The Rookie and the Veteran
source:
redbullcheeverracing.com
Patrick Carpentier has previous high-speed racing experience, which
disqualifies him from rookie status in most IndyCar Series events. However, he
has yet to drive a car at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which makes him a
rookie in the Indianapolis 500. Carpentier hasn't even tested a car at the
track. When he hits the track on Sunday, May 8 during rookie orientation
practice, he will be fulfilling a dream of driving on the famed 2.5-mile oval.
Carpentier's Red Bull Cheever Racing teammate, Alex Barron, hopes to learn a
thing or two from his "rookie" teammate during rookie practice. Barron will be
paying close attention to the early track action to try to pick up some
information that will put him ahead when he hits the track on Tuesday.
Barron has raced in the Indianapolis 500 for the last three years. He has
recorded two top-10 finishes and shared "Rookie of the Year" honors with Tomas
Scheckter in 2002. That year, Barron finished a career best, fourth.
As the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series embarks on its tenth year of operation,
Red Bull Cheever Racing stands as one of only two original IRL teams competing
in the series. The Indianapolis-based team won the Indianapolis 500 in 1998,
when team owner Eddie Cheever Jr. took the checkered flag. The team also has
captured "Rookie of the Year" honors twice. Former drivers Jeff Ward (1997) and
Tomas Scheckter (2002) both earned the title while racing for the team.