Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
IZOD IndyCar Series
PRACTICE NOTES/QUOTES – “Fast Friday” May 18, 2012
SATO AND JOURDAIN JR. PARTICIPATED IN FINAL DAY OF PRACTICE PRIOR TO QUALIFYING FOR THE INDY 500; JOURDAIN JR. RAN LIMITED LAPS DUE TO MECHANICAL ISSUE
1) Marco Andretti 227.540 mph / 39.5535 36 laps
17) Takuma Sato 224.825 mph / 40.0312 43 laps
28) Michel Jourdain Jr. 221.396 mph / 40.6511 12 laps
TAKUMA SATO, No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “It was not an easy day. Today was all about qualifying preparation, starting to trim the car aerodynamically and we got extra boost too. Straight line and corner entry speed was a lot faster than the last five days and we were working on improving both the mechanical grip and the reduction of the drag. There were a few elements that were positive but we have work to do before qualifying tomorrow.”
FAST FACTS: Sato will be in
MICHEL JOURDAIN JR, No. 30 Office Depot / RLL Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “It was not such a good day. On Fast Friday you are excited to work on the qualifying setup and unfortunately we had a problem early on and we didn’t run many laps so we weren’t really able to work on our qualifying setup. I felt a loss of power and the guys told me to shut it down. I don’t know what they saw in the telemetry but they told me to shut it down. Then I saw smoke so there was a fire. I could definitely feel the difference in power with more boost. It was fun to drive. It was our first run and we were just starting to trim the car. Tomorrow is qualifying so we don’t know where we are at, set-up wise. That is what we were going to work on today. It’s a long race though. It’s not the end of the world.”
FAST FACTS: Jourdain will be in
JAY O’CONNELL, Technical Director: “Takuma made several qualifying run simulations today so he is prepared and ready to go. We have a good idea of what we have set-up wise for qualifying. Michel also started towards qualifying but unfortunately had an engine issue so they are busy putting his car back together but it looks like it will be ready to go tomorrow. He is looking forward to a good couple of runs in the morning practice before heading out for qualifying. Even though they split the groups in half, there will still be 16 cars out there and it is difficult to get a clean lap but he just needs to get a feel for his car again; make sure everything feels okay — which I’m sure it will be fine – and get himself setup for a good qualifying run. I think Michel is confident that the car will feel good when it’s trimmed out and that he can have a good run.”
RAHAL LETTERMAN LANIGAN RACING AT INDY … The team’s highest start and finish in the event came in 2004 when Buddy Rice won from pole. In addition, the team has earned a total of four podiums (2nd – Meira 2005; 3rd – Rahal 1994, 1995). The team was in contention to win the race as recent as 2011 when Bertrand Baguette led laps 139-140 and laps 189-197 of the 200 lap race. Had a caution come our before Baguette was forced to pit for a splash of fuel, he might have been the victor. The race ultimately ended under caution when JR Hildebrand crashed on the front straight while in the lead on the final lap… The 2012 race will mark the 15th year for the team in the event. Prior to 2012, the team prepared a total of 26 entries for drivers such as
NEXT UP: The final day of practice will take place tomorrow. Pole day will be Saturday, May 19 and will be televised on NBC Sports Network from 11:00-2:30 and 4:30-6:30 p.m. ET. The second day of qualifying on May 20 will also be aired live on NBC Sports Network from 12:00-6:30 p.m. ET. The 96th
PHOTO AND VIDEO AVAILABLE: Media members who register on the IndyCar Series media site have access to photography as well as video. Video will be available specifically of Office Depot/RLL Racing driver Michel Jourdain in Spanish the evening of each practice day (and English most days) via a link that will be sent by the team per request. Register for access to photos at: http://www.indycarmedia.com/pages/ApplyforAccess