Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
IZOD IndyCar Series
QUALIFYING NOTES/QUOTES — “Pole Day” May 19, 2012
SATO AND JOURDAIN JR. QUALIFIED 19TH AND 22ND RESPECTIVELY FOR THE INDY 500
POLE: Ryan Briscoe (Seg 2) 4-lap avg. speed of 226.484 mph (L1: 226.621, L2: 226.578, L3: 226.404, L4: 226.334)
19th: Takuma Sato (Seg 1) 4-lap avg. speed of 223.392 mph (L1: 223.754, L2: 223.388, L3: 223.232, L4: 223.194)
22nd: Michel Jourdain (Seg 1) 4-lap avg. speed of 222.893 mph (L1: 222.983, L2: 223.141, L3: 222.810, L4: 222.639)
TAKUMA SATO, No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “Qualifying was a little frustrating. We showed speed in the week and thought we had a good speed in qualifying trim. After experiencing high boost in Fast Friday yesterday and this morning, the handling of the race car improved but we didn’t have the pure qualifying speed unfortunately. But we should be happy with the result of qualifying on the first day. I was reasonably happy with the balance. It is a shame we weren’t able to qualify a little higher. Now we go back to race mode and try to improve the race set up tomorrow and Carb Day. Hopefully we have a strong package for the race.”
FAST FACTS: Sato will be in
MICHEL JOURDAIN JR, No. 30 Office Depot / RLL Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “I am very happy and relieved that we qualified on the first day and didn’t need to make a second attempt. When I got out of the car I didn’t think we were going to make the top 24 and get in today. We really wanted to go out tomorrow and focus on race setup rather than making a qualifying attempt and now we can do that. The guys did a fantastic job, especially after yesterday when we lost so much track time. It’s a long race; where you start doesn’t matter too much. I am so, so happy to be here at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I am so thankful for Office Depot, Roshfrans, Grupo Multi, Grupo Indi and the team for making this possible.”
FAST FACTS: Jourdain will be in
TOM ANDERSON, Managing Director Motorsport Operations: “I would classify this day as a day of satisfaction. The team worked really hard this week. Totally it up, it was 95 hours for the guys so it was a real hard week with minor disruption. Things went pretty much as we hoped and planned. Racers always want more. Yes you are disappointed that you weren’t the fastest that day but the real prize if on May 27 when we run the Indy 500. That day is the big one. To win the race you first have to get in the show. We are here now, we’re in as first day qualifiers. Very pleased given the development with the new car. Jay O’Connell in the engineering department has done a fantastic job. Race engineers Gerry Hughes and
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