PRACTICE
93rd Indianapolis 500
NOTES - Thursday, May 7, 2009

McDONALD’S DRIVER RAHAL AND DOORNBOS GAIN VALUABLE PRACTICE TIME AT INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

1) Marco Andretti 52 laps 225.4 mph
7) Robert Doornbos 73 laps 223.5 mph
9) Graham Rahal 42 laps 222.9 mph

Graham Rahal, No 02 McDonald’s Dallara Honda/Firestone: “The new McDonald’s car seems pretty quick. It feels really good, it’s very comfortable to drive. We made one change that we ended up going back on because it wasn’t as good as what we had before but we’re making steady progress and we were looking good there at the end. It’s just unfortunate that we didn’t get to do any tire runs because we had a gearbox issue. We had done a 223 (mph) on an out lap which wasn’t flat which says a lot. The speed is definitely there. Helio seems to be really fast on his own but I think we’re close behind. I feel pretty good about our day and I can’t wait to get back out there again tomorrow to see how the car is. The McDonald’s car, handling-wise is pretty comfortable, it’s really nice to drive. I think we have made a lot of gains since we ran here last year. I’m definitely looking forward to qualifying because I think we have a shot at being on the first couple of rows.”

FAST FACTS: Will be his second race here. In 2008, he was the highest Indy 500 starter of the Champ Car transitioning teams with his 13th place start but made contact on L36 after driving high to avoid the slower car of Lloyd. Retired in 33rd place…Earned two of the three poles so far this season, the first of which earned him the distinction of being the youngest pole sitter in series history after winning pole in St. Pete on 4-4-09 at 20 years, 90 days old…Is ranked eighth in series points with 72.

Robert Doornbos, No. 06 Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “I’m so happy to be here at the Indy 500. I was here before for the Formula One races in 2005 and 2006 but to be here for the Indy 500, you know you are part of something special. You feel the vibe when you see the row of bricks and feel part of the history. I really like driving on the ovals. Rookie Orientation went well and I was able to get up to speed quickly so I was looking forward to getting back on track. Arie Luyendyk has been coaching me and helping me make some changes to the car and we have run well. It has been fun today. We stayed inside the top four for most of the day and it is looking good. It was nice to be P1 for a while even though it’s just testing. It’s a good motivator for everybody including the driver. I’m feeling comfortable and I really enjoy driving here. I liked the qualifying format in Kansas and I am looking forward to doing it here where it has always been done this way.”
· FAST FACTS: Will be his first Indy 500 and third time to drive on this track after running here in the 2005 (Jordan GP test/Friday driver) and 2006 (Red Bull Racing) Formula One events….The Indy 500 will be his second-ever start on an oval. Qualified second in his oval debut in Kansas…Has competed against fellow ICS drivers Marco Andretti (A1GP), Danica Patrick (Formula Ford), Ryan Briscoe (F3) and E.J. Viso (F3000)…Two-time Indy 500 winner and fellow Dutchman Arie Luyendyk is serving as an advisor to Doornbos. Luyendyk won the 500 in 1990 and 1997 and is the only driver from the Netherlands to win the Indy 500 to date…Leads the Rookie of the Year standings.

1 POLE (1987) & TWO SECONDS AT INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY (IMS) FOR NHR/NHLR: The 2009 entry will mark the 17th year for NHR/NHLR in the event and the fourth since 1995. Prior to 2009, the team prepared a total of 25 entries for drivers such as Mario and Michael Andretti, Nigel Mansell, Paul Tracy, Bruno Junqueira, Sebastien Bourdais, Justin Wilson and Graham Rahal. Rahal and Robert Doornbos compete for the team in 2009 and will bring the total to 27. NHR’s highest finish in the Indy 500 is second place with Mario Andretti in 1985 and Michael Andretti in 1991 although team drivers have led many laps here. Mario Andretti also brought the team its highest start in the event when he won the pole position in 1987. NHR’s 2004 entry of Junqueira marked the first time for the team to compete here since 1995 and they returned in 2005 with Junqueira and IMS rookie Bourdais. In 2008 they ran Wilson and Rahal here during a transition season in the series but both made contact and retired in 27th and 33rd respectively. They have earned Rookie of the Year once, with Mansell in 1993 when he finished third.