WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE 90TH INDIANAPOLIS 500
INDIANAPOLIS, Tuesday, May 2, 2006 – What prominent drivers, team owners, celebrities, political officials and other noteworthy individuals are saying about the 90th Indianapolis 500:
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH (43rd President of the United States, in letter dated March 2, 2006): “I send greetings to those gathered for the 90th running of the Indianapolis 500. Since it began in 1911, the Indy 500 has become an American tradition and has challenged the world’s greatest race car drivers to compete at the highest level of competition. As the best-attended single-day sporting event in the world, the Indy 500 has run every year except during World Wars I and II. I also applaud race participants for your hard work and determination. Your commitment to excellence reflects the spirit of our Nation. Laura and I send our best wishes for a memorable event.”

MARIO ANDRETTI (1969 Indianapolis 500 winner, 1965 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year): “The Indy 500 was the defining stage of my career. That race was one of the ultimate goals for me – even as a child – and winning it changed my life. Winning that race was the crown jewel of my career. And what other event has been as popular for 90 years? It has such tremendously strong tradition, unequaled by any other racing event in the world.”

JAY LENO (Host, “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” 1999 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car driver): “For me, it is the historical part that I enjoy. This was the event that first brought European racers over to the United States, and it was the first time they took American racing seriously. It is the Indianapolis 500 that put racing on the map in the United States. It was and still is the biggest race, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the biggest racetrack in the world.”



 

Indy 500 News and Notes:
                           




Wheldon looks to repeat at Indy.
Dan Wheldon will defend his Indy championship with a new team – Target Chip Ganassi Racing.  Wheldon, who became the first driver in more than a decade to win the Indianapolis 500 and series championship, won a record six IndyCar Series events in 2005, including four of the first five races of the season. He recorded 12 top-five and 15 top-10 finishes in 17 starts and led 752 laps.  

Danica Patrick Hopes to Recapture the Magic of Indy.
Danica Patrick will return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – home to the Indianapolis 500 and the place where “Danica-mania” was born.  The last 12 months have been a whirlwind for the 24-year-old native of Roscoe, Ill., who went from heralded rookie to one of the most recognized figures in auto racing.  "I’m excited about going back to Indy,” Patrick said. “There may be more hype this year because everyone is ready for it this time, but it doesn’t change that I need to go out there and do well.”

In 2005, Patrick earned the best starting position (fourth) and finishing position (fourth) by a woman at Indianapolis. She also became the first woman to lead the 500. This season, she enters with simple goals – build on last season’s success.

“I think we can do very well,” she said “As a team, we’re strong at Indianapolis. Everyone does have Hondas now, which takes away the advantage we had last year over teams with the other two engines. But that just makes us work that much harder, and I think we’re ready for that. It will just be a matter of not leaving any rock unturned.”

Patrick enters her second May with experience gained from her JP Morgan Chase Rookie of the Year-winning performance and a successful rookie campaign in the IndyCar® Series.

“Hopefully there will be fewer mistakes,” Patrick said. “I definitely made a couple of mistakes last year, but it’s already been better and I got better as last season went on. I think you have to see how the month unfolds. You have to stay in the game and stay up front and make the most of every opportunity that you can.”

Michael Andretti Set to return to cockpit at the 500.
Indy legend Michael Andretti will compete in the 90th Indianapolis 500 on May 28, 2006 with Andretti Green Racing. Andretti last drove in a race in 2003 before focusing entirely on his co-ownership role at AGR.  “I think I’ll have as good a shot as I’ve ever had to win the Indianapolis 500" said Andretti.    Michael Andretti, 43, has made 14 previous Indianapolis 500 starts, with a best finish of second in 1991. He has four top-five finishes at Indy and has led 426 laps, the most of any driver without an Indy 500 victory. But he entered Victory Lane last May as a co-owner of AGR, which fielded the winning car for Dan Wheldon.

Marco Andretti Hopes to Break the Family Tradition at Indy.
The Andretti name is synonymous with auto racing and the Indianapolis 500, so it’s only fitting that Marco Andretti, 3rd Generation driver, will attempt to qualify for his initial start in The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.  “I’m excited about having the opportunity to drive the ArcaEx car for Andretti Green Racing. Over the past couple of years, I’ve had the opportunity to spend time in the paddock with the ArcaEx team, as well as my three teammates, so that is a plus." remarked Andretti.  Marco Andretti, 19, will make his first Indianapolis 500 start but his third career start at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He won the Liberty Challenge Menards Infiniti Pro Series™ race last June on the IMS road course during the United States Grand Prix just four weeks after placing 16th in the Freedom 100 on the oval during the Month of May.

Little Al races out of retirement to compete at Indy.
 Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr., will return to racing, teaming with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing for an Indianapolis 500 effort. Unser will drive the No. 31 Dreyer & Reinbold Racing-prepared Dallara/Honda/Firestone.

“I had a great year off, just enjoying the extra time with my kids that you can’t always take advantage of with a full season of racing, but I’m a racer and I’m just tired of being retired,” Unser said. “I’m very excited about returning to the Indianapolis 500 with Dreyer & Reinbold. It’s Indy, and I just can’t wait to get back there.”

Unser, who won from the pole in 1994 in the No. 31 Marlboro Penske car, started and finished 17th in the 2004 Indianapolis 500 with Patrick Racing. Overall, he has seven top-5 and 10 top-10 finishes.

In 54 IndyCar Series starts, Unser has three victories and 30 top-10 finishes. In 2004, he competed in three events with Patrick Racing. His last victory was in October 2003 at Texas Motor Speedway.

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