It s a brand new car. Luyendyk tested Wednesday in the first of a series of private sessions and was joined by Kelley Racing teammates Mark Dismore and Scott Sharp, Team Menard s Greg Ray and Sam Schmidt Motorsports driver Davey Hamilton. Hamilton and the Schmidt team had been working on the No. 99 car for the past week in Gasoline Alley, roaming the garages even during last week s Rookie Orientation Program. The car was allowed on course Wednesday for the first time and the veteran Hamilton, who is the only man to have started every Indy Racing League event, knows the value of track time at the 2.5-mile Brickyard oval. It s getting tougher and tougher each year.
Nothing is easy around here.
We can get to the 219-220 area but the 221s and 222s are tougher. Official practice for the May 27 race beings on May 6. Private testing will continue until April 24.