Arie Luyendyk Jr blog 2008-08-30

Championship hopes slip away at Infineon, Chicago Preview

It was a tough weekend for my first visit to Infineon raceway. The championship battle was tight and I was tied for third going into the weekend so I needed a solid two races to be able to go into the last event in Chicago with a chance to compete for the cup.

The weekend started off slow with an electrical problem that lead to missed practice time for the open test on Thursday. Then my left knee split open at the incision area of where I had surgery and my times started slowing down I would end the day 9th.

The weekend slowly became worse and worse as my knee couldn't coupe with the bumps and amount of pressure it took to brake properly on the difficult course. In qualifying I ended up 13th and I knew it would be an uphill battle for the two races.

Race one was on Saturday and I pushed as hard as I could to stay with the group but then a mistake under braking sent me into a spin on the exit of the last corner and then it took all of my energy to just complete the race. My knee felt like it was going to explode! It was the most intense pain I have ever felt in a car and all I could do was push to stay ahead of Battisitni who I had passed for 16th spot.

Race two on Sunday morning was much the same as race one but I knew I could not keep my pace of the previous day so I tried right foot braking and could not adapt well so I had to use my left leg again but it was difficult to apply the pressure needed to brake as well as I normally do. I finished 15th but it was one spot behind Battistini so I left the weekend still tied with him in the championship but we both fell two spots, the championship is now out of reach.

Chicagoland speedway is the scene of the next event. After a great test there this week I'm sure it's going to be close at the front of the field. The possibility is still there to break into the top three for the championship so that is what I'm aiming for. My team-mate holds a 3 point advantage on the championship lead and I am going to do everything I can to help him in his bid to win in his rookie year. In previous years I have a second place finish, two fourths, and a sixth----I try and do one better and close out the year with a win!

Be sure to watch the race next Sunday live on ESPN2!
    -Arie Jr.

-credit: arieluyendyk.com