Katherine Legge will drive for all-female team next year
By Al Stilley
Senior staff writer
Driver Graham Rahal said he believes that co-team owner David Letterman will be around the Verizon IndyCar Series more than ever after stepping away from his late-night talk show.
“He’s turned a bit more attention to the race team, “Rahal said. “In particular, IndyCar racing, this track. This race is what Dave’s passionate about. I can tell you there are a couple of sponsor deals close to being done. He’s been very influential hosting people in his office in New York, which he hasn’t done before.”
Rahal’s father and the other co-owner of Rahal Letterman Racing, 1986 Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal, was asked if it was more satisfying being a driver or a team owner.
“Being the driver, that’s by far the best seat in the house because you’re doing what you love – and especially here at Indianapolis,” he said. “It’s such a thrill to be a participant at the level of a driver being part of a history that is written every year.”
He admitted that being an owner is not as satisfying.
But how about having his son as a driver.
“There’s nothing I love more than watching him drive a race car and driving ours to make it better,” the family patriarch said. “It’s been really gratifying for me this year to see how well the boys (drivers Rahal and Oriol Serva) are doing.”
All-female team
Two-time Indy 500 driver Katherine Legge does not have a ride for the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 24, but that’s not keeping her from looking to the future.
Legge, qualified for the 500 in 2012 and 2013, was announced May 14 as the driver of newly formed Grace Autosport, a team with a female initiative for next year’s 500. Legge emphasized that the team would likely partner with an existing one for the centennial event.
“This takes some of the sting from not having a ride this year and gives me something to look forward to,” she said. “What we’re trying to do is open people’s minds. If a young girl wants to be an engineer or race car driver, there is a possibility and they can pursue that. I don’t think they even believe it’s an option at the moment.”
Legge continues to encourage young girls to seek careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).
Lyn St. James, founder of Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation, was on hand for the announcement. Since retiring as a driver after the 2000 race, St. James has championed women in racing.
“This is fabulous,” St. James said. “This is a bigger initative than ever before. The time is right.”
She reflected that her efforts may have been too early throughout the 1990s.
“Women have always had big roles in racing, but it’s not clear to the fans and especially other women,” St. James said.
IMS schedule of events
Today – Racing experience and fan track laps (no track activity), 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., $10 gate admission, 6 and under free.
Thursday – Indy Lights practice and qualifying, 9 a.m.-2:15 p.m., followed by Vintage Car laps, free admission.
Friday – Coors Light Carb Day, 11 a.m.-3:10 p.m.; practice, 11 a.m.-noon; Indy Lights 100, 12:30 p.m.; pit stop challenge, 2-3:10 p.m.; concert, 3:20 p.m.; $30 admission, 12 and under free.
Saturday – Legends Day, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; driver autographs, 9-10 a.m.; public drivers meeting, tower terrace, 10:30 a.m.; 3 p.m., concert, 3 p.m.
Race day – gates open, 6 a.m.; parade of bands, 8 a.m.; driver introductions, 11:33 a.m., race at noon; tickets start at $40.
500 facts
• The field average for the 33 cars is 224.290 mph. The time difference between the fastest, Scott Dixon, and the slowest, Clauson, is 3.9749 seconds, the eighth-closest field.
• Five winners are in the lineup: Ryan Hunter-Reay (2014), Tony Kanaan (2013), Helio Castroneves (2001, ’02, ’09), Scott Dixon (2008) and Juan Pablo Montoya (2000). The record for most “500” winners in a race is 10 in 1992.
• Castroneves is the most experienced driver with 14 starts. A.J. Foyt owns the record with 35 consecutive starts.
• Dixon has led 350 career laps in the 500, more than any active driver. Castroneves (270 laps) and Kanaan (256) are next in line. The 500 is Kanaan’s 300th Verizon IndyCar Series start.
• Nineteen drivers in this year’s field have led a total of 1,540 laps.
• There are two rookies in the field, Stefano Coletti and Gabby Chaves. Four drivers, Bryan Clauson, Conor Daly, Simona De Silvestro and James Jakes, did not start last year’s race.
• Alex Tagliani, 41, is the oldest driver in the field. The youngest is Sage Karam, 20.
(IMS Public Relations contributed to this article.)
Senior staff writer
Driver Graham Rahal said he believes that co-team owner David Letterman will be around the Verizon IndyCar Series more than ever after stepping away from his late-night talk show.
“He’s turned a bit more attention to the race team, “Rahal said. “In particular, IndyCar racing, this track. This race is what Dave’s passionate about. I can tell you there are a couple of sponsor deals close to being done. He’s been very influential hosting people in his office in New York, which he hasn’t done before.”
Rahal’s father and the other co-owner of Rahal Letterman Racing, 1986 Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal, was asked if it was more satisfying being a driver or a team owner.
“Being the driver, that’s by far the best seat in the house because you’re doing what you love – and especially here at Indianapolis,” he said. “It’s such a thrill to be a participant at the level of a driver being part of a history that is written every year.”
He admitted that being an owner is not as satisfying.
But how about having his son as a driver.
“There’s nothing I love more than watching him drive a race car and driving ours to make it better,” the family patriarch said. “It’s been really gratifying for me this year to see how well the boys (drivers Rahal and Oriol Serva) are doing.”
All-female team
Two-time Indy 500 driver Katherine Legge does not have a ride for the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 24, but that’s not keeping her from looking to the future.
Legge, qualified for the 500 in 2012 and 2013, was announced May 14 as the driver of newly formed Grace Autosport, a team with a female initiative for next year’s 500. Legge emphasized that the team would likely partner with an existing one for the centennial event.
“This takes some of the sting from not having a ride this year and gives me something to look forward to,” she said. “What we’re trying to do is open people’s minds. If a young girl wants to be an engineer or race car driver, there is a possibility and they can pursue that. I don’t think they even believe it’s an option at the moment.”
Legge continues to encourage young girls to seek careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).
Lyn St. James, founder of Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation, was on hand for the announcement. Since retiring as a driver after the 2000 race, St. James has championed women in racing.
“This is fabulous,” St. James said. “This is a bigger initative than ever before. The time is right.”
She reflected that her efforts may have been too early throughout the 1990s.
“Women have always had big roles in racing, but it’s not clear to the fans and especially other women,” St. James said.
IMS schedule of events
Today – Racing experience and fan track laps (no track activity), 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., $10 gate admission, 6 and under free.
Thursday – Indy Lights practice and qualifying, 9 a.m.-2:15 p.m., followed by Vintage Car laps, free admission.
Friday – Coors Light Carb Day, 11 a.m.-3:10 p.m.; practice, 11 a.m.-noon; Indy Lights 100, 12:30 p.m.; pit stop challenge, 2-3:10 p.m.; concert, 3:20 p.m.; $30 admission, 12 and under free.
Saturday – Legends Day, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; driver autographs, 9-10 a.m.; public drivers meeting, tower terrace, 10:30 a.m.; 3 p.m., concert, 3 p.m.
Race day – gates open, 6 a.m.; parade of bands, 8 a.m.; driver introductions, 11:33 a.m., race at noon; tickets start at $40.
500 facts
• The field average for the 33 cars is 224.290 mph. The time difference between the fastest, Scott Dixon, and the slowest, Clauson, is 3.9749 seconds, the eighth-closest field.
• Five winners are in the lineup: Ryan Hunter-Reay (2014), Tony Kanaan (2013), Helio Castroneves (2001, ’02, ’09), Scott Dixon (2008) and Juan Pablo Montoya (2000). The record for most “500” winners in a race is 10 in 1992.
• Castroneves is the most experienced driver with 14 starts. A.J. Foyt owns the record with 35 consecutive starts.
• Dixon has led 350 career laps in the 500, more than any active driver. Castroneves (270 laps) and Kanaan (256) are next in line. The 500 is Kanaan’s 300th Verizon IndyCar Series start.
• Nineteen drivers in this year’s field have led a total of 1,540 laps.
• There are two rookies in the field, Stefano Coletti and Gabby Chaves. Four drivers, Bryan Clauson, Conor Daly, Simona De Silvestro and James Jakes, did not start last year’s race.
• Alex Tagliani, 41, is the oldest driver in the field. The youngest is Sage Karam, 20.
(IMS Public Relations contributed to this article.)