Most Popular Driver
Sam Hornish Jr. leads the voting for the IRL Crew IndyCar Series Most Popular Driver Award heading into the Firestone Indy 200 at Nashville Superspeedway. Hornish leads three time most popular driver Sarah Fisher by only five votes at the latest tally. However, Sarah Fisher is not eligible for the award as the rules require a driver to compete in a minimum of three IndyCar Series races. Fisher has only raced once, in the Indy 500, however eight races remain.

Arie Luyendyk Jr. leads the voting for the IRL Crew Menards Infinite Pro Series Most Popular Drive award.

Still In A Car
Sarah Fisher was at Nashville Superspeedway on Thursday behind the wheel of a Experience two-seater IRL racecar, giving rides to invited guests. Speed News Now had the opportunity to take part in the four lap ride at 150 MPH in 2003, and it was spectacular.

Nashville Superspeedway

• The IRL IndyCar Series held its final night race of the season on Saturday under the lights at Nashville Superspeedway.

• Nashville Superspeedway is the only event on the IRL tour that is contested on a concrete oval.

• The aero configuration will have a required rear wing angle increased from 12 to 20 degrees.

• It takes time for an outside groove to develop, so passing is a problem until enough rubber is put down to widen the racing line. Adjusting shock absorber and springs to minimize the effects of bumps is always a top priority.

• Total fuel allotment for the race is 125 gallons.

• Three time Indianapolis 500 winner Johnny Rutherford was the driver of the Chevrolet SSR Pace Vehicle.

• Pit Road Speed limit is 60 mph.

A Trip To The White House
Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Rice and team members from Rahal Letterman Racing, along with Indy Racing League President Tony George, will visit the White House on Monday, July 19, to meet with United States President George W. Bush. Along with the team, the Borg Warner Trophy and the winning car from this year's 500-Mile Race will be on display on the South Lawn of the White House. Rice is the first winner to visit the White House following his 500 victory since Rick Mears visited the current President's father, George H.W. Bush, in 1991. Team co-owner Rahal has been to the White House in the past, but never as an owner of a winning car.

New Car Purchase
Helio Castroneves had a few extra dollars and recently bought a new car for special occasions, a Lamborghini Gallardo. His everyday car is a Lexus GS430. Castroneves is the Brazilian, Marlboro Team Penske driver that IRL officials, say has the "Real Bad Habit" of climbing the fence in front of the grandstands when he wins a race.

Mini Al
Future reference, please note that Alfred Richard Unser, 21 year old son of two time Indianapolis 500 champion Al Unser Jr. and grandson of four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser, has made it known that he will hereby be known as Al Unser. Unser, 21, made his debut in the Menards Infiniti Pro Series with a third-place finish at Kansas. Nashville Superspeedway granted him a 5th place finish, with only six cars running at the finish of the Cleanevent 100.

Trace Adkins Threatened No One
The Firestone Indy 200 pre-race Capitol Records Summer Concert Series featured country music star Trace Adkins, whose hits include "I Left Something Turned On At Home," "Chrome," "I'm Tryin'" and "Hot Mama." Past concerts at Nashville events have featured Wynonna and Brad Paisley. Wynonna, who didn't feel the excitement she expected from the crowd threatened to "Come up there and slap some heads", Adkins make no such threats to Saturdays audience.

Elevator Talk
Robby McGehee, joined the IMS Radio Network booth for the broadcast of the Firestone Indy 200 at Nashville Superspeedway this weekend. McGehee told Speed News Now, during an elevator ride, that he isn't new to broadcasting and thoroughly enjoys it. It is easy, all I have to do is talk about what I know, McGehee stated. McGehee most recently competed in the 88th Indianapolis 500, where he finished 22nd driving for PDM Racing. Jaques Lazier had been the guest analyst until he secured a one-race deal with Patrick Racing to drive the No. 20 entry at Nashville Superspeedway.

Collision in the Pits
The look on the face of Indy Racing League President, Tony George, when he ran into the back of Eddie Cheever, in the pits was priceless. The two had been hanging out in one of Cheever's pits when they decided to head back to the garage. Cheever peddled off on his bike, stopping for traffic, George on a Segway took off but wasn't watching where he as going, as he was still talking to a reporter, until he made an abrupt stop. No whiplash or bent wheel were reported.

Children Watching The Race
Liz Allison, part of the Nashville Superspeedway pre and post race Public Address team, and host of three weekly Nashville based radio shows, had her two young children at the IRL race this weekend. Allison was married to Winston Cup Driver Davey Allison until his untimely death in July of 1993. They had two children, son Robbie, now twelve and fourteen year old daughter Krista.