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Izod driver, RYAN HUNTER-REAY/No.37 Andretti Autosport, won the Izod IndyCar race Sunday afternoon as part of 36th running of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. He led three times for 64 laps, the most of the three leaders in this 85-lap race. LBGP was his second IRL victory, the first being 2008 at Watkins Glen.

RHR dedicated the race to his late mother, LYEIA HUNTER-REAY, who died 14 November 2009 of cancer. She always came to his races.

Hunter-Ready turned the fastest race lap of 100.417 mph on Lap 82.

RHR said LBGP was like a home race for him.

At this point, RHR is running selected races. The victory could be a boost to his team’s finding the funding to keep him in the car for the rest of the season.

Today’s win was the first victory for an American driver since RHR won at The Glen. The last American driver to win at LBGP was team owner, MICHAEL ANDRETTI in 2002. He also won his first race at LBGP, and Thursday was inducted into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame.

Another special aspect of LBGP for RHR is the anniversary of meeting his fiance BECCA GORDON (sister of ROBBY GORDON) when she was a Celebrity driver in 2004.

JUSTIN WILSON/No.22 Dreyer & Reinbold finished second, 5.6031 seconds behind. Close on his heels was Pole Sitter WILL POWER/No.12 Team Penske. Wilson never led. Power led twice for19 laps.

Wilson had charged back to third after pitting for a new nose caused when he was hit by a lapped ALEX LLOYD/No.19 Dale Coyne Racing. at which point he thought another year with Long Beach Bad Luck. Then Wilson executed a killer smooth pass on then second placed Power, who then dogged Wilson to the finish. They finished 2.9833 seconds apart, but it was a nail biter. Sometimes it looked as though they were literally as well as figuratively nose to tail. Wilson was watching his fuel, and ran out of fuel on the cool-off lap. He was towed in.

Wilson said “It was a pretty eventful race.”

JIM MICHAELIAN, President/CEO of the Grand Prix of Long Beach Association, said it was a great weekend, energy wise and attendance wise. There was an estimated 65,000 on Sunday and 170,000 for the three-day weekend. Good weather, good vibes, everything going on time and good concerts. He was pleased!

Power is still leading the Driver’s standing. He had a bit of bad luck when the car was stuck in first, not known why. His other bad luck was something in his drink bottle causing his tongue to turn bright orange, for which he blamed his crew. He is really looking forward to the oval at Kansas, up next.

“What I needed was a yellow before the first pit stop and it didn’t happen. I got stuck in first gear on Lap 18, and was surprised how little position I lost. I just kept my cool and made the best of it. We’re still ahead in points.”

Fourth and fifth were SCOTT DIXON/No.9 Chip Ganassi Racing – who led a lap, and TONY KANAAN/No.11 Andretti Autosport.

SIMONA DE SILVESTRO/No.78 HVM Racing was the top female and Rookie, finishing seventeenth – the last car on the lead lap. She also was the only person left running in either category, and the last car on the lead lap.

Eighteen drivers finished the race. The DNF’s were mostly due to contact, with two mechanicals.

Power has 172 points for the lead, followed by HELIO CASTRONEVES/No.3 Team Penske with 130, and RHR is third with 129 points. Wilson is fourth-125, and Dixon is fifth-112.

The first/only yellow, on Lap 59 for five laps, was caused by MARIO ROMANCINI/No.34 who hit GRAHAM RAHAL/No.67 Sara Fisher Racing, causing both to go head on into the tire wall. Young Rahal was definitely not a happy camper when he jumped out of the car to vent his frustrations with Romancini before he could get out of the car.

MILKA DUNO/No.18 Dale Coyne Racing opted not to qualify, started last and was lapped by Lap 10 – which turned out to be her last lap as she retired with handling problems.

Other retirements included Rookie BERNARD BAGUETTE/No.36 Conquest Racing for mechanical and ALEX TAGLIANI/No.77 FAZZT Race Team, Rahal and Romancini for their crash damages.

There were no penalties in the race, which lasted 1:47:12.5404. The average speed was 93.619 mph.

RHR had been asked Friday if he was concerned about the bumpy track with lots of rubber. Yes. He worried that Drifting would change the braking points. This is a case where you have that rubber, but it’s no laid down from Drifting, it’s just pilling up – like sand all over the course. It’s nasty business. We have our own volcanic crisis going on here. (referencing the Icelandic volcano eruption shutting down European airports.)

Saturday Hunter-Reay was to co-drive in the Tequila Patron American Le Mans Series with team owner SCOTT TUCKER. But Tucker, who had entered in both of his Level5 Motorsports Oreca FLM09, could only accrue points in one of his two cars and didn’t run the second car with RHR.

The next IndyCar round is on the oval at Kansas Speedway on May Day.

Firestone Indy Lights Pole Sitter, JAMES HINCHCLIFFE/No. Team Moore Racing, led flag to flag for his first ever IRL victory in 18 starts. He said it was especially sweet coming at the historic 36th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. “Winning here is something extra. It has the Who’s Who of racing champions. It’s such a cool venue and track. It’s the Monaco of North America.”

Part of Hinch’s strategy was to keep ahead of the pack behind him – a very competitive field. He turned the fastest time on Lap Two – 94.058 mph.

Second and third were CHARLIE KIMBALL/No.26 AFS Racing Andretti Autosport and Rookie J.K. VERNAY/7 Sam Schmidt Motorsports. They had started in reverse order, and once Kimball passed the young French driver, they stayed in that position for the duration. Vernay is the series points leader.

Fourth and fifth were SEBASTIAN SAAVEDRA/No.29 Bryan Herta Autosport and MARTIN PLOWMAN/No.27 AFS Racing Andretti Autosport.

Unofficial Points Standings: Vernay-140; Kimball-112; Hinchcliffe-99; Plowman-90; and Saavedra-85.

The 45-lap race was punctuated by four cautions for eight laps – for spins or crashes. No one was hurt. Hinchcliffe said “The restarts were certainly not what I wanted. I didn’t think I had it won until I saw the checkered flag. Yellow breeds yellow. By the fourth one it was getting to me and I was frustrated at the end. The Firestone Firehawks held up well on the restarts.”

Kimball finished second, but not for lack of trying. He said “I tried everything I could, threw the kitchen sink at him (Hinch) but just couldn’t catch him. I’m pleased with second place. The rolling start was a bit of a challenge, because the single file into Turn One discussed in Driver’s Meeting didn’t happen and I was hit.”

Thirteen of the 18 starters finished the race, with 11 on the lead lap. The race was supposed to be 45 laps or 70 minutes, whichever came first. It ran 45 laps and took 1:03:4082. The average speed was 83.429 mph.

The next race for Indy Lights will be the Firestone Freedom 100 Race as part of the Indianapolis 500 weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Sunday morning the overcast quickly burned off for sunny and warm weather at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. The two Indy Racing League series had their morning warm-ups in preparation for their races, and qualifying for the Toyo (not Toyota) Tires World Challenge at Long Beach Presented by Bondurant.

I was able to navigate the crowds a bit easier this morning – maybe folks are sleeping in, sitting in the grandstands already, or out in other places exploring the many things to see and do.

One of the fun things to do is people watch. I’ve seen a few available drivers this weekend, including ORIOL SERVIA, and MARIO DOMINGUEZ who is back living in Mexico City but still looking for a ride. Also seen have been STEFAN JOHANSSON, and Grand-Am Team Owner/driver/Driver Mgr WAYNE TAYLOR who was hanging out with the Penske guys; and RICHIE HEARN.

SCOTT DIXON/No.9 Chip Ganassi Racing was the fastest IndyCar driver at 1:10.6794/100.239 mph. Pole Sitter WILL POWER/No.12 Team Penske was P18, but he still remains the fastest IndyCar driver of the weekend. MILKA DUNO/No.18 Dale Coyne Racing was P25. All 25 drivers were on course.

For IndyCar, the weather as determined by Firestone Tires was 66F/19C ambient, and 79-80F/26-27C track.

In Indy Lights, all 18 drivers were on track, with the fastest being Rookie J.K. VERNAY/No.7 Sam Schmidt Motorsports, who will start the race on the front row besides Pole Sitter JAMES HINCHCLIFFE/No.2 Team Moore Racing.

A unique situation came up in World Challenge qualifying Sunday morning. Two Canadian brothers qualified on their respective poles. KUNO WITTMER/No.13 Dodge Motorsports Dodge Viper has the overall and GT Class pole with a record lap of 1:24.971/83.379 mph. It is his first GT pole, after two poles in TC.

Kuno’s brother, NICK WITTMER/NO.93 Honda Racing Honda Civic Si has the pole for the TC class at 2:36.938/73.085 mph. This is his first WC pole in only his third race. Rookie TYLER MQcUARRIE/No.19 LPL Motorsports Lotus Exige S, at 1:31.457/77.466 mph. He comes from Formula Drift and this is his first WC race.

The World Challenge race will have a standing start, at 4:15 PM local time.

One World Challenge driver is not on campus … yet. Dr McDreamy aka actor PATRICK DEMPSEY, was to make his World Challenge debut this weekend in No.03 GTS Tri-Point Motorsports Mazda3. He was here for his head shot, but then had to report for further However, surgery and may not make it back for the race. His Dempsey Racing driver, CHARLES ESPENLAUB, practiced and qualified the car to sixth in GTS class, twenty-seventh overall.

How many plays on words can one make on the name of Team Penske driver, WILL POWER? The slender and somewhat shy Aussie has won three straight races this year in the Izod IndyCar Series, and just scored this third consecutive pole position/fifth career pole – this time at the 36th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Power turned a lap of 1:09.3185/102.206 mph. He had the LBGP pole last year and finished fourth.

Power managed to put more than four-tenths of a second between he and second fastest driver, RYAN HUNTER-REAY.

Then, the field got really compacted. Third through fifth were JUSTIN WILSON/No.22 Dreyer & Reinbold; HELIO CASTRONEVES/No.3 Team Penske; and RYAN BRISCOE/No.6 Team Penske…all within three-tenths second. Rounding out the FFS was TONY KANAAN/No.11 Andretti Autosport.

One of the things to which Power attributed his pole was the importance of using his black tires first, saving the reds for the last/FFS round. “You’ve got to take the risk to get through on the blacks. They take longer to come on, but actually they’re pretty quick. They’re good. The reds were really hooked up today.”

Power admitted to being surprised he made it into the FFS. “I hit the wall hard coming out of Turn Eight, hitting it square. But these things can take a licking and keep on ticking.”

RICK MEARS as his spotter is Power’s new secret weapon this season.

Only 1.6 seconds separated Power from the Rookie MARIO ROMANCINI/No.34 Conquest Racing in twenty third. The last to qualify was his teammate, Rookie BERNARD BAGUETTE/No.36, in P24. MILKA DUNO/No.18 Dale Coyne Racing opted not to qualify. Calls to her PR rep were unanswered.

All three Team Penske drivers made the Firestone Fast Six – second time for them since the concept was launched in 2007. But what was perhaps the biggest surprise of the FFS was that for the first time ever since 2007 there was no Chip Ganassi cars. Of the three drivers who have raced for CGR – SCOTT DIXON and DARIO FRANCHITTI-who won the 2009 LBGP, plus DAN WHELDON, at least one has been in the FFS every single race.

All of the current FFS drivers had about the same thing to say – shows how competitive is the field this season, and how one slight misstep can cause hero to be zero.

The fastest female and top Rookie (of five) was SIMONA DE SILVESTRO/No.78 HVM Racing, in P9.

The other female driver this weekend, DANICA PATRICK/No.7 Andretti Autosport will start twentieth, with Duno being last on the grid with No Time. The third IndyCar female driver, SARAH FISHER is a team owner also, and this weekend her car is being driven by GRAHAM RAHAL/No.67, starting twenty-second.

For Sunday’s race, 22 of the 25 drivers will start the race on reds – the softer, option tire. Those who will start on blacks are RAFAEL MATOS/No.2 Luczo Dragon Racing/de Ferran Motorsports; Patrick; and Romancini.

The 85-lap IndyCar race broadcast will start live at 12:30 PM local/PDT-3:30 PM ET on VERSUS (which will again include those customers who have DirectTV, after a recent settlement.) The Green Flag drops at 1:15 PM/4:15 PM.

JIMMY VASSER was a busy man Saturday afternoon. Besides his attention to his Izod IRL Indycar team, KV Racing Technology and winning the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, he held a press conference with his co-owner, KEVIN KALKHOVEN, to confirm the worst-kept secret – PAUL TRACY of Canada to run the KVR No.15 Geico in the 2010 Indianapolis 500. As Kalkhoven put it, “Tracy is going for his second Indy 500 victory and his first trophy. There’s always excitement around him and he’ll be one of the story lines around the 500.” As Vasser put it, “I had to hire him. No one else would.”

Tracy is a past CART champion with 25 poles and 31 wins, and his first victory was at LBGP.

This year will be Tracy’s seventh Indianapolis 500. He came back last year on short notice to run the Indy 500 for KVR, after a seven-year layoff from what is called The Biggest Spectacle in Racing. He ran as high as fourth and finished ninth. Vasser said if PT hand’t hit an ECU on the track which put a hole in the car, he might have won.

The plan at the Indy 500 is for KVR to make further announcements about Canadian races for PT…and maybe more. Vasser said “We’re not Lone Rangers in that – wanting PT back in the car.

This year Tracy has had more lead time to prepare and get fit for the race. “Last year I was rusty and lacked seat time. In addition to GEICO, I have personal sponsors who are coming on board.

“I’m determined. I feel like I’ve got unfinished business at Indianapolis. I’m focused on getting the job done. Going for the pole is part of the spectacle, but it’s not the most important thing for us. I’ve talked with engineers and we want to focus on what’s going to be best for the race day.”

KVR will field four cars at Indy – Tracy, No.5 for TAKUMA SATO, No.8/E.J. VISO; and No.32 for MARIO MORAES.

The two owners were asked by the media – and Tracy early on – if the team had sufficient cars and personnel. Vasser said “We have the best in MARK JOHNSON (Team Manager) and if he says it’s OK, it’s OK.”

There is no IRL limit on the number of cars a team can field, but there will not be a fifth car at Indy for Vasser. Kalkhoven joked. “Have you seen the size of Jimmy’s waist. He’d fit in a Toyota. Jimmy did his famous Get-Off-The-Couch to race at LBGP two years ago, and now he’s back on the couch and that’s where he’s going to stay. Mark wouldn’t let him race.”

Last year at LBGP in the Indy 500 announcement for Tracy, a surprise visitor showed up wearing a GEICO gecko suit – MAX PAPIS. This year PT’s good buddy, TK as in TOMMY KENDALL showed up, but dressed in civvies. Kendall said “Who could follow Max.”

Tracy has been working with TANNER FOUST – the one and same driver who beat on Vasser in the Pro/Celeb race. PT and Foust will be hosting a new version of Extreme Speed on The SPEED Channel, where they go out in high end super cars and do stuff. Tracy said “It’s getting into a new realm in my life, transitioning from racing into TV. Lotta fun.”

Kalkhoven let it slip that PT had bribed Foust to take out JV in the Celebrity Race. JV said there was now a vacancy for the No.15. Kalkhoven said if anyone was interested in the ride to let him know. And no, he wouldn’t let JV have the ride.

Tracy’s car will retain its original GEICO green paint scheme. However, there could be some different liveries on the No.5 Lotus car KVR is running this year. Vasser said “It’s been a lot of fun for the team in bringing back that look. We take a lot of pride in the appearance of our car and team.”

JIMMY VASSER, Izod IndyCar KV Racing Technology team co-owner and past CART Champion, won the 34th Annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race Saturday noon at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. He won from the pole position, and was one of six Pro drivers in the 19-car field. His Margin of Victory ahead of Drift Champion TANNER FOUST was 0.645 seconds. Not surprisingly, Vasser also turned the fastest race lap of 1:46.150/66.743 mph. He said “It was hard not to be competitive.”

Vasser donated his winnings to Painted Turtle, one of PAUL NEWMAN’s Hole in the Wall Gang camps for terminally ill children. It’s located in the California desert.

The Celebrity class was won by BRIAN AUSTIN GREEN, who finished third overall, after qualifying third in class and ninth overall. Green is mostly known for his TV acting, but he also produces TV and makes movies.

Fourth through sixth were Pro MARTY NOTHSTEIN, followed by Celebrity drivers movie actor ADRIEN BRODY; and Celebrity Pole Sitter/TV & movie actor and producer ZACHARY LEVI, who had donated his $15,000 People Pole award to Operation Smile.

Levi was jumped at the start by Brody, who learned his lesson last year. Brody said “I was hyper-alert” and went as soon as he saw the Green Flag. Levi said “I lost it right away, so I didn’t have to worry. I think ‘Chuck’ (a TV character Levi plays) would have won. I didn’t win.”

Seventh through tenth were Pro STEVE MILLEN, and Celebrities PATRICK WARBURTON, ADAM CAROLLA who obviously followed his pre-race regimen; and DAVE PASANT.

The race ran 13 laps this year instead of the usual ten, due to cautions – like the green white checker finish in NASCAR. All fifteen finishers of the 19 drivers were on the lead lap.

It came as no surprise that all drivers didn’t finish the race. The surprise was that so many were able to keep going after the spins, bumping, hitting, etc. Winner Vasser was hit several times by Foust. Brody described it as a car graveyard out there, and Vasser said he thought it was dangerous to leave the abandoned cars on course. But…no one was hurt.

Years ago in a Pro/Celeb, the diminutive PAUL WILLIAMS was a Celebrity driver. His number was 1/2 and he kept hitting the walls. Race day some prankish SCCA corner workers posted a sign where he had hit. “Don’t worry, Paul. We’ll make more. Signed Toyota.”

I’m still trying to find The Road Less Traveled, but it’s not easy Saturday at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Fans are everywhere. There must be some spectators sitting in seats somewhere. The weather is overcast but warm, and barely a wimpy breeze.

The morning schedule had three practice sessions, starting at 7:15 am with the Toyota Tires World Challenge at Long Beach Presented by Bondurant, Firestone Indy Lights and Izod IndyCar Series, plus a Drifting Demonstration. All of this was a lead-up to the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Crashfest.

The theme in the Pro/Celeb Qualifying Conference Friday afternoon was how much the drivers appreciated not having to pay for any crash damage on their cars. IndyCar co-team owner and past CART Champion, JIMMY VASSER had the pole position for the race. The Celebrity pole was scored by ZACHARY LEVI, who qualified fifth overall in a field of 19. The drivers race identical Toyota Scions.

Levi went into a backup car half way through the session and said he was “very conscious of not touching the walls…but it’s nice to not have to pay the bills. I get to drive as fast as I want without a cop up my butt.”

Vasser said “In KV we’ve paid for a lot of cars. I’m having this guy talk to my guys.” He said he was having fun racing again, and was pleased at how much came back for charity.

Comedian ADAM CAROLLA qualified fourth in class, tenth overall, and said he felt like everyone was in front of him. His pre-race mode is “Sleep deprivation, Zanex, raiding the mini-bar and repeat as necessary.” In the race, he plans to “sit back and let them make mistakes.”

KEANU REEVES, a Pro this year after winning last year’s Celebrity race, qualified sixth. He said he’s “quicker this year, but still slower than Jimmy (Vasser) by three seconds.” While Reeves is having fun, he isn’t pursuing a racing career as have other actor Celebrity drivers, i.e. PATRICK DEMPSEY – who is racing his first World Challenge race this weekend in a GTS Mazda 3. Reeves said “When I’m working, I’m working. When I’m not working, I’m looking for work.” He did admit he’d like to run a 24-hour endurance race in a Porsche, something a little faster.”

More than $100,000 was raised for children’s charities and most of the field visited Children’s hospital on Thursday.

I’m still trying to find The Road Less Traveled, but it’s not easy Saturday at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Fans are everywhere. There must be some spectators sitting in seats somewhere. The weather is overcast but warm, and barely a wimpy breeze.

The morning schedule had three practice sessions, starting at 7:15 am with the Toyota Tires World Challenge at Long Beach Presented by Bondurant, Firestone Indy Lights and Izod IndyCar Series, plus a Drifting Demonstration. All of this was a lead-up to the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Crashfest.

The theme in the Pro/Celeb Qualifying Conference Friday afternoon was how much the drivers appreciated not having to pay for any crash damage on their cars. IndyCar co-team owner and past CART Champion, JIMMY VASSER had the pole position for the race. The Celebrity pole was scored by ZACHARY LEVI, who qualified fifth overall in a field of 19. The drivers race identical Toyota Scions.

Levi went into a backup car half way through the session and said he was “very conscious of not touching the walls…but it’s nice to not have to pay the bills. I get to drive as fast as I want without a cop up my butt.”

Vasser said “In KV we’ve paid for a lot of cars. I’m having this guy talk to my guys.” He said he was having fun racing again, and was pleased at how much came back for charity.

Comedian ADAM CAROLLA qualified fourth in class, tenth overall, and said he felt like everyone was in front of him. His pre-race mode is “Sleep deprivation, Zanex, raiding the mini-bar and repeat as necessary.” In the race, he plans to “sit back and let them make mistakes.”

KEANU REEVES, a Pro this year after winning last year’s Celebrity race, qualified sixth. He said he’s “quicker this year, but still slower than Jimmy (Vasser) by three seconds.” While Reeves is having fun, he isn’t pursuing a racing career as have other actor Celebrity drivers, i.e. PATRICK DEMPSEY – who is racing his first World Challenge race this weekend in a GTS Mazda 3. Reeves said “When I’m working, I’m working. When I’m not working, I’m looking for work.” He did admit he’d like to run a 24-hour endurance race in a Porsche, something a little faster.”

More than $100,000 was raised for children’s charities and most of the field visited Children’s hospital on Thursday.

ADRIAN FERNANDEZ/No.007 Aston Martin Racing LMP made a lot of local fans happy Friday afternoon when he scored the pole position for Saturday afternoon’s Tequila Patron American Le Mans Series at Long Beach. His time of 1:13.213/96.770 mph was a new qualifying lap record, and his fourth ALMS pole

He snatched it from then front-runner, SIMON PAGENAUD/No. 1 Patron Highcroft Racing HPD ARX-01c.

This is a new team for the popular Mexican driver. He won the 2009 ALMS race.

Fernandez has raced at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach in several series including IndyCar, Indy Lights, Grand-Am and ALMS with his own LMP team. He said experience at LBGP counts for a lot, “especially at my age. I’m not getting any younger. We have good momentum this weekend and racing here is very special. It’s a short race so there isn’t much time to make up for any mistakes.” The car is running a Gulf blue with orange highlights livery reminiscent of the old Le Mans days.

In ALMS, the qualifying driver doesn’t have to start the race, so Fernandez’s teammate, HAROLD PRIMAT of Switzerland will probably start the race. Fernandez said pit stop strategy in the short race will be key.

The pole positions for all four of the ALMS categories was a new record. The short race Fernandez mentioned is the 100 minutes, shortest of all ALMS races. All 36 entries qualified for Saturday afternoon’s race, which starts at 4:40 pm local/PDT.

CHRISTOPHE BOUCHUT/No.55 Level 5 Motorsports Racing’s LMPC pole position time was 1:17.273/91.685 mph. The weekend is already special – this is his first LBGP and his first ALMS pole. Although this is a new team and a new class for him, the team has lots of experience. “It’s wonderful to push the car to the limit.”

JAIME MELO/No.62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 430 GT turned the fastest GT time of 1:19.581/89.026 mph. This is his sixteenth ALMS pole position, and he won the 2007 LBGP race. Usually Mello continues to run even after setting his fastest lap time, but this weekend he wanted to save the tires as the team had problems in last year’s short race. While this is the last year for the Ferrari 430 model, Risi will continue to compete in ALMS.

This year GT1 and GT2 were combined into the one GT class. The previous GT2 qualifying lap record was 1:119.7.

GTC’s fastest driver was JEROEN BLEEKEMOLEN/No.54 Black Swan Racing at 1:23.857/84.487.

Earlier Friday in the IndyCar conference for Friday’s fastest driver, RYAN HUNTER-REAY was unsure if he would be racing two different cars this weekend after all. He’s running No.37 Andretti Autosport in the Izod IndyCar Series. For this weekend only, RHR is also running ALMS, as co-driver with Level 5 Motorsports team owner, SCOTT TUCKER in No.95 Oreca FLM09 in the LMPC class – teammates to the LMPC pole car.

RHR had heard that Tucker might not run both cars due to a new rule for Tucker about jumping in both of his cars during the race. At the press conference, ‘Izod Ryan’ – as opposed to IndyCar’s other Ryan, RYAN BRISCOE/No.6 Team Penske, said “We may not run after all; we’ll see where it goes. I need to check my phone to see what’s next. But I’m having fun this weekend.”

Tucker has been entering his two Level 5 cars and listing himself as driver in both cars. He will no longer be able to cherry pick which car and points he collects. The rule RHR referred to was issued 13 April 2010 by IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) which sanctions ALMS – ALMS SSR Section 1, Article 2.2.5 “Drivers will be awarded points only in the car they drive during the race. For the LMPC and GTC classes, drivers will be awarded points only in the classified car in which they accumulated the greatest drive-time.”

RHR was asked if it was difficult to keep focused when driving two cars in one weekend, especially different kinds of cars. he said “It’s not an extremely busy schedule this weekend, and for me it’s a lot of fun. Thanks to Andretti Autosport for letting me.” He referred to the other Ryan in the media conference, Briscoe, saying “Briscoe did it two years ago.”

Even late into the afternoon Friday, fans continued to be everywhere on foot. Where was a blue flagger when I needed to get the fastest line through the crowd?