Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Pre-Race Notes & Quotes: 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500

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Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Pre-Race Notes & Quotes:

100th Running of the Indianapolis 500

 
 
Race Fast Facts

  • Verizon IndyCar Series drivers: James Hinchcliffe (No. 5 Arrow Electronics), Mikhail Aleshin (No. 7 SMP Racing & DOOM), Oriol Servia (No. 77 Lucas Oil & Jahia)
  • Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires drivers: RC Enerson (No. 7), Andre Negrao (No. 17), Santiago Urrutia (No. 55), Heamin Choi (No. 77)
  • Event title: 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500
  • Location: Indianapolis, IN
  • Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a 2.5-mile, nearly-rectangular oval
  • 2016 event counter: The 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 is the 6th race (of 16) for the Verizon IndyCar Series; the Freedom 100 is the 8th race (of 18) for the Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires Series

**TELECONFERENCE WITH JAMES HINCHCLIFFE**
James Hinchcliffe will be available for media via a teleconference hosted by INDYCAR on Thursday, May 26 at 11 a.m. ET. Media may join by calling (866) 475-2663. Media may contact SPM or INDYCAR for password information.
 
Verizon IndyCar Series Track Activity
Final practice session: Friday, May 27 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. ET
Race: Sunday, May 29 with pre-race activities beginning at approximately 11 a.m. ET and an estimated green flag at 12:12 p.m.
 
Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires Track Activity
Practice sessions: Thursday, May 26 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ET
Qualifying: Thursday, May 26 from 1:15-2:15 p.m. ET
Race: Friday, May 27 at 12:30 p.m. ET
 
Broadcast Information
TV race broadcast (USA): ABC (USA), SportsNet 360 (Canada)
Race broadcast (radio): IMS Radio Network, XM 209 and Sirius 212
 
IndyCar Quotes (following Monday’s practice):
James Hinchcliffe (No. 5)

Monday was a productive day here at IMS. This session is very important and I’m really glad we get it. During the week, you try and do some race running but guys are on different programs, it’s a six-hour session, some guys are on track, others are in the garage, so it’s a bit tough to get a really good read on what the race will be like. Today, everybody’s on track running race runs all day. It gives you an opportunity to gather some really valuable data and I think we made some positive changes to the No. 5 Arrow Electronics car. Some negative changes too, so at least we learned a direction and at least we can tune on it a little bit for Carb Day and hopefully be in a good position come Sunday.”
 
Mikhail Aleshin (No. 7)
“The final day of practice went well. I think we’re going to be pretty fast in the race with the No. 7 DOOM and SMP Racing car. All three cars showed some good pace. It’s not going to be easy for anyone. It looked like many people struggled in traffic, but it’s all about having good sets of tires and good luck.”
 
Oriol Servia (No. 77)
“I’m very happy. We did lots of miles and tried lots of things. The best case scenario happened, which was that I was the happiest with the No. 77 Jahia and Lucas Oil car on my last run. I’m looking forward to May 29th. I think we have good cars and I couldn’t be happier with the whole team, and what we have in store for the race.” 
 
Indy Lights Quotes:
RC Enerson (No. 7)

“After a tough start to the month of May at the GP race, I’m really looking for redemption here at IMS for the Freedom 100. I love this Speedway. Getting to go faster than 200 miles per hour and running wheel-to-wheel in a pack is the best racing, and I can’t wait to get after it!”
 
Andre Negrao (No. 17)
“For this weekend’s race, I’m aiming for a better-than-ever performance. The break gave me time to focus and train to try to reach the podium in this amazing place. I’ll give it my best and put all efforts forward to obtain the best result, and hopefully make everyone proud. I’m really looking forward to it.”
 
Santiago Urrutia (No. 55)
“Everything was good in the test session this week. It’s a very fast track, and the car felt good in qualifying and race trim. It’s my first time on this kind of oval so I’m learning. I think we have the pace and everything, so it’s going to be really close. Qualifying will be important and then in the race, we’ll try to get the most points for the championship. I’m feeling good so we’re going to have a strong weekend.”
 
Heamin Choi (No. 77)
“I’m very excited for the upcoming Freedom 100 race. For me, adapting quickly to the high speed in the Indy Lights car will be crucial on this track. In Korea, people are excited to see the first Korean driver challenging towards IndyCar and the Indy 500 race. Currently my performance is not at the highest peak but I am getting more comfortable, which will make me very competitive. My goal is to finish this race well and I aim at being in the top ten. My Korean supporters are working very hard to make the next steps of my racing career possible.”