We want the funk...

May 10, 2009

George Clinton

Helio nabs Pole!

We want the funk…



The first day of qualifying for the Indy 500 is always an amazing display of speed, strategy, determination and luck as the teams attempt to secure one of the top 11 starting spots for the race. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is currently celebrating 100 years of operations, always adds other entertainment to the mix to both draw fans and keep them entertained over the weekend.







This year they scheduled one of the most unlikely musical selections that I can recall in having George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic to play during the afternoon. While many race fans didn’t know quite what to make of the crazy and spectacular show, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to see the Funk pioneers up close and personal.







The credentials that I had allowed me backstage access and the chance to meet George and the wild and funky members of his band and huge entourage. It was quite an experience as was the three hour show they performed. For all the wild stage antics, they were actually as nice and professional a group of people as you could ask for. The show itself was amazing as they went through an amazing number of costume changes and crazy antics and played the brand of Funk music which they helped create.

P-Funk at IMS



Of course the concert was only the back-drop to the main event, which was qualifying for the race. The weather, rather chilly with 30 mph wind much of the day created havoc for the race teams as they attempted to be one of the top 11 quickest cars that were locked into their starting positions. The top teams for the most part dominated as expected. Penske racing drivers Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe nabbed the first two starting positions, with Target Chip Ganassi racing’s Dario Franchitti rounding out the front row.



Richard Petty

Dario Franchitti

It was a busy and exciting day with 27 attempts made to secure the top spots, there were also a number of crashes including the second crash in as many days by rookie Robert Doornbos. The excitement went down to the last minute as cars crowded the line as the day neared the track closing at 6 PM as teams tried to either improve their times or simply to get into the top 11.

Derek Daly & Bobby Rahal

Roger Penske

Matt

Unfortunately Brugge sponsored Conquest racing driver Alex Tagliani was unable to get enough speed to qualify on pole day. He wasn’t alone as many of the teams could not master the cold and windy conditions. Having pit and garage passes make it much easier to get decent photos, hopefully you will enjoy the ones I took over the weekend.

Sarah Fisher

Ted, Matt, Savannah, Hunter & Haley

Will & Michele