Tuesday notebook: Stewart impressed by quality

Stewart is back at the Indianapolis 500 driving for Target/Chip Ganassi Racing - a CART team that hopes to win the Indy 500 for the second year in a row.

Stewart ran 40 laps Tuesday with a fast lap at 221.810 mph, the 11th fastest of the day.

"We ran the car that we ran all day yesterday and got it up to 220 (mph) today, but it's a little different configuration than the second car we're running," Stewart said. "We got a chance to bring it out in the afternoon, and it seems to be much better than the first car. It looks like we'll probably stick with that car again tomorrow and roll it out and see if we can't get a little bit more speed out of it.

"It's pretty good. The thing that's interesting this year compared to previous years is that guys in the top 15 are within two mph of one another."

Stewart believes the IRL is much deeper in talent than it was when he competed in the series from 1996-98.

"It's pretty impressive to see how good everyone is and how even the series is this year," he said. "It's going to force us to get every little bit that we can get out of it now. This is the most competitive I've ever seen this series. This is my fifth year being here. In the last four years I was here, it was never this competitive. It's pretty impressive to see how much this series has grown and how competitive it is now."

Arie Luyendyk, a two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, believes Stewart's addition makes this year's field even more competitive. He is not surprised that team owner Chip Ganassi was able to land a driver with Stewart's talent for the biggest race of the year.

"Chip now being a NASCAR team owner may have struck up a relationship that maybe he didn't have before," Luyendyk said. "I think he knows how good Tony is and saw how good Tony was in the IRL. I think he made a really good choice. And I have to say the same for Jimmy Vasser. There is a lot of experience there.

"Chip is one that I have to say does take care of his past relationships with drivers. He might go and replace you, but he doesn't forget you and that is showing again here with Vasser."

When Stewart was beginning his racing career in karts, his mentor was Mark Dismore, who happened to have the fastest speed in Tuesday's practice session at 224.823 mph.

"I love Tony," Dismore said. "Tony is like my little brother. I truly love Tony and always have. I'd love to see Tony Stewart finish second to me..."



Sam Schmidt Motorsports has signed former Indianapolis 500 driver Gary Bettenhausen to be a driver coach for Davey Hamilton this month. Bettenhausen competed in the Indy 500 21 times between 1968 and 1998. His best finish at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was third in 1980. He finished fifth in 1973 and 1987.



Airton Dare went for a wild ride early Tuesday when the rear wheel of his race car came off coming out of the fourth turn. Dare was able to keep the car out of the wall and drove it into the pits on three wheels.

"We know the wheel came off, but we were on our eighth lap and usually when a wheel comes off it's on the first lap," said Mark Weida, chief mechanic for Dare's car. "The suspension was intact, and the lug nuts were on, so we're just going to have to go back and look at it."



Instead of filling the field in the Indianapolis 500, local dentist Dr Jack Miller will go back to filling teeth after withdrawing from this year's race. Miller was one of 11 drivers involved in a fiery crash at Atlanta Motor Speedway on April 28. He was hospitalised overnight with signs of a concussion.

"I have pushed myself in the last week to get ready for Indy, but after evaluating my injuries, I realise I need some time to get healthy," Miller said. "I must step away and take a break from racing. I have to think about protecting my health for my dental career as well.

"I'm disappointed that I will not be able to participate in the 85th running of the greatest race in the world, but after careful consideration of all the issues, I believe my decision is in the best interest of my health and family."

Brian Barnhart is the Indy Racing League vice president of operations and applauded Miller for his decision.

"Dr Jack has a real passion for the sport of auto racing, and I know this must be a tough time for him," Barnhart said. "Dr Jack has been a positive presence here in the IRL for the last five years; he has been a very popular driver among fans and has been a great ambassador for his sponsors and his teams. Everyone here at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy Racing League wish Dr Jack the very best and a speedy recovery."