IPS: IRL: Indy: Behind the Barriers, Day 9

Behind the Barriers
Notes and Quotes from the 87th Indianapolis 500
May 14, 2003

Here for the long run

With 24 cars qualified for the race, many teams went to work on long runs to determine tire wear, fuel usage and handling in traffic. Three drivers logged over 100 laps today. Roger Yasukawa led the way with 108 laps. Helio Castroneves and Jaques Lazier completed 105 and 103, respectively.

Medical update

Billy Boat and Shigeaki Hattori have both been cleared to drive by Dr. Henry Bock, medical services director for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Boat turned 95 laps today while Hattori has yet to return to the track since his May 6 accident.

Tony Andretti?

With Andretti Green Racing sending rookie driver Dan Wheldon to Pikes Peak to test, Tony Kanaan assumed responsibility for running race setups at the Speedway. Before Kanaan took to the track in Michael Andretti's backup car, the team changed the name on the car to read "Tony Andretti."

Meet the Marlboro men

Current Team Penske drivers, along with Rick Mears, will be making appearances at Penske owned car stores tomorrow evening. Mears will be at Penske Honda, Helio Castroneves will be at Penske Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge and Gil de Ferran will be at Penske Chevrolet. All appearances will take place from 6:30 -- 8:00 pm on Thursday, May 15.

Meet three-time winner

Bobby Unser will be signing copies of his new book "Winners are Driven" at the Barnes and Noble bookstore at 14709 U.S 31 North on Saturday, May 17 at 2:00 pm. (317) 844-2501

Let's get the show on the road

Can't get enough of the 500? Check out "May Madness: A Musical Revue of the Indy 500" on Friday and Saturday, May 16-17, at 8:00 pm at the American Cabaret Theater. Tickets are $22 and $28. (317) 631-0334

I'm bad and I'm nationwide

When the inaugural Freedom 100 for the Infiniti Pro Series takes the green flag on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 pm, Billy Gibbons will be waving the flag to start the race. Gibbons is the lead singer for the legendary rock and roll band ZZ Top and is no stranger to fast automobiles. He owns several custom cars including Eliminator, Cadzilla, Slampala and Kopperhead, all of which have been featured on the custom car circuit.

Lights, camera, action

The inaugural Freedom 100 will be televised live on ESPN2 with coverage starting at 3:00 pm on Saturday. Two time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves will work as a guest analyst and commentator when he joins the broadcast team of Dr. Jerry Punch, Davey Hamilton and Amy East.

Go, Kenny, go, Kenny B Fast

Kenny Brack and the Subwoofers made a successful debut at Ike & Jonesy's in downtown Indianapolis last night. The band, which will open for Cracker on Carb Day, is expected to play for Indy racing fans when the series visits Texas, Richmond, Nashville and Chicagoland later this season.