May 10, 2003

Rookies looking to make rare move for front row

SportsLine.com wire reports

INDIANAPOLIS -- Dan Wheldon, Tora Takagi and Scott Dixon cannot hide behind their baby-faced smiles any longer.

They are rookies driving and acting like veterans.

In the first week of Indianapolis 500 practice, Wheldon, Takagi and Dixon have consistently finished among the fastest drivers. They will try to continue that trend and defy history Saturday when pole qualifying begins at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"You have to look at the other side, and a lot of rookies have done well here, too," Dixon said after turning the third-fastest lap Friday at 230.714 mph.

Traditionally, Indianapolis has rewarded experience.

No first-year driver has won the pole since Teo Fabi in 1983. Tony Stewart started first in 1996 after polesitter Scott Brayton was killed in practice.

Since 1978, only five rookies -- Rick Mears (1978), Fabi, Stewart, Vincenzo Sospiri (1997) and Juan Pablo Montoya (2000) have started from the front row.

Rookie winners also are a rarity.

Graham Hill won in 1966, Montoya in 2000 and Helio Castroneves got the first of his back-to-back wins in 2001. Montoya drove for Target Chip Ganassi, Dixon's team.

Although the rookies have impressive numbers in practice, they know it will mean little when qualifying begins.

"It's nothing really to get excited about until Saturday," said Wheldon, the fastest driver this week at 232.202. "If I can pull this off Saturday, then I'll be really popular."

Rookies face many problems at the Brickyard, primarily because of the changing track conditions and high speeds.

For Dixon, a New Zealander who finished 13th in the CART standings last season, it's been a challenge. His only trip around the track before Sunday's opening practice was a $1 ride -- on a tour bus.

"It's unique because the weather changes so much," he said. "One minute you're going very well. The next, you don't feel so comfortable."

This rookie class has not demonstrated much discomfort, though.

Despite only three IRL starts, England's Wheldon has outrun everyone, including his more experienced teammates - Michael Andretti, Tony Kanaan and Robby Gordon, the fastest Friday at 231.362.

Wheldon is the only driver to post the day's fastest lap twice, including the week's best speed Thursday.

The 24-year-old driver has downplayed his performance, saying many of the fast laps came with help from other cars.

"If you can see somebody, you're pretty much going to pick up a tow," he said. "We had a couple of laps in tow, but we know where we're at."

Japan's Takagi has chased Wheldon most of the week. Takagi's 232.007 Thursday is the second-fastest speed in practice, and he was the fastest driver Monday at 229.019.

Dixon nearly joined the daily winners' club Friday. Only Gordon and Scott Sharp, at 230.829, were faster.

Wheldon and Takagi drew the No. 10 and 11 spots in the qualifying line and should get a chance to go early. Dixon has the No. 19 spot.

While the rookies realize practice success does not often dictate where a driver will qualify, they see no reason worry.

All they intend to do is keep smiling and driving fast.

"You go out and do what you can, and it puts you where it has put you at the end of the day," Wheldon said. "I'm a big believer that if it's meant to be, it will happen."

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