Wilson helps Shank team win Rolex 24: Dale Coyne Racing’s Justin Wilson
teamed with AJ Allmendinger, Oswaldo Negri Jr. and John Pew to win the 50th
anniversary endurance race in the No. 60 Michael Shank Racing with
Curb/Agajanian. The entry won by 5.198 seconds over the Starworks Motorsport
team anchored by Ryan Dalziel.

Michael Shank Racing’s previous best finish in the event (second place)
came in 2006 with Wilson, Allmendinger, Negri and Mark Patterson co-driving.
Overall, six Daytona Prototype teams with INDYCAR drivers finished in the top
10.

A second Michael Shank Racing with Curb/Agajanian Daytona Prototype
entry, with Firestone Indy Lights drivers Gustavo Yacaman and Jorge Goncalvez
among the co-drivers, finished third as the only other car on the lead lap
(761) in the twice-around-the-clock race on the 3.56-mile, 12-turn course.

Wilson was competing for the first time since early August when he
suffered fractured vertebrae during a practice incident at the Mid-Ohio Sports
Car Course, which forced him to miss the final six IZOD IndyCar Series events.

“We all managed to comprise enough to get by between all four of
us in being comfortable and being able to push the limit every single lap,
because this was a tough race,” said Wilson, who will be returning to Dale
Coyne Racing for the 2012 season that begins March 25 with the Honda Grand Prix
of St. Petersburg.

A day to recuperate and it will be back behind the wheel for Wilson,
who’ll be able to stretch his legs in the new Dallara DW12 chassis at Sebring
International Raceway. A dozen other IZOD IndyCar Series drivers will join him
on the short course, including Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon of the
fourth-place Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates car in the Rolex 24.

Shank also will have few hours to revel in his first Rolex 24 victory
in nine attempts before he focuses on wrapping up details of entering the IZOD
IndyCar Series with MSR Indy and likely Paul Tracy as the driver.

“We are so close to being able to run our car at St. Pete and I’m not
giving up,” Shank said before the green flag. “This is about passion
for me and business. First passion, then business. We have a great relationship
with Ford and the Grand Am series and I could make a living here just fine. But
it’s been my dream and my intention since I was 7 years old to get in the
Indianapolis 500, so when there’s opportunity – like I believe there is in
INDYCAR right now – we decided to go for it.

“In a perfect world, I could announce (now) what I’m doing. We’re
going to work as hard as we can to make it happen. The interest has been great
and we have a lot of new fans.”

Tracy, who confirmed he’s working with Shank to finalize a deal, was
among the drivers of the Doran Racing car that finished seventh overall – one
spot behind the 2011-winnnig Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates car
co-driven by Graham Rahal.

“We need to put together an engine program this week and tie up a
couple of other lose ends of some other contractual stuff, and if we can do
that, then we’ll get the car put together and try to get to Sebring to
test,” Tracy said following a twilight stint.

Ryan Hunter-Reay, who looked to be out of the endurance race when
sponsorship for a second Starworks Motorsport car fell through five days
earlier, rejoined the team before the initial practice of the weekend and then
qualified ninth.

More last minute was the addition of Marco Andretti, Hunter-Reay’s
teammate at Andretti Autosport, to the driver lineup. Andretti was granted a
late license (he had never driven a Daytona Prototype) and fared well, though
he became dehydrated.

Another Andretti Autosport teammate, James Hinchcliffe, co-drove a
SpeedSource Mazda RX-8 that finished seventh in the GT class and 16th overall.

Media Contact: Amy Konrath, INDYCAR, (317) 331-7437,
akonrath@indycar.com

By Dave Lewandowski

From www.indycar.com

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Mike Conway laughs at the mention that his first major test won’t necessarily be in the Honda-powered Dallara DW chassis on the Sebring International Raceway short course Jan. 31, but how he interacts with A.J. Foyt.

Conway, who joined the Foyt organization Dec. 20, isn’t concerned as much with either. He’s looking forward to the opportunity to get started again.

“It’s been a shorter offseason than last year when I didn’t really know if I would be driving until the end of February,” said Conway, who’s made 39 IZOD IndyCar Series starts with two teams. “This year it was nice to know before Christmas what I was doing and focus on it. I’m excited to just get in the car now.

“(Team director) Larry (Foyt) is really committed to taking the team forward and has a lot of vision to making sure they get back into Victory Lane,” said Conway of the 1999 Indianapolis 500-winning and 1998 IZOD IndyCar Series championship team. “That definitely excited me. I get the chance to work with A.J. as well.”

Conway, who won the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach last April with Andretti Autosport, brings strength on the road/street courses. He had six top-10 starts, delivering four top-10 finishes, on the roads/streets in 2011.

“With the series having twice as many road courses as ovals, we looked for a driver who is fast on those tracks and Mike has certainly proved himself in that area,” said A.J. Foyt, who’s the grand marshal for the 50th anniversary Rolex 24 At Daytona this weekend. “I may even be able to give him a little advice when it comes to the ovals.”

Joining Conway on the road course Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 will be:

James Hinchcliffe and Ryan Hunter-Reay (Andretti Autosport)
Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti (Target Chip Ganassi Racing)
Graham Rahal (Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing)
Charlie Kimball (Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing)
Justin Wilson (Dale Coyne Racing)
Tony Kanaan (KV Racing Technology)
JR Hildebrand (National Guard Panther Racing)
Ryan Briscoe, Helio Castroneves and Will Power (Team Penske)

Oriol Servia (in the Lotus development car) will test Jan. 30 and 31. Hunter-Reay, Hinchcliffe, Kanaan, Hildebrand and the Team Penske trio also will be on the track Jan. 30.

Conway, who made his IZOD IndyCar Series debut in 2009 with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, noted that communication will be an important asset at the outset of the season that begins March 25 with the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

“With the new car it’s all about who gets on top of it the quickest,” Conway said. “We’ll be working as well as we can with my engineers and the crew around me. Getting that jump at the beginning will be key. No one really knows who has the upper hand, and no one really will know until qualifying for St. Pete.”

IndyCar racers Ed Carpenter and Simona de Silvestro spent two hours entertaining patients in The 2^nd Annual Racing For Kids/IZOD IndyCar Series Christmas visit to Indianapolis’ Riley Children’s hospital. 

The visit started off with a nice surprise.  Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Nicole Garside, Director of Licensing, and Drew Boyd Customer Products Coordinator, presented Riley representatives with a $1000 check from recent IMS fundraising efforts.

 After the check presentation, the drivers visited more than 60 youngsters in playrooms and bedside visits on several floors. They entertained the young patients by signing autographs, posting for photos and handing out Racing or Kids® bags filled with racing memorabilia – hats, UMP IndyCar calendars & miniature race cars and coloring books. 

The drivers were assisted by Humana’s Lissa Starner who made sure each child had a colorful Racing For Kids baseball cap, while public relations specialist Monica Hilton took Racing For Kids photographs. Carpenter’s wife Heather also lent a hand with the visit.  

The Riley visit was the last of the 22^nd Racing For Kids season. The year featured 20 hospital visits and at track events, including a first time driver visit in Brazil. More than 2000 hospitalized youngsters met IndyCar’s most popular drivers who not only brightened the day for their new “friends,” but contributed directly to their recovery therapy. 

          More than half of the drivers who started this year’s 100th Indy 500 are Racing For Kids drivers. Carpenter and de Silvestro were typical of this team of racers as they selflessly spent time caring for the needs of hospital youngsters.

Barry Waddell, professional racer and private racing coach, will display the Racing For Kids logo on his virtual race car in this online competition.  Waddell is a long-time support of Racing For Kids and has dedicated any winnings from the race to the charity.

702 Barnhill Drive

Indianapolis, IN 46202

 Thursday December 15, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.(Meet in the Riley Atrium at 9:45)

• The visit will be conducted by Special Events Coordinator, Melissa Sexton – phone 317-944-8293
• Representing Racing For Kids will be IndyCar drivers Ed Carpenter and Simona de Silvestro.
• They will spend time with the young patients in the playroomfollowed by bedside visits, signing autograph cards and bringing along coloring books and Racing For Kids^® baseball style caps.  They will also have toy cars for the kids that have been donated by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Mattel. 
• Racing For Kids^® Executive Director, Mr. J. Patrick Wright will be attending the visit as well as Mr. Drew Boyd and Nicole Garside from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 
• Media relations are handled by Kit Werbe – phone 317-963-7692

Belardi Auto Racing, alongside their 2011 Firestone Indy Lights driver, Anders Krohn, have been awarded the 2011 PNC Community Leader Award.

The winner, a 2011 Firestone Indy Lights Team/Driver, is selected by PNC Bank, and is chosen based on who best displays community service or community outreach.

Anders Krohn was very honored to win the award. “Winning the PNC Community Leader Award is a great honor and a prize that I regard very highly. I feel fortunate to have organizations such as Racing for Kids, The Indy 500 Committee, The Indy 500 Princess Program and Racing for Corey for allowing me on their programs.”

“It’s been a huge eye opener for me to partake in the hospital visits throughout the 2011 season. Seeing kids that are ill certainly puts things into perspective, and has made me realize how fortunate I am. For 2012 I will continue my partnership with Racing for Kids, and cannot wait to see the smiles when kids get to see and sit in a race car for the first time.”

Krohn, who drove the No. 9 Belardi Auto Racing Liberty Engineering Firestone Indy Lights car, spent much of his season working with the Belardi Auto Racing team to devote his spare time to various charities. He has worked closely with the Racing for Kids organization for the past two years where he has visited hundreds of children in hospitals around the country alongside other IndyCar series drivers. This past May, Anders also joined the Indy 500 Committee and the Indy 500 Princess Program during their children hospital visits prior to the 2011 edition of the Indianapolis 500. In addition to these hospital visits, Anders also supported the Racing for Corey campaign with his Belardi Auto Racing teammates during a short meeting with dozens of children with life-threatening illnesses prior to this years race at Kentucky Speedway.

Following the tragic shootings and bombings in Anders’ home country of Norway, Belardi Auto Racing allowed his fans to sign the rear wing of the No. 9 car during the Grand Prix Trois Rivieres and the New Hampshire 100 to show support for his country during the horrific times.

“As a team owner it makes me really proud to win this award alongside one of our drivers,” said Brian Belardi. “Being known for not only excelling on the track, but for trying to help the communities we are welcomed into every weekend, it means a great deal to the whole team. We hope to expand our philanthropic efforts as an entire team in the upcoming season.”

Indianapolis, IN – November 21, 2011 – United Medical Providers, Inc. (UMP) is proud to announce the release of the official 2012 IZOD IndyCar wall calendar.

For the first time in history, proceeds of the calendar will benefit three racing-related charities: Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, Racing for Kids and Racing for Cancer. By purchasing the popular calendar, fans are doing their part to support all three organizations. 

Now renowned throughout the paddock, the official calendar has become a must-have for any racing enthusiast. The twelve-month, 12”x9” (12”x18” open), photographic wall calendar features some of the hottest stars of the IZOD IndyCar Series, including Dario Franchitti, Will Power, Marco Andretti, Simona De Silvestro, Helio Castroneves and more! 

The month of May is celebrated in the calendar by showcasing IZOD IndyCar champion, and two-time Indy 500 winner, Dan Wheldon. From now until December 31, 2011, UMP will donate $1 from the sale of every calendar to the Dan Wheldon Family Trust Fund. 

Race fans will also enjoy a full-page poster of Cameron Haven, the IZOD IndyCar Series Trophy Girl. The entire calendar offers everything a race fan needs to celebrate their favorite open-wheel sport, or give as a gift.

 “We’re really excited about the 2012 calendar,” said David Wills, President of UMP. “The demand for this awesome product keeps going up, which gives us the ability to donate to three amazing charities in the racing community. It’s a win-win for everyone involved and we truly appreciate the fan support.”

Fans can purchase the calendar online now at www.UMPonline.com/calendar. Bulk purchase discounts are available. In addition, updates will be published throughout the 2012 season for fans that wish to purchase additional calendars at the track.

 About United Medical Providers

United Medical Providers (UMP) has been serving the medical supply and equipment needs for thousands of clients in the United States since 1996. UMP can supply clients’ urological needs with a complete line of quality products. UMP carries thousands of products from top manufacturers like Astra Tech, Bard, Coloplast, Hollister, Rochester Medical, Rusch and Securi-T. For more information, visit www.UMPonline.com. 

About The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation

The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation was started in 2000 by Indy Racing League driver Sam Schmidt shortly after a practice-run crash left him paralyzed from the chest down.  SSPF is leading the charge to cure paralysis by funding scientific research, medical treatment, rehabilitation and technological advances, benefiting stroke victims and people diagnosed with ALS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.  In addition to initiating local and national advocacy efforts on behalf of those disabled, SSPF funds various quality of life grants to organizations, provides college scholarships for people with spinal cord injuries/paralysis, and funds the national Day at the Races program. For more information, visit www.samschmidt.org. 

About Racing For Kids

Founded in Detroit in 1989, Racing For Kids is designed to use the increasing popularity of motorsports to focus public attention and funding on the health care needs of children. The hospital visits form the heart of the program. RFK drivers visit children in Children’s Hospitals wherever they race. They spend time with each sick youngster answering questions about their sport, posing for pictures, signing autographs and handing out the distinctive RFK hats, coloring books and assorted memorabilia provide by our sponsors. RFK representatives have visited with more than 24,000 young patients in nearly 500 hospitals in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Australia. For more information, visit www.RacingForKids.org. 

About Racing for Cancer

Racing For Cancer, Inc. was formed to unite motorsports fans around the world to help those afflicted with cancer and to promote early detection and prevention initiatives that support the global fight against cancer. The mission is simply to help beat cancer. Racing for Cancer commits 100 percent of net proceeds, raised through various fundraising programs, to (1) promote and launch early detection and prevention initiatives, and (2) promote awareness and the eradication of childhood cancer. The organization also partners to support various marketing efforts to aid in the global cancer awareness campaign. For more information, visit www.RacingForCancer.org.

Contact:

David Wills

United Medical Providers

504.520.8374

davidw@umponline.com

Dan Weldon was honored at the 2008 Indy 500 Front Row Party. Proceeds from the event went to Racing For Kids.

Racing For Kids lost a good friend and team member when IndyCar racer and champion Dan Wheldon died from injuries sustained during a 15 car crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, October 16^th. Dan made several Racing For Kids visits to hospitalized children throughout his Indy Lights and IndyCar careers and attended several fund raising events to support the RFK programs.

Speaking on behalf of the Racing For Kids family, Dr. William Pinsky, founder of Racing For Kids said: “Dan Wheldon was a valuable member of the Racing For Kids Team. His lively personality brightened the day for hundreds of sick children bringing smiles to their faces and laughter to their hearts during often difficult treatments and procedures. He left the indelible mark of a champion in racing and also in the hearts and minds of those he touched outside of the track.”

INDIANAPOLIS, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011 — INDYCAR will hold a public memorial service to celebrate the life of IZOD IndyCar Series driver Dan Wheldon at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 at Conseco Fieldhouse in
downtown Indianapolis.

Wheldon, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and 2005 IZOD IndyCar Series
champion, sustained unsurvivable injuries in a racing accident Oct. 16 at Las
Vegas Motor Speedway. He is survived by his wife, Susie, and two young sons.
Wheldon was 33.

The Dan Wheldon Family Trust Fund has been established for the financial
security of Wheldon’s family. The public can make contributions to the Dan
Wheldon Family Trust Fund starting Wednesday, Oct. 19 at the following
address:

Fifth Third Private Bank

Attn: Dan Wheldon Family Trust

251 North Illinois St. Suite 1000

Indianapolis, IN 46204

More details on how to contribute will be available in the coming days.

A memorial site, which includes a Facebook link to leave condolences and
remembrances and a career photo retrospective, can be found at http://www.danwheldonmemorial.com.

Media Contact: Amy Konrath, INDYCAR, 317-492-6453, akonrath@indycar.com