2009 Indy 500: Several Rookies in Starting Field Looking For First Drink of Milk
(Pictured: The starting lineup in 1911, the first and only time there has been a rookie only starting field.)
Dateline: Indianapolis, Indiana
The Rookies:
In the first of a four part look into the field for the 93rd running of the Indianapolis 500 we will take a look at the drivers who are making their Indy debut this coming Sunday. In later editions we will look at the past winners, the women in the 500, and finally a look at the other notables in this years race.
Pos. 33
Alex Tagliani
Car # 36
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 221.115/2:42.8114
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 221.115/2:42.8114
Alex Tagliani is a Canadian racing driver who got his start in major league open wheel racing in 2000. He took over the seat left by the fatality of Greg Moore in 1999 at Forsythe/ Players racing. With his start in karting in Canada, he moved up the ranks with stops in Formula 125 karting and the Toyota Atlantic championship before landing his ride in Champ Car (CART). Spent time in 2007 running NASCAR Canada before coming back to open wheel racing with Walker-Conquest in 2008 and now Conquest in 2009. He is the only driver in this years race who technically did not qualify for the race. Conquest team mate Bruno Junquiera did qualify for the race…and due to sponsorship issues, Conquest Racing pulled Bruno and replaced him with Alex Tagliani. Alex has payed his dues and regardless of the technicalities, deserves to be in the show. A car starting in P33 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
Pos. 31
Nelson Philippe
Car # 00
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 220.754/2:43.0778
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 220.754/2:43.0778
Nelson Philippe is a French driver who also got his start in go karts. Racing go karts from 1998-2002 gave him enough seat time and experience to move up to the Barber Dodge Pro Series in 2003. He finished the season with one podium and four top five finishes. In 2004, Philippe became the youngest to ever drive a Champ Car when he was signed to the Rocketsports team at age 17. With experience in the Champ Car series he has experience on ovals and road courses and now finds himself in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
Pos. 27
Mike Conway
Car # 24
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 221.417/2:42.5889
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 221.417/2:42.5889
Mike Conway comes to the Indy 500 from the GP2 series. This English driver also got his start in karting around 8 years of age. With experience in UK Formula Ford he moved up to the Formula Renault UK championship in 2003. In 2004 he was the Formula Renault UK Champion and moved up to the British F3 championship in 2005. In 2006, he won that Championship and had been in GP2 until this season when he made the jump to the IndyCar Series. One thing of note, Mike Conway has yet to run an oval race this season without ending up in the wall during the race. He will be one to watch our for from a fan perspective…and one to stay away from if you’re a driver.
Pos. 23
Robert Doornbos
Car # 06T
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 221.692/2:42.3877
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 221.692/2:42.3877
This Dutch driver started racing in 1999 in the Formula Ford 1800 Benelux series. He started as a semi-professional tennis player in the Netherlands when he was invited to attend a Formula 1 Grand Prix. There he met former Formula 1 champion and Indy 500 champion Jacques Villeneuve and he recommended that Robert try a Formula Ford, as he was too old to start karting. Obviously “Bobby D” took to the type of racing as he moved from Formula Ford to Formula 1 in just 6 seasons. He spent 205 and 2006 in the Formula 1 championship and moved to Champ Car in 2007. In 2008 he raced in the Superleague Formula as well as representing the Netherlands in the A1GP. He makes the move to IndyCars and the famed Newman Haas Lanigan racing team.
Pos. 12
Raphael Matos
Car # 2
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 223.429/2:41.1252
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 223.429/2:41.1252
“Rapha” got his start in karting in his native Brazil. He came to the States in 2002 and competed in the Skip Barber Formula Dodge championship which he won in 2003. He went to the Star Mazda series for 2004 and 2005. He again found himself a Champion in 2005 and made the transition to the Champ Car Atlantic Series in 2006 and 2007. He won the Championship in 2007 and moved to the Firestone Indy Lights Championship in 2008. He was once again successful in the new series and was the Champion for 2008. In 2009, he comes to the IndyCar series with the Luczo Dragon team which is owned by Jay Penske. Jay is the youngest son of Team Penske owner, Roger Penske. If there is a rookie who has a legitimate shot at winning this installment of the 500, I would put a big checkmark next to Rapha on your race day program.
Check back for the next installment in our four part series on this years field. Next, we will take a look at the previous winners of the 500 who are in the 2009 edition and look at their histories and chances for once again drinking the milk in victory lane.
Tags: alex tagliani, Formula 1, indianapolis 500, indy 500, indy 500 rookies, IndyCar, mike conway, NASCAR, nelson philippe, raphael matos, robert doornbos
