(Courtesy Target Chip Ganassi Racing)

Target Chip Ganassi Racing Kansas Speedway Advance Notes
Race: RoadRunner Turbo Indy 300 on Sunday, April 27 (LIVE, ESPN2, 5:00 pm ET)
Track: Kansas Speedway (1.5-mile oval)
Location: Kansas City, Kansas


NOTES

Target Chip Ganassi Racing

It's all about Teamwork: TCGR Managing Director Mike Hull talks about what it takes from a personnel standpoint to make the switch from two series' back-to-back international race weekends (Grand-Am from Mexico City to Virginia, and IndyCar from Japan to Kansas). "The answer to how we manage to get this done can be summed up in one word: PEOPLE - it's the fact that the entire building works in unselfish support of the IndyCar and Grand-Am team to get more everyday than what seems possible. And in the weeks of an intense work load, each person from every department pick up that pace to finish the job prior to departure. When the race team arrives at VIR and Kansas City, they are able to concentrate on what it takes to go fast without missing a beat."

Scott Dixon and the No. 9 Target Honda Team

That's Shaky Business: Last week, the Indianapolis area and other Midwest states experienced a minor earthquake. Dixon experienced the tremors last week in Motegi at about the same time as the United States. Although he has been through a few earthquakes, he ceases to remember them because they always occurred during his sleep.

Downtime...What Downtime?: After Kansas, Dixon will be in Milwaukee for a media day on Tuesday and then onto a test in Iowa on Thursday. He's counting on being at the track (Indianapolis Motor Speedway) on Sunday and Monday for the rookie days to support teammate, Alex Lloyd. There is not much of a breather in Dixon's schedule before the famed month of May begins. When May rolls around, Dixon spends his days with a morning training session followed by media commitments. Then, he spends time in the car and is back to media later in the afternoon. Occasionally, he'll have dinner arrangements as well. Though busy, he states, "May for everyone is a lot of fun and we all can't wait to get back on the track...Busy, Busy, Busy but that's what makes the month of May."

Fitting in Recreation: Although Dixon's schedule is in high gear, he is anxiously awaiting Mastercraft's delivery of a new, "sweet" boat that is due to arrive in a few weeks. As soon as he receives the boat, he'll be on the water in Indy. He is also looking forward to having his Jet Skis on the lake next week.


Dan Wheldon and the No. 10 Target Honda Team

Midwest Success: When asked about his feelings about being the reigning race winner at Kansas, Wheldon exclaims, "I really want to do it again, winning last year was much better than being second place in 2005 & 2006. Surely, there's something to be said about consistency, but the Target team is focused on being at the top of the podium this weekend."

All Eyes on May: Wheldon said he will spend the remaining few days in April preparing for the month of May. After this weekend's race at Kansas, his concentration will be on making sure his entire focus is on the race car. Second to focusing on the car is the mission of having a car fast enough to sit on pole position.

By the Numbers: Wheldon's five-year track record at Kansas is nothing to shrug off: one win (2007), two top-two finishes (2005, 2006), led nearly 40% of the laps raced on the track (333 led, 854 total laps). He also has the opportunity to become the first back-to-back winner at Kansas Speedway in IndyCar Series history.

QUOTES

Topic: School is coming to an end for most students, what was your favorite part about summer being on the horizon?

Scott Dixon: "Summer was always great fun for my high school years. I was working most of the time but racing was always what we did. Some of my best memories...and the best parties!"

Dan Wheldon: "The only thing on my mind by this time was looking forward to our family's summer vacation - it definitely beats sitting behind a desk at school!"

Topic: With a busy travel schedule that included an international trip in the past week, how do you manage jet lag and prepare yourself for a busy race schedule?

Scott Dixon: "I don't normally have too much problem with it, also this year was a little easy over there as my wife Emma didn't come and she finds it very hard and also, when she is awake, she thinks I should be awake. Getting back into the time zone has been pretty good so far. I think I'm back."

Dan Wheldon: "The tried and true way for me is get to bed at the right time. There really is no short cut that I have observed on how to curb jetlag. I'm looking to be back to my full-functioning self by Thursday - just in time to be in the car on Saturday."


2008 STATS

IRL IndyCar Series