By Noah Poser
With Carb Day for the 110th Indianapolis 500 quickly approaching, the drivers had another chance Thursday to share their thoughts ahead of Sunday’s race.
Speaking to the media in groups determined by their starting row, from the back of the grid to the front, the competitors shared their thoughts on everything from their upcoming debuts at the famed Indy oval to racing etiquette between longtime competitors and even team member’s eating habits.
Here is the best from the morning session, with the afternoon highlights to come later.
Rookies comment on their first Indy 500
Caio Collet: “I don’t think you can understand how big the race is until you actually do it and you start to be a part of it. Last year was my first time watching and being here during the month, but when you’re actually driving, the atmosphere of the team, it’s really impressive.
“Then when you go and drive your car up to pit lane on Fast Friday and for qualifying, the (fans) start to cheer you on. It’s really awesome to be a part of this.”
Jacob Abel: “It’s still surreal. Last year was surreal, to be honest, getting up to that point, and then obviously I wasn’t able to take part in it. So I’ve been trying to enjoy every single step of the week and really soak it all in. I’m excited for everything.
“I wish the weather was a little bit better, a little bit warmer, but this is stuff I’ve been looking forward to my entire life. It still doesn’t feel real at all. I don’t know when it will. Sunday morning is still going to be pretty emotional, but I’m excited and fully focused on the task at hand.”
Dennis Hauger: “I still don’t know what to expect about the whole thing. Obviously I’ve been on the other side of the fence, and to be on the track this year and to compete is a dream come true.
“We’ve had some time, we’ve had some test days, and that’s been nice for me to just build some confidence around here. It’s definitely a different track compared to anything else I’ve ever experienced. So it’s been about taking it step-by-step. As (Abel) said, the emotions, I think I’ll realize them more when we get on track Sunday with everyone around and we’re actually starting the 110th race.”
Kyle Kirkwood on his not quite love-hate relationship with Indy
Kirkwood: “It’s a place I love. I’m not sure if I have a love-hate relationship with this place if I’m being honest, because I feel like sometimes it hates me and it beats me down, that’s for sure. But I think it beats everybody down in some way, shape or form if you don’t win around here.
“It’s such a great place. So much emotion. There’s so much that goes into it. You look forward to this time all year long. As soon as the race is over, there’s almost like this post-party depression that you get, where you’re like, ‘Man, I didn’t want it to end.’ It’s such a great month. It’s a great feeling having all the people here. Getting to do this race is such an honor and a privilege.
“I love it. I love everything about it. I love the lows. I love the highs. I love every piece of this race.”
And Kirkwood on his fueler’s… eating habits?
Kirkwood: “Other than that, I learned that my fueler eats 20 hot dogs a day.
“Dips it in lemonade like a hot dog eating contest. No, I’m just kidding. I’m pretty sure just with buns. That’s (at least) a couple hundred calories.”
Ryan Hunter-Reay and Josef Newgarden on sharing a track — and starting row — again
Hunter-Reay: “Josef and I have been racing each other for a very long time, so we’ve got a lot of respect for one another and in how we conduct ourselves on the racetrack. If I could throw a jab or a hook on the back of his car, I would definitely do that, if that’s available. (Laughing) I don’t think it is.”
Newgarden: “It’s nice when you’re racing people that you feel like you can race a certain way and you can trust. But it’s almost impossible to help each other work through the field. We’re going to run our own races. It’s just nice to be next to some people that you trust and that’s probably the only thing about it.
“Certainly, when it comes down to the end, it’s every man [and woman] for (themselves). We’re all trying to win this race. It would be fun if it’s me and Ryan and we can have a shootout, but we’re both going to be going for it. That’s the way it is. You’re going to try and win the race as best you can.”
And Louis Foster on how to compare your car to your competitors
Foster: “If you can overtake them. If you can overtake them, their car is worse than yours.”