to get on the
track like everyone else." (About transition from motocross): "I raced
motocross when I was five and raced for 25 years. I started with
Kawasaki when I was 16 and stayed with them for my professional
career. I wanted to race cars all along the way. I raced motocross
longer than most. I raced off-road and celebrity races in cars
sometimes. After retiring in _92 from motocross, I immediately started
Indy Lights. (about the difference between cars and motocycles): "I
felt restricted by the seat belts. You hit harder when you fall off a
bike. Mentally, in preparation, you drive to win."
SAM SCHMIDT (asked if he would be here if not for the IRL): "Me, most
definitely (would not be here). Like Greg, I didn't start racing till
I was older. IRL has helped open doors."
GREG RAY (in response to Schmidt's answer): "I agree wholeheartedly.
When I started racing, I set myself a path. Formula One had a clear
path. When I started, the Indy cars didn't (have a clear path). The
IRL has opened the doors."
Team Menard confirmed today its cars would return to Firestone tires
after four days on Goodyear tires.
LARRY CURRY (Team Menard director of racing): "The bottom line is we
said in the beginning that the plan was to try to run on Goodyears. We
ran right at 400 miles (on Goodyears). We weren't able to get the cars
to the confidence level we'd like to have for our drivers. It's
important that the drivers are able to have confidence in the whole
package for the race. We felt that, because of the time that's left,
we owed that to the drivers."
AL SPEYER (Bridgestone/Firestone director of motorsports): "We are
delighted to have Team Menard back with Firestone. This is where we
thought they belonged all along. We now are eager to do our part to
help them toward their goals of winning a third straight pole and
following that up with a victory in the Indianapolis 500."
STU GRANT (General manager of racing worldwide for Goodyear): "There
are fundamental differences between brands of tires. The Menard teams
ran over 3,000 miles in testing at Indy for the competitor.
Unfortunately, two days of practice was not enough time to find the
right setup with our tires."
Alessandro Zampedri and the #34 Mi-Jack Scandia Royal Purple entry
brought out the caution at 5:23 p.m. when the car caught
fire. Zampedri stopped the machine just past the scoring pylon. "It
just blew right out of (Turn) 4," Zampedri said. "All day we've been
waiting for this rain to stop and then this happens. We've been
struggling. I think I only have a total of 16 laps and not even up to
speed. I was lucky it blew coming out of the turn and not in the
entrance."
Steve Kinser completed the first phase of his driver's test at 5:03
p.m. today. Rookies will practice 9:30-11 a.m. Friday.
The second annual Women's Invitational Golf Tourney to benefit the
USAC Benevolent Foundation is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20 on the
West Nine at Eagle Creek Golf Course, sponsored by Raybestos. The
event is a best-ball scramble with check-in at 7 a.m. and a shotgun
start at 8 a.m. Lunch will be catered by Don Pablo's Mexican
Restaurant. For further information, contact Bill Marvel, the
foundation's executive secretary, at 317/247-5151.
Parnelli Jones, the 1963 Indianapolis 500 winner, will host a special
dinner at Indianapolis Raceway Park to benefit the Brain Injury
Association of Indiana. The inaugural event, "On the Right Track...The
Race to Prevent Brain Injury" will be one of the events surrounding
the USAC Coca Cola 100 Silver Crown Championship race the same evening
at IRP. Parnelli's son Page received critical brain injuries in an
accident while leading a sprint-car race in September, 1994, continues
to improve daily and is expected to join Parnelli at the event. For
further information, contact the Brain Injury Association of Indiana
at 317/356-7722 or IRP at 317/291-4090.
22 cars were on the track today, running 489 laps. Cars on track
today: #2 and #2T Stewart; #3 Buhl; #3T Robbie Buhl, Quaker State
Special; #5 Luyendyk; #6 Goodyear; #10 M. Groff; #12 Calkins; #16
Schmidt; #17 Giaffone; #18 Paul; #21T Guerrero; #22 Marco Greco, Side
Play International Scandia Alta Xcel; #27 Guthrie; #30 R. Groff; #34
Zampedri; #40 Miller; #42 Gordon; #44 Steve Kinser, One
Call/Menards/Quaker State; #77 Stephan Gregoire, Chastain Motorsports;
#90 St. James; #91 Lazier.
Claude Bourbonnais, Scott Harrington, Johnny O'Connell and Johnny
Parsons passed driver physicals today, bringing the total to 45,
according to Dr. Henry Bock, Speedway medical director.
A total of 41 cars are now at the Speedway, 30 have passed technical
inspection and three are in the process. 28 drivers have been on the
track to date. There were eight yellows for 1 hour, 5 minutes. (Rain
delay: 3 hours, 5 minutes.) At 5:05 p.m., the temperature was 70
degrees with winds 16 miles an hour out of the west. Track
temperatures from Goodyear tire engineers were 106 degrees at 3:15
p.m., 97 degrees at 5 p.m. and 81 degrees at 6 p.m.
TOP 10 DRIVERS OF THE DAY
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 5 Arie Luyendyk Treadway Racing WavePhore Miller Lite G/A/F 217.318
2 2T Tony Stewart Glidden/Menards/Special G/A/F 215.822
3 3T Robbie Buhl Quaker State Special G/A/F 215.708
4 90 Lyn St. James Lifetime TV-Cinergy D/I/F 212.565
5 42 Robby Gordon Coors Light G/A/G 212.229
6 18 John Paul Jr. Klipsch Tnemec Overhead Door Pyle V-Line Earl's D/A/G 211.640
7 12 Buzz Calkins Bradley Food Marts G/A/G 211.248
8 21T Roberto Guerrero Pennzoil-Pagan Racing Dallara Infiniti D/I/G 210.664
9 6 Scott Goodyear Treadway Racing Nortel G/A/F 209.966
10 16 Sam Schmidt HOPE/Blueprint Racing D/A/F 209.864
Legend: C=Chassis E=Engine T=Tires
D=Dallara A=Aurora G=Goodyear
G=G-Force I=Infiniti F=Firestone
--IMS--