BRISCOE TAKES PIT STOP CONTEST; NEWGARDEN WINS FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100

Scott Dixon hopes Miller Lite Carb Day is again a good indication of Indianapolis 500 Race Day.

Dixon, who will start the 2010 Indianapolis 500 from the middle of the front row, topped the speed chart for the final practice session, the final opportunity for teams to fine-tune their cars before Race Day.

Dixon, driving the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car, topped the speed chart with a quick lap of 225.474 mph and was the only driver over 225 mph. Pole sitter Alex Tagliani (224.739 mph) and defending race winner Dario Franchitti (224.658 mph) were right behind. Franchitti led the final practice in 2010 before winning the race.

Ryan Briscoe hopes that winning the IZOD Indy 500 Pit Stop Competition could be a good omen for him.

Briscoe, driving the No. 6 IZOD Team Penske Dallara/Honda/Firestone, defeated Dario Franchitti of Target Chip Ganassi Racing in the championship round. His pit crew received the $50,000 first prize for its speed and accuracy.

The winner of the competition has gone on to win the Indianapolis 500 six times, most recently with Team Penske's Helio Castroneves in 2009. Penske Racing teams have won the pit stop competition a record 13 times, including the last six times that it has been contested.

Also on Miller Lite Carb Day, Josef Newgarden led a Sam Schmidt Motorsports 1-2 finish in the Firestone Freedom 100 beating his teammate Esteban Guerrieri.

The victory for Newgarden, driving the No. 11 Copart/Score Big/Robo-Pong/Sam Schmidt Motorsports car, gave team owner Sam Schmidt his sixth win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in nine Firestone Freedom 100 starts.

Newgarden was the first American winner of the Freedom 100 since Ed Carpenter won the inaugural race in 2003 and leads Guerrieri in the point standings by 26 points (151-125). Victor Garcia finished third in the No. 22 TMR-Xtreme Coil Drilling car.

Staind and Papa Roach headlined a concert to conclude the busy day.

MILLER LITE CARB DAY NOTEBOOK:

Competitors in iRacing.com computer racing simulation will participate in the second annual iRacing.com Indy 500 on Saturday, May 28.

iRacing.com drivers will race 200 laps in a virtual versions of a Dallara chassis at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with a laser-scanned track surface creating the ultimate in realism.

A record number of entries is anticipated for this year's iRacing.com Indy 500. But unlike the Indianapolis 500, everyone who enters the iRacing.com Indy 500 will be able to participate in the race. That's because the iRacing system can stage multiple numbers of 500-mile races simultaneously, each with 33 racers from around the world competing online. The system automatically assigns drivers to races based on their skill and experience levels, ensuring everyone enjoys a competitive race.

The top-rated split of the iRacing.com Indy 500 will be broadcast on iRacing.com beginning at noon Saturday, May 28. The race also will be streamed live on indycar.com and carried on the video boards at IMS. The winner of the top split will receive a valuable prize package, including a pair of tickets to the 2012 Indianapolis 500.

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Fifteen-time Full Throttle NHRA Funny Car champion John Force visited the track today for the first time during the Indianapolis 500.

JOHN FORCE: "It's unbelievable. You know, I raced in the Long Beach Grand Prix in the celebrity race, but I had to go to our race so I had to leave the next day. So I never got to see the race. This is my first. I'm going to stick this thing out to the end. I'm excited. I got my traveling road show here, showing our race cars and comparing them to IndyCar and NASCAR. I'm excited. My driver, Mike Neff, Robert Hight, and my youngest daughter, Courtney, they came in. I wanted them to see something a little bit different. Tom Compton, the president of NHRA, he came in. He's been here before, but I wanted him to see the road show. It's pretty cool. I got to see (Chip) Ganassi, I hear (Don) Prudhomme's here walking around, A.J. Foyt - boy that's something. If I get to see Mario (Andretti), I'll be in heaven." (Would you like to take an Indy car for a spin?): "Oh, yeah. I love any kind of hot rod, you know what I mean? I watched them, and I watched the teams. We got a lot of fans here. Robert and I, Neff and Courtney - we're having a lot of fun."

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Indianapolis 500 veterans Donnie Allison and Roberto Moreno visited the track today. Allison raced in the Indianapolis 500 in 1970-71, earning Rookie of the Year honors in 1970. Moreno raced at Indianapolis in 1986, 1999 and 2007.

DONNIE ALLISON: "Well, it's really phenomenal for me because I don't get to many functions at Indy because of the stock car, you know. But it's a great honor. I mean, I was really, really happy when I was contacted about this." (What's your favorite memory about the Speedway?): "Well, I have a lot of them. Naturally, my first year here in '70 when I won Rookie of the Year, I went to Charlotte; we flew to Charlotte that night in a Purolator plane. And I ran the World 600 the next day, won it. I got back in the airplane that night and flew back here for the Victory Banquet to get the award for Rookie of the Year." (That's a throwback to the old days, isn't it?): "Yeah, these guys now, they think they've accomplished something. I think I accomplished quite a bit."

ROBERTO MORENO: "It's fantastic. Always, it's good to be here. It's a great event. I'm glad I was part of it three times. It's amazing how much I miss when I come here. I wish I was in a car. I'm not done yet. I'm doing races in Europe. I'm 52 but still I have all the enthusiasm and speed that I need."

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Team Penske and driver Ryan Briscoe won the IZOD Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge today. Team Penske and Briscoe beat Target Chip Ganassi Racing and driver Dario Franchitti in the final with a stop of 7.882 seconds. Target Chip Ganassi Racing and Franchitti completed their stop in 8.481 seconds.

This is the 13th Pit Stop Challenge victory for Team Penske, extending its record. It's the first time Briscoe has won the event as a driver. This is the second time Matt Jonsson has won the event as a chief mechanic, as he led Team Penske to victory in 2005 with driver Sam Hornish Jr.

The last time the winner of the Pit Stop Challenge also won the Indianapolis 500 was 2009, when Team Penske and Helio Castroneves achieved the "double."

Team Penske and Briscoe earned $50,000 for winning the IZOD Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge. Target Chip Ganassi Racing and Franchitti earned $30,000 for finishing runner-up.

RYAN BRISCOE: "I think what you saw now is a taste of what these guys are going to be doing for me in the race, and it's so important. I put so much pride in their pit stops, and I'm just lucky to have the best guys in pit lane. Helio has definitely been the favorite over the past few years, but I've got this guy (Matt) and I was never looking at who was beside me. We were really consistent, and after the first one we just wanted to keep repeating. They did it all. The Penske pride in the competition goes back a ways, so we don't want to show up here and not be in the competition."

MATT JONSSON (Crew chief): "This win means a lot. It adds confidence for Sunday, of course, and we're planning on doing the same thing on Sunday and trying to move up through the field. We win as a team and lose as a team, and that's our job on Sunday, to try to move up the field. Ryan came in on a consistent speed, stopped right on his marks. That's key for us. We don't have to adjust; we just do the same thing every time. If everyone stays calm and collected, that's the way it turns out to be: consistent."

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Talk-show host and former NBA star John Salley visited the track today. Comedian Adam Carolla and Salley will co-host "The Car Show" starting this summer on SPEED.

JOHN SALLEY: "I think this place is unbelievable. I've been trying to get here since I got into the sport of racing. I really just fell into it. I was asking when I was at FOX Sports to come out here, but they wouldn't let me. But, with the new show with Adam Carolla on SPEED, I finally got to come out here. I'm just really, really happy that I finally got to come to this place where racing is true. It's true racing here. I've literally learned more than you could dream about this open-wheel car and Indy car racing. I can really see that the things to do in this wonderful state are basketball and racing. I'm loving every minute of it. I've already made plans to be back here next year for the entire weekend."

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HVM Racing chief mechanic Brian Fellows was announced as the recipient of the Clint Brawner Mechanical Excellence Award today for his work in leading the team to prepare the backup car for Simona De Silvestro to qualify this year after her primary car was destroyed in a crash in practice.

Fellows received a $5,000 check and a plaque, and his name will be added to a permanent trophy housed in the IMS Hall of Fame Museum.

The Brawner Award, celebrating its 25th anniversary, recognizes an Indy 500 chief mechanic who "exemplifies the mechanical and scientific creativity, ingenuity, perseverance, dedication, enthusiasm and expertise" of its legendary namesake. The award winner is selected by the Clint Brawner Foundation committee. Firestone underwrites the award.

BRIAN FELLOWS: "It means a lot to win this, especially with it the 100th anniversary of the race and the 25th anniversary of the Brawner Award. I've only been in this industry for 11 years, so I feel like I'm a rookie still compared to some of these guys. It's probably one of the best things that's ever happened to me."

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Beginning in 2012, the IZOD IndyCar Series will specify four- or six-cylinder engines boosted exclusively by BorgWarner's new line of EFR turbochargers. Badged "Engineered For Racing" or "EFR," these turbochargers feature Gamma TiAl (titanium aluminide) turbine wheels, ceramic ball bearings and stainless steel turbine housings. IZOD IndyCar Series engine manufacturers can choose EFR turbochargers for either single-turbo or twin-turbo engine arrangements, each with two turbine housing sizes that can be selected on a track-by-track basis by IZOD IndyCar Series teams.

TIM MANGANELLO (Chairman and chief executive officer, BorgWarner): "A testament to BorgWarner's technology leadership in turbocharging, this product is engineered to meet the demanding performance requirements of IZOD IndyCar Series racing. BorgWarner's EFR turbochargers offer an unprecedented combination of advanced technologies, designed to boost the performance of down-sized engines while improving fuel economy. We are thrilled to add our latest turbocharging technology to our 100-year legacy of innovation at the Indianapolis 500."

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IZOD IndyCar Series 2012 Car Project Manager Tony Cotman met with the media today to talk about the progress of the new car.

TONY COTMAN (Project Manager, 2012 Car): (On how manufacturer anchor teams will affect competition): "There will always be development, but the difference is that we've taken a lot of the parameters away. Because the rules in the homologation table are so tight, you aren't off developing cams and cranks and everything like you have in the past. The development areas are very, very confined compared to what they used to be. Just because there is an anchor team, it doesn't mean that they will do all of the testing. The manufacturer has a lot of say in who does the testing. They can have all of their teams participate in a test. Honda can have an engine test and invite all of the Honda teams to participate. I think you'll see that there will be a team. It will be like a team of teams where it's the Team Honda, Team Chevy or Team Lotus." (On how the different levels of horsepower will affect competition): "I think the product will already be enhanced. I think the racing will already be better. I would rather see the base horsepower go higher than push-to-pass be implemented. It's drivability. It's fuel economy. It's horsepower. It's getting power to the ground. People will still be sorting out the cars. The racing will be good. The racing will change. But I think it will be better." (About not having much time to practice with the new car, and more specifically the aero kit): "Selfishly, for a spectator at Indianapolis it's better if the team has to show up here and figure out what they're going to do. And if a team has a problem, all a team has to do is spend 70,000 bucks to get out of their predicament, where before they had to buy a whole new car." (About the new car design): "We've left a large window for people to play, think, dream, whatever they want. The rules are pretty open for that. We're trying to allow more diversity."

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William Rast, the "New America" denim culture brand founded by Justin Timberlake in 2005, has signed a multi-year endorsement agreement together with its eyewear license partner, Viva International Group, with 2005 Indianapolis 500 Chase Rookie of the Year Danica Patrick to endorse William Rast Eyewear and William Rast Racing Eyewear.

DANICA PATRICK: "It's funny, actually. I was laying by the pool. It was less than two months ago. I had just stopped in an airport and bought some sunglasses with some time off. And I was at home, and I was laying by the pool, and I was putting them on and I was thinking, 'Why am I buying sunglasses?' There's got to be somebody out there. An hour later, my agent called and said: 'OK, don't freak out. I've got a good deal for you.' And he told me about this. And I was like, 'I need to start saying things like that more often.' So I'm very, very excited for them to want me to represent their products and their line of sunglasses. And William Rast Racing being the name of their sport collection, I think sounds really great. A lot of lines have so and so sport, but William Rast Racing just has a great sound to it. Thank goodness, because it means I fit in a little bit better, I think. I just think we're going to have a lot of fun with it." (On what a good fit William Rast is for her): "I have the great luxury to be able to really like and enjoy and wear the products that I represent. I feel really lucky for that, and this is definitely one of them."

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ABC will televise the Indianapolis 500 for the 47th consecutive year Sunday, with live pre-race coverage starting at 11 a.m. and race coverage at noon.

What began as highlights on "ABC's Wide World of Sports" in 1965 moved to a same-day, prime-time program in 1971 and became a live telecast (except in Indianapolis) in 1986.

ESPN on ABC's production will use 64 cameras to televise the premier race of the IZOD IndyCar Series, including a 360-degree rotating onboard camera mounted behind the driver on multiple cars. Unique views will be provided by Batcam, a high-definition camera running on a cable over pit road and the frontstretch that can move at more than 80 mph. All 33 cars will carry GPS boxes for the Sportvision RaceFX system to provide telemetry and pointers to help identify the cars for viewers. ESPN will use a radio replay system that can record, play back and edit radios from any of the 33 drivers, and viewers will learn more about the technical aspects of the sport with segments from the Emmy-winning ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage.

The ABC broadcast team: Brent Musburger, host; Marty Reid, play-by-play; Scott Goodyear and Eddie Cheever, analysts; Rick DeBruhl, Jamie Little, Dr. Jerry Punch and Vince Welch, pit reporters.

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The IMS Radio Network will broadcast the Indianapolis 500 live Sunday, with pre-race coverage starting at 11 a.m. and race coverage at noon.

IMS Radio Network coverage of the race also can be heard on SiriusXM, the Official Satellite Radio Partner of INDYCAR. SiriusXM listeners can hear the race on channel 94 on XM and channel 212 on Sirius Premier.

The IMS Radio Network broadcast team: Mike King, play-by-play; Paul Page, analysis; Donald Davidson, historical information; Davey Hamilton, driver analysis from in-car; Jerry Baker, Turn 1; Jake Query, Turn 2; Mark Jaynes, Turn 3; Chris Denari, Turn 4; Kevin Lee, Nick Yeoman and Michael Young, pit reporters; Dave Wilson, garage/medical center.

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American Honda and its Honda Performance Development (HPD) subsidiary will power all IZOD IndyCar Series entries fielded by Chip Ganassi Racing as manufacturer competition returns to the series in 2012, HPD and Ganassi officials announced today.

The Ganassi organization will be Honda's "anchor" team, as set forth in the regulations for the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series, and HPD will provide its new, turbocharged 2.2-liter V6 engines to the Ganassi team.

ERIK BERKMAN (President, HPD; vice president, product planning, American Honda): "We'd like to take this opportunity to announce this association with Ganassi Racing team, and let me take just a second to reflect a little bit on the background and what brought us to this point. We've been supplying as the sole supplier of engines here for the sixth year, and we've had some great success in that we've been able to power the teams with high-quality engines, manufacture in a competitive environment in very competitive racing on the track among the teams. But we've been strong advocates with the INDYCAR folks to let's change it back to the era of competition with more manufacturers, so we're very happy that it's culminated and coming back for competition here. So with that, we've had great success with the Ganassi organization. Chip's won championships for us by himself and for his drivers, and we're had a lot of great success together, and you'll recall those awesome years back in the 90s when we were running together. We're so looking forward to this chance to name Ganassi as our anchor team and, along with the other manufacturers, put on a pretty good show. So we're well on our way to prolong that development and with the start of testing on track here very soon with the new chassis and the new engines, we're ready to roll. Having high technical capability on both sides, having good people working hard, good chemistry, good management and leadership we can be very successful. Without it, we would just fight and struggle and all that. In our experiences in racing, both here and abroad, we've learned a lot on how to keep that in balance. The technical component is key."

CHIP GANASSI (Owner, Chip Ganassi Racing): "I can tell you that I feel honored that they've chosen us. There's a bit of testing that needs to be done, and I think that, and again I don't want to speak for them, but I don't think they can give anything to a team that they can't give to anyone else and their team, but they need someone to try these things out. And I think that's partially the great relationship over the years with Honda. It even surprised myself when I realized it's seven more championships with Honda-powered cars, and we're very proud of that. So we feel honored to be chosen as the anchor team. This is a partnership. In terms of what the team will be able to do, it's not about them serving us. It's really not about us serving them. We have to work together. We both want to win as much as each other and so does the other Honda-powered teams - they're going to want to win. This has been prudent for us in our sports car program that we ran in the (American) Le Mans Series. We have multiple teams. But if you come out with a new development and you've gone through the virtual world and now it's time to go to the track, you want to get there fast because you don't have a lot of time and you want to try it out. The partnership is so we can prove things out as efficiently, effectively and quickly as possible. And then the other Honda-powered teams will have the opportunity to benefit from those developments."

MIKE HULL (Managing director, Chip Ganassi Racing): "Can we drop 'anchor' and call this a partnership? We think it's exciting that IndyCar racing has been instrumental in bringing three manufacturing into the series. Because what that then does is bring back the reality of innovation. Innovation is what needs to drive this to another level. Partnering with Honda, we know what that means for us internally as a team, we know what that means to our drivers, we know how important it is. But we think it's going to be more important for the fan base, for places like the Speedway here and for other places that we race, because as we go forward, the definition of technology and innovation is the most important item for what we are."

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The U.S. Army's Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) demonstrated the Clandestine Extended Range Vehicle (CERV) as part of special events leading up to the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500. The U.S. Army labeled the CERV as one of the "greenest technologies" and demonstrated how its advanced hybrid electric powertrain developed by Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. and TARDEC saves taxpayer dollars and soldiers' lives.

In support of the U.S. Army's drive for energy efficiency, Quantum developed the Military Aggressor, a first-generation fuel cell hybrid electric alternative mobility vehicle (AMV) several years ago. This high-performance vehicle was designed for quick-paced mobility operations such as reconnaissance, surveillance and target designation. The CERV is a newer-generation stealth vehicle that incorporates Quantum's Q-Force all-wheel drive diesel hybrid- electric technology and a light-weight chassis to produce a torque in excess of 5,000 foot-pounds. The unit has a top speed of 80 mph and can climb 60 percent grades, while reducing fuel consumption by up to 25 per cent compared with conventional vehicles of comparable size.

PAUL SKALNY (Director, TARDEC NAC): "In keeping with the nation's interest in fuel efficiency, renewable power and energy security, TARDEC is fully engaged in ambitious programs that push development of hybrid electric vehicles for U.S. military use. Having CERV at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the proving ground from which both the defense and automotive industry have learned so much, is a solid indicator of where this technology can go."

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AeroCat High Performance Bicycles will award a carbon-fiber road bike to the winner of the Firestone Freedom 100 today. The AeroCat ACR500 monocoque carbon-fiber bicycle, with a retail value of $2,500, has Shimano components and Easton wheels.

AeroCat is based in Portland, Ind. For more information, visit www.aerocatbike.com.

DAVE POOLE (President, AeroCat): "One of our arching objectives is to align our company and products with the high-performance motorsports industry. Enhancing driver performance through the use of cycling is a natural path. The Firestone Indy Lights program is a perfect match, as it is providing a development path for up-and-coming drivers."

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Officials from the Mazda Road to Indy program met with the media today. The Mazda Road to Indy is the official development ladder of INDYCAR, consisting of three ladder series leading to the IZOD IndyCar Series: Firestone Indy Lights, Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear and the Cooper Tires presents USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda.

The 2011 Firestone Indy Lights champion will receive a scholarship to compete in the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series; the 2011 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear champion will receive a scholarship for a full season in the 2012 Firestone Indy Lights, and the 2011 Cooper Tires presents USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda champion will receive a scholarship for a full season in the 2012 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear.

JOHN DOONAN (Director, Mazda Motorsports): "It's unbelievable for our drivers, it's that boyhood dream (to one day drive in the Indianapolis 500). These American kids have grown up watching 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing' and watching those icons like A.J. Foyt, Johnny Rutherford, Rick Mears and Dario Franchitti compete for the big prize.Finally now we have this ladder system in place that helps solve the problem that a driver can have the most talent in the world but if you don't have the funds to go forward, you're not going to be able to do so. What (Mazda) has tried to, as a brand and now in partnership with the IZOD Indy Car Series, is provide the funds - a real budget - for that driver, from karting to the USF 2000 to Star Mazda to the IZOD Indy Car Series. It's a real check that allows them to showcase that talent even though they didn't have the budget. It becomes reality for them. To see the starting grid and the kids - Graham Rahal, Marco Andretti, Jay Howard, and Simona De Silvestro, who was in our Atlantic series - those drivers are like family to us. They've chosen at least once in their careers to use Mazda as a stepping stone."

GARY RODRIGUES (Owner, Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear): "We're in our 23rd consecutive year of promoting drivers. We have been longtime partners with Goodyear. The Mazda Road to Indy concept is starting to increase the number of young drivers in open-wheel racing. The lower we can keep the cost of the car, the more kids we can attract to the series. We do that through rules stability. We stick with one car design; we're not out to redesign the car each year. When you give these young drivers and teams a level playing field, the driver's talent can begin to show."

DAN ANDERSEN (Owner/CEO, Cooper Tires presents USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda): "We have a clearly defined ladder where drivers from America and from all over can see the progression, where young drivers can see where they can start. We attract kids right out of go-karts from all countries and from all types of racing and start them up the ladder. We are very proud that we have five drivers (Dan Wheldon, Buddy Rice, JR Hildebrand, Jay Howard and Charlie Kimball) in the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 lineup."

FASTEST TIMES/SPEEDS OF INDIANAPOLIS 500 FINAL PRACTICE:

Pos. Car  Name Time Speed1.  9 Scott Dixon 39.9159 225.4742. 77 Alex Tagliani 40.0464 224.7393. 10 Dario Franchitti 40.0609 224.6584. 14 Vitor Meira 40.0927 224.4805. 98 Dan Wheldon 40.0999 224.439

Fastest rookie: #4 JR Hildebrand, 11th, 223.830

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All 33 drivers combined to turn 1,406 laps during final practice. Drivers have turned 10,265 laps - a distance of 25,662.5 miles - overall this month. The circumference of the Earth at the equator is 24,901.55 miles.

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FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 POST-RACE NOTES:

•This is the second career Firestone Indy Lights victory for Josef Newgarden. He also won the 2011 season opener in St. Petersburg, Fla.

•Sam Schmidt Motorsports now has won six of the nine Firestone Freedom 100 races.

•SSM has won three consecutive Firestone Freedom 100 races, an event record.

•This is the first 1-2 finish by one team in the Firestone Freedom 100, as Josef Newgarden and Esteban Guerrieri are Sam Schmidt Motorsports teammates.

•This is the third time the Firestone Freedom 100 has finished under caution. The other years: 2004, 2007.

•Josef Newgarden, from Hendersonville, Tenn., is the first American driver to win the Firestone Freedom 100 since Ed Carpenter won the inaugural event in 2003.

•2010 USAC National Drivers Champion Bryan Clauson finished fifth in his Firestone Indy Lights debut.

•Chase Austin finished ninth in his Firestone Indy Lights debut. He is the first African-American driver to compete in the series.

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Medical update from Dr. Michael Olinger, INDYCAR medical director:

•Brandon Wagner, James Winslow, Juan Pablo Garcia and Anders Krohn were evaluated and released without injury from the IU Health Emergency Medical Center. They are cleared to drive.

•Gustavo Yacaman was transported via ground to IU Health Methodist for further evaluation of neck pain. He is awake and alert.

•Jorge Goncalvez was transported via ground to IU Health Methodist for further evaluation. He is awake and alert.

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FIRESTONE FREEDOM 100 POST-RACE QUOTES:

JUAN PABLO GARCIA (No. 12 Freightliner Team Jensen): "I saw a car spinning, braked and somebody hit me in the rear. Then I spun and hit Yacaman."

JAMES WINSLOW (No. 26 Andretti Autosport): "I came through Turn 1 and somebody had spun, I think Gustavo, perhaps five places in front of me. As I came through the corner, there was just a wall of blue smoke, so I couldn't see where to go. I tried to slow down as much as I could."

BRYAN CLAUSON (No. 77 Mazda Road to Indy/CURB Records/Sam Schmidt Motorsports): "I fell back early there and really didn't really do my job there at the beginning. I had a hard time figuring it out for a little while. I didn't have enough green flag laps to make up for those mistakes early on. All the guys on the car did a great job; I had a great race car. I made a lot of moves on the high line, but it just wasn't enough. It was a whole new ball game, a lot different than anything I've ever done. I could have done a little bit better, but all in all it was a great day." (About race-ending accident on Lap 35): "We got a big run behind the draft. It looked like the 9 car got low. Everybody just ran out of room. We were going for it." (About debut): "This is huge (finishing fifth). It's a whole new experience for me, from the starts to the restarts, to the draft, shifting in the middle of a race - that's unheard of for me. It was a lot wilder than I expected, but it was a lot of fun." (About advice from Dario Franchitti before the race): "I've been talking to Dario ever since we did the stock car stuff together with each other (with Ganassi Racing in 2008). We have a very good relationship. He told me he would come out and give me a hard time on the straightaway, and he made it happen."

CHASE AUSTIN (No. 75 Willy T. Ribbs/Starting Grid Inc./BAR): "It was pretty cool. We had little issues. The gearing was a little off, so I couldn't really pass anybody by myself. The only way I'd get to pass anybody is when they'd check up in the corner. I just kind of had to be more ballsy than they were, which worked out for the most part. The car started going away a little bit in the end before we took that right rear tire. And just the cautions hurt us a lot on the restarts. But besides that, I have to thank American Honda, because without them we wouldn't be here; Chris Miles and Willy T. for putting me in the car." (On the competition and racing): "You could kind of tell a lot of the guys who haven't run ovals that much from some that have just by how comfortable they were in race situations. Some of them were great by themselves, but as soon as you got outside or inside of them, that's when they tended to lift or something like that. I really capitalized on that, my experience from doing stuff his compared to what they have." (On his partnership with Willy T. Ribbs this week): "It's been good. It's been fun doing interviews with him. I'm just glad he gave me the opportunity."

RUSTY MITCHELL (No. 17 Motorola/Petro Comm/Skip Barber): "Well, since the league decided not to qualify, I had to start in the back. Really, I got to see the whole show. It was all right in front of me. I wish I would have had a camera on my car so everyone could have enjoyed it. You know, at one point, who would have thought at Indy you could hit the wall, you could hit a car and still make up like 10 positions. It was wild, that's for sure. Everybody was really going for it on all the restarts. It cost them, and we were able to make up some spots. If we were able to qualify, we would have been in the top three, no question."

STEFAN WILSON (No. 5 Andretti Autosport): "I'm pretty disappointed, really. I can't believe that they had us driving around under the caution for so many laps. They (Anders Krohn and Jorge Goncalvez) were in bad shape. It looked like a really bad accident. There was debris everywhere. In my opinion, they should have red-flagged it and taken time to clean the track. Instead, we just drove around wasting time. The fans didn't come out here to watch a parade of cars go around on the yellow flag. They wanted to see a race, and we never got to do it. Traditionally, this race has been won in the last 10 laps. I was biding my time, looking after my tires, and mine were looking the best of anyone out here. It was shaping up to be a good finish. If we had had a clear race and we weren't just driving around under caution, we might have won it."

PETER DEMPSEY (No. 36 Pulse/O2 Racing): "It was crazy. I got a great start, and I was up to fourth or fifth the first few laps. I was just trying to keep the car underneath me. Unfortunately, went the wrong way with the rear bar. I had too much push, and it dropped me back to 13th. Under the first yellow, I realized what I had done. After that, the car was really good. I was coming back up the field. I made a mistake under the safety car and spun and was back to the back. Then I got probably got back to sixth. This car was good. The rear tires are great but a little bit too late. There was too much safety cars for me."

DAVID OSTELLA (No. 16 Global Precast Team Jensen): "That was awesome. It was a great experience to be out there. A lot of stuff happened. I was kind of worried more about the weather because a little spit was coming down, but a big thing was tires. Tires were a huge factor for this race. We pitted for the right rear and went back out there, and I kind of got screwed with all of the yellows coming out. It happens. I think a lot of those spins and crashes were from the tires. But it was just awesome. It was a great experience out there, and I want to thank my engineer, Remi Lanteigne, for all of the work he did on that car. The car was awesome. It handled incredibly well on the high line and the low line. My crew chief, Mike Le Gallic, him and the rest of the crew did an awesome job this weekend. I had a little mishap in practice this morning, and they were able to put that car back together for the race."

MIKAEL GRENIER (No. 63 Cell Safety/O2 Racing): "In the beginning, we were good. We were headed to the front. We decided to pit and change a tire, but we mistimed it and only changed the rear right tire. I couldn't turn after that. My right front went away, and that was that. It ended up being kind of a yellow flag race. It was a bit disappointing because we had a car to get to the front. We'll just have to take it this time and do better in Milwaukee." (On racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway): "It's pretty cool. It's a pretty tough race. This is a pretty special year, and there are a lot of people here today. I think the racing here is great. I hope I can get back here next year."

ESTEBAN GUERRIERI (No. 7 Lucas Oil/Sam Schmidt Motorsports): "It was fun for a while and a bit slow the rest of the race. It was a lot of yellows, we didn't expect so many, but I'm happy to win second, of course. I had a flat tire in the end, so my last race car wasn't so aggressive. But what we we're trying to do to make a teamwork with my teammate, Josef, we try to pull away and make the gap toward the third, so then we could finish the race like me and him to race against each other. But unfortunately it wasn't like this. All the guys crashed with Josef and he was fine, and thanks to my sponsors it was a big first race in Indianapolis, and I'm really happy. Thanks to the team to Lucas Oil and all my sponsors and let's go for the next one." (About his chances if the race resumed): "Well, as I said, I was trying to pull the gap with him and then fight with him in the last lap, but I didn't see my car and my right rear tire was flat. It just lost a lot of grip in the last restart and then I when I parked I see the rear that was no grip in anymore with the flat tire. I was a bit lucky to have the safety flag there to finish the race because I don't know if I would have been able to finish if it was green all the way long."

VICTOR GARCIA (No. 22 TMR-Xtreme Coil Drilling): "I'm pretty happy to all my crew, and I have to thank all of them because although we haven't had a normal weekend, it has been really good and we finished third. I think we could have won because we had what it takes to win, but we didn't have the laps to do it. So yeah, I'm really happy."

ANDERS KROHN (No. 9 Liberty Engineering Racing Special): "It was one of those races where absolutely everything happened. We were so fast, and we took the lead. It was so easy running it up there. Then a caution came out, and I just went to go to power and the rear slide around on me. After that point, we really didn't have the speed because our tires were flat-spotted. Luckily another caution came out and we pitted for new tires, and then we were super, super quick. I think by the time our big crash happened we were up to fourth. It would have been the easiest thing to at least be on the podium or potentially win the race. I'm so disappointed for the guys at Belardi Auto Racing because we really had the fastest car today. We could run up, down low; it didn't matter. We were so fast. It's just a shame for the guys at Liberty Engineering and Logitrans that we couldn't bring it home today. At the same time, I think we've shown people where our speed is, so hopefully we can come back next year and dominate this race."

JOSEF NEWGARDEN (No. 11 Copart/Score Big/Robo-Pong/SSM): "This is unbelievable. Look at how fired up my team is because they have worked so hard the past two weeks on getting this car ready. This is a wonderful achievement for my team, and it means so much to me and Sam Schmidt. This race means a lot to Sam, and I am grateful to give him the victory. I think we are going to have a good shot with the Indy 500, as well. I have to thank Esteban Guerrieri for helping me the whole race. He is a great teammate to work with. The team was able to make me quick, and I got up to speed right away. It is unfortunate for my other teammates that weren't able to be up here with us, but this is just a showcase as to what this team can do and how powerful they are. This is the biggest win I think I have ever had. To win the Firestone Freedom 100 in front of this crowd at this famous racetrack is incredible. This has been a really fun experience trying to come in and absorb all of the information that my team has to offer. This has been a huge effort by everybody, and this is a win for the entire team."

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INDIANAPOLIS 500 FINAL PRACTICE QUOTES:

ALEX TAGLIANI (No. 77 Bowers & Wilkins/Sam Schmidt Motorsports): "Yeah, it was an amazing week that we had last week. We're really fortunate that we rolled the car off the trailer fast. The team has done a great job to fine-tune it. Every day we were out there, and we were strong. So it's been a pleasure for me to drive a very competitive car. Today it was nice to be back on track. Obviously, we have a very different car that we're going to drive in the race. And I feel the car is very racey. I love it in traffic. It got some consistency out of the car on the older tires. So I don't know. It seems to me to be unreal and too good to be true sometimes. But I want to think that we deserve it. We did everything better than everyone else, and hopefully it will continue. All winter long, the team fine-tuned the car. They just put their love into it, brought it back this year. Same car, same aerodynamic package, same track, and the car did better. So Penske and Ganassi have done that 10 years in a row. They have done the particular program that we have done for one race 10 years in row: Have a good car and keep improving it every year. And we're trying to close the gap in a year and a half. It's not an easy task." (How will you feel leading this race in the first turn on the first lap for the first time?): "A very high heart rate. I've been very appreciative of what's happened to me as a driver. But what we don't want to forget is that we have the chance to participate in a historical event. And to just have the chance to qualify in it is already a big thing. Leading the field, I think it's going to be something I'll remember for the rest of my life."

SCOTT DIXON (No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing): "It's more of just a systems check. The car's obviously been in a million pieces since we last drove them. It's just to make sure they're all functioning. We came in and did a few pit stops. Because of the lack of on-track time that we've had, we made a few changes. We tried some dampers, aero downforce levels, things like that. It's obviously very cold and probably not very close or in line with what we're going to run in on Sunday. All in all, it was pretty decent. The car was good. There was loads of traffic. There was lots of action going on out there with people speeding up and slowing down. It was pretty good for both Target cars." (You're a champion and you're on a defending team, but this Tagliani guy just won't go away). "Yeah, it's good. Tag has done a hell of a job this month. It's good to see that it's been working so well. You know, you're never going to know until you get to the race. He's a good friend, and I'm definitely proud to see what he's achieved, obviously, with a start-up team and to be able to mix it up with the big teams."

TOWNSEND BELL (No. 99 Herbalife Schmidt Pelfrey Racing): "The car feels great. We still have a few little adjustments we want to do, but overall it felt really good. We were pretty racey out there. Now we start thinking about how we want to race and see what we learned from that last run and keeping an eye on the weather."

DARIO FRANCHITTI (No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing): "We can always learn something from today. It will be a lot different on Sunday. We think we know how to turn the car around for those conditions. It will be a tough race. I think there is less grip than last year, and that's going to make it really interesting. The slower speed (start and restarts) will be better. We may be going 190 into the first turn on the start. Turn 2 will be Turn 1 speed from years past. Restarts, I still don't agree with side-by-side, I think we're just asking for a bit of marbles. Whatever happens will be interesting, it will be slick and interesting. Dixie (Scott Dixon) looks strong. He's going to be tough. We're pretty strong, but just like the month I had last year, he (Dixon) has been on a rail all month. I followed (Alex) Tagliani, and he looks pretty average in traffic. But when he gets off the corner, he really goes. He will be plenty tough to beat. There are a bunch of people you just know who will be there (challenging for the win). (Dan) Wheldon will contend, the Penske cars will be strong, and there will be others. It's wide open."

BERTRAND BAGUETTE (No. 30 The RACB/Aspria RLL Special): "It was a short session for us to see if everything was OK with the car, but we couldn't work on much because the conditions will be so different on Sunday. We did some running in traffic, and the car felt good. The Firestone tires gave me great grip and performance today and helped to boost our confidence for the race."

JAY HOWARD (No. 88 Service Central Schmidt-RLL Racing): "This is the first time that I have run full tanks in this car, and I was very happy with the way the car handled. We are still looking for a little balance on the car, but we got some good information and we should be able to make the necessary adjustments to be good in the race. The Rahal Letterman Lanigan guys have been working very hard all month to get this Service Central car toward the front of the grid, and I am confident that we will have a good car on Sunday."

JR HILDEBRAND (No. 4 National Guard Panther Racing): "Everything's going well from our perspective. The car felt really good today, and it was important for me as a rookie to get out there and run in traffic a little bit. The entire month has gone really well in the National Guard car, and it's been such a huge help for myself personally, but also for the team, to have Buddy Rice around. We feel good going into Race Day, and I know everybody here is pumped for Sunday to get here."

BUDDY RICE (No. 44 Fuzzy's Vodka/Panther Racing): "It's all good. I just have to thank John Barnes and everybody at Panther Racing for giving me this opportunity, and having Fuzzy's Vodka come on board when they did has been a big help to our program. Panther has a great oval program, and their history here at Indianapolis speaks for itself so we feel really good about how the entire month has gone."

DANICA PATRICK (No. 7 Team GoDaddy): "I really feel like the practice hour was good for the GoDaddy car. I wish we could have got some more laps in, but I was happy. I think it was a productive session.  I feel confident in myself and the crew to have a strong finish on race day."

RYAN HUNTER-REAY (No. 41ABC Supply/DHL/Sun Drop): "It felt really good. Both teams did a great job preparing it. I went out, was flat right away, running in traffic, was happy with it and am the highest (on the speed chart) we've been all month. It's not the way we wanted to do it. This isn't the way we wanted to get here. I wish Bruno (Junqueira) was here today, but that's not the case and we've got to get on with the job. The guys did a great job - both the Foyt and Andretti guys - did a great job. To get me in a car I've never driven and for it to run like that is just excellent work by both teams. Thanks to the boys on the crew."

MARCO ANDRETTI (No. 26 Team Venom Energy): "The Venom car was very comfortable today, but I'd still like a more speed.  We're still just a bit too slow.  But 500 miles is a long time and a lot can happen - we'll do whatever we can to work our way to the front on Sunday."

HELIO CASTRONEVES (No. 3 Shell V-Power Pennzoil Ultra Team Penske): "It was a good practice for the Shell-Pennzoil car today, I am very optimistic about our chances in the race. I'm so excited and I can't wait for the green flag to wave on Sunday. I am little sad that our run of pit stop competition victories came to end, but it had to end sometime. It is great that Ryan's crew was able to bring home the victory for Team Penske and I'm glad because winning the pit stop competition is a great way for him to turn around what has been a tough week for him."

JOHN ANDRETTI (No. 43 Team Window World): "We were really happy with the Window World car today. The guys had it in pieces at the shop just a few days ago getting it prepped for this weekend, and today when I got in, it was just as comfortable as before. They've done a great job and today we feel confident with our practice. I'm looking forward to getting out on track again on Sunday for the big show." 

WILL POWER (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske): "

Great job to Ryan and the No. 6 IZOD team on winning the Pit Stop Competition. The Verizon guys gave it a good go, we just didn't make it to the end.  We had a good practice today - the car had a nice balance and we should be good in the race. Now we will just have to wait for the green flag and see what comes our way."

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SATURDAY'S SCHEDULE (all times local):

8:45-9 a.m. Chase Rookie of the Year Q&A, Coca-Cola Stage9-10 a.m. 2011 Starting Field/Indy 500 Winners Autograph Session, Pagoda Plaza9 a.m.-4 p.m. Indianapolis 500 Memorabilia Show, Pagoda Plaza10 a.m.-4 p.m. Red Bull BMX Event, Flag Lot10:40-11 a.m. Public Drivers Meeting, Tower Terrace11:30-11:45 a.m. A.J. Foyt Q&A, Coca-Cola Stage11:55 a.m.-12:25 p.m. A.J. Foyt Autograph Session, Pagoda PlazaNoon-4 p.m. Indy 500 Veterans Autograph Session, Pagoda Plaza

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The 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series season continues with the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 on May 29 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The race will be telecast live in High Definition at Noon (ET) by ABC. The race will air live on the IMS Radio Network, XM channel 94, Sirius channel 212 and indycar.com. The 2011 Firestone Indy Lights season continues with the Firestone Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 27. The race will be televised live by VERSUS.