Indy 500: Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing Orientation Day

ROBERT DOORNBOS SET FASTEST TIME OF ROOKIES IN ROOKIE ORIENTATION PROGRAM AT INDIANPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY; PASSED ALL FOUR PHASES OF ROP

Robert Doornbos, No. 06 Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone: "It's great to come here and drive the right way around the track after running here in 2005 and 2006 in Formula One. I definitely respect this place; the speeds are quite high and it is definitely impressive here. I'm living it up at this moment. I took some laps around the track last night in a Pace Car with Arie Luyendyk, who is sort of my coach this month. He showed me where to go, where to put the wheels. He observed my style in Kansas and said I was smooth which is how he drove his information has been very helpful. The team has been working hard and I think it shows. I'm learning really fast and I will take all of the assistance I can get. We got up to speed quick and I think we can be quite happy with that. I sense more of a European feeling from the track here. There are very long fast straights and fast corners. It's different. I love it!"

* FAST FACTS: Will be his first Indy 500 and third time to drive on this track after running here in the 2005 (Jordan GP test/Friday driver) and 2006 (Red Bull Racing) Formula One events....The Indy 500 will be his second-ever start on an oval. Qualified second in his oval debut in Kansas...Has competed against fellow ICS drivers Marco Andretti (A1GP), Danica Patrick (Formula Ford), Ryan Briscoe (F3) and E.J. Viso (F3000)...Two-time Indy 500 winner and fellow Dutchman Arie Luyendyk is serving as an advisor to Doornbos. Luyendyk won the 500 in 1990 and 1997 and is the only driver from the Netherlands to win the Indy 500 to date...Leads the Rookie of the Year standings.

-credit: nhlr