Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Vasser looking for magic at Indianapolis

Friday, May 16, 2003 | 9:44 a.m.

During his 12-year CART Champ Car career, Jimmy Vasser has 10 victories, a series championship and holds the distinction of winning the fastest open-wheel race in history.

There's only one thing missing on Vasser's resume: an Indianapolis 500 victory.

Vasser, a Las Vegas resident, hopes to remedy that this year. He will attempt to qualify for his eighth Indy 500 on Sunday, the final day of qualifying, in the No. 19 Argent-sponsored Dallara/Honda for team owners Bobby Rahal and David Letterman.

Because he was in Europe last weekend competing in a CART race, Vasser was unable to make a qualifying attempt on Pole Day. His first day on the track was Wednesday and he promptly turned in the fastest speed (225.956 mph) among those drivers not yet qualified for the May 25 race.

"It's good to be back," Vasser said after turning his first laps at the Brickyard since last year's race. "Indy is a magical place and I certainly would love to win it someday -- that's why I'm here."

Although he drives for team owner Stefan Johansson in CART, Vasser had a two-year contract to drive at Indy for Rahal, for whom Vasser drove last season. Vasser is teaming with Kenny Brack on Rahal's two-car effort this month.

Vasser said he believes the Dallara/Honda package that Rahal is fielding this month will give him his best opportunity to win the 500.

"I'm really appreciative of the opportunity for Bobby Rahal and David Letterman and Argent Mortgage and it's probably one of the best -- if not the best -- chances of engine-car combination that I've ever had," Vasser said. "If I do qualify on Sunday, I'll be starting quite a ways back but the car is good enough to win from there.

"I'm energized to be here and compete for the race win. I'm not here (just) to participate. This team and car package can win the race and I'm excited about that."

While he is optimistic about his chances this year, Vasser acknowledged that this might be one of the most competitive fields in Indy history.

"Every one of those cars can win the race," Vasser said of the 24 cars that qualified last Sunday. "There's a lot of talent in the race teams and the driver seats. There's a battle between engine manufacturers here and that makes for a high level of competition.

"I think the level of the cars and the quality of the field has been as high as it has (ever) been."

Vasser, the fastest rookie qualifier at Indy in 1992, has two top-five finishes at Indy in his eight career starts. He finished fourth in 1994 with team owner Jim Hayhoe and fourth in 2001 with Chip Ganassi. Vasser qualified 19th for last year's race and finished 30th after his car's gearbox failed midway through the race.

Vasser was 14th-fastest at 226.027.

Luyendyk withdrew from the race after he failed to get medical clearance to drive in the race. Luyendyk crashed in practice on May 9 and still has neck and back pain.

Barron finished fourth in last year's 500 and was named co-Rookie of the Year with Tomas Scheckter. Barron will attempt to qualify the car on Sunday.

In addition to Schmidt's regular Pro Series drivers, Tom Wood and Brandon Erwin, Schmidt has signed European Formula 3000 veteran Marco Cioci to drive a third entry in the race.

"The winner gets a million dollars this year? I like the sound of that," Earnhardt said. "Last year, I said I would race just as hard if the winner got 10 bucks but a million to win certainly gets your attention.

"Is it about the money? I should say 'no,' but, hell yeah -- a million dollars is a million dollars, you know?"

Bill Lester earned his first career Truck Series pole in Thursday's qualifying. Jason Leffler will start on the outside of the front row and Jeremy Mayfield, running a third truck for the Ultra Motorsports team in tonight's race, will start 12th.

"StockcarToons No. 2 -- More Grins and Spins on the Winston Cup Circuit," published by Sports Publishing, LLC, is available at Borders and Barnes & Noble bookstores and on the Internet at Amazon.com. The 136-page book features a foreword by NASCAR on Fox announcer Mike Joy.

GAME2003 will include seven styles of pro and amateur motorcycle racing, a winner-take-all long jump challenge, thrill shows, custom bike competition and show, vendor's village, street and dirt industry exhibits, vintage motorcycle museum, demo ride experience, concerts and fireworks shows. The event will utilize nearly all of LVMS' 1,400 acres during the course of five days.

Tickets, including a special three-day "Super Pass," are available at the LVMS ticket office (800-644-4444) and TicketMaster (474-4000). Special early-bird tickets, good for the main three days of the event (Sept. 18-20), are priced at $75 for adults and $15 for children 7 to 12 years old.

Additional information on the event can be found at www.great-motorcycle-exp.com.