Behind the Barriers: Fast Friday

E.J. Viso returned to the track on Thursday, two days after making hard impact with the Turn one wall. The force of Viso's initial impact was reported by KV Racing Technologies as 127 G. On Thursday he turned 27 laps in his backup car with his best lap at 220.617 mph. Late Friday afternoon, Viso had recorded a lap just over 223.

The Pagoda.

Photo by Andy Sallee.

***

After the starting lineup is set for the 94th Indianapolis 500, the track is quiet for three days. That doesn't mean the drivers have time off as the field of 33 will head to the east coast for a full schedule of media related duties. The trip includes a stop in New York City and the ESPN campus in Bristol, Conn.

On American television, drivers will appear on ESPN "SportsCenter" as well as ESPN2's "First Take," "Mike and Mike in the Morning" (simulcast on ESPN Radio) and "SportsNation." ESPNEWS, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN Mobile, SportsCenter.com, ESPN Deportes Radio and ESPNDeportes.com are other U.S. platforms that drivers will appear on, including "RPM Semanal" (in Spanish) on ESPNDeportes.com.

Drivers also will appear on various ESPN International platforms, including segments on "SportsCenter" Australia version, on "Limite," ESPN Brasil's autosports news and information program, and on ESPN360.com, ESPN's localized broadband platforms in Brazil, Chile and Mexico.

International drivers also will appear in their native languages on the ESPN networks in Australia, the UK, Africa, and Latin America and on regional networks ESPN Dos (Mexico) and ESPN Mas (Southern Cone South America).

***

FAZZT Race Team driver Alex Tagliani and KV Racing Technology driver Paul Tracy hail from Canada. Both drivers will promote Round 11 of the 2010 IndyCar Series championship at Edmonton July 25 as part of "Team Oh Canada." The cars of "Team Oh Canada" will display the Honda Indy Edmonton logo at the 500. Tagliani's car will sport the logo at Texas, Watkins Glen, Toronto and Edmonton.

***

Fuzzy Vision Part II. Vision Racing driver Ed Carpenter was scheduled to be a guest bartender Thursday evening at Ruth's Chris Northside Indianapolis location. Ruth's Chris is an associate sponsor on Vision Racing's No. 20 entry for the 2010 Indianapolis 500 and is also proudly serves Fuzzy's Ultra Premium Vodka. Fuzzy Zoeller was expected to work as a guest bartender too. We'll ask their PR folks how they did regarding tips.

***

New York City is known more for taxi cabs than race cars but starting May 20th Macy's Herald Square will host "In Pursuit of Fast." Past Indy 500 winning cars will be displayed in the store's windows on Broadway including the 1964 Sheraton-Thompson Watson/Offy, 1968 Rislone Eagle/Offy, 1972 Sunoco McLaren/Offy, and 1996 Bryant. The store's aisles will be graced by the 1979 Norton Spirit, 1961 Cooper Climax, 1953 Dean Van Lines Special, 1925 Miller Junior 8, and 1960 Kelso Auto Dynamics Special.

On May 25 at 1:00 pm, the top drivers in the IndyCar Series will make an appearance at Macy's flagship store on Herald Square for interviews and an autograph session. Helio Castroneves, Dario Franchitti, Will Power, Scott Dixon, Danica Patrick and Ryan Hunter-Reay are scheduled to appear. Additionally, 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner Mario Andretti will attend.

***

Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage will hold court for fans of the IndyCar Series in Indianapolis and Texas. Gossage, a member of the ICONIC (Innovative, Competitive, Open-Wheel, New, Industry-Relevant, Cost-Effective) IZOD IndyCar Series Advisory Committee, is seeking comments from the fans.

Please note that you must RSVP to attend due to limited seating.

INDIANAPOLIS: Saturday, May 29th, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Indianapolis Motor Speedway, North Chalet - 6B. RSVP to nhood@indycar.com.

TEXAS: Saturday, June 5, 2:00-3:30 p.m., Texas Motor Speedway, Lone Star Tower & Condominium Clubhouse (outside turn 2). RSVP to RSVP@texasmotorspeedway.com.

Due to the committee's confidentiality agreement, Gossage will not answer questions about the ICONIC Advisory Committee's discussions or share the details of what committee members are considering. The session will be recorded and a transcript of all remarks during the 1-1/2 hour sessions will be provided to all members of the ICONIC Advisory Committee as well as Indy Racing League management.

***

Arie Luyendyk Jr. has signed with Andersen Racing to compete in the May 28th Firestone Freedom 100 Indy Lights Series race.

***

Marco and Michael Andretti will be greeting fans and signing autographs at the Meijer store on E. 96th Street in Indianapolis from 6-7:00 pm on May 26.

Andretti Autosport drivers Danica Patrick, Marco Andretti, Tony Kanaan and Ryan Hunter-Reay will sign autographs at the Carmel Meijer May 27 from 6-7:30 pm. Visit www.meijerracing.com for more information.

Ryan Hunter-Reay will make an appearance May 25th at the WINDPOWER 2010 Conference and Exposition in Houston as part of the sponsorship agreement between Integrated Electrical Services and Andretti Autosport. IES is an associate sponsor and the official electrical contractor sponsor for Andretti Autosport.