KV Racing's Barrichello passes Indianapolis rookie test

KV RACING TECHNOLOGY DRIVER RUBENS BARRICHELLO COMPLETES ROOKIE TEST AT INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Rubens Barrichello, KV Racing Technology Chevrolet

Photo by: Firestone Racing/Dennis Ashlock

SPEEDWAY, IN. – May 10, 2012 – KV Racing Technology driver Rubens Barrichello completed all three phases required by the Indianapolis 500 Rookie Orientation Program (ROP) today at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana.

Barrichello. No. 8 BMC | EMBRASE – KV Racing Technology Chevrolet/Firestone entry, who spent the last 19 years competing in Formula One, is the only “rookie” to have won at the Brickyard taking the checkered flag here in the United States Grand Prix Formula One race in 2002 (a road course race that incorporated part of the IMS oval). The 39-year-old Brazilian passed Phase One of the ROP, running 10 laps at 200-205 mph, Phase Two, 15 laps at 205 – 210 mph and Phase Three, 15 laps at 210+ mph, making him eligible to participate in full practice which begins on Saturday, May 12 and qualifying scheduled for May 19-20. Barrichello ran on an oval for just the second time, he tested on the 1.5-mile Texas Motor Speedway earlier this week, and for the first time on the 2.5-mile IMS oval. He completed a total of 83 laps today with a top speed of 214,083 mph.

"I enjoyed today very much,” Barrichello said. “I want to thank IndyCar for having the ROP (Rookie Orientation Program) session. It allows you to progress gradually without too much pressure, so I was at ease with my car and the whole process. I have a great teacher in Tony (Kanaan) and the whole team seemed to be out here, even the mechanics and engineers from Tony and E.J.'s car, so everyone was here to help me out. Overall, I had a very successful day and look forward to practice again on Saturday."

Barrichello, in his first IndyCar season, is 11th in the championship standings with 79 points. He finished 17th in his IndyCar debut at St. Petersburg, but has put together three consecutive top-10 finishes (eighth at Barber, ninth at Long Beach and 10th in Brazil) since then. The 2012 Indy 500 will be Barrichello’s first race on an oval.