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93rd Indianapolis 500 Notes & Quotes

Posted: May 24th 2009 10:22PM by Holly Cain (author feed)
Filed under: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IRL

INDIANAPOLIS -- The 93rd running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing lived up to the billing on Sunday with wild action (eight caution periods), a historic finish (Danica Patrick's third place) and a popular victory (Helio Castroneves' third Indy win).

Here's a look at some other storylines from Sunday's Indianapolis 500:

More Coverage: Take That, NASCAR | Danica Makes Point

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Castroneves' Storybook Comeback

Posted: May 24th 2009 9:17PM by Holly Cain (author feed)
Filed under: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IRL

8 COMMENTS

INDIANAPOLIS -- After parking his race car in front of the main grandstands -- still emotional after claiming a dramatic third Indianapolis 500 victory -- Helio Castroneves tried to climb out and celebrate.

"A yellow shirt [security] guy kind of pulled me in, he was literally holding my helmet and myself there in the car,'' said Castroneves, laughing about the scenario. "Finally I saw the team come to me and I said, 'I'm sorry, I've got to get out.' "

More Coverage: Take That, NASCAR | Danica Makes Point | Notes

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Danica Makes Point With High Finish

Posted: May 24th 2009 7:16PM by Holly Cain (author feed)
Filed under: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IRL

30 COMMENTS

INDIANAPOLIS -- The newly mellow version of Danica Patrick clearly still knows how to use every bit of finesse and gumption available when it comes to the race of races, the Indianapolis 500.

A career best-third place effort in Sunday's Indy 500 is her fourth top-10 finish in five starts. It's the best ever showing for a woman, but more importantly a great result for anyone.

"I'm doing my job," said Patrick, who finished behind winner Helio Castroneves and Dan Wheldon. "My job is to finish as high as I can and I'm glad about that shift [in thinking].

"I'm glad people are seeing it more as a good finish from a good driver [not as the best finish for a woman]."

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Indianapolis 500 Race Preview

Posted: May 24th 2009 10:35AM by Holly Cain (author feed)
Filed under: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IRL

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INDIANAPOLIS - The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has kicked off its 100th birthday celebration with the closest Indy 500 starting field in history, the largest crowd in recent memory and a vibe reminiscent of the race's heyday.

Even NASCAR's "King" Richard Petty will be trackside today as Jim Nabors sings "Back Home Again in Indiana" -- to wrap up a traditional pre-race show unlike anything in sports.

Sure, the Penske and Ganassi and Andretti Green teams are odds-on favorites to win today's Indianapolis 500. But with the reunification of the two open-wheel series last year, the grid boasts a legitimate 13-14 contenders and has finally put to rest the notion that Indy has lost its competitive edge.

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Wheel2Wheel: Indy, Danica & 600

Posted: May 24th 2009 9:52AM by Geoffrey Miller (author feed)
Filed under: Sprint Cup, Wheel2Wheel, IRL

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FH writers Holly Cain and Geoffrey Miller are taking part in both major American races this weekend. Here, they go Wheel2Wheel on some major issues facing each sport.

There's been lots of talk about Danica Patrick this week moving to NASCAR. We'll ask again: is this for real?

Holly Cain: While Danica is clearly enjoying her flirtation with NASCAR, I don't think it's a real option - yet as much as a bargaining ploy to land a good IndyCar ride.

Geoffrey Miller: I couldn't agree more, though a move by her would be a tremendous short-term gain for NASCAR in terms of a new character in the garage.

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Danica Battles Indy, Critics Head On

Posted: May 23rd 2009 5:00PM by Holly Cain (author feed)
Filed under: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, FanHouse Exclusive, IRL

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INDIANAPOLIS -- "Hey Danica, I love your moxie."

The middle-aged woman wearing a Danica Patrick t-shirt had stood in line for more than an hour in blazing 80-degree heat in the infield of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway all for the chance to get an autograph from Patrick and to deliver those four words of encouragement.

Moxie, as it turns out, is a tricky thing to manage.

Danica Patrick Snapshots

Danica Patrick is IndyCar's most recognizable star, but also its most scrutinized one. The intense 27-year-old driver admitted she's consciously worked on controlling her emotions and "come into things with a different attitude." Click through to see more photos of Danica.

Chris O'Meara, AP

Patrick poses for a portrait at Homestead Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla., in 2008.

Jonathan Ferrey, Getty Images

Patrick attends the unveiling of Sports Illustrated's 2008 Swimsuit Issue in New York City.

Jamie McCarthy, WireImage.com

Patrick flashes a smile in pit lane at the Phoenix International Raceway in 2005.

Robert Laberge, Getty Images

Patrick walks the runway at the 10th Annual Gridiron Glamour show benefiting the HollyRod Foundation and SARRC in Scottsdale, Ariz., in 2008.

Michael Buckner, Getty Images

Patrick poses for a portrait at the Homestead Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla., in 2007.

Robert Laberge, Getty Images

Danica Patrick makes an appearance at Spike TV's 2003 GQ Men of the Year Awards in New York City.

Jim Spellman, WireImage.com

Patrick gets serious at the Richmond International Speedway in Richmond, Va., in 2005.

Nick Laham, Getty Images

Danica Patrick arrives at the ESPY Awards in 2003.

Mark Mainz, Getty Images

Patrick is seen during a photo session prior to the 2007 Indianapolis 500.

Stan Honda, AFP / Getty Images

Live Chat: Holly Cain Talks Indy 500 | Sunday, 11 AM ET

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Holly Cain Chats Live From Indy 500, Sunday at 11 AM ET

Posted: May 23rd 2009 4:35PM by Holly Cain (author feed)

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Join FanHouse Motorsports writer Holly Cain from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to chat live about one of the biggest racing weekend's of the season - the iconic Indy 500 and NASCAR's longest race of the year the Coca-Cola 600. The chat will start at 11 AM ET on Sunday.

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Helio Castroneves Back in Big Way

Posted: May 22nd 2009 5:13PM by Holly Cain (author feed)
Filed under: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IRL

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INDIANAPOLIS -- It's been suggested more than once that two-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves is living a Hollywood movie script. Courtroom drama meets sporting triumph, all pointing to a happy ending.

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Rick Mears Chat, Saturday at 11 AM ET

Posted: May 22nd 2009 12:00PM by Holly Cain (author feed)
Filed under: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IRL

3 COMMENTS

Don't miss out on a rare opportunity to chat with four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears, participated in a live chat with FanHouse from the Speedway on Saturday morning.

The racing legend joins A.J. Foyt and Al Unser as the only men to win the world's most famous race four times. He's also won the pole position for the Indy 500 a record six times.

In all, Mears won 29 races and three Indy car championships before retiring in 1992. He's still a fixture in the sport, working with young drivers and serving as a consultant for Team Penske.

Read the chat recap after the jump.

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Danica Patrick Open to NASCAR in 2010

Posted: May 21st 2009 5:25PM by Holly Cain (author feed)
Filed under: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sprint Cup, IRL

80 COMMENTS

INDIANAPOLIS -- Even as Danica Patrick answered questions about her chances in Sunday's Indianapolis 500, Indy Car's most famous driver said Thursday that she remained open to a future in NASCAR.

Patrick, who will start 10th Sunday, said she will listen to offers from any NASCAR teams interested in signing her, but reiterated, "this is my home" referring to the Indy Car Series. Her contract with Andretti Green Racing (AGR) is up at the end of the season and speculation has put her everywhere from NASCAR to Formula One to returning to the championship AGR organization.

"It's a contract year and I'm going to look at everything," Patrick said. "I will look at NASCAR."

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