Robert Doornbos first raced at Indianapolis Motor Speedway four years ago in a different series and direction, too focused on one dream to think about the hallowed ground on which he was driving.
“I don’t have a lot of experience on ovals, but I should be fine,” said the Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing driver, who finished 12th at Kansas after starting second. “I did something similar at the (Homestead-Miami Speedway) test and qualified second in my first oval race, but I know they’re not the same as Indy. I learned you just need to build up speed.”
Doornbos might begin his first month of May at Indy seeking speed, but his mentor warns to defer that goal until he first finds a comfort zone at the massive facility. Among the many lessons 1990 and ‘97 Indy 500 winner and fellow Dutchman Arie Luyendyk plans to teach the next two days, finding a rhythm is perhaps most important, particularly for those such as Doornbos who are new to ovals.
Click Here For More IndyCar Photos
“This track is so intimidating, because it’s so big,” Luyendyk said. “They see all those pictures of the track and get here and realize they have to do this. Running 220 (mph) all the time is something the body and brain have to get used to, and once you do that you have to adjust to getting the most speed out of it.”
| 
|