Sarah Fisher gave lead singer Issac Slade of The Fray a tour of the Sarah Fisher Racing shop and a lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway before the band's concert in Indianapolis on July 2.

During his visit to the race shop, Slade tested his skills on the team's Simcraft racing simulator, which simulates a race car driving experience with full motion.

"Do you really move around this much when you're driving," said Slade, who was surprised at the amount of jostling he experienced.

They then visited the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Fisher got behind the wheel of the Chevrolet Camaro Indianapolis 500 Pace Car for a tour reaching 120 mph.

"She drives really smooth," he said.

Welcome to the Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen, the ninth race of the 2009 IndyCar® Series season. John Griffin, vice president of public relations for the Indy Racing League, and Eiron Smith, director of communications for Watkins Glen International, and their staffs are here to assist you. Please direct your questions and requests to anyone in the Media Center.

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TODAY'S SCHEDULE (all times local):

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The IndyCar Series will compete in the Camping World at The Glen, a 60-lap race at 1 p.m. Sunday. The Firestone Indy Lights series will compete in the Corning 100, a 30-lap race at 1 p.m. Saturday.

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Firestone Indy Lights entry update: Pablo Donoso has switched from car #6 to car #9 at this event. His RLR/Andersen Racing teammate Ali Jackson has switched from car #9 to car #6 at this event.

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Live timing and scoring reports from the Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen is available on the Internet at www.indycar.com. The live timing and scoring module provides statistical information, including track segment speeds, lap information and much more.

Feature stories, reports, driver quotes and notes, and photos will be posted on the site each day. More detailed information, including media advisories and VNF coordinates, is available at www.indycar.com/media. The user name is media, and the password is indycar. The username and password are case-sensitive.

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The Indy Racing League, the sanctioning body for Firestone Indy Lights, has penalized driver Ana Beatriz for on-track actions during the race June 20 at Iowa Speedway.

Beatriz has been penalized five grid positions for this weekend's event at Watkins Glen for failing to respond to yellow flag conditions, which is a violation of rules involving caution periods as listed in the Firestone Indy Lights Rule Book.

Beatriz may appeal the penalty as prescribed in the Firestone Indy Lights Rule Book. An appeal may result in an increase, decrease or no change to the penalty.

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FIRESTONE INDY LIGHTS PRACTICE:

At 10:30 a.m., the ambient temperature was 65 degrees with a relative humidity of 84 percent and variable winds at 11 mph. Skies were mostly cloudy.

10:30 a.m. - GREEN.

10:40 a.m. - #21 Davison quickest at 1:42.2282, 118.676.

11:05 a.m. - #21 Davison quickest at 1:38.3219, 123.391.

11:15 a.m. - CHECKERED. #21 Davison quickest at 1:37.7887, 124.063.

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FASTEST TIMES/SPEEDS OF SESSION:

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Firestone Racing brings three types of tires to Watkins Glen this weekend. IndyCar Series teams have six sets of primary dry racing slicks, five sets of rain tires and three sets of alternate "red" tires.

Each entry must declare to the Indy Racing League within one hour after qualifying on which dry-condition tire spec it intends to start the race. All cars must use at least one primary set and one new alternate set during the race, each for a minimum of two green-flag laps.

Firestone Racing is bringing a new primary tire specification to Watkins Glen, while alternate tires will be used here for the first time. The rain tire is the more durable, "road course rain" specification. The primary spec is a durable road course compound and construction, designed to withstand the high speeds encountered on the IndyCar Series' longest permanent road course. The alternate tires are identical in construction to the primaries but contain a softer tread compound, which will provide more grip and faster lap times, yet will trade off compound durability in exchange for those shorter- term advantages.

AL SPEYER (Executive Director, Firestone Racing): "After nearly three months of racing on ovals, Firestone Racing is looking forward to a few consecutive road and street course races. Not only does the move from ovals to road courses like Watkins Glen showcase the talent of the IndyCar Series drivers through the differing demands of the diverse track lineup, it also gives Firestone Racing an opportunity to once again feature our alternate tire concept. Last year's event in Watkins Glen was one of the more exciting road/street course events of the season, and with alternate tires in the mix this year, I anticipate that this year's race will be as good or better. There is a significant gap between the primary and alternate tire specifications for this event, so tire management and strategy will no doubt come into play. And with ever-changing weather forecasts, it remains to be seen whether our wet tire will be necessary, as well!"

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The timeline for today's Firestone Indy Lights practice and qualifying sessions is located between Turns 9 and 10.

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Any Firestone Indy Lights driver who causes a full-course yellow during qualifying will lose their quickest qualifying lap to that point. A second offense will result in the driver losing all qualifying laps, with the driver banned from the remainder of qualifying.

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2005 Firestone Indy Lights champion Wade Cunningham has a strong record at Watkins Glen, with podium finishes in each of his four starts here. He won the first race of a double-header in 2007, finished second in the second race of the double-header in 2007, second in 2006 and third in 2005. Cunningham also won two poles here, in 2005 and 2007.

Cunningham will drive the No. 11 Lucas Oil/Sam Schmidt Motorsports car this weekend.

WADE CUNNINGHAM: "Because Watkins Glen is such a fast-running track, you're not forcing the car around like a street course. But because of the high speed corners and long straights here, you can't run a lot of downforce. So the track requires a lot of confidence and commitment from the driver in order to be quick. If you can get it all right, you're rewarded as a driver."

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When the United States men's soccer team lost, 3-2, in the final of the FIFA Confederations Cup June 28, Firestone Indy Lights team owner Sam Schmidt lost a friendly bet with one of his team's drivers, Brazilian Ana Beatriz.

SAM SCHMIDT: "First off, I want to congratulate USA Soccer for its tremendous performance in the FIFA international tournament recently completed, beating Spain and almost winning the title. However, I am quite bummed they didn't beat Brazil in the finals as Bia would have had to wear a Team USA jersey all weekend per our bet."

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The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation and Sam Schmidt Motorsports will play host at 11 a.m. (ET) Saturday, July 4 to its "Day at the Races" event in the Target/Chip Ganassi Racing Hospitality area. Around 50 guests will be provided lunch and learn about the quality-of-life programs available to the spinal cord injured and their families.

Media inquiries about the foundation can be directed to Ida Cahill, the foundation president, at (609) 638-2083.

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Vitor Meira isn't exceptionally flexible at the moment, so "I'm just not going to be very good changing tires and fueling," he said.

But the veteran IndyCar Series driver is attending the race weekend at The Glen to support the A.J. Foyt Racing team and driver Ryan Hunter-Reay.

It will be the first race Meira has attended since suffering two broken lower vertebrae during the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 24, but his thoughts have been with the team while recuperating and rehabilitating. Meira is wearing a torso brace in lieu of surgery.

VITOR MEIRA: "They've been giving me a lot of support since the accident, and most of all, they're all my friends and I want to be with them. Second of all, to be at the racetrack, that's where I always want to be, and that's where I love to be. I don't want to be at home if I can be at the racetrack. I'll probably go around the track and watch some cars with a stopwatch and take some times and take notes on some different lines so I can keep Ryan updated on what people are doing out there."

Penske Racing announced that Will Power will compete in five IndyCar Series races, beginning with the Honda Indy Toronto on July 12, behind the wheel of the No. 12 Penske Truck Rental car.

Power also is scheduled to drive for Penske Racing at Edmonton (July 26), Kentucky Speedway (Aug. 1), Infineon Raceway (Aug. 23) and Homestead-Miami Speedway (Oct. 10).

Upon joining Penske Racing in January, Power drove throughout pre-season testing and in three of the first four events on the IndyCar Series schedule. He earned a pole position and three top-10 finishes.

"Will has done a terrific job for Penske Racing and he has earned the opportunity to compete in more races," team owner Roger Penske said. "Will is a great asset to the team and we are excited to have him compete at these additional five races in the Penske Truck Rental IndyCar."

Filling in for three-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves in the No. 3 Team Penske Dallara/Honda, Power earned a sixth-place finish in the season opener on the streets of St. Petersburg.

After Castroneves returned to the team in April, Power remained with Penske Racing and drove the No. 12 Team Verizon Wireless car at Long Beach, where he started from the pole and finished second. He also started ninth and finished fifth in the Indianapolis 500.

"I am really looking forward to getting back on the track and driving for Penske Racing," the 28-year-old Australia native said. "I have learned so much working with everyone on the team this season and I plan to make the most of this opportunity to drive the Penske Truck Rental car at these five upcoming races and help the team however I can."

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. - For the past 2˝ months, IndyCar Series drivers have leaned significantly to the left. This weekend, they'll throw in some right-hand turns at Watkins Glen International.

The Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen kicks off three consecutive road/street course races, and five of the final nine events are on natural-terrain or temporary street/airport circuits.

"I haven't turned right in two months," said Raphael Matos, the Bombardier Learjet Rookie of the Year points leader for Luczo Dragon Racing. "Being at the go-kart track makes you work really hard on your reflexes, your concentration. You can simulate so many things there like qualifying runs, long runs on fuel, everything. The best thing is it gets your body back to how it feels on a road course."

Matos posted first- and second-place finishes at the 3.37-mile, 11-turn track last year in Firestone Indy Lights. In the previous non-oval IndyCar Series races this season, he has started ninth (St. Petersburg) and third (Long Beach) with varying results (20th at St. Pete after contact midway through the race and eighth at Long Beach).

"Watkins Glen is one of the best tracks on the planet," he said. "It's a very fast, flowing track with a lot of elevation changes. It's very fun to drive when the car gives you confidence in the fast corners. It's very important for the driver to be on top of his equipment and for the set up to be good. You will see long straights so the car must be very quick on acceleration and top speed."

The return to road/street circuits also brings Firestone's alternate tires into play. Here's a recap of the program:

All cars must use at least one primary set and one alternate (also called reds because of the red sidewalls) set during the race, each for a minimum of two green-flag laps. Teams are allowed to use the alternate tires during practice, qualifications and the race morning warm-up session.

Per IndyCar Series rules, each entry must declare to the sanctioning body within one hour after qualifying on which dry-condition tire spec it intends to start the 60-lap race.

The alternate tires are identical in construction to the primaries but contain a softer tread compound that will provide more grip yet trade off compound durability for those shorter-term advantages.

"There is a significant gap between the primary and alternate tire specifications for this event, so tire management and strategy will no doubt come into play," said Al Speyer, executive director of Firestone Racing.

Hometown Heroes for Watkins Glen weekend

Brothers who are with the 69^th Infantry Battalion of the New York Army National Guard are Panther Racing's 'Hometown Heroes' for the Watkins Glen race weekend.

Staff Sergeant Jonathan D. Gould and Specialist Timothy P. Gould are deployed with the 27th Brigade Combat Team to Afghanistan. They will join Dan Wheldon, driver of the No. 4 National Guard Panther Racing car, during the IndyCar Series autograph session (5:15 p.m. July 4 in the Turn 10 hospitality area). During the season, Panther Racing recognizes National Guard Hometown Heroes with special autograph cards and public appearances.

In October 2007, upon hearing of his brother's forthcoming deployment to Afghanistan, SSG Gould enlisted in the New York Army National Guard and served in Afghanistan. His military awards include the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge among others. 

SPC Gould enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in January 2006 and has been recognized with the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge among others.

Vitor Meira isn't exceptionally flexible at the moment, so "I'm just not going to be very good changing tires and fueling." But the veteran IndyCar Series driver will attend the Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen weekend to support the A.J. Foyt Racing team and driver Ryan Hunter-Reay.

It will be the first race Meira has attended since suffering two broken lower vertebrae during the Indianapolis 500 on May 24, but his thoughts have been with the team while recuperating and rehabilitating.

"They've been giving me a lot of support since the accident and most of all they're all my friends and I want to be with them," said Meira, who's wearing a torso brace in lieu of surgery. "Second of all, to be at the racetrack, that's where I always want to be and that's where I love to be. I don't want to be at home if I can be at the racetrack.

"I'll probably go around the track and watch some cars with a stopwatch and take some times and take notes on some different lines so I can keep Ryan updated on what people are doing out there."

Hunter-Reay, the defending race champion, will be driving the No. 14 ABC Supply Co. car for the third race. The sight of someone else driving his race car will be "very weird," according to Meira.

"Well, it's not my race car, I'm just driving A.J.'s race car but it was planned for me to be there. But it is different. It makes you appreciate a little more the opportunities you have."

Meira, who had a high finish of ninth in the season opener in his first year with A.J. Foyt Racing, returned this week from a 10-day trip to his native Brazil, where he was visiting his family and checking in with his personal physician.

"I had some business things there to sort out that I didn't have to do, but it would be good to do since I had the time," Meira said. "And I saw my family and my family doctor to keep everybody abreast."

Mario Moraes recorded his highest IndyCar Series finish at Watkins Glen International in 2008, so it's natural he's looking forward to competing on the 3.37-mile road course again this weekend.

Moraes, 20, driving the No. 5 KV Racing Technology-Votorantim car, is coming off two top-10 finishes in the past four oval races in which he also started in the top 10. Last week at Richmond, Moraes finished 16th.

"The last couple of races for KV Racing Technology have been frustrating," he said. "The team has worked very hard, but we have not produced the results we want. We tested at Watkins Glen earlier this month and got a lot of good data. Also, I had my best IndyCar finish there last year (seventh), so I am confident we can have a good performance this weekend."

For the next three races, Moraes will be working with Paul Tracy, who will drive the No. 15 GEICO-KV Racing Technology car in the Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen. The Ontario Honda Dealers Association will sponsor the entry for the Toronto (July 12) and Edmonton (July 26) events.

Tracy, who competed in the Indianapolis 500 in the GEICO-sponsored car (ninth place), will compete at The Glen for the first time in his long and distinguished career.

"It feels a little strange that in all the years I have been racing I have never competed at The Glen," he said. "I want to thank GEICO Insurance, (team co-owners) Kevin Kalkhoven and Jimmy Vasser for this opportunity. I enjoyed the month of May, but we were on a limited program. Now I can settle in, work with Mark Johnson (KVRT general manager), the engineers and crew for three straight races.

"I have said before and I will say it again, at this point in my career I am not just out there to finish races, I am out there to win."

 

Special to indycar.com

With a mix of superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and natural-terrain road courses, the IndyCar Series offers more diversity in racetracks than any other form of racing.

In a three-week period, the series has a schedule that includes Richmond International Raceway, a bullring measuring 0.75-mile; Watkins Glen International, one of America's most enduring and beloved road courses; and the street circuit just a short cable car ride from downtown Toronto.

Click it: Racing, fireworks, concerts and more at The Glen this weekend

The same kind of diversity is a hallmark for the places that host IndyCar Series races. Richmond, Va., is a mid-sized city bursting with American history. Watkins Glen, N.Y., is a quaint lakeside village. Toronto is a cosmopolitan city that serves as the economic center of Canada.

With a population of 2,000 - compared to 200,000 (Richmond) or 2.5 million (Toronto) -- you might surmise there isn't much to do in Watkins Glen for race fans. That's definitely not the case.

Dedicated enthusiasts will want to check out the International Motor Racing Research Center. The purpose-built 5,000-square-foot structure just south of downtown houses one of the world's best collections of racing-related books, periodicals, videos and memorabilia. There are also often classic racing cars on display, including the current centerpiece, a McLaren M19 Formula 1 car driven by Peter Revson.

It would be just as easy to spend a whole day at Watkins Glen State Park. A series of gorge paths wind their way around and under 19 different waterfalls, through 400 feet of elevation changes that includes two 200-foot cliffs. Seneca Lake offers opportunities to indulge in water sports.

Another interesting activity is to follow the route of the original 6.6-mile race course used from 1948-52 that's comprised of public roads. Starting from downtown, the track wound up and around the state park, with the start-finish line on Franklin Street directly outside the courthouse.

Lunch is best enjoyed at one of Watkins Glen's racing landmarks -- The Glen Motor Inn or the Seneca Lodge. From the 1960s to 1980, when Watkins Glen International hosted the F1 United States Grand Prix, most of the drivers and teams stayed at these privately-owned motels. At the Motor Inn, you can survey a plethora of vintage photos and reminisce with the Franzese family about the famous faces who have stayed there or dined at the Montage restaurant.

Meanwhile, the walls of the Seneca Lodge are lined by the garland wreaths that Watkins Glen open-wheel race winners traditionally receive.

At the end of the day, you'll want to take a walk through the village and enjoy dinner at a diverse selection of establishments with names like Captain Bill's Seneca Lake, Mr. Chicken or Savard's Family Restaurant.

The Watkins Glen village also features a number of small shops that might have that 30-year-old race program or poster you've been searching for. But keep your eyes open as you stroll; you might just bump into Ashley Judd coming out of Mr. Chicken or the Glen Dairy Bar.