Backstretch Motorsports

INDIANAPOLIS, Sunday, May 4, 2008 - Ten drivers completed all four phases of the Indianapolis 500 Rookie Orientation Program at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as the track opened for the 92nd Running of 500-Mile Race.

Will Power (left) was the quickest among a class of 13 rookies, the most since 1997. The rookies have two days of practice on the historic 2.5-mile oval before the track is opened to all drivers on May 6.

Power’s fastest lap in the No. 8 Aussie Vineyard-Team Australia entry was 40.7804 seconds, 220.694 mph.

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As Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard waved the the green at 12:02 PM, the Month of May that leads up to the 92nd running of the Indianpolis 500 officailly began the on track phase.

Today was the first of two days of Rookie Orientation Program at the fabled Brickyard. 13 driver were expected to participate. The rookie class for the 92nd Indianapolis 500 take their first laps around the 2.5-mile speedway as they must complete the ROP, a set of four phases of 10 laps each at increasing speeds. The first phase, drivers have to meet a minimum speed of 205.00 MPH increasing each session to a final phase of 215 + .MPH.

Veteran drivers are serving as another set of eyes with the IRL officials , watching corner entry and exits, straightaway handling and giving critque as needed.

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“There’s no reason for anybody to gloat or to feel down because, in the end, we’ve all come together.” Tony George, Feb-22-2008

So for your trivia books, Will Power (pictured above) takes victory in the last-ever Champ Car World Series race. The final Champ Car World Series race happened today on the Streets of Long Beach course. The final remnants of the most bitter spilt in modern auto racing history come to an official end.

Power brings 53 points toward the championship in the unified IndyCar Series. He ranks fifth in the standings heading into the Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 at Kansas Speedway on April 27.

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AGR’s Tony Kanaan Takes P1 for First Street Course of ‘08

You want drama, you’ve got it. The IndyCar Series day of “Knock-Out Qualifying” at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg provided.

After survivng the unfamiliar oval setting of the Homestead-Miami opener, the street course at St. Pete certainly made a huge difference for the former CCWS transition teams. The comfort zone of twisting turns provided a equalizing atmosphere for the new guys.

Will Power, Team Australia sponsored KV Racing Technologies Honda/Dallara/Firestone driver turned the fastest lap of the IndyCar weekend with a time of 1:02.1355 at a speed of 104.288

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