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Jeff Simmons Double-Dipping for Indy Success

Team Moore Driver Plans Carb Day Freedom 100 Ahead of Indy 500 Run

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

Jeff Simmons. Photo: SteveSnoddyIRL

Team Moore’s Jeff Simmons moves up in class this week with his fourth attempt to qualify for the Indianapolis 500.

Simmons put the rumors to rest last weekend by announcing his intentions to join the A J Foyt Racing operation, where he got his start in 2004 as a Firestone Indy Lights rookie; and where he posted a runner-up finish in the Freedom 100 race of the same year.

If all goes well, Jeff will contest both events this year: the Carb Day (May 23rd) Freedom 100 Indy Lights race and the 92nd running of The Greatest Spectacle in Racing on Memorial Day.

“I’m excited to be back with A J,” said Simmons from the Economacki Press Room at Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Media Center on Wednesday (May 14th) morning.

“I’m looking forward to practicing this week, and hope to get lots of track time,” he continued. “Right now we’ve got to concentrate on qualifying, in addition to starting to get a handle on what we want of a race setup.”

There was no hesitation, though, when asked if he intended to compete with Team Moore’s Indy Lights outfit in the season’s single biggest contest on Carb Day.

“I’m going to do the double,” Jeff said of answering the call to the post of the Freedom 100 and the Indianapolis 500 two days later. “All I need is a NASCAR ride and I can do the triple!”

“I did it in 2004 and then did a ‘bump day’ qualifications that year,” he continued. “I have even more experience now, and am very excited about it. Not many guys have done it before.”

Opportunity to Return to IndyCar a Boon to Simmons' Career

The opportunity to return to IndyCar after a nine-month layoff gives Simmons a unique perspective on the challenges ahead.

“It’s a chance to get back and show what I can do,” he said. “I think maybe if there’s a team that needs a driver later this year I could be first on their list. I don’t see more cars coming into the series right now, but IndyCar will build on the momentum from merger and there’ll be more opportunities in the future.”

"I'm still improving and have years ahead," says Foyt's Jeff Simmons

“I’d love to get another opportunity to race full-time in IndyCar,” he said, “but if it’s not there I’ll return again to Indy Lights.”

At 31 years of age Simmons does not yet feel the window of opportunity narrowing on his racing career.

“I don’t feel old,” he said. “All the years seem to have just flown by.”

“People talk about experience but I’ve taken years off at a time without a ride,” he said of his periodic absence from an open-wheel cockpit. “I can still improve a lot and I have a lot of good years ahead of me.”

Indy Lights Racer Learns on the Fly at Indianapolis Pole Day

Rafa Matos a Spectator at the Greatest Spectacle in Racing

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

AFS AGR’s Raphael Matos. Photo: RonMcQueeneyIRL

Amid the hoopla of Indianapolis 500 Pole Day, Raphael Matos calmly studied the scene around him, taking in the atmosphere of qualifying for America's (and quite possibly the world's) greatest automobile race.

The AFS Andretti Green Racing driver was impressed with what he saw in Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Gasoline Alley garages that house the multi-car effort of teammates Marco Andretti, Tony Kanaan, Hideki Mutoh and Danica Patrick.

"This is my first time at Indy," Rafa said. "I've just been watching and listening as much as I can, soaking up what I can from all the drivers and engineers that are here. It's the perfect place for me to learn."

Raphael hopes to parlay what he picks up behind the scenes into a successful run on this same track in little more than a week when qualifying for the Firestone Indy Lights Series' biggest race of the year unfolds on Thursday, May 22nd at the Speedway.

He's content to wait on deciphering the finer points of racing over the big 2.5 mile oval race course, he said, in lieu of simply absorbing the wonderous, and sometimes wacky, ways of Indy's month of May.

"I may go to the stands with the spotter," to observe the racing line he said, "but mostly I want to understand the way the system works here over the long month."

"There's a lot going on and it's good to have an idea what it's like in case I return here someday to race in the Indianapolis 500. I'll be more prepared if that happens."

Four Races Gone, Matos Reflects on Results

The weekend respite from Indy Lights racing comes at the quarter pole of the 2008 schedule, a good time to take a short break before the grind of mid-summer consecutive weeks of racing.

Rafa won't be too far from his racing chores, though, even during nearly a month of down-time for the series.

"I'm here for today (Pole Day) and Sunday, then I'm back in the shop on Monday," he said, "working with the team."

"I'm going home to Brazil for the rest of the week to train and get ready, then fly back to Indy the first of the week prior to the Freedom 100 (on Carb Day Friday, May 23rd)."

Matos has been consistently quick in the first four races of the season, grabbing a win at the opener in St. Petersburg and continuing to set the pace as late as last month's Kansas 100 where he and teammate Arie Luyendyk, Jr were fastest in Friday practice.

Though many felt that oval-racing would offer Matos a significant challenge in transition from Atlantics racing, where he was 2007 series Champion, the reality has been much different.

Rafa's been quick on all of them he's encountered so far.

"We tested Friday (May 9th) in Milwaukee," on the one-mile oval at the Wisconsin Fairgrounds. "It was good," he said. "We were quickest on the day and it's left me looking forward to racing here at Indianapolis."

"We were quickest in the open test in April here (at Indy), too," he continued.

"We still need to put all the pieces together," says Rafa of 2008 season

"So far so good, but we still need to put all the pieces together."

The pieces are exactly what Matos hopes to avoid at Indianapolis' Freedom 100 event, especially the ones of the carbon fiber variety.

"The Freedom 100 is obviously very important," he said "It's a race we need to win so we can collect points. We stand on fourth in the championship right now when we should be leading; but, I had two DNF's that really hurt us."

"It's still a long way to go (until Chicagoland's season finale) and hopefully we'll get going again and win the Firehawk Cup this year."

Al Unser III Blazes His Own Path On and Off the Track

Scion of Famous Racing Family Mounts Challenge for 2008 Indy Lights Title

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

ADM's Al Unser III at IMS Open Test in April. Photo: AllanBrewer

American Dream Motorsports’ Al Unser III lives out west and has dreams as grand as the vast, blue Nevada sky.

“It would be big, really big,” he said of racing someday in the Indianapolis 500, the fabled race on Memorial Day his father, uncle and grandfather have won multiple times.

First things first, though, for the twenty-five year old racer as he competes in his fourth, and only full, season of Firestone Indy Lights racing.

Al put a tenth-place finish in the record books two weekends ago at Kansas Speedway, after pulling off a season's-best sixth result at a challenging St. Petersburg Grand Prix race two in April.

The chase for the 2008 Firestone Firehawk Cup finds him in ninth place overall after a quarter of the season is complete.

“Things are going great,” he said on Wednesday (May 7th) in assessment of his Indy Lights campaign to date.

“The Ethos car is running well,” he continued. “We did pretty well at the season opener, and then St. Pete was a lot of fun; definitely the second race had its fair share of chaos going on.”

“It was good to be back at Kansas. And other than that, you know, we've just been finishing races and that's what's kept me so good in points.”

Freedom 100 at the Speedway Looms Large in Unser's Plans

Little more than two weeks must pass before the cars and drivers roll into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway paddock for their annual racing V-8 powered rock’n’roll thunderstorm around the legend-making 2.5 mile oval.

The Indianapolis Carb Day (May 23rd) Freedom 100 reigns by most accounts as the biggest date on the Indy Lights calendar, the trophy the teams most covet year-in and year-out.

The track holds a special place in Unser’s heart, too.

“I was just there (at Indianapolis),” he said. “I flew back to Henderson (Nevada) last night.”

“The Speedway was honoring my family for what they have done there,” he added. “It means so much to be able to win at that track.”

“It's a really fun place to race and it's very challenging. It's unlike any other place that I've been to, and to win there with what my family has done would be huge.”

The challenge comes not only in the form of a narrow ribbon of asphalt, something Al acknowledged in evaluating the competition within the Indy Lights series in recent years.

“The competition level has gone up so much, especially this year,” he said. “We've got the highest car count that I've ever seen with 25, 26 cars at some events. Everybody has to step up.”

“At Kansas the whole field qualified within a second and a half. It just makes it all that much more challenging and the decisions you make have so much more impact.”

Al Finds His Own Way Around the RaceTrack and on the Road

Though he has expert counsel close at hand, Al likes to make his own way around the race track.

He picks up tips from dad and his grandfather, Al Unser Sr., but prefers to earn his racing chops on his own terms. He’s even particular about his endorsements, including a self-test of sponsor Ethos Fuel Reformulator’s mileage and clean emissions performance-enhancement product.

"Everybody has to step up," says Al Unser III of Indy Lights challenge

“Ethos Fuel Reformulator is a deal you put in your gas tank and in your crank case, and it gets you better fuel mileage,” he said. “It also cleans up your emissions.”

“My dad and I got some of the product and took it home and tested it in our cars at home. It works. We are getting better fuel mileage, and I've seen an improvement with how long I get to go on a tank of gas, which these days is a big help.”

The team’s recent change in ownership and name (formerly Playa del Racing) assures that Al’s support staff of chief mechanic Rick Duman and crew will continue intact.

“I’m excited about the new relationship with our owner Eric Zimmerman,” he said. “This is a great time to be in open-wheel and I’m looking forward to the championship hunt the rest of the year.”

Four Recent Indy Lights Grads Aim for ‘500’ Glory

Camara, Howard, Lloyd and Mutoh Launch Month of May

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

Four of the stars of the Firestone Indy Lights Series make their Indianapolis 500 debut today as Rookie Orientation commences at the Brickyard.

Roth Racing’s Jay Howard, Conquest’s Jaime Camara, Andretti Green’s Hideki Mutoh and Ganassi Racing’s Alex Lloyd (competing in a novel Rahal Letterman Racing collaboration with TCGR) will travel the 2.5 mile super-speedway at Indy as they chase a qualifying position for the 92nd Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

All will participate in the ROP: a five mile-per-hour increment ladder from 195 mph to over 210 mph that earns them the privilege of traversing the fabled circuit with veteran drivers practicing for the Memorial Day race.

Alex Lloyd Leads Fast Group of Learners at the Brickyard

Alex Lloyd, the 2007 Indy Pro Series champ, finds himself the darkhorse favorite among the group despite his absence from regular-season IndyCar Series competition in 2008.

The Indianapolis resident is well-familiar with the circuit, winning on both the road course and the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2006 and 2007 respectively, the only driver in Speedway history to accomplish the feat.

"I am really looking forward to tackling the Indianapolis Motorspeedway in an IndyCar," Lloyd said. "I have been fortunate enough to win on the famed oval, so for me Indy is the ultimate."

"ROP is a great opportunity for me to get up to speed and learn about the car and get comfortable before the real action starts on opening day. My expectations are high and I have been waiting for this day for a long time."

Jay Howard won the 2006 IPS championship on his way to the Roth Racing No. 24 entry he’ll pilot around the big oval on Sunday (May 4th). He’s been impressive, running mid-pack in his rookie season in the big cars.

AGR rookie Hideki Mutoh proved himself fast in the developmental series leading to IndyCar and hasn’t let up on the accelerator since moving into the big leagues.

He set fastest lap in his first IndyCar start (for Panther Racing at Chicagoland Speedway in September, 2007) and recorded a top-ten finish.

Conquest Racing owner Eric Bachelart made no hesitation in hiring Jaime Camara with the loss of sponsor Opes Prime and driver Franck Perera in April.

"It's going to be an amazing feeling to drive an Indycar here since it's always been my goal," said Camara.

"This is the biggest race in the world, and it's such a different vibe. Every time I come to this track I look around and it's just different, the energy is so good and it makes you even more excited for the race."

Jaime has more experience on the Indy 500 circuit than any of the thirteen drivers (save Oriol Servia) who’ll join him for ROP today. He also won here in 2005, driving to victory in the Firestone Freedom 100 that marks the high point of the year for the Indy Lights Series’ drivers.

All four will compete not only for a starting spot on May 25th, but (if they qualify) for the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Award won one year ago by Phil Giebler in the Playa del Racing entry.

RLR Andersen's J R Hildebrand Wins Smiles at Kids' Mini 500

Hildebrand Offers Support to Special Pre-School Racers

Linda K Mansfield
lindakmansfield@cs.com

RLR Andersen’s J R Hildebrand. Photo: LindaKMansfield

A few hours before he was the star of Thursday (May 1st) afternoon's ESPN 2 delayed coverage of Sunday's Firestone Indy Lights race at Kansas Speedway, J.R. Hildebrand was applauding special students at Pleasant Grove Elementary School's second annual Developmental Preschool Mini 500, billed as "the greatest spectacle in preschool racing."

Thursday's event provided a day of fun and sensory therapy for the developmental preschool children who attend the Greenwood, Ind. school. Using an oval course laid out with chalk and bright orange pylons in the school's parking lot, the children raced cars they had made out of cardboard boxes. Many carried "I Am Indy" decals supplied by the IndyCar and Firestone Indy Lights Series, which arranged for Hildebrand's appearance.

The 20-year-old driver of the Allied Building Products No. 25 for RLR/Andersen Racing of Palmetto, Fla., handed out medals to each of the young racers after their five heats. The Chick-fil-A cow assisted in the awards ceremony.

Special Events for Special People

The event got off to a rousing start with the "Star-Spangled Banner" and "Back Home Again in Indiana" sung by fourth-grade students. Fifth-graders assisted the tiny racers. A parade of all the entries preceded the races.

"We wanted to increase the exposure for the exceptional programs that schools like our own school corporation, in partnership with Special Services of Johnson County, can provide families with special-needs children and their typically developing peers," said Cindy Price, who invited Hildebrand to participate.

The event also served as the kick-off to a special fundraiser for the special-needs students in the area. Organized in conjunction with the Center Grove Education Foundation, it is called "A Little Wiggle Room."

Since all the children who participated in the event are winners, they got milk after the race just like the Indy 500 winner does. Cookies accompanied their milk, however.

Hildebrand, who made a lot of new fans at the event, said it was a nice way to give something back to the community. He took everything in stride, but was taken aback at first when one preschooler asked him what his favorite letter was.

"I guess it's 'J,'" he said.

Apparently that same child often asks people what their favorite shape is.

In Hildebrand's case, that would have been easy: an oval like the one he'll race on Friday, May 23rd when he competes in the Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

MCM's Mark Olson Living the Indy Lights Racer Dream

Oil and Gas Executive Lives Life to a Faster Pace

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

Mark Olson. Photo: RonMcQueeneyIRL

Mark Olson is living the dream of many a Hoosier racer-wanna-be.

The 38-year old oil and gas pipeline specialist took the green flag for the first time in a Firestone Indy Lights event on Sunday (April 27th) at Kansas Speedway.

The opportunity to race in the series came sooner than he anticipated.

“My driving partner at Michael Crawford Motorsports is Jake Slotten,” Olson said from his office at PEI Pipeline Services in Indianapolis on Wednesday afternoon. “Originally Jake was going to run the ovals and I would do the road courses; then as the season wound on, I would pick up some ovals—maybe Kentucky, Chicago and so forth.”

Mark jumped at the chance when he got the call from MCM on Monday April 21st that the team had an unforeseen opening that would put him on-track sooner than planned.

“To be honest, I really didn’t feel ready,” he said. “Normally, there would be a couple of tests first, and I haven’t ever driven a car like this on an oval, with the exception of my rookie test (January 30th) at Homestead—let alone in traffic.”

“Needless to say, it’s not as easy as it looks on TV.”

Fast-Track to the Fastest Tracks

When Saturday’s qualifying was cancelled due to cold weather and a damp track, Mark found himself gridded eighteenth of twenty-four cars for the following day’s Kansas Lottery 100.

While starting conservatively and driving a heady race he ran up as high as 16th before a spin in Turn 4 sent him to the rear of the pack. He pressed on until a late-race brush with the wall bent the Dallara’s suspension. The contact brought his first Indy Lights experience to a close with an 18th-place finish.

Driving the Dream Forward on Four Wheels

Mark got involved in automobile racing through motorcycles. He started in motorcycle road racing after college and continued to indulge the love of two-wheel speed for eight years.

Mark Olson during Kansas practice. Photo: SteveSnoddyIRL

“After several encounters with the road surface I just realized that at my age the courage was there but the skill wasn’t,” he said of his decision to switch to the four-wheelers.

He landed on his feet at the 2005 Formula Mazda SCCA Nationals and made one Star Mazda start at Road Atlanta in October of 2007 before earning his Indy Lights rookie license earlier this year.

“It’s just night and day from the others,” Mark said of his experience so far in the Indy Racing League’s developmental league. “I’ve been treated like a pro in the series, even though I don’t have aspirations to get to F1. I’m simply trying to reach as high as I possibly can.”

Aside from the restarts, where he consistently lost ground on Sunday, Olson is convinced he’s on the right path to his motorsport goals.

“The starts can be a little hairy,” he said. “This is definitely not the ‘weekend warrior’ type of stuff. The series is definitely built around the professional’s needs and taking it to the next level.”

Understanding Partner and Family Key to Success

Most mid-career executives would balk at the suggestion of taking time away from the office to indulge a notion as dangerous as speed. Mark admits he has plenty of help on and off the track in making his racing dreams come true.

“The IRL ‘Kids Program’ has been terrific for my wife and 2- and 3-year old,” he said. “It’s a place where the drivers’ wives can bring the children and hang out safely with family while dad is racing.”

"It's not as easy as it looks on TV," says MCM rookie driver Mark Olson

He also gives credit to “an understanding business partner and several really good key employees” at his workplace.

The road to racing success always has a few bumps, though.

“My brother thinks the racing is really cool,” he continued, “but my dad refuses to acknowledge that I drive and my mom prays a lot for me.”

“My girls are too young to understand, but my wife is the one who surprises me the most, with the prodding to ‘put up or shut up’ and just get in the car.”

Podium-Proven Indy Lights Racer Robbie Pecorari Ponders Future

Kansas One-Off for Guthrie Racing Prelude to Permanent Ride?

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

Robbie Pecorari. Photo: DanaGarrettIRL

Robbie Pecorari is your ultimate mid-season, free-agent pick-up (to borrow a term from the major leagues).

Robbie hopped into the No. 55 Guthrie Racing Dallara on Sunday (April 27th) for the Kansas Lottery 100 and posted a podium finish (second place). The margin of winner J R Hildebrand’s victory over the Guthrie car was only 0.0533 seconds—the closest in Kansas Speedway history.

The race was Pecorari’s first since last September 9th’s Chicagoland series finale.

The boost onto the podium was a boon to Jim Guthrie’s team, which has been inching closer to a win since Raphael Matos earned double-victory at St. Petersburg in 2006; and may have been just the ticket to put Robbie back into a seat in Firestone Indy Lights for 2008.

"It was great for me,” Robbie said of the weekend’s work from his Pennsylvania home on Tuesday.

“I verified for them that they have a fast car,” said Robbie, “and showed that I can run up front.”

Fast Friends Pave the Way for Indy Lights Reprise

The union of racer and team was the product of familiarity. Pecorari had previous experience with and knowledge of Guthrie drivers Sean Guthrie and Logan Gomez.

“I raced with Sean in Star Mazda in 2005,” Robbie said, “and last year he and Logan were in the Indy Pro Series with me. They are perfect teammates to work with.”

Robbie Pecorari’s racing future almost never came to fruition.The Pennsylvanian has natural athletic talent, foregoing a future in soccer to pedal the cars faster.

“My dad was born and raised in Italy,” he said. “Before I raced cars I played soccer in high school. Then I had to choose between racing or soccer because the weekends the team played conflicted with driving.”

Robbie won the Nashville 100 last year by driving smart and avoiding the trouble that collected leader Alex Lloyd in a late-race accident. The phenomenal part of the victory was not that Pecorari won; it was his lack of previous test or practice on the circuit that sent heads shaking in disbelief.

Guthrie Racing’s Robbie Pecorari. Photo: DanaGarrettIRL

“Saturday was the first time I was in the car at Kansas,” he said of the Sunflower State reprise of his Tennessee victory.

“The practice got cut short because of the cold weather,” Robbie added of the scant amount of time he had aboard the red and blue racecar. “We lost about half an hour of the time we had available.”

Lemons Become Lemonade in Racer’s Hands

Making the best of every situation is something not unfamiliar to Robbie Pecorari.

He drove his 2007 team to the win at Nashville Speedway on the most modest terms possible. The team traveled in a single small trailer and RV, vagabonds that packed a powerful punch with Pecorari at the wheel.

With a year of experience and proven a winner it seemed a sure bet Robbie would be back in an Indy Lights car for 2008; but things didn’t work out that way. American Spirit Racing (formerly Team KMA) signed Swiss Cyndie Allemann as Robbie sought sponsorship and renewal.

“I talk with Jon (Lewis, of ASR) all the time,” Robbie said. “Right now I don’t have the budget and the team hasn’t a sponsor that can make up the difference. If we can find a sponsor we can do more races.”

It was a tough pill to swallow, given the momentum the team was gaining toward becoming a consistent contender.

“The team changed from last year,” in the postseason, Robbie said. “They have more knowledge and engineering. They’ve come a long way.”

"If we find a sponsor, we can do more races," says Robbie Pecorari

“I got in their car for the Homestead test and you could tell already the car was better than last year.”

His ability to get his ride up to speed in a hurry makes Pecorari a hot commodity for a team looking to make a big splash on a fast-track timetable. And no time of the year is better for making a splash than the month of May and the Indy Lights premier event, the Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“After the weekend we talked and I’d like to drive the Guthrie car some more,” Robbie said.

“We’re trying to figure a way to make that possible. If not there’s still more than half a season left to work something out.”

J R Hildebrand Drives to Indy Lights Win in Kansas

Californian Leads Field to Fast-Paced Oval Triumph

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

J R Hildebrand. Photo: SteveSnoddyIRL

RLR Andersen's J R Hildebrand took advantage of a high groove and a fast car to win Sunday's (April 27th) Firestone Indy Lights Kansas Lottery 100.

The Californian sped outside pole-sitter Richard Antinucci on Lap 20 of 67 with third-place finisher Arie Luyendyk Jr in tow to take the lead.

He never looked back after that, putting the Dallara around the track with precision on his way to his first career victory in the series.

"The team is a big part of my success," he said in Victory Lane. "We had a good setup in the draft and I was able to get by the guys in front of me."

Hildebrand had something in reserve when it came time to defend his lead against a charging Robbie Pecorari in the waning laps.

"My car was great down at the bottom and I wasn't losing speed, making it hard to get around. The team did an awesome job for me today."

Hildebrand becomes the first American to win in the Indy Lights series in 2008, an honor to wear with great pride.

It's also the first victory for RLR Andersen Racing in the series.

"This is the All-American Sport (oval racing)," he said. "We're going to the oval at Indy next month with plans to win."

One-Off for Pecorari Produces Podium Finish

Guthrie Racing's one-race entry for Robbie Pecorari produced immediate results with the Pennsylvanian earning the runner-up spot on the podium.

Pecorari, the winner of the 2007 Nashville 100, moved from twenty-third on the grid to the podium's second step.

"This is a great feeling," he said. "Guthrie Racing gave me plenty of car. Unfortunately I couldn't pull it off for the win, although we did go from twenty-third on the grid to second."

Hildebrand was 0.0533 seconds ahead of Pecorari at the finish, the eighth slimmest margin in series history and closest-ever finish at Kansas Speedway.

Luyendyk Jr made his fiftieth start a successful one by taking the final spot on the podium.

It was his first podium since Milwaukee in 2005.

Hildebrand and Matos battle in Kansas. Photo: DanaGarrettIRL

"AFS gave me a terrific car today," said Arie. "I am glad for the good result, but am still looking for that first win. We're going to work hard to get it next time out."

Dillon Battistini finished fourth, followed over the line by Wade Cunningham in fifth place.

Sixth through tenth were Sean Guthrie, Jeff Simmons, Brent Sherman, Bobby Wilson and Al Unser III.

Yellows Hamper Favorites

The race was interrupted by several yellow flags, the first at Lap 26 when Cyndie Allemann spun and collected Andrew Prendeville.

Jon Brownson, Rafa Matos, Mark Olson and Jake Slotten also found themselves out of control; though none suffered major damage or injury.

Micky Gilbert struck the SAFER barrier in Turn 4 on Lap 42. He too was released from the ontrack medical center cleared to drive.

Ana Beatriz spun on the pre-race parade lap on cold tires, sending her to the back of the field for the flying start. Bia finished fourteenth, one spot behind teammate Antinucci.

There were five caution periods, covering a total of thirty laps.

Hildebrand Assumes Firehawk Cup Lead

The result leaves Hildebrand atop the championship standings over Richard Antinucci, who trails by only three points.

The podium finish also boosts Arie Luyendyk Jr toward the top in the chase for the Firestone Firehawk Cup. He stands now on fifth behind Dillon Battistini and Raphael Matos.

The Firestone Indy Lights series breaks for three weeks before resuming its season on Carb Day (May 23rd) at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for its biggest race of the year: the Freedom 100.

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Driver Interviews from Kansas Lottery 100

Click to download MP3

RLR Andersen's J R Hildebrand

Guthrie Racing's Robbie Pecorari

AFS Andretti Green Racing's Arie Luyendyk Jr

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Firestone Indy Lights Kansas Lottery 100 Results

Firestone Indy Lights Firestone Firehawk Cup 2008 Cumulative Results

Kansas Indy Lights Qualifying Cancelled

Cold Temperatures Freeze Out Sunday Qualifications

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

Firestone Indy Lights qualifying was cancelled at Kansas Speedway due to cold temperatures.

The mercury fell to 34 degrees Fahrenheit overnight around Kansas City, and was late to break 45 degrees Sunday (April 27th) morning.

The grid is set based on driver points, with Sam Schmidt Motorsports’ Richard Antinucci leading the way.

Alongside him on the front row is second-place Raphael Matos, then Dillon Battistini, J R Hildebrand and Ana Beatriz (see starting grid link below).

Short WarmUp Stands In for Qualifying Runs

In lieu of qualifications Indy Lights officials held a seven minute, thirty second warmup at approximately 10:30 AM local time.

Andrew Prendeville finished quickest in the first group with a best lap speed of 189.017 mph.

Logan Gomez was second-quick overall at 188.479 mph and lamented the lost opportunity to start further forward than the 13th spot on the grid he was awarded.

"We had tough luck in St. Petersburg and we’re still paying for it," he said. "We used the time this morning to tune the car to run in traffic because we didn’t have qualifications."

He was followed by Richard Antinucci (188.467 mph) in the session run at ambient 48 degrees Fahrenheit and on a track surface at 67 degrees.

Ana Beatriz was fourth-quick (188.397 mph).

Cyndie Allemann finished fifth in the combined sessions on 188.261 mph.

The 67-lap Kansas Lottery 100 goes green at 12:45 PM CDT, weather permitting.

The forecast for the area calls for a thirty percent chance of showers.

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Firestone Indy Lights Kansas Lottery 100 Starting LineUp

Firestone Indy Lights Kansas Pre-Race Warm-Up

Indy Lights Racers Storm to Fast Start at Kansas Speedway

Saturday Practice for Round 4 of 16 Complete at Kansas

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

AFS Andretti Green’s Arie Luyendyk Jr. Photo: SteveSnoddyIRL

Raphael Matos motored to the fastest lap in practice for Sunday’s (April 27th) Kansas Lottery 100, besting teammate Arie Luyendyk Jr for the provisional pole.

Matos’ best lap came late in the day when he posted a speed of 190.432 mph (28.7346 sec), the only racer to top the 190 mph mark on Saturday.

“We were able to run around a lot of people and did a qualifying simulation in the end,” he said afterwards. “We’re pretty happy with the car. I think we’ll be quick enough for pole.”

Immediately behind came Luyendyk in the No. 26 AFS Andretti Green Racing Dallara with a best lap of 189.543 mph (28.8695 sec).

“It’s not easy to drive out there,” he said of the packs of cars charging around the 1.5 mile oval. “We should be fast in qualifying.”

The performance was sufficiently dominating to promote some early forecast of what kind of race tactics the pair might have up their sleeves. Might they find a way to draft and push that proves beneficial on Sunday?

“If that situation comes about, we’ll always help each other,” said Arie. “We didn’t get to do that in Homestead. We didn’t see each other too much. Hopefully we can work together this weekend to push to the front.”

Beatriz Fastest in Morning Session

Sam Schmidt Motorsports’ Ana (Bia) Beatriz was third-quick at the end of the day with a lap of 189.387 mph (28.8932 sec).

Bia was also fastest in the early morning session as well.

RLR Andersen Racing’s J R Hildebrand (189.333 mph in the morning session) and Beatriz’ teammate Jim Davison (189.017 mph) round out the top five.

"I'm pretty happy with the car," said Hildebrand. "A car has to be good on its own and in a draft, and it was in that session."

"It's a little bit of a handful, but it's definitely fast."

"It's a handful, but it's fast!" says RLR Andersen's J R Hildebrand of racecar

The temperatures were on the cool side in and around Kansas City with a high of 61 degrees Fahrenheit under sunny skies at Kansas Speedway.

Marc Williams of Integra Motorsports withdrew from the practice, qualifications and race this weekend for unspecified reasons.

Rookie Mark Olson spun in the early morning practice without damage to self or the No. 8 Michael Crawford Motorsports machine.

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Firestone Indy Lights Practice Session One Results

Firestone Indy Lights Practice Session Two Results