Schedule (local time):
July 4
10:15-11:45 a.m. – IndyCar Series practice
3:30-4:30 – IndyCar Series practice
July 5
9:30-10:30 a.m. – IndyCar Series practice (two groups)
1:30 p.m. – PEAK Motor Oil Pole Qualifying presented by AutoZone
July 6
2:30 p.m. – Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen pre-race
3:30 p.m. – Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen (60 laps/204 miles)
CORNING DUELS
Date / Time
Race #1
11:15 a.m. (EDT)
Saturday, July 5
Race #2
3:20 p.m. (EDT)
Saturday, July 5
Track
Watkins Glen International
(11-turns/3.4 miles)
Distance
29 laps/98.6 miles (Each race)
TV
ESPN2 (Taped)
2 p.m. July 10
Radio
IMS Radio Network
2007 Winners
Wade Cunningham (Race #1)
Alex Lloyd
(Race #2)
2007 Polesitter
Wade Cunningham
(Race #1 only)
Corning Duels
Story Ideas:
Two races, one day: For the first time in its history, the Firestone Indy Lights will hold two races on one day. The rewards of doing well in the race could affect the points, but the risk of a poor finish or even an untimely accident could drastically alter a team's championship-winning dreams.
Highly-competitive season resumes with Corning Duels
After four-straight races on ovals, the Firestone Indy Lights season continues with first of three doubleheader weekends slated for road courses. Englishman Dillon Battistini leads the points on the strength of three oval wins, but returns to his racing roots, road courses. San Diego’s Richard Antinucci, whose three series wins came on road/street courses trails Battistini by 27 points while J.R. Hildebrand of Sausalito, Calif., is just 40 points back. Brazil’s Raphael Matos is 54 points back.
Ladies first?
For the first time in series history, two female drivers are competing for the 2008 championship. Brazil's Ana Beatriz and Switzerland's Cyndie Allemann join the series as Lucas Oil Rookie of the Year candidates and are attempting to become the second and third women to compete at Indianapolis in the Firestone Freedom 100. Beatriz, who is sixths in points, benefits from the championship experience of Sam Schmidt Motorsports, while Allemann, who is 20th in points drives for American Spirit Racing, which was one of six teams to win in 2007.
Empire State ties
Native New Yorker Matt Lee will attempt to make his series debut in the Corning Duels for Guthrie Racing. The Syosset, N.Y. native finished second in Formula BMW USA in 2006 and raced in Champ Car Atlantics in 2007. Lee will drive the No. 54 car this weekend.
Former winners looking for more glory
A pair of former Firestone Indy Lights winners at Watkins Glen return to the track seeking to add to their trophy cases. Jeff Simmons, who won the inaugural Corning 100 in 2005, and 2006 Corning 100 winner Bobby Wilson are entered in the event and hope to become the first multi-time Firestone Indy Lights winner at the Glen
A salute to heroes
For the Watkins Glen race, held on Fourth of July weekend, Panther Racing’s Firestone Indy Lights drivers Brent Sherman and Dillon Battistini will don camouflaged firesuits, which were made from nomex fabric supplied by the National Guard -- the same material worn by the soldiers. Battistini will see his No. 15 car get a special paint scheme as he will be showcasing the red, white and blue colors of the National Guard along with Sherman and IndyCar Series driver Vitor Meira.
Schedule (local time):
July 4
9 – 10 a.m. – Firestone Indy Lights practice (all cars)
1 – 1:45 p.m. -- Firestone Indy Lights practice (all cars)
5-5:30 p.m. – SWE Pole Qualifying
July 5
10:45 a.m. – Corning Duel #1 pre-race
11:15 a.m. – Corning Duel #1 (29 laps/98.6 miles)
3:20 p.m. – Corning Duel #2 ((29 laps/98.6 miles)
