The Callahan Report from Indianapolis, May 10
10 May 1997
Luyendyk Wins Indy PoleINDIANAPOLIS (6:00 PM): While many race fans were watching the checkered flag fall for the NASCAR race at Talladega, Arie Luyendyk was taking the green flag for his run at the pole for this years Indianapolis 500.
Only five cars qualified in early action this morning.
The track was opened for practice around noon. Arie
Luyendyk and Tony Stewart provided the
entertainment. Luyendyk brought out his
Wavephore/Sprint/G Force Aurora. He ran five lap
spurts and returned to the pits. Tony Stewart did the
same in his bright neon yellow Menards/Glidden
Aurora. The two drivers have been the fastest here all
month. Today was no different.
Luyendyk was the first driver to bring his car to the
technical inspection line for qualifynig. At 3:30 PM,
Luyendyk set a new speed record for normally
aspirated engines at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
He torched the track with a four lap average of 218.263
mph. Several other drivers put in solid qualifying runs
but could not touch the time set by Luyendyk. The rags
to riches Jim Guthrie was especially impressive in his
run. The Phoenix winner qualified at over 215 mph. As
of Thursday, Guthrie was using an engine that had
logged almost 1000 miles.
Rookie Vincenzo Sospiri surprised many of the fans at
the track. He quickly flew through his rookie tests early
in the week and hasn't put in many miles since then.
Ears perked up when Sospiri qualified his Team
Scandia car. He punched his way to the third fastest
speed of the day. He had just put himself on the front
row at Indy as a rookie.
It was the Menard Team's turn. Tony Stewart hit the
speedway. His first and second laps were at 217
mph...the third lap at 218 mph.....then came crunch time.
He needed a good 219 mph lap to knock Luyendyk
from the pole. It was not quick enough and Luyendyk
breathed a sigh of relief.
The final threat was Robbie Buhl, driving a car identical
to Stewart's. The Menard Team had waved off a 215
mph run by Buhl earlier in the day. At precisely happy
hour time (5:00 PM) Buhl charged his Quaker State
green machine onto the speedway asphalt. He took the
green flag, made one lap and brought it in. At 5:53 PM,
Buhl went out again. The waiting was over for
Luyendyk as Buhl was not nearly fast enough with a
four lap average in the 216 mph range.
Luyendyk's speed held up. It was a nice payday as
Luyendyk snatched $100,000 from PPG
Industries,$25,000 from Pennzoil, and $10,000 from
GTE for his efforts. Luyendyk was also presented a
Chevrolet customized van valued at over $35,000.
At the end of the day there were 21 cars qualified with a
field average above 213 mph. A total of 29 cars made
qualifying attempts. Qualifying will resume tomorrow
(Sunday) at noon CST.
Hemelgarn Makes Engine Change
INDIANAPOLIS (12:25 PM): Ron Hemelgarn, owner of Hemelgarn Racing,
announced today that the car driven by defending Indy 500 champion,
Buddy Lazier, will now be powered by Oldsmobile Aurora instead of the
Nissan Infiniti.
Buddy Lazier used the Nissan power plant in the first two races of the
season. The team had practiced all week with the Nissan Infiniti, but
"the straightaway speed is just not there", said Hemelgarn. The
personable car owner stated that being the defending Indy 500 champion
brings with it new sponsorships. He wants to make the best showing
possible for the sponsors and his driver.
Hemelgarn further stated that the team will put Johnny Unser into
Buddy Lazier's backup car. The backup car will continue to use the
Nissan engine. Unser is driving the car with the understanding that if
anything happens to Lazier's primary car, the ride goes to Lazier. The
Hemelgarn cars carry the Delta Faucet/Montana sponsorship.
Lyn St. James is also in the Hemelgarn camp and she qualified her
Lifetime/Cinergy/Nissan this morning.
The fastest drivers of this week's practice sessions have all passed
on their qualification attempts. The race track was opened for
practice after a handful of drivers qualified. The "speed show" will
continue later this afternoon.
Scott Sharp has been released from Methodist Hospital and has returned
to the garage area with his team.
Mike Groff First In The Field
INDIANAPOLIS (12:15 PM): Mike Groff driving the Jonathan Byrd/Bryant
Heating and Cooling/G Force/Infiniti was the first qualifier for the
81st running of the Indianapolis 500. Groff, the Indy Racing League
points leader, ran a consistent four laps in the 208 mph bracket.
Groff needed to post a qualifying speed of greater than 203 mph to
make the field under the Indy Racing League's rules. Twenty-five spots
in the Indianapolis 500 are reserved for series regulars provided they
achieve the minimum speed requirement. There are not more than 25
teams that have earned IRL points.
Pole Day Early Report: Tony Stewart Fastest In Morning Session
INDIANAPOLIS (10:10 AM): For the first time in history, the pole day
morning practice session way delayed due to low track temperature. The
track was scheduled to open for practice at 8:00 AM for the first
group of cars ready to make qualifying attempts for pole position. The
second group was to begin shortly after the first group completed
their run.
The track temperature at 8:00 was just 60 degrees. Indy Racing League
officials conferred with Goodyear and Firestone tire makers and
decided to keep the track closed until the track temperature reached
65 degrees. This decision resulted in a delay of about 35
minutes. There were five spins/crashes yesterday when the track
temperatures were 62 degrees.
Chief Steward Keith Ward said "We want to make sure this track is in
the best possible condition for the drivers".
The practice session time for the second group of cars was shortened
to twenty minutes in an effort to begin qualifying at precisely 11:00
AM.
The first group completed their practice session. Mike Groff driving
the Jonathan Byrd/Bryant Heating and Cooling/G Force/Infiniti was
fifth fastest. He is scheduled to be the first driver to make a
qualification attempt for the 81st Indianapolis 500.
In the second session, Tony Stewart required a tow in, as he did in
the first session (in his backup car). Stewart quickly returned to the
track. He then became the quickest man of the day with a lap of
219.085 mph. He was followed by stable mate Robby Buhl at 216 mph and
Luyendyk at 215 mph.
The track opened to all cars for the remainder of the practice
period. Bright sunshine and cool temperatures are forecasted for the
start of qualifying at 11:00 AM.
Terry Callahan -- The Auto Channel
Luyendyk Cashes in on Pole Dayfont size>
Car Owner, Ron Hemelgarnfont size>
Mike Groff First In The Fieldfont size>