May 27, 2007
by Connie Felix
Marco Andretti - No. 26 NYSE Group Dallara/Honda/Firestone
"This place (Indianapolis Motor Speedway) doesn't necessarily owe me but it owes Dad (Michael Andretti) one."
Michael Andretti - No. 39 Motorola/Jim Beam Dallara/Honda/Firestone
"This year if I have the speed to be leading on the final lap no one is getting by!"
John Andretti - No. 33 Camping World Panther Dallara/Honda/Firestone
"Everyone thinks I can win. Don't think there is anyway possible that will happen, feel greener than a rookie! "
Helio Castroneves - No. 3 Team Penske Dallara/Honda/Firestone
"You are going to see a lot of lead changes, there is a Big Prize you have to use your head." He stated, he is 'more thirsty' than he was in the past and that he has matured. Referring to a past accident with Kenny Brack and himself, saying it probably wouldn't happen today.
Milka Duno - No. 23 Citgo Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone
She had a 23 painted/tattoo on the top of her right hand during a media interview Thursday afternoon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Claiming the racing bug did not bite her, she stated it was in her destiny, she only started following racing in 1999. She wanted to be an engineer and driving was a logical step. Her favorite driver was Michael Schumacher since she watched Formula One.
Someone asked Milka if she became interested in IndyCar racing because of Danica Patrick, she frowned and stated, "OF COURSE NOT!".
Milka claimed she wasn't so quiet as a child, when she was twelve admitted to stealing her Mom's Big American Chevrolet and driving around the neighborhood with her friends. Knowing how to drive because she always watched every detail her Father and Mother did when they were driving a car.
A.J. Foyt IV - No. 22 Vision Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone
Numerous IndyCar's from the past were on display and on track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway prior to the 2007 Indy 500. Some drivers showed an interest in driving these legends.
Foyt was asked if he would be interested in driving a legends IndyCar, he knew his answer. "NO, they don't look safe to me!"
Dario Franchitti - No. 27 Canadian Club Dallara/Honda/Firestone
Andretti Green Racing has drivers with very different and strong personalities.
"There are definitely days my teammates and I don't get along but we try to sort it out quickly." said Franchitti.
Davey Hamilton - No. 02 HP Vision Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone
A Texas Motor Speedway accident in June 2001, Hamilton's IndyCar spun in oil left by another car's blown engine and sent his car airborne into the catch fence literally shredding his feet. Twenty One operations later and years of intense physical therapy Hamilton has returned to the series. He has had lots of experience during this time giving thousands of fans rides in a two seater IndyCar.
Safer barriers would not have prevented the injuries as he was thrown into the fence. Hamilton admits he is not a fan of the purposed Plexiglas fences, however thinks a thick rubber like a conveyor belt would work.
Richie Hearn - No. 91 Hemelgarn/Racing Professionals Dallara/Honda/Firestone
"Starting in the front or back is always the best, the middle is not so good." Asked Hearn who he thought had a chance to win he stated, "Already have money on some guys, I know what the odds are."
Jon Herb - No. 19 Racing Professionals Dallara/Honda/Firestone
Herb tells when he leases an engine for $12,000, he pays an extra $200 to have it checked out on an engine dynamometer. For him the information obtained is well worth the money, that way everyone knows what they have.
Darren Manning - No. 14 ABC Supply Co./AJ Foyt Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone
This driver claims to be very good at Golf, takes everyone's money and says he is just a wild and crazy Englishman.
Realizes 2007 is a catch up year for AJ Foyt Racing and expects 2008 will be a year they will run solid.
Manning has the Guinness World Record for driving the fastest backward at 102 MPH. On his first practice run felt the speed was about 85 MPH and was horrified to learn it was only 42 MPH.
Buddy Lazier - No. 99 Sam Schmidt Motorsports Dallara/Honda/Firestone
Lazier is driving for Sam Schmidt Motorsports in the 2007 Indy 500, his first time with the team. He is driving a racecar purchased from Adrian Fernandez Motorsports since that team is taking the year off.
Roberto Moreno - No. 77 Chastain Motorsports Panoz/Honda/Firestone
The driver commented, the current Champ Cars and IndyCar's are like the old Formula One cars he use to drive. Stating driving side by side was a big challenge for the Indy 500, but planned on learning that aspect in Friday's Carb day runs! He also mentioned several times that the team had a Priest coming to Indianapolis Motor Speedway before the Indy 500.
Alex Barron - No. 98 CURB/Agajanian/Beck Dallara/Honda/Firestone
Barron's father, Richard, raced local drags in Riverside, California. Speaking of how much his Dad helped him, he stated, his father worked the swing shift in Carlsbad, California at the power plant, would take him to the races during the day and go back to work at night.
Everyday Alex, had a baseball in his hand from the age of four, he joined little League and was a pitcher. Heard the Padre's wanted him to go to hitting camp and play pro ball. At the age of nine, his Dad took him to his first Kart race an the smell of the fuel and tires, he knew instantly that is what he wanted to do.
Danica Patrick - No. 7 Motorola Dallara/Honda/Firestone
Patrick claims she isn't surprised at being around Hollywood people, just surprised that they know who she is.
Scott Sharp - No. 8 Patron Sharp Rahal Letterman Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone
Wants to be leading on that last lap of the Indy 500, and claims the other drivers will have to take all four corners off to get by.
Roger Yasukawa - No. 24 Wellman-Corbier/DRR Dallara/Honda/Firestone
This will be his second IndyCar race since racing full time in 2005, Roger claims Go Karts is the best way to stay in shape and not lose his racing edge. The teams goal is to be in the top ten by the end of the 2007 Indy 500. Roger stated he was born in the USA and currently lives in Los Angeles with wife an a new baby born in January. Having been in racing all his life he stays busy helping other up and coming drivers.
Sarah Fisher - No. 5 AAMCO/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone
Fisher became engaged on her 25th Birthday in 2005, shortly thereafter she stated she would be married Nov. 3, 2007. Prior to the 2007 Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sarah commented the wedding date was September 15, 2007.
Fisher is constantly being asked why Danica Patrick and her do not hang out or talk. Her reply, "Some individuals can stand alone and do their own thing."
"Neither Buddy or I have had a good car all season, one that's comfortable."
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91st Indianapolis 500 Notebook
