All About the Argent Mortgage Indy Grand Prix
Monday, August 22, 2005

The IRL will make history with its first visit to Infineon Raceway, Aug. 26-28. (Photo by Cint Graves)

When: Aug. 26-28. The Argent Mortgage Indy Grand Prix is the 14th race on the IRL's 17-race schedule for 2005. The featured event will take place on Sunday, Aug. 28, at 12:45 p.m. (Pacific)

Circuit: 12-turn, 2.26-mile road course.

Length: 80 laps.

Schedule: ALL TIMES PACIFIC
Friday, Aug. 26: Argent Mortgage Indy Grand Prix Practice, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.; Argent Mortgage Indy Grand Prix Practice, 2 p.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 27: Argent Mortgage Indy Grand Prix Practice, 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.; Argent Mortgage Indy Grand Prix Qualifying, 12:30 p.m.-1:45 p.m.; Menards Infiniti Pro Series™ Qualifying, 2 p.m., Argent Mortgage Indy Grand Prix Practice, 4 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 28: Menards Infiniti Pro Series™ race, 10:45 a.m.; Argent Mortgage Indy Grand Prix, 12:45 p.m.

Television: Sunday, Aug. 28, 12:30 p.m. (Pacific), ESPN.

Radio: Post-qualifying, Saturday, 5:30-6 p.m., KSRO 1350 AM; Argent Mortgage Indy Grand Prix, Sunday, noon, KSRO 1350 AM, KHTK 1140 AM (All times Pacific)

History: This will mark the first-ever event on a permanent road course race in the 10-year history of the IRL. It will also mark the first world-class open wheel race at Infineon Raceway since 1970.

What to expect: Seventeen IRL drivers visited Infineon Raceway for a two-day test session in April, which marked the first chance for most drivers to test the road course. Dario Franchitti (Andretti Green Racing) posted the fastest time of the test with a lap of 1 minute, 16.1015 seconds (108.797 mph). Helio Castroneves (Marlboro Team Penske) and Scott Dixon (Target Chip Ganassi) posted the second and third quickest laps, respectively…. At the IRL's first-ever street-course race in St. Petersburg (Fla.) earlier this year, Dan Wheldon claimed the victory after starting ninth, while Tomas Schekter (Rockstar Panther Racing) claimed the pole.

2005 Season Thus Far: Wheldon (Andretti Green Racing), who won last weekend at Pikes Peak, has tied the IRL record for the most victories in a single season with five, including the Indianapolis 500. He leads the IRL points standings.... Sam Hornish Jr. (Marlboro Team Penske) is second in points (505-408)... 2004 IRL champion Tony Kanaan completes the top three in points with 385. Kanaan has one victory this season (Kansas) and is coming off a third-place finish at Pikes Peak.

About Danica: Danica Patrick (Rahal Letterman Racing) made history this year by becoming the first woman to lead a lap at the Indianapolis 500 after qualifying fourth. She also became the second woman to claim a pole position in IRL history (Kansas). Sarah Fisher captured a pole in 2002. Patrick tested at Infineon Raceway in April and posted a top speed of 105.525 mph. She enters the weekend 11th in points with six top-10 efforts this year.

Support Series: The weekend will also feature competition in the Menards Infiniti Pro Series™, the Moly Shield Oil Historic Grand Prix and the SPEED Mazda Miata Series. Notable drivers in the Infiniti Pro Series™ include Marco Andretti, grandson of racing legend Mario Andretti, and Arie Luyendyk, Jr., son of two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Arie Luyendyk.

Tickets: In advance, tickets are $10 on Friday, $25 on Saturday and $49 on Sunday. Weekend passes are available for $75. Children 12-and-under are FREE on Friday and Saturday, and $20 on Sunday. Parking is FREE. Call 800-870-RACE, visit www.infineonraceway.com or www.ticketmaster.com.