229, 229, & 230 equals three cars in the 500 for Dale Coyne Racing

The seasoned Dale Coyne Racing team came to Indy with a stable of three drivers and watched each of them attain new heights in speed. Rookie Carlos Huertas had never seen the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and had never turned a lap in his life on any type of oval, yet aclaimated well to qualify at 229 MPH and 21st of the 33 car field. Pippa Mann driving the #63 would have her strongest ever qualifying speed of 229 MPH. Coyne veteran Justin Wilson would finally get into the 230 MPH club with his qualifying run to start the Boy Scouts of America #19 in 14th position for the most famous race in the world, the Indianapolis 500.

This year introduced a new qualifying format where the all entrants running for a spot in the 33 car field would pre-qualify on Saturday. Then, the fastest 33 would run on Sunday to determine their starting positions in the field. “Saturday went well and Sunday went even better,” commented Team Owner Dale Coyne. “I am very proud of the entire staff, engineering department and, of course, our highly professional and skilled trio of drivers. We have been close to winning this race the past two years and we look forward more than ever to next weekend’s Indy 500.”

Justin Wilson ran faster and faster times all weekend including his final qualifying effort saying, “I’m happy with the improvements we made this weekend. We were pretty trimmed out and going for those big numbers.” He continued, “the guys gave me a great car and I am really pleased.” Wilson will start the Indianapolis 500 in 14th position, the same spot as last year.

Carlos Huertas has matured from uncertainty of Indy and oval racing to loving this Speedway and showed his skills as he consistently improved his performance every lap at the Speedway. Huertas commented, “I am excited for the race on Sunday. Running in the race is going to be a new experience for me and I am learning all the time.” Huertas will make his Indy 500 debut starting on row seven in 21st position.

All week, Pippa Mann could not hide her excitement to run in her third Indianapolis 500 saying, “Overall it's been a very positive week for us and I’m definitely the most comfortable I've been in traffic driving the Susan G. Komen car.” She continued, “I look forward to getting out there and playing with some other cars.” Mann starts alongside her rookie teammate in 22nd position. This will be Mann’s best starting position in her Indy 500 career.

Drivers will be back out for more practice laps on Monday before spending the week preparing for the 98th running of Indianapolis 500 on May 25. Justin Wilson will look to improve upon his best Indianapolis 500 finish of fifth last year. He will, once again, be piloting the #19 Boy Scouts of America Honda clad in its red, white, and blue livery. Pippa Mann will attempt to best her highest finish of 20th in her pink and white #63 Susan G. Komen Honda and Carlos Huertas will make his Indy 500 debut in the blue and white #18 Café de Colombia Honda.

Dale Coyne Racing