Al Unser made his 500-Mile Race debut in a Foyt car in '65, qualifying 32nd on Bump Day and finishing ninth. The last of his four victories came in 1987, tying Foyt's record. Unser will seek to make his 19th Indy 500 start. Unser has recorded seven top-five finishes since his rookie year in 1983, including victories in 1992 with Galles Racing and 1994 with Team Penske. His first victory came by just .0043 of a second over Scott Goodyear in the closest finish in Indianapolis 500 history. He also became part of Indy lore when he finished second in 1989. Unser and eventual winner Emerson Fittipaldi banged wheels while dueling for the lead with less than two laps remaining, sending Unser into the outside wall in Turn 3.

Unser is the third driver named to an Indianapolis 500 seat this week. Playa Del Racing announced veteran Jaques Lazier and rookie Phil Giebler as its drivers May 1.

Sprint Cars

Tracy Hines Injured In Motorcycle Accident
Former Craftsman Truck Series driver Tracy Hines was injured in an accident on the evening of Monday, April 30 on his Indiana property. Hines currently drives the No. 21 TSR/Chevrolet entry in the U.S. Auto Club (USAC) National Midget and Sprint Car Series and the No. 22 TSR/Chevrolet machine in the USAC Dirt Silver Crown Series.

The 35-year-old (his birthday is today) from New Castle, Ind., crashed while riding his off-road motorcycle. Hines was transported via helicopter to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis where he underwent surgery to repair a fractured pelvis, fractured left femur and a dislocated right knee. He is currently listed in stable condition.

“We’re grateful that Tracy is going to be OK,” said Tony Stewart, team owner. “All we’re concerned about is his health. We’ll give him and his family all the support they need to ensure a full and successful recovery.”

The Hines family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to all those who have called and offered prayers of support. Cards and well wishes can be sent to the following:

Tony Stewart Racing
Attn: Tracy Hines
5644 West 74th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46278

Tony Stewart Racing will release more information regarding Hines’ condition as it becomes available.

IRL

Patrick Dempsey To Drive Indy Pace Car
Actor Patrick Dempsey will drive the 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Pace Car at the 91st Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 27. Dempsey will bring the field of 33 starters to the green flag at the start of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," the world's largest single-day spectator sporting event. The race is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. (ET) and will be televised by ABC and broadcast by the IMS Radio Network, XM Satellite Radio and the Armed Forces Radio Network. Dempsey, a native of Lewiston, Maine, has played Dr. Derek Shepherd on "Grey's Anatomy" since 2005. The show is one of the highest-rated programs on American television.

"We're excited to welcome Patrick Dempsey as the Pace Car driver for the 91st Indianapolis 500," said Joie Chitwood, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president and chief operating officer. "His acting performances throughout his career have captivated millions of fans, and he has become one of the biggest stars in television through his role on 'Grey's Anatomy.' -- During recent years he has developed a strong bond with racing and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, so he truly understands and appreciates the pageantry, prestige and tradition of the Month of May and the Indianapolis 500."

Dempsey is a co-owner of IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500 team Vision Racing. He also drives in selected sports car races for Hyper Sport Racing and off-road events. Dempsey finished a career-best fifth April 15 in the Koni Challenge Series event at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and his Hyper Sport team is second in the Koni Challenge driver and team standings.

"Most people recognize Patrick Dempsey from his on-screen endeavors," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "But among the racing community, where Chevy plays a role globally, he is known as a dedicated car and racing enthusiast. Being accustomed to high-performance cars and racetracks, he's a great candidate to drive the Pace Car, and he'll no doubt appreciate the Corvette's power and handling abilities."

The 2007 Corvette that will serve as the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car is virtually identical to the convertible models available today through local Chevrolet dealerships. Because the production Corvette is so track-ready with 400 horsepower, an 186 mph top speed, a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds, class-leading aerodynamics, a suspension that can handle .98 Gs in cornering situations and large 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels, few changes were made to prepare it for this year's role other than the necessary safety additions (strobe lights, etc.) and a spoiler from the Z06 Corvette. The Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Pace Car appears in "Atomic Orange" with distinctive gold ribbon graphics and Indy 500 logos; 500 production replicas will be offered for sale to the public with an MSRP starting at $66,995.

IRL

Wheldon Dominates Kansas IndyCar Race
Dan Wheldon led 177 of 200 laps to win the Kansas Lottery Indy 300, becoming the seventh driver to win at the 1.5-mile tri-oval in as many events. Wheldon, who started fourth in his Target Chip Ganassi Racing-prepared car, surged to the front in the opening laps, running side-by-side with pole sitter Tony Kanaan for several laps before completing the pass for the lead on Lap 9. From that point, the 2005 IndyCar Series champion relinquished the lead only when the field cycled through pit stops. Kanaan lost eight laps during a Lap 49 pit stop when Andretti Green Racing teammate Danica Patrick pulled out in front of him, damaging his car's left-front suspension.

Wheldon's teammate, Scott Dixon, who led 16 laps, was issued a drive-thru penalty for a pit stop violation on Lap 158. That left AGR's Dario Franchitti as the top contender, but he was more than 11 seconds behind Wheldon when Scott Sharp spun and made contact with the SAFER Barrier in Turn 4 on the white flag lap. Franchitti finished second while Helio Castroneves was third, Dixon was fourth and Tomas Scheckter was fifth. The win is Wheldon's second of the season and gives him a 27-point advantage over Dixon in the season standing heading into the Indianapolis 500.

The Kansas Lottery Indy 300 was the first IndyCar Series race to feature three women in the field. Patrick finished seventh while Sarah Fisher was 12th and Milka Duno was 14th. Sharp and Ed Carpenter were involved in the only two incidents during the race. Both were checked and released from the infield medical center.
For Full Results... (Speed News Now)

World of Outlaw

World of Outlaws Will Run Lowe's Dirt Track
The world's best sprint car drivers will be in the spotlight on Friday night of Coca-Cola 600 Week as the nomadic World of Outlaws Sprint Series returns to The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway for the May 25 Eckerd Outlaw Showdown. Among those expected to challenge for the $10,000 first-place prize are 20-time series champion Steve Kinser, defending series titlist Donny Schatz and 2001 champ Danny Lasoski. In fact, the World of Outlaws driver roster currently features the most impressive line-up of regulars since the series began barnstorming the nation's dirt tracks in 1978. "The Eckerd Outlaw Showdown will feature the most competitive field of sprint cars we've ever had at The Dirt Track," said H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway. "The winged sprint cars always put on a tremendous show and this event is the perfect way for NASCAR fans to round out their Coca-Cola 600 experience."

Second-generation sprint car driver Joey Saldana has been an early season surprise, winning four World of Outlaws races in the series' first two months. Driving the No. 9 sprint car owned by NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne, Saldana will be looking to impress his boss with a strong showing in the Eckerd Outlaw Showdown. Two-time Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart will also be in the pit area on Friday night, May 25, but the versatile driver won't be behind the wheel. Instead, he'll be overseeing the No. 20 sprint car he fields for veteran Paul McMahan. Daryn Pittman, Craig Dollansky, Terry McCarl, Brooke Tatnell, Tim Kaeding, Kerry Madsen, Jac Haudenschild, Tim Shaffer and Jason Meyers are also among those expected to challenge for the lion's share of the $68,450 in posted prize money.

IRL

Duno Passes IndyCar Series Rookie Speed Test
IndyCar Series racing license during testing on April 26 at Kansas Speedway, allowing her to participate in on-track activity during the Kansas Lottery Indy 300 on April 28-29. IndyCar Series technical director Kevin Blanch observed the activity on the 1.5-mile oval.

"She understands the car," Blanch said. "She can feel the car with the seat. Her seat tells her what the car is doing. She said that several times today. I asked her several questions and she gave me the answer that I felt other drivers with more experience would have given me. The next step in getting her in the car with traffic and seeing what she can do. In two laps, she's up to the same speed that she was right before she went into the pits. That's the main key - to be able to go back out there and run the same speed each time. That's one of things we look for. Also, her line was more consistent.

"She's to the point now where she needs to run with other cars and see where she stacks up. We'll be watching her this weekend, especially in traffic, just as we would with any other driver."

Duno would join Andretti Green Racing's Danica Patrick and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing's Sarah Fisher in the lineup for the sixth IndyCar Series race at Kansas- a first in major open-wheel history.MORE...Speed News Now

IRL

Tony Kanaan On Kansas Pole
Tony Kanaan followed up on his IndyCar Series victory at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan on April 21 with a pole-winning performance at Kansas Speedway on Saturday. Kanaan's pole, the seventh in his IndyCar Series career, was his first since the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and broke a streak of 15 consecutive poles by Team Penske and Target Chip Ganassi Racing. Kanaan lapped the 1.5-mile tri-oval at Kansas Speedway in 25.5476 seconds, 214.188 mph in his No. 11 Team 7-Eleven Andretti Green Racing car.

Team Penske's Sam Hornish Jr., who won at Kansas last year, will start next to Kanaan in the Kansas Lottery Indy 300. Hornish was second-quick with a lap of 25.5710, 213.992. Hornish's teammate Helio Castroneves and series points leader Dan Wheldon (Target Chip Ganassi Racing) will start in Row 2. Ganassi's Scott Dixon and Andretti's Dario Franchitti will start in Row 3. Danica Patrick was the highest qualifying woman for the race that will feature three female starters for the first time in IndyCar Series history. Patrick will start 10th after turning a lap at 211.796 mph. Sarah Fisher qualified 17th while Milka Duno will start 21st in her debut.
For Starting Lineup... (Speed News Now)