INDYCARNATION

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What they’re saying: Memories of the first 199 races

“It is amazing all that has happened in the last few years with North American open-wheel racing coming back together. The series is growing, the level of competition is really strong and the amount of talent in the field is incredible. I am really enjoying this season, I feel fortunate to be part of the IZOD IndyCar Series and I hope that I can compete in many more races to come.”
Will Power, Verizon Team Penske

“Personally, it’s a milestone especially when you consider the competitive nature of the IZOD IndyCar Series and especially now when you see the direction the series is heading. To win the 100th race was a great experience; Nazareth is one of my favorite tracks, and to win the race that day is one of those things that you’ll always remember. I wasn’t part of the first IndyCar Series race, but I was part of the 100th and will not be part of the 200th and hopefully we’ll be able to break into victory lane for the National Guard and for Panther Racing. That would be another milestone for me personally and I look forward to being around for another 100 IZOD IndyCar Series events.”
Dan Wheldon, National Guard Panther Racing

“As I was finishing up my karting days, the split was just beginning. It was a tough road to make it to IndyCar through the years. That said, one of my best memories would have to be unification between the IRL and CART/Champ Car at the beginning of 2008. My first Indy 500 in’08 was amazing.  Going to victory lane with Rahal Letterman Racing in 2008 with Ethanol sponsorship was very special for so many reasons. That race immediately followed my mother’s cancer diagnosis. And winning at the ‘Indy 500 of street and road courses’ -- Long Beach -- this year. It was Michael (Andretti’s) first win as 100 percent team owner and to win for IZOD after all they have done for me and my career was unreal.”
Ryan Hunter-Reay, Andretti Autosport

“This is a great occasion and I certainly feel fortunate to be involved in our growing series. I have been around for quite a few of these events and the IZOD IndyCar Series is the best it has ever been. The level of competition is incredible. Hopefully, we can go out and make the 200th race for the series a victory for the No. 3 Team Penske car.”
Helio Castroneves, Team Penske

“I’ve seen so many changes and most of the changes are for the better. We saw cars with self-manufactured engines, instead of having factories involved. Each team would do their own engines. We saw very different cars and very close racing. Then the racing stretched out and it wasn’t as close anymore. It went from just ovals to street and road courses, and now at least half the series is street and road courses so it changed a lot. But what changed the most is what is making IndyCar what it is today: the level of competition. Before on an oval, we would have 25 cars but the field would be within two seconds or so and cars would be lapped right and left. That doesn’t happen anymore. The competitiveness is so big and it’s so professional out there that I think that is the greatest change in IndyCar since I started. I feel we’re gaining sponsorships, crowds and momentum in a tough economy, so as long as we keep doing what we’re doing when the economy gets better, we’ll have a bright future.”
Vitor Meira, A.J. Foyt Racing

“It is exciting to be a part of this series and it is awesome that open-wheel racing is growing the way that it is. The talent level of the drivers and the depth of the field is a testament to the strength of the IZOD IndyCar Series. I am very happy to be a part of this series and I’m honored to compete in its 200th race.”
Ryan Briscoe, Team Penske

“If you look at the creation of the IRL, challenging the establishment of that time, the fact that it has been the one carrying the sport forward is something to take a lot of pride in. You feel responsible to be the stewards of the sport and look out for its best interests. I think it speaks to the commitment and dedication Tony (George) had in forming the IRL in the first place. I’m certainly proud of the contributions on an individual level and on a league level that we’ve brought to the sport in terms of safety and in redefining competition.”
Brian Barnhart, chief steward

“Although it is tough to say that anything would be bigger than winning our first Indy 500 in 2005, I actually think the sweep at St. Pete earlier that year is biggest in my mind. It was the first race we ever promoted, we won the pole and the race with Marco (Andretti) in Firestone Indy Lights, we won the pole with Bryan (Herta), the race with Dan (Wheldon) and we swept the top four spots in IndyCar. The odds of something like that happening to you; the deck is really stacked against you.”
Michael Andretti, Andretti Autosport CEO

“I wouldn’t still be coming if it wasn’t for fun. I’m turning more or less turning the team over to Larry and just showing him some of the stuff.”
A.J. Foyt, team owner