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INDIANAPOLIS (May 13, 2009)— After a rough Indy 500 qualifying weekend, the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team has regrouped and is prepared for the next four days of practice and qualifying at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The 33-driver Indy 500 field will be established this Sunday for the May 24 Indianapolis 500.
DRR had one driver, Davey Hamilton, make the top 22 qualifiers last Sunday when the Idaho veteran drove his No. 44 HP Kingdom Racing Honda Dallara to an average speed of 221.956 miles per hour. Hamilton, who was seriously injured at texas in 2001, will be making his ninth start in the May 24 Indy 500. The former sprint car and modified racing champion has suffered through some 21 surgical procedures on his feet before returning to the Indy 500 in 2007. Hamilton now also competes regularly in sprint car and midget events, while serving as one of the promoters at the Terre Haute Action Track.
For the other three Dreyer & Reinbold Racing drivers, John Andretti, Mike Conway and Milka Duno , this weekend’s qualifying rounds will be critical for trio to gain positions on the 33-driver starting grid.
Andretti, seeking his tenth Indy 500 start, was close to qualifying in the top 22 last Sunday with a 221.109 m.p.h. run, but the Indy native was bumped late on Sunday. Andretti attempted to increase his 221 clocking in a late afternoon practice run, but his No. 43 Richard Petty Window World Honda Dallara hit the Turn One wall. Andretti was not injured in the mishap, but his car was heavily damaged. The car has now been repaired.
JOHN ANDRETTI, No. 43 Richard Petty Window World Honda Dallara: ”Our Window World Honda Dallara is back together and ready to run. It was tough on the crew and I want to thank them for their hard effort. But now it is time to prepare for qualifying and get the No. 43 in the race. Then we can work on the race setup. I’m glad that Mike will be back and ready to go, too. We will work hard to get all three cars in the race this weekend."