IndyCar
IRL: Michigan: Billy Boat Friday notes
Curb Records Team ready for Michigan. The CURB/Agajanian/Boat Indy Race team is still neophytes at the Michigan International Speedway, so Billy Boat took advantage of the first day of practice to get acquainted with the 2-mile high-banked ...
Edited: Mar 27, 2008, 5:32 AM
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Curb Records Team ready for Michigan.
The CURB/Agajanian/Boat Indy Race team is still neophytes at the Michigan International Speedway, so Billy Boat took advantage of the first day of practice to get acquainted with the 2-mile high-banked facility. The track's wide oval, seamed pavement and long distance pose unique challenges to the Indy Racing teams that are racing here for the first time this weekend. Traffic and the draft are going to be important factors to consider, as is pit strategy.
Billy Boat gave his impressions as he exited the #98 after turning his first laps, "Having never even seen this track before, I feel pretty good about being able to go and do over 219 mph right out of the box. The Michigan International Speedway is probably the widest track we've ever driven on and I'm sure there's going to be some great side-by-side racing and wheel-to-wheel action this weekend. Fans can count on three-abreast pursuits on Sunday. We're really looking forward to a great weekend here in Michigan."
After a passing storm shortened the morning practice session and delayed the afternoon session, all 25 cars competing in this weekend's Michigan Indy 400 took to the track for an hour-long practice session. Many of the teams used the time to prepare for tomorrow's qualifying session, but the CURB/Agajanian/Boat Indy Racing team wisely chose to spend its' time getting ready for the race. Explains Billy Boat, "Without testing time here, we really need to try and use some of the practice time to work on our race set-up, which is what we did during this afternoon's session - running with a full load of fuel. I'm actually not that happy with where we are right now, but it is good to know. Now, we can go and make some changes and make the race car better in traffic and with a lot of fuel in it."
To get ready for the Michigan Indy 400, and celebrate the Indy Racing League's decision to make the Michigan International Speedway part of it's schedule, the nearby town of Jackson has been celebrating the IRL's stop in the area for days. The "Race Week Celebration" has included parades, activities, television saturation and multiple events featuring the visiting drivers. This evening, Billy Boat will participate in a "Go- Kart" challenge as well as a huge public autograph session featuring the entire line-up of IRL and Infiniti Pro Series drivers as well as many of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series drivers also racing at MIS this weekend. Sponsors and promoters are hoping that this "festival of events" will bring public awareness to the race and encourage fans to attend Sunday's inaugural event.
With all the fan fare and excitement, Billy Boat is looking forward to a safe and successful race weekend. "I'm really proud of The CURB Records team - they did a great job getting the car ready after our crash in Nashville last week. It's a new week, a new race and a whole new opportunity to show the fans what we can do."
The CURB Records team hopes to match last week's Pole qualifying effort tomorrow. Qualifying for the Michigan Indy 400 begins at 11:00am EST -- the #98 will be the second car to make an attempt for the pole.
The Michigan Indy 400 will air live on Sunday, July 28 beginning at 3:00pm EST on ABC.
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