The practice and tuning sessions early in the day let everyone get some one on one time with the track and the fans. The Indy Drivers signed autographs on Friday and were out running their qualifying laps in the early afternoon. You could hear the roar clear up to 7th avenue and Main at the train station.
While the Indy drivers where getting ready to hit the Track the Pro Cup drivers like Rob Morgan of TruSpeed were signing autographs and handing out this years hot ticket, the temporary tattoo.
As the sun headed west and the Indy cars were put up for the night, the ALMS cars came out and set up on the track. The ALMS race was a great way to finish off a Saturday. Sitting in the stands or walking the track, you couldn’t help but stare at the ALMS cars roaring by like an out of tune chorus.
Watching the ALMS mix of cars is always a thrill with Ferrari’s, Corvettes, Porsche’s and the Prototypes all out on the track at the same time. Two of the Prototype cars had under steer problems on a back turn. One of them hitting the tire barrier under a yellow caution. Both of them targeted the same pile of tires.
The car that may have surprised many people watching the ALMS race was the lone Jaguar XKR. It may not have won, but every spectator knew when that car had the loud pedal mashed to the floor board and when it was downshifting for the corners. The sound was completely unique on the track a solid growl without the V-8 “throat” of the Vette’s.
The big announcement came a little later in the day when veteran driver and former Star Racer TV reality show judge Paul Tracy announced he will rejoin KV Racing and that he would be running in this years Indy 500. The father-son team of CR “Rik” Crews and CR “CR” Crews will be spotting for KV Racing this memorial weekend and maybe even for Paul Tracy as he takes to the track at Indianapolis.
Mario Morales and Takuma Sato will be driving for KV Racing in Sunday’s Gran Prix of Long Beach IZOD Indy Car Race. Team Penske put 3 in the top 6 for Sunday’s race with Will Power of Verizon Penske taking the pole.