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St. Petersburg's Wheldon's Focused On Race - To Point Of Obsession

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Teamates Dan Wheldon (right) of Chip Ganassi Racing Honda Dallara and Scott Dixon chat on pit lane prior to Carburation Day for the IndyCar Series 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500.

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By TONY FABRIZIO | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 24, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS - St. Petersburg's Dan Wheldon knows there are many things beyond his control that could keep him from getting his second Indianapolis 500 victory Sunday.

Two years ago, while trying to defend his 2005 title, he led 148 of the 200 laps. A punctured tire doomed him to fourth and paved the way for Sam Hornish Jr. to win with a final-straightaway pass of Marco Andretti.

Wheldon, a 29-year-old native of Emberton, England, is practically obsessed with not losing the race because of something he can control.

"You're so focused on this race, and that's what's cool about it, but it's bad, too," he said. "You go to bed and you're constantly thinking of your race car. I have a beautiful wife lying next to me, and I'm thinking about a race car.

"I feel bad. Somebody was talking to me the other day, and I had absolutely no idea what they said. All I was thinking about was what downforce level I need for the race."

Wheldon won the 2005 race from the 16th starting position. He started third in 2006 and sixth last year, before crashing and finishing 22nd.

Sunday, he'll start on the front row next to polesitter and Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon. The Ganassi cars have been a tick faster than the competition through much of the season. Dixon won at Homestead, and Wheldon won at Kansas.

Wheldon said he doesn't feel any better about his chances than he did in previous years.

"I've always had good cars here," he said. "It doesn't matter. Tony Kanaan was really fast last year, and it didn't do him any good. The pit stops could be bad, we could have a puncture again.

"I don't like to get too excited. I just need to do everything in my power right, and if that puts me at the front near the end, great."

CARB DAY WASHOUT: Rain and chilly temperatures, the prevailing climate throughout May at the speedway, spoiled Friday's traditional Carb Day.

The final practice session for Sunday's race lasted only 11 minutes, barely long enough for drivers to scuff their tires. And the Indy Lights Series Freedom 100 was postponed to today at 12:10 p.m.

A large crowd did get to see a concert by Stone Temple Pilots.

Wheldon posted the fastest lap in the abbreviated practice at 223.934 mph - well off his four-lap qualifying speed of 226.366 mph. Dixon and Vitor Meira had the next-fastest speeds.

Sunday's forecast calls for 80 degrees and sunny skies, conditions that would require a drastically different setup on the cars.

FLORIDA PLATES: More than a third of the drivers in Sunday's field live in Florida at least part of the year.

After Wheldon, 11 drivers have homes in Miami or nearby: Kanaan, Helio Castroneves, Bruno Junqueira, E.J. Viso, Oriol Servia, Milka Duno, Mario Moraes, Enrique Bernoldi, Jaime Camera, Andretti (Miami Beach) and Ryan Hunter-Reay (Boca Raton).

Andretti (Nazareth, Pa.) and Hunter-Reay (Dallas) are the only American-born drivers among them.

HONDA - NO NASCAR: In a move that should end speculation that Honda is about to follow Toyota into NASCAR, Honda on Friday announced a five-year extension with the Indy Racing League.

It's possible Honda could compete in the IRL and NASCAR simultaneously, but company spokesman Dan Layton said that's "99.9 percent" unlikely.

Honda has been the IRL's only engine supplier since Toyota pulled out after the 2005 season. But the IRL, hoping to capitalize on unification with Champ Car, is trying to get Honda some competition.

League president Brian Barnhart said Friday an industry roundtable will be held next month to discuss rules for the next engine platform and chassis.

"From a league standpoint, we're open-minded," Barnhart said about the future rules and whether the next engines will be normally aspirated or turbocharged.

Barnhart said he favors staying with one tire supplier and one chassis but fostering competition among engine manufacturers. The next-generation chassis will hit the streets of St. Petersburg in 2011.

Tony Fabrizio

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