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Indy 500: Pit Stop Challenge quotes

TIM CINDRIC (Race strategist, ...

Published: Jun 19, 2009, 7:56 PM

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TIM CINDRIC (Race strategist, #3 Castroneves):

"It's a huge pride program for these guys. They're racing against all of their peers to continue the streak here for Team Penske. It was pretty disappointing last year to not be able to do it because of the weather. So they've been looking forward to this for two years. My hat's off to these guys. They do a great job. It gives everybody here confidence, and it gives Helio (Castroneves) the confidence that he's got the best guys behind him. Rick; if you look at his track record and the dedication that they (the crew) put into this, it's not an accident that they win it. It's a lot of hard work. I know that every time these guys go and do it, it's just like the first time. They're just as nervous as everybody else. They do a great job. It's not an accident that they win. With regard to Roger (Penske), without a doubt, there's not a competition out there he doesn't want to win. We're just glad to deliver for him."

(After what Helio went through, have you noticed any difference in him?): "Before all of that went down, if you'd asked me if I ever met a more positive guy I'd tell you, 'No.' Now, I'd tell you, 'Yes,' because we've met a more positive guy than the guy we knew before."

RICK RINAMAN (Chief mechanic, #3 Castroneves):

(On the nervousness that goes on despite years of experience): "This is probably the most gut-wrenching thing that I do every year. You go up against guys that are doing the same thing we are. Like Tim said, it's about execution. It's a credit to the guys behind me. They work hard. I can't say enough about Helio and the job he's done for us - and Roger (Penske), too. This is for Roger. This is what we do. Helio; the guy does so much for us, and we were able to give him something back. We still have another big event to go here. We want to perform, and this is a stepping stone."

HELIO CASTRONEVES:

"They deserve it. I have to say I'm just there. This one for them is so special. For us as a driver, we're nervous. We're more nervous than anybody because you don't want to screw it up. If you screw it up, you're going to hear (about it) until next year. But again, they're incredible. They've been working (during the) off season, and every year it's like that. Some of those guys have been here 10 years. They know my style, they know what I like and they know what I don't like. The good news is that we're a team. We lose together, and we win together. The good news is we celebrate together. This one is very, very special for me. The month is falling into place. Everything is falling into place. I'm so thankful to have these guys because I know when I go back and sleep I can trust these guys here, and that's big for a driver."

(About having the final charges dropped): "It feels awesome, there's no question. I just want to thank the team for always believing - for always being behind me all the time. As I said, this month is getting better and better. I'm just so thankful that I had a fair trial and the outcome was the way it was, and that's the last page of my book."

JEFF GRAHN (Chief mechanic, #26 M. Andretti): "The Venom guys did really well. If you're going to be in the Pit Stop contest, you want to win it. The team that won was definitely the best team out there today. I'm pretty happy with our guys. If we can do that all day Sunday, I think we'll be looking good."

-credit: ims

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