2009 IRL Rd. 6--Bombardier LearJet 550k

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As Milwaukee sets in the background, the stars of the IndyCar Series head south to what is arguably the fastest 1.5-mile oval on the schedule, Texas Motor Speedway. A track that requires both cast-iron nerves and stones the size of Texas, its' a track where a wrong twitch or a tank-slapper moment can have very bad results, very quickly. The racing, though, is some of the most exciting in the series, and drivers who win here will have earned their victory here.


Past Texas IndyCar Series winners................................
~~1997: Arie Luyendyk
~~1998: Billy Boat(1), John Paul, Jr.(2)
~~1999: Scott Goodyear(1), Mark Dismore(2)
~~2000: Scott Sharp(1), Scott Goodyear(2)
~~2001: Scott Sharp(1), Sam Hornish, Jr.(2)
~~2002: Jeff Ward(1), Sam Hornish, Jr.(2)
~~2003: Al Unser, Jr.(1), Gil de Ferran(2)
~~2004: Tony Kanaan(1), Helio Castroneves(2)
~~2005: Tomas Scheckter
~~2006: Helio Castroneves
~~2007: Sam Hornish, Jr.
~~2008: Scott Dixon


Event Schedule.......................
~~Practice Session #1, 8:30-9:15pm, 4 June 2009
~~Practice Session #2, 2-3pm, 5 June 2009
~~PEAK Pole Qualifying, 6-7:30pm, 5 June 2009
~~Bombardier LearJet 550k, 9pm, 6 June 2009

Broadcast Info......................
~~Domestic Television, VERSUS
~~Domestic AM Radio, IMS Radio Network
~~Satellite Radio, Sirius XM Radio
~~International Simulcast from ESPN International and the United States Armed Forces Network

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Bombardier LearJet 550k Entry List..................


(R)Raphael Matos, #2 United States Air Force
Helio Castroneves, #3 Team Penske
Dan Wheldon, #4 National Guard
Mario Moraes, #5 KV Racing/Votorantim
Ryan Briscoe, #6 Team Penske
Danica Patrick, #7 Boost Mobile
Scott Dixon, #9 Target
Dario Franchitti, #10 Energizer
Tony Kanaan, #11 Team 7-11
E.J. Viso, #13 PDVSA
A.J. Foyt, IV, #14 ABC Supply Co.
Justin Wilson, #18 Z-Line Designs
Ed Carpenter, #20 Menards
Ryan Hunter-Reay, #21 IZOD/WilliamRast
Milka Duno, #23 CITGO
(R)Mike Conway, #24 RollCoater/Dad's Root Beer
Marco Andretti, #26 Venom Energy
Hideki Mutoh, #27 Formula Dream
Alex Tagliani, #34 Rexall Edmonton Indy
Tomas Scheckter, #43 MonaVie Energy
Sarah Fisher, #67 Dollar General
Jaques Lazier, #98 CURB Records
Graham Rahal, #02 McDonald's
(R)Robert Doornbos, #06 NHLR/Muermans

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What if Danica Patrick's car wasn't punted on Lap 32, relegating the Andretti Green Racing driver to 19th in the season-opening Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg? Well, even a 10th-place finish on the temporary street circuit would have garnered eight additional points over the 12 earned, which would put Patrick 14 points out of the championship lead heading to Texas Motor Speedway and the always entertaining Bombardier Learjet 550k under the lights June 6.

Any what ifs -- which are synonymous with motorsports - aside, Patrick is fourth in the standings courtesy of four consecutive top-five finishes on a most diverse set of circuits - fourth on the tight streets of Long Beach, fifth on the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway, third on the crowded 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and most recently fifth at the technically challenging Milwaukee Mile. There's a long way to go in the season, with more eclectic racetracks - from the Richmond International Raceway bullring to the hill-and-dale Watkins Glen International to the flat airport circuit in Edmonton - but Patrick is positioned to make considerable noise in the title chase. Competitors already have taken notice.

Scott Dixon, Target/Ganassi Racing,

"I think she could definitely be a factor, especially with a lot of ovals that we have left on the schedule. There are a good six, seven, eight people that could win this championship and she is one of them.

Helio Castroneves, Team Penske,

"I always said and have been outspoken about Danica in terms that she is a good driver. So if she is in the top five in points, no question she is doing a fantastic job. I think everybody in the top five is a contender.

Last year - her fourth in the series -- Patrick climbed to third in the standings after her victory at Twin Ring Motegi in April (third race of the season). She was fifth after Kansas (April), Milwaukee (early June), Richmond (late June) and Nashville (mid-July) before a drop at Mid-Ohio to sixth, which she maintained for the remainder of the season.

This year, the top-five streak has benefitted from three consecutive top-10 starting positions, and a gritty drive from 22nd on the grid at Long Beach to the finish. Also receiving accolades from the driver are the No. 7 Boost Mobile/Motorola pit crew and race strategist Michael Andretti. At Indianapolis, Patrick advanced seven positions to finish third (the highest for a female driver in 500-Mile Race history). At Milwaukee, she economized the Firestone Firehawks early in the stints and, as others were succumbing to less grip because of tire wear, Patrick was able to counterpunch. As she put it following Sunday's race at the Mile,

In a book report, I would summarize it as a good day. I had a strong car all weekend so I'm happy with the top-five finish. We have been really consistent so far this year, and that's what important when you are working towards the championship.

Looking ahead to the high-banks of Texas, Patrick has two consecutive top-10 finishes there, highlighted by a third place in '07. She's started in the top 10 three of her four races (fifth in '08, sixth in '07 and third in '05).

I'm looking forward to Texas and hope to keep the momentum going. I've had some good races there and I think my race craft is getting better and better, so I'm excited to go there and run side-by-side for awhile and put on a good show.

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A.J. Foyt IV, who began his IndyCar Series career as the driver of the No. 14 entry for A.J. Foyt Racing, returns home to drive the ABC Supply Co.-sponsored No. 14 in the Bombardier Learjet 550k at Texas Motor Speedway. Foyt's best result on the 1.5-mile, high-banked Texas Motor Speedway came with his grandfather's team in 2004 when he started 11th and finished 10th. Last year, he finished 12th in a Vision Racing car.

I'm excited to get the opportunity to run another race. I really like the track, and not just because it's in Texas. It suits my style, it's fast and the racing is close. Hopefully, we get the result we're looking for. The track is pretty easy to run by yourself in practice and qualifying, but it gets much tougher in the race. The racing is real close and the car doesn't handle as well in the traffic but you're still trying to run the same speed so it gets pretty tough. But I enjoy racing at Texas.

Foyt is the second driver to replace the injured Vitor Meira. At Milwaukee, Paul Tracy started 18th and finished 17th.

A.J. Foyt, Jr., Team Owner, A.J. Foyt Racing,

Anthony has always run well at this track. He hasn't had the results but most of that was because of things that he couldn't help -- tires going flat or problems on pit stops. He likes the track, which is good because a lot of drivers don't care for it. Plus, we've worked with him so we know what he likes, and he knows what he wants from these cars.

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Texas Practice Session #1 top-10................
1. 4 Dan Wheldon Panther Racing 24.274 215.783
2. 7 Danica Patrick Andretti Green Racing 24.376 0.102 0.102 214.884
3. 6 Ryan Briscoe Team Penske 24.402 0.026 0.128 214.652
4. 10 Dario Franchitti Chip Ganassi Racing 24.427 0.025 0.153 214.433
5. 9 Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing 24.431 0.004 0.157 214.399
6. 3 Helio Castroneves Team Penske 24.441 0.010 0.167 214.311
7. 02 Graham Rahal Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing 24.451 0.010 0.177 214.224
8. 11 Tony Kanaan Andretti Green Racing 24.503 0.052 0.229 213.767
9. 23 Milka Duno Dreyer & Reinbold Racing 24.529 0.026 0.255 213.539
10. 26 Marco Andretti Andretti Green Racing 24.547 0.018 0.273 213.387
L-R: position, car #, driver, team, time, gap to next position/gap to 1st, speed

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Tomas Scheckter had been searching for more than six months for an IndyCar Series ride before landing with Dale Coyne Racing for the Indianapolis 500. He competed for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing earlier this week at The Milwaukee Mile, and will continue with the team for nine additional races - including the Bombardier Learjet 550k on June 6 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Scheckter, a three-time pole winner at the 1.5-mile, high-banked oval, recorded a best lap of 211.384 mph (24.7796 seconds) in the No. 43 MonaVie car during the twilight practice session June 4.

"We are excited to have Tomas and MonaVie join our team for more events," team co-owner Dennis Reinbold said. "He did a great job for us in Milwaukee (started 10th, finished 13th), and we are extremely happy that we were able to work something out with him and MonaVie for nine additional races."

Scheckter won the June 2005 race from the pole for Panther Racing at Texas Motor Speedway. He'll be making his 101st IndyCar Series start.

"MonaVie is pleased to introduce the MonaVie brand and new MonaVie EMV at these amazing IndyCar Series events," MonaVie founder and president Dallin Larsen said. "Our relationship with Tomas and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing will help introduce MonaVie's new energy drink to those looking for the perfect equation of health and energy to recharge both mind and body."

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Texas Practice Session 2 top-10..................
1. 6 Ryan Briscoe Team Penske 24.398 214.692
2. 3 Helio Castroneves Team Penske 24.451 0.053 0.053 214.227
3. 4 Dan Wheldon Panther Racing 24.467 0.016 0.069 214.083
4. 9 Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing 24.472 0.005 0.074 214.042
5. 5 Mario Moraes KV Racing Technology 24.479 0.007 0.081 213.981
6. 10 Dario Franchitti Chip Ganassi Racing 24.482 0.003 0.084 213.954
7. 02 Graham Rahal Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing 24.503 0.021 0.105 213.769
8. 20 Ed Carpenter Vision Racing 24.551 0.048 0.153 213.350
9. 67 Sarah Fisher Sarah Fisher Racing 24.565 0.014 0.167 213.231
10. 06 Robert Doornbos* Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing 24.579 0.014 0.181 213.109
*--denotes series rookie

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Bombardier LearJet 550k Starting Grid................


1} Dario Franchitti, #10 Energizer, 214.513 mph
2} Ryan Briscoe, #6 Team Penske, 214.413 mph

3} Scott Dixon, #9 Target, 214.296 mph
4} Helio Castroneves, #3 Team Penske, 214.228 mph

5} Danica Patrick, #7 Boost Mobile, 213.929 mph
6} Mario Moraes, #5 KV Racing/Votorantim, 213.717 mph

7} Dan Wheldon, #4 National Guard, 213.596 mph
8} Marco Andretti, #26 Venom Energy, 213.540 mph

9}(R)Robert Doornbos, #06 NHLR/Muermans, 213.479 mph
10} Ed Carpenter, #20 Menards, 213.435 mph

11} Hideki Mutoh, #27 Formula Dream, 213.327 mph
12} Graham Rahal, #02 McDonald's, 213.327 mph

13} Alex Tagliani, #34 Rexall Edmonton Indy, 213.173 mph
14} Sarah Fisher, #67 Dollar General, 212.554 mph

15}(R)Raphael Matos, #2 United States Air Force, 212.137 mph
16} Tony Kanaan, #11 Team 7-11, 212.108 mph

17} Justin Wilson, #18 Z-Line Designs, 212.021 mph
18} Tomas Scheckter, #43 MonaVie Energy, 211.741 mph

19}(R)Mike Conway, #24 RollCoater/Dad's Root Beer, 211.686 mph
20} Milka Duno, #23 CITGO, 211.601 mph

21} E.J. Viso, #13 PDVSA, 211.553 mph
22} A.J. Foyt, IV, #14 ABC Supply Co., 211.454 mph

23} Ryan Hunter-Reay, #21 IZOD/WilliamRast, 210.532 mph
24} Jaques Lazier, #98 CURB Records, 209.329 mph
speeds are an average of each driver's 4-lap qualifying attempt

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"Making her Texas Motor Speedway debut …"

Sarah Fisher humbly acknowledged the extended applause of tens of thousands of spectators during driver introductions on a seasonably warm October afternoon in 1999.

Pretty heady stuff for someone all of 19 years, 13 days old.

"What a birthday present," said Fisher, who made her IndyCar Series debut at the track in a Team Pelfrey car as a teammate to Robby Unser. "We were pretty competitive (qualifying 17th) and were running really well. That was back when they had timing chains. The timing chain broke and that's what put us out (finishing 25th). It was neat; we were so well-received and (track president) Eddie Gossage was wonderful to us. It was a just a great track to come to."

It still is. A decade later, Fisher returned to the 1.5-mile, high-banked oval to compete in the Bombardier Learjet 550k in the No. 67 Dollar General entry for her namesake team, Sarah Fisher Racing. Pretty heady stuff. "I never dreamed, when I made my first IndyCar Series start at TMS 10 years ago that I would return one day as a team owner," said Fisher, whose best finish in nine races at the track is 10th in 2007. "I'm looking to put a good finish on the books at TMS and I'm confident that I'll be going there in one of the better race cars I've ever been in."

That wouldn't refer to the No. 48 Mead/Team Pelfrey Oldsmobile Aurora-powered Dallara, though Fisher is too diplomatic to say it. "Dale Pelfrey at the time was following in the footsteps of Tony George's mission statement of having short track drivers having the opportunity to race these cars," Fisher said. "At the time, he was based in Dayton, Ohio, and was close to Winchester (Speedway). It just so happened that I set the new track record at Winchester. I was doing really well in midgets and he caught wind of that. He called me and said, 'Would you want to take a (IndyCar Series) rookie test?' I was so excited.

"We went to Colorado with the midgets to race and then went straight to Vegas to take my rookie test (in August). We did really well. My dad said if we're going to go racing we need to go testing because we just can't go to the IndyCar Series from the midget world. So we came (to Texas Motor Speedway) and tested and did reasonably well. Everything seemed to pull together and Mead paper followed me from sprint cars to midgets to IndyCars.

"From there, Derek Walker saw what was going on and I met with him before the Texas race. He said, 'We're going to keep an eye on you.' They were thinking about going to the IndyCar Series (from CART). He was impressed and said, 'We're going to press the trigger' and try to sell sponsorship. It was kind of a whirlwind from there. To have that break was pretty big."

Fisher kicked off the 2000 season with Walker Racing with a 13th place at Phoenix International Raceway, advancing eight positions. In the interim, Fisher has made 69 starts. In 2008, she formed Sarah Fisher Racing (with husband Andy O'Gara and extended family of hands-on and moral support). A modest program in the first season has expanded to six races this year. Pretty heady stuff.

"For me to come back here in our second year is great," said Fisher, who participated in part of the media advance for the race weekend by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at A Triple-A baseball game in Oklahoma City and greeting fans (among other stops). "I wanted to come back last year, but we were struggling so much that there was no way.

"Dollar General helping us get to Texas has really been a testament to how much this small team has grown in just our second year of existence. We doubled the number of races we competed in last year. For a small company like ours to see one hundred percent growth in this kind of economy is truly humbling, and we have an amazing family of partners backing us up all the way."

On a warm June evening at Texas Motor Speedway, Fisher will humbly accept the applause of tens of thousands of spectators before climbing into the No. 67 Dollar General car that she'll contest in the Bombardier Learjet 550k.........Some things don't change.

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Pre-race festivities on-going at Texas Motor Speedway.......beautiful evening for racing.

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Quick shout-out to all those who served in America's armed forces during World War II.......today back in 1944 were the Normandy landings, in which thousands of Americans, along with soldiers from the United Kingdom, Canada and Free French, landed along the Normandy coast. Your service will never be forgotten; thank you.

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Looking up towards the sky, there's a full moon in the sky.........

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Drivers to your cars.

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All cars have started their engines; beginning to exit the start/finish line to begin their pace laps........

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Drivers will see the green flag third time by.................