IndyCar Series Driver’s Pre-Race Notes And Quotes
May 30, 2008
IndyCar Series Media
Dixon, who became the first ever New Zealand citizen to win the iconic ‘500’ and 2006-2007 Milwaukee Mile winner Tony Kanaan will be two drivers in particular to watch as they look to make it further into the history books of the IndyCar Series – of which Australia’s own Gold Coast Indy 300 is a part.
The IndyCar Series field – including Brisbane-born Kiwi and Indy 500 winner Scott Dixon, Queensland’s Will Power and Sydney’s Ryan Briscoe - will back-up from a mammoth Month of May to head to the Milwaukee Mile this weekend for the ABC Supply/A. J. Foyt 225.
Dixon, who became the first ever New Zealand citizen to win the iconic ‘500’ and 2006-2007 Milwaukee Mile winner Tony Kanaan will be two drivers in particular to watch as they look to make it further into the history books of the IndyCar Series – of which Australia’s own Gold Coast Indy 300 is a part.
Kanaan is looking for his third consecutive race win at Milwaukee, and if successful will become only the third driver to have ever won three consecutive races at one track, while Dixon will be hoping to claim the elusive Indy 500-Milwaukee Double.
Eight drivers have been able to pull the Indianapolis-Milwaukee double, including four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt, for whom this weekend’s race is named. The last driver to win Indianapolis and Milwaukee in the same year was Juan Pablo Montoya in 2000.
Power will head to Milwaukee fresh from his 13th place finish on debut in the Indy 500, while Briscoe will be hunting for better results at the site of his first test with Team Penske after a pit lane incident with Danica Patrick ended both of their races last weekend.
Australian fans can catch the ABC Supply/A. J. Foyt 225 action at the Milwaukee Mile live by tuning into ESPN at 6.00am Australian Eastern Standard Time this Monday, with a re-run scheduled for 10.30pm that same day - fans should check local guides for more information.
Following the ABC Supply/A. J. Foyt 225 the unified series continues on a schedule that is the most diverse in world motorsports.
The 2008 schedule will take the teams and drivers to short ovals, superspeedways, and road and street courses including the Gold Coast Indy 300 which is regarded as a ‘crown jewel’ in international motorsport.
Now regarded as one of the world’s iconic motorsport events, the Gold Coast Indy 300 will now continue until and including 2013 with major plans already underway for a massive 20th anniversary celebration in 2010.
With 96 hours of non-stop excitement over October 23-26 as the Gold Coast comes alive to the sound of the IndyCars burning up the track and Australia’s own V8 Supercars scorching around one of the most famous beach-side cities in the world, the event is the hottest ticket in town.
Scott Dixon - #9 Target Chip Ganassi Honda/Dallara/Firestone
“We definitely knew that (tradition) because of last season,” said Dixon on the morning after the biggest victory of his career.
“We were definitely trying to stop that tradition. Unfortunately, we came up short. This year, we won the 500, and it sounds like a pretty good tradition. We’re going to try and carry that on, come away with the championship.
“We had the dominance of winning three races in a row and going for four and trying to chase down Dario for the championship.
“I think that’s when it started. Everything that everybody was doing was just falling into the right place. Everybody was working well together, and we’ve carried on that confidence level and the success we had at the end of last year even though we didn’t come away with the championship. I think that combination, with more determination after what happened, has been what’s helped us this season.”
Tony Kanaan - #11 Andretti Green Racing Honda/Dallara/Firestone
“That would mean a lot (to win the three races) especially to put myself in a category of those guys. I’m definitely going for it,” said Kanaan.
“Traffic is going to be the challenge. Whoever is going to be able to manage the traffic better is going to probably come out of the race in good shape. I feel it’s going to be a lot of lead changes because of that. So it’s going to be an exciting race for the fans and a very difficult one for us, for sure.”
