Indy 500 Qualifying

May 17, 2007





Indy 500 Qualifying

Personally I have always enjoyed the first day of qualifying for the Indy 500 almost as exciting as the race, which is why I try to make a trip up each year to see it. The past few years have seen mostly rain-outs and the new qualifying format that was instituted a few years ago has never been actually put into practice. This year the weather was great, with warm, sunny days and great conditions for the new format. Unlike past years which basically gave each car a single attempt and there was unlimited qualifying on each day, the new system calls for only the 11 quickest qualified cars each day with each car getting up to three attempts per day.

Danica Patrick

I wasn’t sure if I’d like the new, being averse to change and all, but as it turns out the first qualifying day was as exciting as any have been in years. The crowd was fairly respectable as the cars practiced early in the morning in preparation for the qualifying, which began promptly at noon. By two o’clock there had already been 11 cars qualified and some more bumped out. Dario Franchitti held the pole most of the day, but the drama over the last 2 hours was intense. First, Team Penske driver Sam Hornish, Jr. made two dramatic attempts that came close but slight bobbles on each run cost him. At the last minute, literally, Helio Castroneves withdrew his time and posted the quickest time to the delight of the enthusiastic crowd. Then he had to wait while Tony Kanaan posted 3 laps even faster only to falter on his final lap and end up second. The difference between first and second was a miniscule .0042 seconds over 10 miles…incredible.



I had the requisite bronze badge passes which enable me to get close to all the action and even to have a brief conversation with Ashley Judd, the wife of Dario Franchitti about her new movie “Bug” which is coming out at the end of the month. She was somewhat disappointed that the film is being marketed as a horror film, insisting that it is more of a “physiological love story”. She was one of the few celebrities on hand that I saw, among the others were tennis legend Billie Jean King, Indiana Pacer David Harrison and Indianapolis Colts players Ben Utecht and Bob Sanders.

Ashley Judd

Dario Franchitti

After the thrilling first day, I headed over to Brugge Brasserie to meet my sister Michele for dinner before visiting my friends John Cornwell and Dan Kurker who each recently purchased homes right across the street from each other.



I was back at the track on Sunday for day 2 of qualifying where they filled positions 11-22 of the 33 car field for the race. At the end of the day, two of the three women have qualified, with Milka Duno still yet to make an attempt. It was a great day, though somewhat slower than Saturday. I caught a late afternoon flight back home. Kathy will be headed back to Indiana for the race next week.

Indianapolis

May 15, 2006

Indianapolis



Marco Andretti

I took my annual trek to Indianapolis this week for the first weekend of qualifications for the 91st Indianapolis 500. I flew up on Thursday and headed out to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the final practice session prior to the qualifying weekend.

Sarah Fisher

NASCAR's Rusty Wallace

The practice is known as “Fast Friday” because all the race teams trim out the cars to achieve the fastest possible speed. It was a busy day with perfect weather, sunny and warm with temps in the low 80s. The conditions were good for those trying to prepare to qualify. The big storyline at the track is the possibility of 3 female drivers competing together for the first time. Regular drivers Sarah Fisher and Danica Patrick are being joined by Venezuelan rookie Milka Duno. Both Sarah and Danica seemed like locks, but Milka’s chances took a hit when she crashed during practice. She didn’t seem too deterred though, coming out to talk with fans after the crash.
Scott Dixon had the quickest time of the practice with a fast lap of over 227 mph, followed by teammate Dan Wheldon and AGR drivers Tony Kanaan, Marco Andretti and Dario Franchitti who were all over 226.

Milka's crashed car

Milka & Michael

I ran into a few friends at the track, Matt Elliot, artist Brian Presnell (See Link Below) and Rick and Becky Henss, as well as my buddy Jason who works for Marco Andretti. All in all it was a great day at the track, capped off by a performance in the infield by the heavy metal thrash band Saliva, which seemed at first an odd selection, but actually were not that bad. I think the Speedway desperately wants to bring in a more youthful crowd and I guess booking bands like Saliva may be one way to get a turnout.

Becky, Matt, Brian & Rick


Saliva

I spent the majority of the day at the track before heading over to Editions Limited Gallery in Broad Ripple to attend their art opening as part of the Broad Ripple Gallery Walk. It was great to see old friends, though it was strange to be there and not see my mother Marta who worked at the gallery for years.

Editions Limited Crew

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=IMBPrez

http://www.editionsltd.com/

Jen & Mark's Wedding!!

May 10, 2007



Jen & Mark’s Wedding!



Last weekend, Kathy attended the wedding of her friend and Key West Preschool Co-op Jen and her fiancé Mark. Sadly, I was ill with a wicked flu, and had to miss the festivities, but Kathy seemed to have a good enough time for the both of us. The wedding took place on Smathers Beach and was performed ironically enough by our friend Suzy Jo.



After the ceremony, the reception was held aboard the Sebago Catamaran during another beautiful Key West sunset. The groom soldiered through a bit of seasickness and everyone had a great time. If Kathy’s condition upon her arrival home was any indication, then there was plenty of champagne consumed.

Jen at the Helm!

Alison & Victor



Of course it may have been the post wedding partying at Island Dogs that caused her happy state. Check out the photos and judge for yourself. We offer our congratulations to Jen & Mark and wish them happiness and success as they enter married life.

Island Dogs

Rob & Janine