Then, during qualifying, Fernando Alonso needed an engine change before turning his four laps in time trials.
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He essentially turned the hallowed Brickyard into his own personal playground.
The Nevada City native, who got his start racing go-karts at the age of 10, will look to implement his winning methodology Sunday in hopes of becoming the first driver since Helio Castroneves (2001-02) to win “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” in back-to-back years.
“At this point in my career, I’ve learned how to compartmentalize”, he said of the gauntlet of media interviews and obligations that he has participated in leading up to the race. “He is enjoying it”. He feels very welcomed by the IndyCar club. “I can’t thank him enough for his support”. Now retired, the 15-time Emmy winner-two for himself, the others for shows he was on-stays busy with small emcee gigs and writing, most recently penning an article for the IndyCar series on the history of Formula 1 champions at Indianapolis. “This is the circuit I think we thought we’d be best matched for. Might be the dominant story”. Conor Daly, in the No. 4 ABC Supply AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet, made light contact with the inside wall on the front straight of the 2.5-mile oval to bring out a caution flag. “As a pure talent and what he can do with the vehicle, to have him over here and experience the Indy 500 I think is very special for him too”.
According to Juan Pablo Montoya there is a time-honored method of chasing success at the Indianapolis 500, and it doesn’t come with a smiley face captured inside an emoji. Newgarden qualified 22nd in the 33-car field, and one of his teammates, three-time Indy 500 victor Helio Castroneves, qualified 19th. The rookie, with a mere five IndyCar starts under his belt, has been at or near the mark since they unloaded and will start 11th on Sunday for the biggest race of his life. But he thinks he’s done everything possible to prepare for the race, and even spent time Thursday on a simulator.
“I’m just happy it didn’t happen 20 minutes later because that would have been lap five of the 500”, Hinchcliffe said. “We all have a possibility”.
“I don’t know where that came from”, Klotz said.
“The USA has been a key market I try to study and understand more and more”, Rodi Basso, McLaren motorsport director told Reuters. “They are all races and I need to win and execute well”.
It’s unlikely that a youngster or rookie would win “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing”, but it happened previous year when Andretti Autosport’s Rossi drank the traditional victor’s milk after winning on fuel mileage.
It’s been one of comfort, too, not only for the parties involved but for race fans who tune in every Memorial Day weekend.
Starting early on an overcast morning, Alonso settled in for an hour-long autograph session which was followed by a drivers meeting and a ceremony where he received his Indy 500 starters ring.
But is there any jealousy?
“It is what it is”, Dixon said. “It’s not something I converse about”.
Newgarden, 26, promptly punctuated his arrival at Team Penske by winning the third race of the Verizon IndyCar Series season this year, at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama on April 23.
The road to victory lane is not an easy one though, riddled with mechanical pitfalls and other equally ambitious drivers.
Daly, whose exploits are being chronicled by the Free Press from Indy to next week’s Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix on Belle Isle, said he’s pleased with his auto heading into the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday. Chip runs an awesome organization and has the best people in the world working for him. He’s caught a lot of attention.
“I think there’s a group of guys that are all getting to a certain age that some people have a bit of a benchmark”.
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Kanaan’s exit appears to be even more imminent. As always, patrons are encouraged to be vigilant, and as we constantly remind the public; if you “See Something, Say Something”. “Does he deserve all this? I’ll give it 110 percent”. “We’re going to get a new engine”. “We dominated the race, that late caution flipped the field and we didn’t get another victory”.
