Indianapolis Motor Speedway Trackside Report, Day 7
10 May 1997
IMS Trackside Report
Day 7, Friday, May 9
At 11:43 a.m., Robbie Buhl in the #3T Quaker State Special turned a
lap at 214.352 miles an hour, fastest of the day. At 11:54 a.m.,
Fermin Velez in the #33 Old Navy Scandia Royal Purple Alta Xcel entry
turned a lap 214.403, fastest of the day. At 12:15 p.m., Tony Stewart
in the #2 Glidden/Menards/Special turned a lap at 215.368, fastest of
the day. At 12:19 p.m., Velez turned a lap at 215.760, fastest of the
day. At 12:39 p.m., Robbie Buhl in the #3 Quaker State Special turned
a lap at 216.081, fastest of the day. At 1:38 p.m., Stewart turned a
lap at 217.292, fastest of the day. At 5:14 p.m., Arie Luyendyk in the
#5 Treadway Racing WavePhore Miller Lite entry turned a lap at
218.325, fastest of the day. ARIE LUYENDYK: "We've been the fastest
here for four days in a row. That still doesn't mean anything on Pole
Day. I'm just going to take it one step at a time."
USAC Rookie Orientation Chronology:
9:54 a.m. _ #40 Dr. Jack Miller passed second phase of driver's test.
10:15 a.m. _ #44 Steve Kinser passed second phase.
10:23 a.m. _ #40 Miller passed third phase.
10:48 a.m. _ #44 Kinser passed third phase.
11:04 a.m. _ #40 Miller passed fourth phase.
11:08 a.m. _ #44 Kinser passed fourth phase.
12:27 p.m. _ #40 Miller passed the final observation phase of the
driver's test with Johnny Rutherford, Paul Durant, Lyn St. James and
Tyce Carlson serving as the observers. "I'm very comfortable and as
happy as I've ever been in a race car in my life," Miller said. "Now
we need to get out there and run for speed and hopefully qualify
tomorrow."
12:28 p.m. _ #44 Kinser passed the final observation phase with the
same observers. "We got all the rookie phases out of the way," Kinser
said. "Now we want to get this thing smoothed out and get some
speed. We'll try to get qualified and see what happens."
12:40 p.m. _ #16 Sam Schmidt passed the final observation phase with
the same observers. "Yesterday, we did six laps with the veterans
watching and had problems with the rotor," Schmidt said. "By the time
I got back out, the track was closed. Today we went out and we were
running 203, 204 and the car didn't feel real comfortable. We put
wickers on both front and rear wings and the car ran like a dream. I'd
be real happy if we got to 213-214 if the weather stays the same."
4:45 p.m. _ #52 Jeff Ward completed his 20-lap refresher test.
At 12:42 p.m., John Paul Jr. in the #18 Klipsch Tnemec Overhead Door
Pyle V-Line Earl's entry did a complete spin in Turn 4 690 feet to hit
the wall with the front, came back 60 feet to hit with the rear, then
slid down the frontstretch 460 feet with a half- spin to a stop. The
car sustained heavy front and left-side damage. Paul Jr., was awake
and alert and was transported by ambulance to Methodist Hospital
Trauma Center complaining of pain in both legs. At 3 p.m., it was
announced that Paul Jr., was admitted in good condition with a broken
lower right leg and a broken left heel.
At 3:49 p.m., Stephan Gregoire in the #77 Chastain Motorsports entry
did a full spin 180 feet in the Turn 2 warmup lane, barely touching
the inside guard rail. The car sustained minor nose-cone
damage. Gregoire was uninjured.
At 5:17 p.m., Scott Sharp in the #1 Conseco AJ Foyt Racing entry did one
complete spin covering 635 feet to hit the Turn 4 wall, slid 160 feet along
the wall and came off the wall 2,690 feet to a stop near the end of the main
straightaway. The car sustained extensive right-side damage. Sharp was
transported by ambulance to Methodist Hospital. He was reported awake and
had signs of a concussion, according to Dr. Henry Bock, Speedway medical
director. The accident closed the track for the day.
Auto racing drivers and teams competing in the Indianapolis 500 and
other races are making a major contribution to the safety of future
production vehicles, General Motors' top motorsports engineer said
today in the Trackside Conference Room. "Our automotive safety
scientists are learning information about human survivability in
high-speed impacts through the GM Motorsports Safety Technology
Research Program that would not otherwise be available from any other
source," said Herb Fishel, executive director, GM Motorsports. "Over
the past five years, we have recorded significant race track impacts
and conducted 160 impact sled tests utilizing data recorded in these
racing accidents. We are discovering things that were not previously
thought possible prior to the installation of impact recorders on
racing cars, such as the ability of a properly protected driver to be
able to sustain impacts of more than 100 Gs (force of gravity) without
major injury."
The creation of the Scott Brayton Driver's Trophy was announced today
in the Trackside Conference Room and will honor at the 1997
Indianapolis 500 any past or present entrant that best exemplifies the
character and racing spirit of the late two-time "500" pole
winner. The announcement was made by Andrew Evans, the chairman of the
award's presenting sponsor, Royal Purple Motor Oil, Inc. It will be
presented annually to an Indianapolis 500 entrant who extends the
legacy of one of Indy's own, through sportsmanship, competitiveness
and goodwill. The recipient will receive a $25,000 cash award and a
uniquely-crafted crystal trophy designed and produced by
Tiffany's. The selection will be made by Evans, Speedway President
Tony George and Lee Brayton, Scott's father.
LEE BRAYTON: "My wife (Jean) and I think that this is just a great
tribute. I think that the trophy itself would be a great honor to
receive and that the financial award is a great incentive for somebody
to program their life after my son."
ANDREW EVANS: "Scott made an impression on everyone he met, from
sponsors to team members to the average fan. The industry benefitted
from his enthusiasm and this award has been created to both honor his
life and to remind our current drivers that sitting behind the wheel
is but a small portion of their profession."
TONY GEORGE: "Scott...all the things he brought to this sport that we
miss very much will live on in this recognition."
Pole Day Schedule:
7 a.m. _ Gates open
8-8:30 a.m. _ Group 1 practice (first half of qualifying order)
8:30-9 a.m. _ Group 2 practice (second half of qualifying order)
9-10 a.m. _ Open practice
11 a.m.-6 p.m. _ Qualifications and/or practice
Pole Day Radio and Television Schedule (Indianapolis times):
10:15 a.m. - 6:15 p.m._ IMS Radio Network, hourly reports
10:30 - 11:30 a.m._ IMS Radio Network, INDY AM
11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m._ WNDY, Channel 23, FanFest
12 - 2 p.m. _ ABC, Pole Day Qualifying
5:30 - 6 p.m. _ IMS Radio Network, INDY PM
6-7 p.m. _ WTHR, Channel 13, Eyewitness News/Speedquest
6:30 p.m. _ WISH, Channel 8, Sportslocker Extra: Qualification Wrap-up
6:30 - 7 p.m. _ WRTV, Channel 6, Trackside Six Qualification Summary
6:30 - 7:30 p.m._ WNDY, Channel 23, Qualification Recap
7:30 p.m. _ WISH, Channel 8, Sportslocker Extra: Lazier in High Gear
11 p.m. _ WTHR, Channel 13, Eyewitness News Nightbeat
Brief explanation of qualifying procedures:
1. The pole position is decided by the fastest qualifier on the first
day, or the fastest qualifier after one trip through the original
qualifying line, whichever comes LAST.
2. Each car can make three qualification attempts. When a car
completes a four-lap, 10-mile qualification attempt, its speed becomes
official. The car may not requalify. The driver, if the car is bumped,
may qualify in another car.
3. If a top 25 car in Indy Racing League entrant points meets the
minimum average speed requirement of 203 miles per hour, it cannot be
bumped.
4. Cars must meet the minimum average speed requirement of 203 miles
an hour to be eligible for the field.
5. The 24 cars eligible under the IRL qualifying provision for spots
in the field if they meet the minimum speed are: #10 Jonathan
Byrd-Cunningham Racing, #22 Team Scandia; #14 AJ Foyt Enterprises; #12
Bradley Motorsports, #33 Team Scandia, #21 Pagan Racing, #1 AJ Foyt
Enterprises, #2 Team Menard, #27 Blueprint Racing, #40 Arizona
Motorsports, #18 PDM Racing, #51 FirstPlus Team Cheever, #5 Treadway
Racing, #30 McCormack Motorsports, #91 Hemelgarn Racing, #6 Treadway
Racing, #3 Team Menard, #7 Team Scandia, #77 Chastain Motorsports, #17
Chitwood Motorsports, #4 Galles Racing International, #54 Beck
Motorsports, #28 PDM Racing and #15 Tempero-Giuffre Racing. The #74 of
Della Penna Motorsports is not entered.
QUALIFYING AWARDS
The PPG Pole Award of $100,000 and a $35,000 customized van from
Chevrolet head the list of qualifying awards for the 1997 Indianapolis
500. The PPG Pole Award was started in 1989. Other awards include:
GTE "Front Runner" Awards _ $30,000
True Value "Pole Winning Chief Mechanic" Award _ $10,000
Sure Start/Automotive Armature "On the Bubble" Award _ $10,000
Ameritech "Youngest Starting Driver" Award _ $7,500
Citadel Group "Overachiever" Award _ $5,000
Buckeye Machine/Race Spec "Final Measure" Award _ $5,000
Ferguson Steel "Most Consistent Rookie Qualifier" Award _ $5,000
Snap-On/Championship Association of Mechanics "Top Wrench" Award _ $5,000
Mi-Jack "Top Performer" Award _ $5,000
S R E Industries "My Bubble Burst" Award _ $5,000
T.P. Donovan "Top Starting Rookie" Award _ $5,000
Indianapolis Motor Speedway qualifying prizes _ $120,000
31 cars were on the track today, running 1,195 laps. Cars on track
today: #1T Scott Sharp Conseco AJ Foyt Racing; #2 Stewart; #3 and #3T
Buhl; #4T Kenny Brack, Monsoon Galles Racing; #5 Luyendyk; #6
Goodyear; #7 Salazar; #8 Sospiri; #10 Groff; #10T Mike Groff, Jonathan
Byrd's Cafeteria Bryant Heating & Cooling; #12 Calkins; #14 Hamilton;
#16 Schmidt; #17 Giaffone; #18 Paul Jr; #21T Guerrero; #22 Greco; #27
Guthrie; #30 R. Groff; #33 Velez; #34 Zampedri; #40 Miller; #42
Gordon; #44 Kinser; #50 Billy Roe, Sega Progressive Electronics
Eurointernational; #51 Eddie Cheever, FirstPlus Team Cheever; #52
Ward; #77 Gregoire; #91 Lazier; #91T Buddy Lazier, Delta
Faucet-Montana-Hemelgarn Racing.
A total of 43 cars are now at the Speedway, 37 have passed technical
inspection and none are in the process. 30 drivers have been on the
track to date. There were nine yellows for two hours, 33 minutes. At
10:14 a.m., the temperature was 48 degrees and winds were out of the
west at 24 miles an hour, gusting to 33 mph. At 6:12 p.m., the
temperature was 51 degrees and winds were out of the northwest at 16
miles an hour, gusting to 26 mph.
TOP 10 DRIVERS OF THE DAY
1 5 Arie Luyendyk Treadway Racing WavePhore Miller Lite G/A/F 218.325
2 2 Tony Stewart Glidden/Menards/Special G/A/F 217.355
3 3 Robbie Buhl Quaker State Special G/A/F 216.899
4 14 Davey Hamilton AJ Foyt Power Team Racing G/A/G 215.853
5 33 Fermin Velez Old Navy Scandia Royal Purple Altz Xcel D/A/G 215.760
6 42 Robby Gordon Coors Light G/A/G 215.326
7 17 Affonso Giaffone General Motors of Brazil Chitwood Dallara D/A/G 215.162
8 7 Eliseo Salazar Copec/Cristal/Scandia D/A/G 214.690
9 1T Scott Sharp Conseco AJ Foyt Racing G/A/G 214.148
10 8 Vincenzo Sospiri Scandia Royal Purple Alta Xcel D/A/G 213.498
--IMS--
QUALIFYING ORDER -- Pole Day, May 10
Best Best
Car Driver C/E/T Speed Date
-------------------------------------------------------------
1 10 Mike Groff G/I/F 209.585 8-May
2 50 TBA D/A/F 178.243 9-May
3 4T Kenny Brack G/A/G 211.466 9-May
4 52 Jeff Ward G/A/G 209.404 9-May
5 4 Kenny Brack G/A/G 212.821 7-May
6 40 Dr. Jack Miller D/I/F 208.169 9-May
7 17 Affonso Giaffone D/A/G 215.162 9-May
8 21T Roberto Guerrero D/I/G 210.664 8-May
9 44 Steve Kinser D/A/F 206.536 9-May
10 91 Buddy Lazier D/I/F 214.128 6-May
11 42 Robby Gordon G/A/G 215.993 7-May
12 3 Robbie Buhl G/A/F 216.899 9-May
13 16 Sam Schmidt D/A/F 211.129 9-May
14 8 Vincenzo Sospiri D/A/G 213.498 9-May
15 51 Eddie Cheever, Jr. G/A/G 212.665 9-May
16 27 Jim Guthrie D/A/F 216.076 7-May
17 34 Alessandro Zampedri D/A/G 211.367 9-May
18 30 Robbie Groff G/A/G 210.679 9-May
19 97 Greg Ray D/A/F 205.255 6-May
20 5 Arie Luyendyk G/A/F 220.297 7-May
21 77 Stephan Gregoire G/A/G 213.326 9-May
22 22 Marco Greco D/A/G 209.293 9-May
23 33 Fermin Velez D/A/G 215.76 9-May
24 12 Buzz Calkins G/A/G 213.792 7-May
25 21 Roberto Guerrero D/I/G 204.341 6-May
26 6 Scott Goodyear G/A/F 214.123 7-May
27 7 Eliseo Salazar D/A/G 214.69 9-May
28 14 Davey Hamilton G/A/G 215.853 9-May
29 3T Robbie Buhl G/A/F 215.708 8-May
30 51T TBA G/A/G 205.78 4-May
31 91T Buddy Lazier D/I/F 209.57 9-May
32 2 Tony Stewart G/A/F 217.355 9-May
33 90 Lyn St. James D/I/F 212.565 8-May
34 2T Tony Stewart G/A/F 215.822 8-May
35 10T Mike Groff G/I/F 204.685 9-May