Rookie Orientation
source:
redbullcheeverracing.com
While not quite a rookie, Red Bull Cheever Racing driver, Patrick Carpentier
participated in rookie orientation practice Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway. It was his first time on the famed 2.5-mile oval.
Practice began at noon, and Carpentier was required to pass four phases of his
rookie orientation, each requiring an increased speed level. He breezed through
the test and took advantage of ideal track conditions to log 111 laps, recording
a top lap of 219.010 mph, which ranked third among nine drivers participating in
the rookie-only practice.
"I really enjoyed today. It's a beautiful track, and we couldn't have asked for
a better day to run. We worked all day, and we did 219, which isn't the fastest,
but we still have a few things to work out. We've made progress, and I'm
starting to understand the track and how the car reacts. For my first day, I'm
very pleased," he said.
Team owner Eddie Cheever Jr. was happy that the team was able to get out on the
track and get some laps under Carpentier's belt.
"We were able to work out some issues we were having in Motegi, so getting out
today and running helped us. We ran more laps than we wanted to, but we took
advantage of the good weather. You never know what it's going to be like,"
Cheever said.
Carpentier will be competing for Indianapolis 500 "Rookie of the Year" honors,
attempting to become the third Red Bull Cheever Racing driver to earn the award
behind Jeff Ward (1997) and Tomas Scheckter (2002). The award typically goes the
highest finishing rookie driver in the race.