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Seven Indy Pro Series Grads in 500 |
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Phil Giebler sure knows how to get attention and good PR at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. If you can’t win the pole [too bad, as Helio Castroneves snapped up that one] then bump your way into the 33rd starting position on Bump Day.
As a development product from the Indy Pro Series, Phil is one of seven “grads” to be in the starting lineup for this year’s Indy 500. Of the group of seven, Phil has separated him from the other six [ Marco Andretti, Ed Carpenter, A. J. Foyt IV, Jon Herb, Marty Roth and Jeff Simmons] by being the only one of them who will be a rookie. And that gives him one of the greatest opportunities ever to be this years Indy 500 Rookie of the Year, which means lasting PR.
There is only one other rookie in the field, Milka Duno. 50-50 odds don’t get much better. The racing between these two drivers will be well worth watching. Two years ago Danica Patrick led the race and was the Indy 500 Rookie of the Year. So in the span of two years and one day we might have two female drivers winning the award. On the other hand, Marco Andretti led the race and won that title last year, thus in the span of one year and one day we may have two Pro Series grads winning – our math assuming that there is no rain delay.
Phil, driving for Playa Del Racing, arrives for the 500 having worked hard to get there. Among his many accomplishments, he first raced in the IPS in 2004 and received instant attention by winning his inaugural race on the Homestead-Miami oval. He was in seven Pro races that year. Phil appeared in the series again in 2005 and 2006. In the latter, he had a third place podium finish at Watkins Glen. Road courses and ovals both seem to work well for him.
As for the rest of the 500 field, it looks like the race is loaded with tradition and talent and can’t help but be another drama filled event as have the last two.
As for tradition, the names Andretti, Foyt and Unser will be running again. The Foyt and Unser name started in the late 50’s and Andretti in the 60’s. Besides A.J. IV, special this year is the man with the original name Foyt. Now as a team owner, A.J. will be making his 50th anniversary appearance at the 500. He is an irreplaceable legend at the Brickyard.
And then there are the Andretti’s. After last year who can wait to see Marco again. And Michael adds to the drama by having one more shot at his dream. His 11th place starting position says he hasn’t lost the talent that has led so many laps at the 500. Then there is one more Andretti this year. No, not Mario, although he will be ever present, his nephew, and Michael’s cousin, John Andretti, who is back from NASCAR for another open wheel run for the checkered flag.
The Unser name will be upheld by Al Unser Jr., who knows what it takes to win this race, having done it twice. Which brings us to the other five previous 500 winners who also want to add one more notch on their guns. Those will be Sam Hornish Jr., Dan Whelden, Helio Castroneves, Buddy Rice and Buddy Lazier.
Not to be over looked, are also the IndyCar Series Champions, eight, who will be there, some of whom want to add a 500 victory also; Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Scott Sharp and Michael Andretti [who was a CART champion]. The guys who already have both are Sam Hornish Jr., Dan Whelden, Buddy Lazier and Al Unser Jr. [who was a CART champion also.]
There will also be a great following for the three female drivers, of course, Danica Patrick, Sarah Fisher and Milka Duno – who will be there as drivers competing with each other AND with every other driver – equally! The awards are genderless. Of the three, Danica knows what it takes to lead the race. Interestingly enough there five Andretti Green drivers who have led the 500 but not won it. Maybe this will be the year for one of them.
But back to our other IPS grads. Marco is the fastest qualifier of the group and the only one with a single digit starting position, 9th. The second fasted is Jeff Simmons, who will start from position 13. And that, of course, can’t help but remind us of another IPS grad, Paul Dana. It is to Paul that this year’s 500 should be dedicated. This will be the first Indy 500 run on ethanol, a dream that Dana worked so tirelessly for.
Carpenter is in 14, Foyt in 18, Herb at 27 and Roth is 30.
Get ready for the greatest Indianapolis 500 Race. Maybe, just maybe, a Indy Pro Series graduate will win this year.
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