INDYCAR SERIES CHAMP DAN WHELDON SAYS TEXAS IS KEY TO REPEATING
Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion Dan Wheldon is trying to become just the second driver in history to repeat as series champion. After a record-setting 2005 season, the native of Emberton, England wasted no time chasing his second title by opening this year with a win at Homestead-Miami. And Wheldon believes the Bombardier Learjet 500k at Texas Motor Speedway on June 10 holds the key to repeating as the series champ.
“I think where the race is in the season this year is very important,” Wheldon said. “It is that kind of second half (of the season) where the contenders really separate themselves from the field. By the time we come to Texas, we have established that and it is about those guys making their mark.”
Wheldon and the rest of the IndyCar Series drivers are in Indianapolis preparing for the 90th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 28. But two weeks after the 500, the series arrives at “The Great American Speedway!” for “America’s Original Nighttime IndyCar Series race.”
“It is a very, very critical race,” Wheldon said. “And it is our first super speedway type race we will have toward the second half of the season. That is important to us because there are a lot of races like that. Every race is important, but at this stage where Texas comes in, it is going to be a very pivotal point in the season.”
In addition to his goal of joining Sam Hornish Jr. (2001-02) as the series’ only repeat champions, he also is looking to repeat as the Indy 500 champion. Last season he tasted the milk with Andretti Green Racing, but made the move in the off-season to Target Chip Ganassi Racing.
“I think it makes me more motivated to win,” Wheldon said. “It was such a great honor to win and the realization of a dream. Last year I put a ton of pressure on myself to win this event. You want more of it, you really do.”
Wheldon established a series record with his six wins in 2005 with Andretti Gree, but switched to the No. 10 Target car this year. On the strength of his win at Homestead-Miami and a runner-up showing at Motegi, Japan, Wheldon currently sits second in the series title race, 42 points behind leader Helio Castroneves of Marlboro Team Penske.
While his focus is on Indy during May, he still is looking forward to the ambiance of Texas Motor Speedway, where he has three top-six finishes, including a pair of thirds, in his last four starts there.
“We draw very big crowds at that race. And, not just for the race day – every day at the race track is busy,” said Wheldon, who finished sixth at TMS last season. “I like the competition at Texas. It is very fast and a tight field. You see some very fast racing where we are going in excess of 210 mph and near 220. You can comfortably run three wide and it is basically that for the whole race. It is a race where the adrenaline is constantly pumping. It is great for the fans. The fans at Texas deserve that because they have been very loyal to the IndyCar Series.”
“I think where the race is in the season this year is very important,” Wheldon said. “It is that kind of second half (of the season) where the contenders really separate themselves from the field. By the time we come to Texas, we have established that and it is about those guys making their mark.”
Wheldon and the rest of the IndyCar Series drivers are in Indianapolis preparing for the 90th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 28. But two weeks after the 500, the series arrives at “The Great American Speedway!” for “America’s Original Nighttime IndyCar Series race.”
“It is a very, very critical race,” Wheldon said. “And it is our first super speedway type race we will have toward the second half of the season. That is important to us because there are a lot of races like that. Every race is important, but at this stage where Texas comes in, it is going to be a very pivotal point in the season.”
In addition to his goal of joining Sam Hornish Jr. (2001-02) as the series’ only repeat champions, he also is looking to repeat as the Indy 500 champion. Last season he tasted the milk with Andretti Green Racing, but made the move in the off-season to Target Chip Ganassi Racing.
“I think it makes me more motivated to win,” Wheldon said. “It was such a great honor to win and the realization of a dream. Last year I put a ton of pressure on myself to win this event. You want more of it, you really do.”
Wheldon established a series record with his six wins in 2005 with Andretti Gree, but switched to the No. 10 Target car this year. On the strength of his win at Homestead-Miami and a runner-up showing at Motegi, Japan, Wheldon currently sits second in the series title race, 42 points behind leader Helio Castroneves of Marlboro Team Penske.
While his focus is on Indy during May, he still is looking forward to the ambiance of Texas Motor Speedway, where he has three top-six finishes, including a pair of thirds, in his last four starts there.
“We draw very big crowds at that race. And, not just for the race day – every day at the race track is busy,” said Wheldon, who finished sixth at TMS last season. “I like the competition at Texas. It is very fast and a tight field. You see some very fast racing where we are going in excess of 210 mph and near 220. You can comfortably run three wide and it is basically that for the whole race. It is a race where the adrenaline is constantly pumping. It is great for the fans. The fans at Texas deserve that because they have been very loyal to the IndyCar Series.”
posted by milu at 1:48 PM
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