FRANCHITTI REIGNS AT SOGGY 91st INDIANAPOLIS 500
> 
> 
> 
> INDIANAPOLIS, Sunday, May 27, 2007 – Dario Franchitti became the second Scotsman 
> to win the Indianapolis 500, claiming victory in a rain-shortened 91st  running 
> of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
> 
> 	The Andretti Green Racing driver, who joins Jim Clark as the only 
> Scottish drivers to win the race, inherited the lead on Lap 155 when teammate 
> Tony Kanaan pitted, and the No. 27 Canadian Club Dallara/Honda/Firestone 
> splashed across the finish line under the yellow/checkered flag combination on 
> Lap 166 as rain doused the cavernous facility.
> 
> 	“Who would have thought it?” said Franchitti, whose rain-soaked firesuit 
> didn’t dampen his enthusiasm as he chugged the traditional winner’s bottle of 
> milk in Victory Circle. “I can’t believe it. It’s the Indianapolis 500.”
> 
> 	Target Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon was runner-up, while pole 
> sitter and two-time 500-Mile Race winner Helio Castroneves of Team Penske 
> finished third. Sam Hornish Jr., who last year gave team owner Roger Penske his 
> 14th Indy 500 title, finished fourth and Ryan Briscoe in the No. 12 Luczo Dragon 
> Racing car (a Team Penske satellite program) rounded out the top five.
> 
> 	The 2007 edition of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” played out 
> before a boisterous crowd of more than 250,000, had numerous turns that 
> determined the finish order.
> 
> 	Race Day started and ended with rain. Though the 33 cars took the green 
> flag from honorary starter Peyton Manning at the appointed time, the red flag 
> flew on Lap 113 because of a cloud burst that enveloped the racetrack. After a 
> 2-hour, 57-minute delay, Kanaan led the field to the green flag. During the 
> three pace laps, Franchitti pitted because of a right-rear tire puncture.
> 
> 	AGR drivers – Kanaan, Danica Patrick and Marco Andretti – took turns on 
> the point during the ensuing 20 laps (Kanaan leading Patrick by 0.4277 of a 
> second on Lap 135). But when the teammates, who last pitted on Lap 100, ducked 
> in for 22 gallons of ethanol and four Firestone Firehawks under green on Lap 
> 137, Franchitti assumed the lead.
> 
> 	It was Jaques Lazier’s turn to move to the front when Franchitti pitted 
> on Lap 143, but Kanaan was the leader on Lap 150 (4.1198 seconds ahead of 
> Hornish and turning a lap of 222.645 mph). It was under yellow (single-car crash 
> in Turn 3 involving the No. 25 Roth Racing entry) when Kanaan’s No. 11 Team 
> 7-Eleven rumbled onto pit lane. Franchitti again assumed the lead, with Dixon on 
> his tail and Briscoe not far behind.
> 
> 	The deal was sealed on Lap 163 when a multi-car crash on the 
> backstretch, sparked by the Nos. 10 (2005 winner Dan Wheldon) and 26 (Marco 
> Andretti) cars touching wheels. The cars of Ed Carpenter and Buddy Rice also 
> were involved. As the Delphi Safety Team was clearing the racetrack, the skies 
> opened.
> 
> 	Scott Sharp (No. 8 Patron Sharp Rahal Leterman Racing), Tomas Scheckter 
> (No. 2 Vision Racing), Patrick (No. 8 Team Motorola), Davey Hamilton (No. 02 HP 
> Vision Racing) and Vitor Meira (No. 4 Delphi Panther Racing) filled out the top 
> 10.
> 
> 
> 
> RACE DAY NOTEBOOK: 
> 
> Kevin Swindell led all 50 laps to win the 62nd “Night Before the 500” USAC 
> National Midget Car Series event Saturday night at O’Reilly Raceway Park.
> 
> ***
> 
> 	Eric Gordon won the 59th “Little 500” USAC Sprint Car event Saturday 
> night at Anderson Speedway. It was Gordon’s eighth win in the event.
> 
> ***
> 
> 	Five members of the United States Armed Forces – one each from the Air 
> Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy – will sing the National Anthem 
> before the start of the 90th Indianapolis 500 today at the Indianapolis Motor 
> Speedway.
> 
> 	The singers are:  Senior Master Sergeant Angela Burns, U.S. Air Force; 
> Petty Officer Lisa Williamson, U.S. Coast Guard; Staff Sergeant Colin Eaton, 
> U.S. Army; Petty Officer J. David Sigmon, U.S. Navy; Sergeant Terri Kopetzki, 
> U.S. Marine Corps
> 
> ***
> 
> PRE-RACE HISTORICAL RACE NOTES:
> 
> •	The best finish by a woman in the Indianapolis 500 was fourth by Danica 
> Patrick in 2005.
> 
> •	Marco Andretti and Michael Andretti are the fourth father-son 
> combination to race in the same Indianapolis 500. The other father-son duos: 
> Mario and Michael Andretti, Mario and Jeff Andretti and Al Unser and Al Unser 
> Jr.
> 
> ***
> 
> 	Television personality and actress Melissa Rivers took a few laps around 
> the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Pace Car on 
> Saturday with IMS President and Chief Operating Officer Joie Chitwood behind the 
> wheel.
> 
> 	MELISSA RIVERS: "It's unbelievable. It's absolutely mind-boggling to see 
> in person. You know, I've seen it in person my whole life and to see it up close 
> and personal is quite an experience." (Was it scary riding with Chitwood): "He 
> was very kind and very gentle. We were both a little concerned about the camera 
> mount, so we didn't open it up completely. Maybe I can talk him into a lap 
> without the cameras later on." (About riding in the Pace Car): "It felt like we 
> were barely going at all. We were definitely close enough to the walls. We were 
> talking about the fact that people don't realize how narrow the track is, and he 
> (Chitwood) was saying when you have 11 rows of three Indy cars behind you 
> chomping at the bit before you get out of the way, it's pretty intimidating.”
> 
> ***
> 
> The latest race technology was created for airplanes but it is now a unique new 
> addition to Andretti Green Racing's arsenal of strategic tools. The team, which 
> will field five cars in the Indianapolis 500, has exclusive access to real-time 
> weather data, through its partnership with XM Satellite Radio, delivered 
> trackside to team computers by XM’s satellites. 
> 
> The result is up-to-the-second information about critical weather elements that 
> can impact race car performance, from wind speed and humidity to storm cells and 
> lightning strikes. Andretti Green Racing's engineers receive a constant stream 
> of localized weather data directly to pit computers. The data is overlaid on a 
> GPS map, and can be viewed in multiple formats. The result is an extensive 
> system of current and approaching weather measurements, all of which allow AGR 
> to customize racecar set-up and formulate strategy. 
> 
> KIM GREEN (Co-owner, Andretti Green Racing): “With the weather forecast to be a 
> major factor in this year's Indy 500, we're happy to have XM Weather technology 
> available as an additional strategic tool. Racing is both science and art, and 
> successful racing requires the absolute best combination of both."
> 
> ***
> 
> 	Sam Hornish Jr. has altered his helmet design for the 91st Indianapolis 
> 500 to commemorate his 2006 “500” win. Hornish’s helmet will continue to fly the 
> red-and-white stripes of the American flag but will be intersected by a row of 
> bricks running the length of Hornish’s helmet. In addition, the face mask of the 
> helmet will feature white stars but will be flanked by wings similar to the logo 
> of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Jason Beam painted Hornish’s new helmet.
> 
> 	SAM HORNISH JR. (No. 6 Team Penske Dallara/Honda/Firestone): “I think 
> the helmet came out really well. The design is very personal, because the 
> Indianapolis 500 has always been a very special part of my life. The wings and 
> bricks are two symbols that really speak to the history of the race and the 
> reasons why the Indy 500 is truly ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’”
> 
> ***
> 
>             The 92nd Indianapolis 500-Mile Race is scheduled for Sunday, May 25, 
> 2008. Ticket information can be found in a foldout page between pages 16-17 of 
> the 2007 Indianapolis 500 Official Program. Ticket information also can be 
> obtained by calling the Speedway’s ticket office, (317) 492-6700 or (800) 
> 822-INDY, or by logging on to www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.
> 
> ***
> 
> 91ST INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRE-RACE CELEBRITY QUOTES:
> 
> 
> 
> PATRICK DEMPSEY (Actor, Pace Car driver): (About driving the Pace Car): “I’ll 
> never get the opportunity to race here, so this is the closest I’ll come. It’s 
> hard to find the words to describe it. It’s a memory I’ll always cherish. This 
> means so much to me. This is my fourth year here, but I’ve been watching it as 
> long as I can remember.” (Who do you think will win today?) “I think TK (Tony 
> Kanaan) has a really strong shot. He’s always good on the ovals. I think he may 
> take it. Dan Wheldon also is very strong. Penske, you never know, he always 
> finds a way to win the race. And Dario (Franchitti), he did a phenomenal job 
> qualifying. It’s a shame he didn’t get the pole. And Tomas (Scheckter), he’s an 
> incredible driver. He never holds back. He’s very passionate about it, and 
> you’ve got to respect that. Some days are good; some days are bad. He’s got some 
> great results this year, so hopefully that continues.” (About convincing 
> colleague Eric Dane from “Grey’s Anatomy” to come to the “500”): “I was like: 
> ‘Do you want to come? You’ll have a great time.’ He really has fallen in love 
> with the ‘500,’ and I’m happy to see that, that someone else gets it, as well.”
> 
> 
> 
> ERIC DANE (Actor): (First time to an Indy-car race?): “No, I saw Danny Sullivan 
> race in Laguna Seca back in ’86 or ’87. This is the first time I’ve been to the 
> ‘500.’ This is the granddaddy of them all, THE spectacle. The Indy 500 is the 
> Indy 500, and that’s what got me interested in coming here. There is no 
> comparison as far as races go.” (About riding with Patrick Dempsey on the track 
> Saturday in the Pace Car): “150 miles an hour, 120 in the turn. I’ve never been 
> that fast in a car before. 150 miles an hour -- you better hope you’re on a 
> racetrack! He (Dempsey) was very relaxed throughout the whole thing. I kept 
> looking at the speedometer, then looking at him to make sure he was still calm. 
> As long as he was cool, I figured we were all good. No fear, I trusted him. He 
> does this – he’s a race car driver. I’m ready to go as fast as you take me. I’m 
> driving one of the pace cars today, one of the 80 mile-an-hour pace cars.”
> 
> 
> 
> RICHARD PETTY (Seven-time NASCAR Cup champion): “I'm here to support John 
> Andretti. He's going to drive for Kyle (Petty) later on in the year. You know, 
> he's drove for us before. This is his first time in 10 or 12 years since he's 
> been here. So I'm here to give him moral support." (About IndyCar Series cars 
> compared to stock cars): "They are just so much different. They are just 
> airplane wings with wheels on them. They put on a heck of show, and that is what 
> we came to see." (Are you interested in starting an IndyCar Series team?): "No, 
> I don't think so. I think these things are little bit beyond my years. I'm still 
> from the old school. I still like to see windshields, wheels, fenders, bumpers 
> and stuff like that. I never did really look at the Indy car. Stock cars were 
> all we ever did, and that is where I stayed.”
> 
> 
> 
> MARCUS ALLEN (Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Heisman Trophy winner): “I’m 
> here with the Luczo Dragon racing team. I’m with All Stars Helping Kids. Part of 
> the proceeds of their effort today will go to charity. It’s one of, I think, 12 
> foundations involved here. It’s really exciting.” (As an athlete who’s been on a 
> big stage, what’s it like for you to be at the Indy 500?): “This is new to me. I 
> grew up watching this on TV and watching Mario Andretti, so this is exciting for 
> me to be here. I’m here with Steve (Luczo), who’s a dear friend, and Jay Penske, 
> so it’s exciting to be here to support these guys.”
> 
> 
> 
> MITCH DANIELS (Governor, state of Indiana): “This is the greatest day of the 
> year in Indiana. I just hope the weather will cooperate. I'd be hard to top last 
> year, both for the weather and the racing. If I wasn't an optimist, I would have 
> never run for this job. I am optimistic about today.”
> 
> 
> 
> GREG ODEN (Indiana Mr. Basketball in 2006, center for 2007 NCAA runner-up Ohio 
> State): “I’ve been learning about the history of Indy cars. It’s cool to see the 
> cars. I saw the steering wheel, and I got confused. Hands down to anybody who 
> does this. I’m enjoying myself. It’s a crazy atmosphere out here, but I’m going 
> to have fun. I have not been to the race before. I came to the track to wave the 
> green flag at practice one day last year. I’m ready to see some cars go by!” 
> (About the cars) “They’re so small. I think I was bigger than the car itself. 
> (Oden is 7 feet tall). Someone said I could wear one as a skate and just roll 
> around out there.” (His pick for the win today): “A guy that I did meet is Alex 
> Barron. He’s a really great guy. He’s my favorite to win today.”
> 
> 
> 
> BARON DAVIS (Guard, Golden State Warriors): “I’m here to support the No. 12 car, 
> Ryan Briscoe, as well as Team Play –The Baron Davis Foundation – and LAStars.net 
> charities. I’ve been friends with Steve Luczo for a while, and he’s been a 
> mentor to me throughout our friendship. This is one of the greatest events I’ve 
> ever been to – far beyond any basketball game you can imagine. When those cars 
> start up, you feel the intensity of what it’s like to be here at the Indy 500. 
> For me, this is a release from basketball. This is exciting.”
> 
> 
> 
> JOHN OATES (Musician, Hall & Oates): “I’ve got my 11-year-old son with me. He’s 
> here for his first race. We’re really looking forward to it. We were with a 
> bunch of guys, Gene Simmons, Apolo Ohno. It’s really great to be here.”
> 
> 
> 
> MIKE CONLEY JR. (Guard, 2007 NCAA runner-up Ohio State): (About growing up near 
> the Indianapolis Motor Speedway): "To tell you the truth, I never knew where the 
> (Indianapolis Motor) Speedway was when I was growing up. I stayed on my side of 
> town and concentrated on basketball. I never had a chance to come over here." 
> (About preparing for the NBA Draft): "It's crazy. It has been a whirlwind." 
> (About being in the garage area): "It was fun. I got to sit in the car. I 
> couldn't really fit, but it was exciting."
> 
> 
> 
> CANDICE MICHELLE (WWE Diva, GoDaddy.com Girl): "This is my second time being 
> here. It's a better opportunity this year. I was here about four years ago up in 
> the suites. I was new to racing. I was the fan who thought it was just driving 
> in circles. After being in the pits, I learned what goes into racing and really 
> started to support it. I came back this year to support Danica Patrick. She's 
> such a strong woman in a man's sport. She's not just a pretty face. She is very 
> competitive." (What do you remember from your first year?): "I remember sitting 
> up in the suites. They gave me ear plugs and I didn't think I needed them, but 
> once the race started I ran and got them because they were so loud."
> 
> 
> 
> RAY LIOTTA (Actor): (Is this your first time here?): "This is my first time out 
> to the track. I'm been to Fontana, but I've never been here. I was asked to 
> come, and I wanted my daughter to experience. She's having a great time, and I'm 
> glad to be here."
> 
> 
> 
> TYLER CHRISTOPHER (Actor): “Life is good. I'm just here to enjoy the race. My 
> fiancée (Brienne Pedigo) is here as a pit reporter. I'm just trying to learn 
> this crazy race business." (What have you been doing?): "I had the privilege of 
> going through the garage of Panther Racing and seeing the shells (of the car). I 
> now understand why so many of the drivers are smaller. I can't imagine being in 
> one of those things trying to maneuver. I couldn't fit in the car."
> 
> 
> 
> ALISON SWEENEY (Actress): "This is my first time here at the (Indianapolis 
> Motor) Speedway, and it is awesome. I am having such a blast." (Who do you think 
> will win?): "It is hard to say. I'd really like to see an Andretti win. That 
> would be great."
> 
> 
> 
> PEYTON MANNING (Indianapolis Colts quarterback, race honorary starter): "Before 
> coming here in 1998, I always heard what a big deal the Indianapolis 500 was. 
> I've been to the race a few times, but this year is special because I'm a part 
> of the parade yesterday and waving the flag today. I'm kind of worried that it 
> may be me causing this bad weather between the Super Bowl and this. I'm just 
> glad to be involved. I live here, so the party comes right through Indy, and I 
> just stay out of the way. It's a great time to be in Indianapolis. Obviously, 
> the more awareness this city can get from events like the Indianapolis 500, the 
> Final Fours and with the Super Bowl. It's been a lot of fun to be a Hoosier and 
> to be a part of this community." (What's bigger bling: the Borg-Warner or the 
> Super Bowl trophy?): "Obviously, I'm biased. I'm excited about being a part of 
> the Super Bowl. It's the first championship brought back to this city. The most 
> special times have been to share it with the fans. It's been a team and 
> city-wide state effort."
> 
> 
> 
> CHRIS “LIGHTS OUT” LYTLE (Ultimate Fighting Championship competitor): (Your 
> thoughts on this year's race): "It's funny, because I was talking to someone and 
> said, 'These people are crazy!' They looked at me and reminded me how I get in a 
> cage and fight people. I'm not used to that, so I think that's crazy. They go 
> 225 miles per hour. I don't understand it. If I was in a car going that fast, I 
> wouldn't be able to handle it." (Who do you think will win?): "I'm going with 
> Helio Castroneves. Usually, I never pick the pole sitter because they rarely 
> win. But from what I've seen, I think he has the best chance. I'm usually always 
> wrong, but if I was betting, then that's who I would pick.”
> 
> 
> 
> LUDACRIS (Actor, musician): "How can I be too risky for the Indianapolis 500? 
> These cars are going at 225 miles per hour. I'm ready to go." (About gaining so 
> much attention when he comes here): "That means a lot. Make sure you tell the 
> Indy 500 people that so I can keep coming back. I'm going to bring the whole 
> city of Atlanta, Georgia, next time. The fans love me, and I show the love back. 
> I have a lot of fans here in Indianapolis, and I appreciate it." (Who will win 
> the race?): "Danica (Patrick) is my girl. I know she's married, but she's my 
> pick for this year's race. Last year, I was in the Andretti pit, and I've always 
> wanted Michael to win. Now that Danica is with Andretti Green Racing, I'm 
> rooting for her along with both Marco and Michael."
> 
> 
> 
> IAN ZIERING (Actor): “I’m a big fan of motorsports. Two wheels, four wheels, one 
> wheel, whatever. If it’s got a combustible engine, I’ll watch it run. Today, the 
> Indianapolis 500, it is the biggest event in racing. To be here where the whole 
> world is focused on the sport, it’s an honor to be among all the icons of the 
> sport. This is my first time here. It’s very thrilling for me. I mean, I smell 
> the rocket fuel. I smell the burned rubber, and it gives me a lift. It’s just 
> exciting to be around it. I had dinner last night with Scott Sharp and Bobby 
> Rahal. Scott is an excellent driver. He’s my pick to win.”
> 
> 
> 
> APOLO ANTON OHNO: (Olympic gold medalist, winner, “Dancing with the Stars”): 
> “I’m always interested in anything that goes fast, to be honest with you. I 
> can’t help it. I’ve always loved car racing, and I’ve seen the race on TV many, 
> many times. I’ve never been here in person. I’m very excited to be here. I have 
> a pick but I’m not going to say it. It will jinx it.”
> 
> 
> 
> GEN. CHUCK YEAGER (First person to break sound barrier): “I’ve probably been 
> here 10 times. I drove the Pace Car twice. I’ve flown over four times.” (About 
> the speeds) “It’s all relative to me. I fly 2, 3,000 miles an hour. As long as 
> you don’t hit anything, that’s all that matters. I’ve driven these cars, got to 
> 212, 213 (mph). I’ve driven cars over 600 miles an hour!”
> 
> ***
> 
> •When #11 Tony Kanaan took the lead in the 2007 Indianapolis 500 on Lap 1, it 
> represented the sixth consecutive race that Kanaan has led in his Indianapolis 
> 500 career. Kanaan now shares the Indianapolis 500 record for most consecutive 
> races led with Rick Mears, who also led six consecutive years (1979-84). But 
> Kanaan is the only driver to have led six consecutive races starting with his 
> rookie year. Mears failed to lead the race his rookie year in 1978.
> 
> •This is the third consecutive Indianapolis 500 that the leader of the opening 
> lap has started second.
> 
> ***
> 
> 	•At the 50-lap mark, there were eight lead changes. The record for the 
> most lead changes at the 50-lap mark is 17 in 1923.
> 
> •When Marco Andretti took the lead on Lap 41, he became the first Andretti to 
> lead in his first two starts at the Indianapolis 500.
> 
> ***
> 
> •When #26 Marco Andretti led the race on Lap 104, it represented the 1,000th 
> leading lap by the Andretti family in the Indianapolis 500.
> 
> ***
> 
> 	1969 Indianapolis 500 winner Mario Andretti offered comments about the 
> performance of his grandson, Marco Andretti, who was in second when rain forced 
> the suspension of the race.
> 
> MARIO ANDRETTI: "I think he was driving like a master again today. When the car 
> is there, he can drive. That is no question." (Did he know he was going to get 
> passed?): "He felt he was going to be a sitting duck. He wasn't worried except 
> for the possibility of rain. He felt he had a fight in him. It's just a weather 
> situation." (About Marco being a legitimate driver): "I agree, of course. Even 
> last year, he was competitive all day, too. It wasn't like he just landed in 
> second. He proved it again this time. If he has a car under him, then he can 
> drive." 
> 
> 
> 
> 91st INDIANAPOLIS 500 POST-RACE QUOTES:
> 
> DARIO FRANCHITTI (No. 27 Canadian Club Dallara/Honda/Firestone, winner 91st 
> Indianapolis 500): “I can hardly believe it. Who would have thought it? I have 
> thank my team. Can you believe it? The reason we went for that strategy was 
> because we cut a tire on some debris. We had to make make the pit stop. And 
> these guys called a great race. I was saving fuel uner the yellow. I was saving 
> so much fuel. I can’t believe it. It’s the Indy 500! I’ve got to thank my whole 
> team. I have to thank everybody at AGR and all of our sponsors. It’s awesome. I 
> couldn’t believe it, just driving in there. It’s fantastic. To be a member of 
> this club is fantastic. It could have been any one of the five of us (AGR team 
> members) today. We rolled the dice. We were unlucky in the first stint of the 
> race. Really glad to run the second part (after the rain). I’m glad we went with 
> it. I kind of have half an idea of what it means to win this race now. I’m 
> pretty happy.”
> 
> SCOTT DIXON (No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone, finished 
> second): “Such a strange day. We were doing good at some point, and then when 
> the rain came and cleaned the track, we just had no grip and we were really bad 
> at traffic. We just needed some way to cycle to the front. Probably one of the 
> worse races I’ve ever been in. There was no rhythm to it. There were crashes 
> after crashes, and then obviously it rained twice. It is not the way the people 
> want to see this race. Fans who had to leave because of the rain, and obviously 
> there’s not that many people left. We didn’t want to see it end when it did at 
> (Lap) 113 because that was just totally unfair. Nobody really had a cycle 
> through on their pit stops. It is tough for TK (Tony Kanaan), but that is the 
> way it goes. It’s good on Dario. He was lucky he came in on that pit stop 
> because he wasn’t going to.”
> 
> 	HELIO CASTRONEVES (No. 3 Team Penske Dallara/Honda/Firestone, finished 
> third): “We started extremely well, and then unfortunately had a little incident 
> in the pits that put us way at the back of the field. With a lot of patience, 
> not only from me but from the entire team, we were able to recuperate, be 
> patient, pass big and put ourselves in a very good position. After the rain, we 
> made some changes. The car wasn't the way we liked it. We pitted, and that was 
> incredible. The car was just a rocket ship. When I looked on the board, it was 
> (Lap) 160. That's the time Rick Mears normally says go. And I went, and the car 
> was real accepting. It is such a shame to not be able to finish green. It would 
> have been such a battle. Congratulations to Dario and Andretti Green. They had 
> five cars, and I guess they really took a chance and gambled, and worked it out 
> for one." (About the rain delay): "It's the worst situation. You want to keep 
> going. We made some adjustments, and it was good. That's what the beauty of it 
> is. You try and make everything better. Rain sometimes does that."
> 
> ROBERTO MORENO (No. 77 Chastain Motorsports Z-Line Designs Miller Eads 
> Panoz/Honda/Firestone): “The car had a bad wiggle all over the place. It was 
> very tough. When I got to Turn 1, we just went straight. I couldn't do 
> anything.”
> 
> JON HERB (No. 19 AERCON/Dad’s Root Beer Special Dallara/Honda/Firestone): “I had 
> a good run going into Turn 1, and I saw the two cars in front of me make a move. 
> They both kind of hesitated a little bit more than I expected, and I got a run 
> into Turn 1 on Al (Unser) Jr.  I had nowhere to go, and I ended up in the 
> marbles. It's just a shame. I just feel terrible about the deal.”
> 
> MILKA DUNO (No. 23 CITGO Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone): “I was having a good 
> race. I was in 22nd when had a penalty in pit lane. When we went green, I was 
> passing a car in Turn 1 when my car spun. It was a fantastic day.”
> 
> 	JOHN ANDRETTI (No. 33 Camping World Panther Dallara/Honda/Firestone): 
> “We lost the mirror early, and they made us replace it. We lost a lap replacing 
> it. We tried to manage our way back up through, to see if we could try to do 
> something to get into the lead lap. And that wasn’t working. Going down on Turn 
> 1, I had someone dive underneath me. I got up into the second groove and got all 
> that stuff on my tires. And when I went into Turn 2, I knew it was going to be 
> bad. I couldn’t turn down again because after going through Turn 1 and lifting, 
> they were starting to get underneath me. And so I got into Turn 2, and the car 
> wouldn’t turn at all, and the car just went straight. It wasn’t a very fast hit. 
> I wasn’t going wide open because I anticipated what was coming, and it took off 
> way quicker than I thought it was. This place can pump you up so much and take 
> it all away from you that quickly. Today wasn’t the day I hoped for, but I also 
> see my teammate Vitor in fourth, so I think that’s a great day.”
> 
> PHIL GIEBLER (No. 31 Ethos Fuel Reformulator Panoz/Honda/Firestone): “We were 
> out there on cold tires, and I went into Turn 1, and the cars in front of me 
> checked up, so I had to brake as well. The car had a pretty bad push, and the 
> car just snapped on me. The car was pretty unpredictable on the restarts, so it 
> made the first corner hard to handle.” (About his day): “We were struggling with 
> the car all day, but I think we were really starting to make it work. We tried 
> to make some strategic moves by staying out, and then we had some trouble in the 
> pits on the next stop. It truly was a fight out there. It really is a shame that 
> I couldn’t give all the Playa Del Racing and Ethos Fuel Reformulator guys a 
> better finish, but I think we learned a lot and hopefully we can find the 
> funding for some more races this season.”
> 
> 
> 
> UNOFFICIAL INDYCAR SERIES POINT STANDINGS:
> 
> 1. Scott Dixon 	184
> 
> 2. Dan Wheldon	183
> 
> 3. Dario Franchitti 	181
> 
> 4. Helio Castroneves 	171
> 
> 5. Tony Kanaan 	151
> 
> 6. Sam Hornish  	151
> 
> 7. Tomas Scheckter 	130 
> 
> 8. Scott Sharp 		110
> 
> 9. Danica Patrick 	109
> 
> 10. Vitor Meira 	103
> 
> 
> 
> INDYCAR SERIES POST-RACE NOTES:
> 
> •	This is Dario Franchitti’s fifth career IndyCar Series victory and his 
> first victory of the season. His last win came at the California Speedway in 
> October 2005. 
> 
> •	This is the Andretti Green second win of the season and its 25th win in 
> the IndyCar Series, breaking a tie with Team Penske for winningest IndyCar 
> Series entrant.
> 
> •	Spotter Dave Reininger had a perfect weekend at Indianapolis. Reininger 
> serves as spotter for Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti and Freedom 100 
> winner Alex Lloyd.
> 
> •	Davey Hamilton finished ninth in his first IndyCar Series event since 
> June 2001. 
> 
> ***
> 
> 91st INDIANAPOLIS 500 POST-RACE NOTES:
> 
> •	Dario Franchitti, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, is the 66th driver to 
> win the Indianapolis 500, including the two co-winners. He is the second native 
> of Scotland to win the Indianapolis 500. Jim Clark (1965) is the other.
> 
> •	Franchitti is 34 years, 8 days old. He is the sixth 34-year-old to win 
> the “500.” Other drivers who were 34 when they won the Indianapolis 500 are Joe 
> Boyer (1924), Wilbur Shaw (1937), Bill Vukovich (1953), Bobby Unser (1968) and 
> Tom Sneva (1983). Like Franchitti they were all first-time winners at 
> Indianapolis.
> 
> •	This is the third victory for car No. 27 in Indianapolis 500 history. 
> The last time the number won was with Jaques Villeneuve in 1995.
> 
> •	Franchitti is the 10th driver to win the Indianapolis 500 from the 
> outside of the front row. The last time was in 2002 when Helio Castroneves won.
> 
> •	This is Andretti Green Racing’s second Indianapolis 500 victory. It is 
> the 18th entrant to win multiple Indianapolis 500s.
> 
> •	Michael Andretti led a lap of the 2007 event. This raised his career lap 
> leader total to 431 laps, which is ninth place on the all-time lap leader list. 
> Michael Andretti's 431 laps led represent the most laps led by a driver who has 
> never won the Indianapolis 500.
> 
> •	Today’s race was the ninth Indy 500 that Michael Andretti has led, tying 
> him with Rick Mears and Rex Mays for fifth on the all-time list for most races 
> led. A.J. Foyt has the record with laps led in 13 races.
> 
> •	Shortened Indianapolis 500-Mile Races
> 
>             1916: 120 laps (scheduled)
> 
>             1926: 160 laps (400 miles, rain)
> 
>             1950: 138 laps (345 miles, rain)
> 
>             1973: 133 laps (332.5 miles, rain)
> 
>             1975: 174 laps (435 miles, rain)
> 
>             1976: 102 laps (255 miles, rain)
> 
>             2004: 180 laps (450 miles, rain)
> 
>             2007: 166 laps (415 miles, rain)
> 
> •	Danica Patrick has finished on the lead lap in all three of her 
> Indianapolis 500 starts.
> 
> •	Davey Hamilton and Alex Barron shared the honor for highest position 
> advancement (11 positions) of all drivers in the field. Hamilton started 20th 
> and finished ninth, while Barron started 26th and finished 15th.
> 
> •	Vitor Meira's 10th-place finish gives him four consecutive top-10 
> finishes in his five-year Indianapolis 500 career. He finished 12th in 2003, 
> which was his only finish outside the top 10 in Indianapolis 500 competition. He 
> has finished on the lead lap in four of his five Indianapolis 500 starts. In 
> 2003 as a rookie, he finished one lap off the pace.
> 
> •	The 2007 rain-shortened Indianapolis 500 had nine different lap leaders. 
> This is the greatest number of different lap leaders for an Indianapolis 500 
> that went less than the full distance. The greatest number of different lap 
> leaders for an Indianapolis 500 that went the full distance is 12 in 1993.
> 
> •	Tony Kanaan was the top lap leader with 83 laps led.
> 
> •	2007 Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti led 34 laps. This total 
> exceeded his previous career number of laps led of 16 (1 in 2004 and 15 in 
> 2005).
> 
> •	Tony Kanaan recorded the fastest lap of the race (223.420 mph) on Lap 
> 18. This is the third time that Tony Kanaan has recorded the fastest lap in the 
> Indianapolis 500. The other two years were 2003 and 2005.
> 
> •	There are seven Indianapolis 500-Mile Races that have ended under 
> caution: 1940, 1988, 1989, 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2007.
> 
> •	2007 represents the third time that a race has been stopped twice in the 
> same day due to rain. The 2007 Indianapolis 500 was stopped on Lap 113 due to 
> rain and declared over at Lap 166 due to rain. In 1926, the race was temporarily 
> halted because of rain on Lap 71 and was declared over after 160 laps because of 
> rain. The 2004 Indianapolis 500 was stopped on Lap 27 due to rain and was 
> stopped on Lap 180 due to rain.
> 
> ***
> 
> 	The next IndyCar Series event is the ABC Supply/A.J. Foyt 225 presented 
> by Time Warner Cable at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 3 at The Milwaukee Mile. The race 
> will be carried live by ABC Sports and the IMS Radio Network. A Spanish-language 
> telecast of the race will be carried by ESPN Deportes. The IMS Radio Network 
> broadcast also is carried on XM Satellite Radio channel 144 “XM SportsNation and 
> channel 145 “IndyCar Racing” and www.indycar.com.