Chevrolet IndyCar V6 Teams and Drivers take Lead in Manufacturers’ and Driver’s Point Standings to Mid-Ohio
DETROIT – August 1, 2012 – This weekend, the 13 Chevrolet IndyCar V6 drivers will take on the intricacies of the 2.4-mile, 15 turn Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course near Lexington, Ohio. The 85-lap Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio will be Round 12 of the 15-race 2012 IZOD IndyCar Season
“This weekend our Chevrolet IndyCar V6 teams and drivers take on the challenge of the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course,” said Chris Berube, Chevrolet Racing Program Manager, IZOD IndyCar Series. “It is a very technical and physically challenging track for the drivers with a combination of fast, medium and low speed corners, one long straightaway and several dramatic elevation changes. Chevrolet’s technical partners in our IndyCar V6 program are working closely with our team engineers to ensure the Chevy engine delivers the necessary performance and reliability. They are also employing an array of tools to provide setup insight to the teams for this driver-focused track. The racing is so close every weekend that every detail matters.
“IndyCar is enhancing the push-to-pass parameters this weekend with a 5 second activation delay to reduce the use of the feature in a defensive manner. This should keep the racing interesting and will require more strategy from the drivers in the cockpit to make the best use of the extra boost.”
With Helio Castroneves and the No. 3 Penske Truck Rental Chevrolet team’s victory in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, his second trip to Victory Lane this season, Team Chevy drivers have notched eight wins in the Bowtie Brand’s return to IndyCar competition. Chevrolet continues to lead the IndyCar Manufactuers’ Championship standings, a position it has not relinquished since the checkered flag flew at the season’s opening race at St. Petersburg, also won by Castroneves.
“With just four races remaining in the season,” Berube continued. “And Chevrolet drivers holding down the top-three positions in the driver’s point standings, every position and ever point count in their quest to win the top prize – the IZOD IndyCar Series Driver’s Championship. The intensity continues to ratchet up. Everyone involved in the Chevrolet IndyCar program is committed to giving all the teams and drivers the best possible on-track package.”
Andretti Autosport’s Ryan Hunter-Reay with three wins to his credit is at the top of the standings heading into the Mid-Ohio event. He leads Castroneves by 23 points. Castroneves Team Penske teammate, Will Power, sits in third, just three points behind second position and 26 points out of the lead.
In previous Indy car races at Mid-Ohio two current Team Chevy drivers have visited the Winner’s Circle. Castroneves has scored two victories – 2000 and 2001. Ryan Briscoe was the 2008 race winner.
Chevrolet competed previously in Indy-style competition as an engine manufacturer in 1986-93 and 2002-05 with V-8 engines, winning 105 races, that powered Chevrolet to six driver champions, and included seven Indianapolis 500 victories. Five of those wins were at Mid-Ohio as Emerson Fittipaldi took the checkered flag in 1988, 1992 and 1993. Michael Andretti won twice – 1990 and 1991.
