Indianapolis 500 : Clauson unaware of his honor
Bryan Clauson didn't know that a last-row starter in the Indianapolis 500 is honored at a pre-race, invitation-only party.
OK, so tradition is that it's more of a roast than a celebration, but the rookie doesn't know that yet.
"Sweet, nice, perfect," he said Sunday after earning a place in the 33-car field for the 96th Indianapolis 500. "See, I didn't know that. Now I have something to cheer about."
Clauson will start the May 27 race from the 31st starting spot. Lined up to his right at the green flag will be the Lotus-powered cars driven by Simona De Silvestro and rookie Jean Alesi. They will join him at the party.
Clauson's berth in the 500 is being celebrated throughout short-track racing. He is the two-time-reigning United States Auto Club midget and overall champion, which is how he got the invitation from IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard to be part of the Mazda Road to Indy program that gives young drivers a step-by-step path to Indy cars.
Clauson, 22, has been the focal point of a large autograph group during this 500. He said he's appreciated the attention, but he knows it comes with responsibility.
"Yesterday, this is the young guy in me, I was trending on Twitter," he said. "I thought that was pretty cool. I'd never had that happen before."
--- Ed Carpenter suffered one of the hardest hits of his career at the track owned by his family.
Carpenter's stepfather is Tony George, the former Indianapolis Motor Speedway president and chief executive officer. Carpenter's grandmother, Mari Hulman George, is the track's board chair.
This is easily Carpenter's worst month of May, having qualified eighth the past two years. He finished fifth in 2008 and eighth in 2009.
"I think I've been lucky for quite a few years to have a pretty seamless month of May," he said. "You never know with Indianapolis, when it is going to decide it's your turn for a bad month.
"Things change quickly around here. One thing that doesn't change for me is my confidence. I love racing here, and I love this race."
Carpenter, who has a Chevrolet-powered car, will start 28th for his ninth 500.
"As long as I'm in the field I'm going to feel like I have a chance," he said.
