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PRACTICE NOTES/QUOTES---- Detroit, Michigan June
1, 2012
Fast Facts:
Oriol Servia
- Unfortunately, during this morning's practice session Panther
DRR did not do any running, but luckily the afternoon session was
dry and the team was able to get plenty of track time.
- Servia completed 20 laps and clocked the 10th fastest time of
1:13.9032.
- This weekend will mark Servia's 4th start at the Detroit Belle
Isle track. In 2008, he started 3rd and finished 4th. During his
rookie season in 2000, Servia finished on the podium, earning a 3rd
place result. He has finished in the top four twice in three starts
at the Belle Isle circuit.
- In the last five races combined, Servia has gained a total of
62 positions (7 positions in St. Pete to finish 16th, 13 positions
in Barber to finish 13th, 7 positions in Long Beach to finish 16th,
12 positions in Brazil to finish 11th, and 23 positions in
Indianapolis to finish 4th).
- The Mecum Auction Company will be the primary sponsor on the
No. 22 this weekend. Mecum Auctions has been
specializing in the sale of collector cars for 25 years, now
offering more than 10,000 vehicles per year. Mecum Auctions
is the world leader of collector car, classic motorcycle, vintage
wooden boat and road art sales. Auctions are held throughout the
United States and broadcast live on Discovery's Velocity Network.
For further information, visit www.mecum.com or call
262.275.5050.
- Servia qualified 27th for last weekend's Indianapolis 500 and
finished a career-best at the IMS track with a 4th place result.
After a last minute stop due to a tire going down in the early part
of the race, Servia went a lap down for most of the event as a
result. During the last stint, Servia got his lap back and went
from 18th to 4th place in 20 laps.
- This will be the first time that Servia has competed for
Panther DRR, he signed with the team in January. Servia
has been reunited with his engineer, Yves Touron, who he has worked
with in the pastand has a solid relationship with.
- Last year Oriol Finished fourth in IZOD IndyCar Series
standings....Recorded 11 top-10 finishes, with a best of second at
New Hampshire and Baltimore....Among three drivers to be running at
the finish in all 17 races..... Led all drivers in laps completed
(2,103 of 2,011)....Oriol was the only driver to finish in the top
10 in first five races of the season.
Panther DRR
- This weekend will mark the team's 3rd time to compete at the
Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix.
- Panther DRR's best finish at Belle Isle was 7th in 2007 with
Buddy Rice driving. The team's best start of 15th in 2007 with
Buddy Rice.
- Last weekend's Indianapolis 500 marked a career-best result in
the race for Oriol Servia and Panther DRR. It was the Spaniard's
fourth start and he finished the day with his best result for the
race. It was the same story for the team. Last Sunday's race was
Panther DRR's 13th start and their best result for the Indianapolis
500 race as well.
- It was announced that the Indianapolis-based squad has united
with two-time IndyCar Series champion Panther Racing to form a
strategic alliance on Oriol Servia's entry for the remainder of the
2012 season. The No. 22 Panther/DRR team will utilize Panther's
second Chevrolet engine lease and work in conjunction with the No.
4 National Guard team and driver JR Hildebrand.
Oriol Servia, No. 22 Panther DRR, on
practice: "As I told the guys, I'm in heaven. I'm very
pleased and the team did very well. We were running very
competitive the entire session and I think we should be in good
shape. We did not put on new tires, which isn't representative, but
I think we are looking okay for tomorrow."
Back on Track: Panther DRR will be back
on track at 9:00 am ET for practice for the Chevrolet Detroit Belle
Isle Grand Prix. The race is scheduled for Sunday, June 3rd at 3:30
pm ET. Live coverage will be on ABC and the IMS Radio Network.
Please visit www.dreyerreinboldracing.com for more
updates.
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