CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
ANGIE’S LIST GRAND PRIX OF INDIANAPOLIS
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
RACE-WINNER QUICK QUOTE
MAY 14, 2016
Simon Pagenaud in the No. 22 Menards Team Penske Chevrolet won his third straight race in the Verizon IndyCar Series by winning the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis for the second time in three years. Pagenaud, who won from pole position and leads the Verizon Indy Car Driver’s Championship, led a Team Chevy 1-2 finish with Helio Castroneves second in the No. 3 Hum by Verizon Chevrolet.
TALK ABOUT THE IN-LAP AND THE OUT-LAP AROUND THE LAST STOP. HOW FAST WAS THAT? “I went faster than any other lap on the in-lap. Kyle Moyer (team manager and car strategist) told me that I had to go. I knew it was going to be the chance to get back in the lead. The pit sequence was so important. With the temperature being so low, it was very difficult on the out-lap to get the tires going. I knew this was my chance so I drove as hard as I could. I drove into pitlane like a rally car so it but worked out! The pit crew did a fantastic job on that stop. That was an easy last stint. Thank you so much! I’m so glad for Menards. They just joined Team Penske. Obviously, Team Penske is the best in the business but having this livery and being the driver of that livery is very special. Thanks to everyone for coming with this weather.”
YOU HAVE TO THINK THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO COME INTO THE INDY 500. “Yeah, it feels nice I have to stay. Three in a row is pretty incredible these days in IndyCar. It’s not just me; it’s the whole team. This car is magical. I couldn’t do it without them. I want to thank Verizon as well for being such a tremendous supporter of our sport and our team. We couldn’t do it without them. They bring the fans to the racetrack as well, so thanks to them as well for the opportunity.”
HOW DID YOU GET TO VICTORY LANE TODAY? “The car was fantastic once again. The balance was perfect all race. When we were in the lead, we were cruising and doing what we could to save the tires. But the car was just fantastic to drive. Charlie (Kimball) had a good pit stop on the first one. I managed to get him on the outside of Turn 7. It was very difficult on cold tires so you could really make up some ground on the pit sequence. After the first one, I realized there was something to do with it. I let Kyle know – he already knew – and the next two pit stops we did the opposite and it worked. We had two great pit stops at the end. It’s incredible to win three in a row like this. To win here in Indy is very special. I’ve lived here for nine years so this place is very special in my heart.”
HOW DID THE FIRESTONE TIRES PERFORM? “Very well. In general, the Firestone are so consistent whether it’s the black or the reds. The red tires were really good because it was cool and they were bringing me more grip. It was easier to drive. The black tires were really tough on the out-lap so you had to tiptoe it but somehow be aggressive to generate heat. But everything was so consistent. I was just enjoying the driver lap after lap.”