By Dave Lewandowski
indianapolismotorspeedway.com
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Through five-plus years of physical pain, emotional turmoil and mental angst incurred from his 2001 crash, Davey Hamilton has had an over-arching goal.
"I didn't want to end my career in Texas on a fence," he says.
He won't have to. Idaho native Hamilton will attempt to qualify the No. 02 Vision Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone, carrying primary sponsorship from HP, in the 91st Indianapolis 500 on May 27. Hamilton will participate in the refresher period at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 6-7 before joining in for full-scale practice the next day.
Hamilton, who was second in the IndyCar Series championship standings in the 1996-97 and 1998 seasons, will attempt to make his seventh start in the 500-Mile Race. His best finish is fourth in 1998 (started eighth).
"I'm really excited; I've been trying to do this for the past two years," said Hamilton, who turns 45 on June 13. "I've been ready physically to get back in a race car, but it's been difficult to get back rolling again. It was really three years before I couldn't even think about getting back in a car. But once I started feeling good, I still had that drive to do it.
"I'm a racer, and that's what I do. It's taken a lot of time to put this together, but now that it's here, I'm fired up. It's like I'm a rookie again."
In the past few years, Hamilton has driven the Indy Racing Experience two-seater during IndyCar Series and Indy Pro Series event weekends, and has driven the IndyCar Series street-legal two-seater during publicity functions across the nation.
It's been a long haul for Hamilton, whose injuries to both feet and ankles required more than 25 surgeries. But Hamilton perseveres with the occasional winces of pain and is grateful for this opportunity. Earlier in the week, he visited Indy Pro Series driver Pablo Perez, who suffered similar injuries in the season-opening race, in an Indianapolis hospital to give the younger Argentine hope.
"(Support) definitely helped my drive," Hamilton said. "You don't know how many fans and how many supporters you have until something bad happens. As a racer, I raced two to three times a week, 60 times a year and never really looked back to see how many supporters I had and how many fans I truly had. When I needed them, they were there. From the doctors who put me back together to the series to all those fans that supported me through all this, it helps. It makes the drive more intense to get back to doing what I love and give them something back."
Vision Racing co-owner Tony George recognized Hamilton's desire and determination. Hamilton will be the fourth Vision Racing car entered in the Indianapolis 500, joining regular IndyCar Series drivers Ed Carpenter, Tomas Scheckter and A.J. Foyt IV.
"Vision Racing is proud to be able to provide Davey with the opportunity to return to the cockpit in the IndyCar Series," George said. "The decision to return to competition is a very big commitment for Davey, and I want to do everything possible to ensure that he has the best experience possible. He is an accomplished racer and knows his way around Indianapolis.
"Our program, combined with the support of such a strong company like HP, is catalysts for doing that."
HP will be utilizing the Vision Racing marketing platform and the Indianapolis 500 to promote the company's award-winning "The Computer is Personal Again," global ad campaign. Hamilton and Todd Bradley, HP's executive vice president, Personal Systems Group, bonded during early discussions about the program.
"Everything happens for a reason, and what an opportunity it was to meet Todd with Hewlett-Packard; we really hit it off," Hamilton said. "In the short time we've known each other, it's like we've known each other for a long time. I'm appreciative of what they're doing for me and looking forward to representing them, and hopefully going way beyond this little venture I have here and keep the relationship going."
Hamilton is looking forward to the sights and sounds associated with the '500,' but more than anything he's excited to get behind the wheel of a single-seat IndyCar Series car.
"I'll be looking to get some valuable track time," he said. "Hopefully, it's like a lot of things since my accident, whether it's riding my dirt bike or snow skiing. It takes you a little bit, but you catch on quick. It's like riding that bike. Indy is a bit different when you're going 225 mph and the track is probably the toughest in the country, so it'll take a little more time. But I'm looking forward to it."
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2007 Indianapolis 500 tickets: Tickets are on sale for the 91st Indianapolis 500, scheduled for Sunday, May 27.
Tickets can be purchased at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Web site, www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com, by phone or at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Ticket Office. The IMS Ticket Office can be contacted at (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or (317) 492-6700 locally. Ticket Office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Parking and camping permits for "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" also can be purchased online, by phone or at the Ticket Office.
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