| LIVE UPDATES Friday, May 9 - FAST FRIDAY |
NOTES: Updates are listed with most recent post at the top. If you have any specific questions that I can
answer regarding activities at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, please e-mail them to me HERE and I'll do
my best to post a response below.
Friday, May 9 - Fast Friday PHOTOS
Friday, May 9 Timing and Scoring Report
UPDATES:
5:15 p.m.
Danica Patrick just had a media gathering by one of her garages to make a brief statement apologizing for hitting
Charles (Chuck) Bucknum on pit lane. Her quote:
"It was really, really unfortunate what happened today. Thoughts and prayers are with him, with his family, and
hopefully he can get back to the track soon and be able to do what he loves."
5:00 p.m.
The updates were a bit limited today because I was still having trouble with sharing my digital photos. I will be at
my media center post at IMS early Saturday to kick off Pole Day festivities, and will have much more information to
report throughout the day, along with masses of photos (once I figure it out).
4:50 p.m.
Alex Lloyd has had a CT scan, which revealed no fractures. However, because of persistent neck pain, he will
likely be kept overnight at Methodist Hospital for evaluation.
3:53 p.m.
Track is officially closed for today because of rain. Qualifying draw for tomorrow's Pole Day activities will take
place at 4:15 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
Following an incident on pit road with the No. 7 car (Danica Patrick), Dale Coyne Racing crew member Charles
(Chuck) Buckman was evaluated at the Clarian Emergency Medical Center. After his infield evaluation, Buckman
was transported to Methodist Hospital to be treated for a concussion and scalp and facial lacerations. Buckman
is awake and alert.
Skies are looking a bit gloomy at this point, with rain forecasted soon.
2:00 p.m.
Alex Lloyd is awake and alert and is being transported to Methodist Hospital for precautionary X-rays. He is
complaining of neck pain.
It is believed that Mike Lanigan, one of the co-owners of Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing (drivers Justin Wilson and
Graham Rahal) is meeting with IRL officials here today to discuss the future of the Cleveland Grand Prix, formerly
a Champ Car staple and one of their most popular venues. The race was cancelled this year due to the
unification of Champ Car and the Indy Racing League, but officials are hopeful to have that perennial summer
festival in Cleveland be added to the 2009 schedule.
1:45 p.m.
Alex Lloyd does a quarter-spin in Turn 1. The rear of the car makes heavy contact with the SAFER Barrier. The
car makes light secondary contact with the SAFER Barrier in Turn 2 before coming to a rest. Lloyd is being
assisted from the car by the Delphi Safety Team (being placed on a backboard).
1:40 p.m.
Mario Dominguez was checked and released from the Clarian Emergency Medical Center and is cleared to drive.
1:30 p.m.
Mario Dominguez did a quarter-spin coming out of the pits. The front of the car made contact with the inside
retaining wall, but he got out of the car and walked without assistance to the Delphi Safety Team.
1:00 p.m.
It's COLD here today. Lots of on-track activity as all teams know that they may only have a short amount of time
to get up to speed for tomorrow's Pole Day because rain is expected this afternoon.
10:25 a.m.
Penske press conference about ready to start. Will be back later...
8:00 a.m.
Just arrived at the track to a cold and slightly damp day. Temps now about 52 degrees, with a high of 64 degrees
expected this afternoon, along with some scattered showers. Practice for all drivers runs from noon to 6:00 p.m..
today, with the drawing for qualification order taking place at 6:15 p.m.
This is my first full day at the track, having arrived in Indianapolis yesterday afternoon. As the track had been
rained out for two straight days, there was little activity or people around when I took a tour of the garage area
yesterday in the rain, but today is a different story. The grounds are buzzing with the anticipation of some
on-track activity this afternoon.
There's a Penske Racing press conference at 10:30 a.m. here in the media center, and a media function with the
Governor of Indiana, who will announce free glucose screenings for race fans, also at 10:30. Somehow, I will try
to be at both and bring you some pictures of each event a little later (if I can get my camera to let me share them
with you).
answer regarding activities at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, please e-mail them to me HERE and I'll do
my best to post a response below.
Friday, May 9 - Fast Friday PHOTOS
Friday, May 9 Timing and Scoring Report
UPDATES:
5:15 p.m.
Danica Patrick just had a media gathering by one of her garages to make a brief statement apologizing for hitting
Charles (Chuck) Bucknum on pit lane. Her quote:
"It was really, really unfortunate what happened today. Thoughts and prayers are with him, with his family, and
hopefully he can get back to the track soon and be able to do what he loves."
5:00 p.m.
The updates were a bit limited today because I was still having trouble with sharing my digital photos. I will be at
my media center post at IMS early Saturday to kick off Pole Day festivities, and will have much more information to
report throughout the day, along with masses of photos (once I figure it out).
4:50 p.m.
Alex Lloyd has had a CT scan, which revealed no fractures. However, because of persistent neck pain, he will
likely be kept overnight at Methodist Hospital for evaluation.
3:53 p.m.
Track is officially closed for today because of rain. Qualifying draw for tomorrow's Pole Day activities will take
place at 4:15 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
Following an incident on pit road with the No. 7 car (Danica Patrick), Dale Coyne Racing crew member Charles
(Chuck) Buckman was evaluated at the Clarian Emergency Medical Center. After his infield evaluation, Buckman
was transported to Methodist Hospital to be treated for a concussion and scalp and facial lacerations. Buckman
is awake and alert.
Skies are looking a bit gloomy at this point, with rain forecasted soon.
2:00 p.m.
Alex Lloyd is awake and alert and is being transported to Methodist Hospital for precautionary X-rays. He is
complaining of neck pain.
It is believed that Mike Lanigan, one of the co-owners of Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing (drivers Justin Wilson and
Graham Rahal) is meeting with IRL officials here today to discuss the future of the Cleveland Grand Prix, formerly
a Champ Car staple and one of their most popular venues. The race was cancelled this year due to the
unification of Champ Car and the Indy Racing League, but officials are hopeful to have that perennial summer
festival in Cleveland be added to the 2009 schedule.
1:45 p.m.
Alex Lloyd does a quarter-spin in Turn 1. The rear of the car makes heavy contact with the SAFER Barrier. The
car makes light secondary contact with the SAFER Barrier in Turn 2 before coming to a rest. Lloyd is being
assisted from the car by the Delphi Safety Team (being placed on a backboard).
1:40 p.m.
Mario Dominguez was checked and released from the Clarian Emergency Medical Center and is cleared to drive.
1:30 p.m.
Mario Dominguez did a quarter-spin coming out of the pits. The front of the car made contact with the inside
retaining wall, but he got out of the car and walked without assistance to the Delphi Safety Team.
1:00 p.m.
It's COLD here today. Lots of on-track activity as all teams know that they may only have a short amount of time
to get up to speed for tomorrow's Pole Day because rain is expected this afternoon.
10:25 a.m.
Penske press conference about ready to start. Will be back later...
8:00 a.m.
Just arrived at the track to a cold and slightly damp day. Temps now about 52 degrees, with a high of 64 degrees
expected this afternoon, along with some scattered showers. Practice for all drivers runs from noon to 6:00 p.m..
today, with the drawing for qualification order taking place at 6:15 p.m.
This is my first full day at the track, having arrived in Indianapolis yesterday afternoon. As the track had been
rained out for two straight days, there was little activity or people around when I took a tour of the garage area
yesterday in the rain, but today is a different story. The grounds are buzzing with the anticipation of some
on-track activity this afternoon.
There's a Penske Racing press conference at 10:30 a.m. here in the media center, and a media function with the
Governor of Indiana, who will announce free glucose screenings for race fans, also at 10:30. Somehow, I will try
to be at both and bring you some pictures of each event a little later (if I can get my camera to let me share them
with you).
