NEWMAN/HAAS/LANIGAN RACING CO-OWNER PAUL NEWMAN COMMENTS ON RETURN TO THE INDIANAPOLIS 500 AND REUNIFICATION OF OPEN WHEEL RACING

Paul Newman, co-owner of Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing: “It (reunification) was absolutely necessary for both groups. It’s tragic that it didn’t happen sooner but it’s good that it at least happened when it did. I think its going to be a great boost for both groups.

“It’s good to be back at Indianapolis. It brings back a lot of fond memories. We’ve won eight championships and come in second twice at Indianapolis but never won The 500. It’s wonderful to be running against Roger (Penske) and (Bobby) Rahal, and Michael (Andretti) and all those guys. It’s comfortable.

“My favorite tradition was that it took a whole month. Indy started at the first of May and you had your reservation at the (speedway) motel. If you wanted it (the room) for two days, you took it for the whole month or you wouldn’t get it and we’re going to work hard to get it back to that.”



1 POLE (1987) & TWO SECONDS AT IMS: The 2008 entry will mark the 16th year for NHR/NHLR in the event and the third since 1995. Prior to 2008, the team prepared a total of 23 entries for drivers such as Mario and Michael Andretti, Nigel Mansell, Paul Tracy, Bruno Junqueira and Sebastien Bourdais. The entry of Justin Wilson and Graham Rahal in 2008 will bring the total to 25. NHR’s highest finish in the Indy 500 is second place with Mario Andretti in 1985 and Michael Andretti in 1991 although team drivers have led many laps here. Mario Andretti also brought the team its highest start in the event when he won the pole position in 1987. NHR’s 2004 entry of Junqueira marked the first time for the team to compete here since 1995 and they returned in 2005 with Junqueira and IMS rookie Bourdais. They have earned Rookie of the Year once, with Mansell in 1993 when he finished third.

26th SEASON: Newman/Haas Racing (NHR) was founded in late 1982 by actor/race car driver Paul Newman and entrepreneur Carl A. Haas and competed in the CART / Champ Car World Series (CCWS) from 1983-2007. In 2007 the team name was revised to Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing (NHLR) to include new partner Mike Lanigan. The 2008 season will mark its first in the IndyCar Series and this will mark the first time for the team to compete in the Indy 500 as NHLR.

PREVIOUS INDY 500: Junqueira qualified 12th for the 2005 race, led two laps by conserving more fuel that the frontrunners and was in sixth place in the race when he came into contact while trying to pass A.J. Foyt IV, who was five laps down on Lap 77 of 200. Due to clever fuel strategy, he was able to run two laps longer on his previous stints than those in front of him including eventual winner Dan Wheldon who was fifth at the time. He sustained a fracture to his T-12 and L-1 vertebra and broke his left ankle. Despite no testing and limited track time, Bourdais qualified 15th for the race and was in fifth place in the final laps when he sustained a cut tire from Buddy Lazier’s wing and crashed with 1.5 laps to go in the 500-mile event and finished 12th.

FINAL INDY 500 BEFORE THE SPLIT: Prior to returning to Indy in 2004 & 2005 the team competed here in 1995. Michael Andretti started 4th, led 45 of the first 77 laps and was about to lap the field but finished 25th due to suspension damage after he brushed the wall. Paul Tracy started 16th and finished 24th due to an electrical malfunction after he completed 136/200 laps.

791 LAPS LED IN THE INDY 500 FOR NHR: Mario Andretti led 402 laps while driving for NHR between the years of 1983-1994; Michael Andretti led 337 laps between the years of 1989-1992 and in 1995; Nigel Mansell led 34 laps between 1993-1994; Bruno Junqueira led 16 laps in 2004 and two in 2005.

IN 500-MILE RACES: The team has earned SIX poles and FIVE wins in 500-mile races (POLES -- Mansell – Michigan/1994, Mario Andretti – Michigan/1993, 1992 & 1984, Indy/1987, Pocono/1987.) (WINS -- da Matta – Fontana/2001, C. Fittipaldi – Fontana/2000, Mansell - Michigan/1993, Michael Andretti – Michigan/1989, Mario Andretti – Michigan/1984.) Laps led in 500-mile races (Mario Andretti – 29 in 1984, 107 in 1985, 170 in 1987, 1 in 1989, 22 in 1991, 1 in 1992, 72 in 1993; Michael Andretti – 35 in 1989, 97 in 1991, 160 in 1992, 45 in 1995; Mansell – 34 in 1993; Junqueira – 16 in 2004, 2 in 2005).

106 WINS & 107 POLES: The team has earned 245 top-three finishes (1st - 106, 2nd – 76, 3rd - 63) and 107 poles.

MOST RECENT WIN AND POLE: NHR/NHLR has earned 106 victories and 107 pole positions. They won their 106th event at the previous IndyCar Series race in St. Pete (Rahal, 4-6-08) and their 107th pole in Long Beach at the Champ Car finale (Wilson, 4-19-08).