Indy Qualifying 2008

cars leave the pits for a practice session.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:42:08 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
cars leave the pits for a practice session.

The inside of turn one looks nothing like it used to. The new "S" curve in the infield is for the motorcycle races that will be run here this year.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:42:33 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
The inside of turn one looks nothing like it used to. The new "S" curve in the infield is for the motorcycle races that will be run here this year.

This is with a telephoto lens. With the naked (I Luv that word) eye you can't see much of what happens up there in turn four

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:43:11 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
This is with a telephoto lens. With the naked (I Luv that word) eye you can't see much of what happens up there in turn four

Ryan Hunter-Reay was having trouible getting up to speed...results later.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:43:21 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Ryan Hunter-Reay was having trouible getting up to speed...results later.

The A J Foyt team is still here, with Darren Manning (England) driving,

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:44:04 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
The A J Foyt team is still here, with Darren Manning (England) driving,

Ed Carpenter drives the Menards sponsored car....owned by his father...who also owns the IRL Racing Series....and the Indianapolis Speedway. Bet he makes the race.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:44:17 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Ed Carpenter drives the Menards sponsored car....owned by his father...who also owns the IRL Racing Series....and the Indianapolis Speedway. Bet he makes the race.

Ryan Brisco (Australia) in a Penske car.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:44:59 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Ryan Brisco (Australia) in a Penske car.

33 Corvette convertables, but only about 25 pretty girls. Is that all there is in Indiana?

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:45:47 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
33 Corvette convertables, but only about 25 pretty girls. Is that all there is in Indiana?

As one car attempts to qualify, the other teams get ready for their runs

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:46:37 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
As one car attempts to qualify, the other teams get ready for their runs

The pits and the stands were crowded as qualifying began.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:47:24 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
The pits and the stands were crowded as qualifying began.

The stands along the main straight are HUGE!

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:47:52 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
The stands along the main straight are HUGE!

The pagoda and scoring tower dominate the pit area

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:48:19 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
The pagoda and scoring tower dominate the pit area

Didn't pass tech.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:48:55 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Didn't pass tech.

The pagoda has some seating available...but not for you or me.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:49:33 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
The pagoda has some seating available...but not for you or me.

The flag mans stand is nice, but I remember when he used to stand ON THE TRACK

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:49:56 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
The flag mans stand is nice, but I remember when he used to stand ON THE TRACK

Davey Hamilton poses for photographers after his qualifing run,

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:50:25 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Davey Hamilton poses for photographers after his qualifing run,

the checkers at Indy!

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:51:15 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
the checkers at Indy!

That black thing in the pit area is the race team standing behind their car for photographers.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:51:46 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
That black thing in the pit area is the race team standing behind their car for photographers.

See...I told ya.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:52:19 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
See...I told ya.

Now the team members leave and the young Australian Will Power (something I have none of) is left for his photos.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:52:50 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Now the team members leave and the young Australian Will Power (something I have none of) is left for his photos.

There is a tunnel under the mainstraight. Ever been run over by a car doin' 225 mph?

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:53:21 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
There is a tunnel under the mainstraight. Ever been run over by a car doin' 225 mph?

Famous Indy driver from the past...Mel Kenyon

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:53:38 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Famous Indy driver from the past...Mel Kenyon

This is Bill Vukovich II. His father won Indy 2 tims, and was killed leading the race on a third try. Young Bill raced Indy cars and was Rookie of the Year at Indianapolis. His son Billy Vuk ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:54:00 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
This is Bill Vukovich II. His father won Indy 2 tims, and was killed leading the race on a third try. Young Bill raced Indy cars and was Rookie of the Year at Indianapolis. His son Billy Vuk ...

Mel shows the damaged done after his 1965 firey crash at Langhorn, Pa

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:54:37 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Mel shows the damaged done after his 1965 firey crash at Langhorn, Pa

Some of the area behind the pit side grandstands

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:55:01 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Some of the area behind the pit side grandstands

Tony Kanaan (Brazil) drives the 7-Eleven car for Andretti-Green racing team

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:55:22 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Tony Kanaan (Brazil) drives the 7-Eleven car for Andretti-Green racing team

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)'s photo

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:55:34 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)

The team gets ready to do the "hat dance" for the photographers

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:56:05 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
The team gets ready to do the "hat dance" for the photographers

Ed Carpenter drives the #20 Menards car.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:56:17 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Ed Carpenter drives the #20 Menards car.

Justin Wilson (England) drives the McDonalds car for Paul Newman

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:56:33 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Justin Wilson (England) drives the McDonalds car for Paul Newman

Justin Wilson laughs at a Robin Miller interview.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:56:51 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Justin Wilson laughs at a Robin Miller interview.

The Borg Warner trophy has the face of every winner on it. You can see they have had to expand the trophy for recent winners.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:57:22 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
The Borg Warner trophy has the face of every winner on it. You can see they have had to expand the trophy for recent winners.

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)'s photo

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:57:46 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)

An Indy starter motor

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:58:15 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
An Indy starter motor

I don't know...it just don't look right.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:58:39 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
I don't know...it just don't look right.

They told me this was the paee car.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:59:04 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
They told me this was the paee car.

'member how the Indians used to hang the skins outside to dry afer hunting?

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:59:28 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
'member how the Indians used to hang the skins outside to dry afer hunting?

This team says they have the fstest car here...when they find a driver that wi fit.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:59:49 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
This team says they have the fstest car here...when they find a driver that wi fit.

See that big wing on the back? It helps to hold the car down in the turns, but it slowes you up on the straighaway. If you take "some wing out" (make it more level and less wind resistance) ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:00:13 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
See that big wing on the back? It helps to hold the car down in the turns, but it slowes you up on the straighaway. If you take "some wing out" (make it more level and less wind resistance) ...

fuel tanks will be moved to the pit lane on race day, and filled with ALCOHOL

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:00:33 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
fuel tanks will be moved to the pit lane on race day, and filled with ALCOHOL

This is as close as you will get to Danica.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:01:02 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
This is as close as you will get to Danica.

cars are held in a staging area before going to technical inspection.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:01:28 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
cars are held in a staging area before going to technical inspection.

Every inch has been designed with AIR in mind.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:01:51 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Every inch has been designed with AIR in mind.

Kinda looks like a big insect

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:02:07 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Kinda looks like a big insect

OK bring it to inspection

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:02:20 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
OK bring it to inspection

Yes, you see it! The tech man will laydown and inspect the botton as it goes over him.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:02:43 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Yes, you see it! The tech man will laydown and inspect the botton as it goes over him.

Bottom inspection in progress. I wonder how they advertised for that job?

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:02:57 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Bottom inspection in progress. I wonder how they advertised for that job?

I told pole winner Scott Dixon (New Zeland) to pretend not to notice me and I'd take his picture.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:03:16 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
I told pole winner Scott Dixon (New Zeland) to pretend not to notice me and I'd take his picture.

Firestone tire dispay in the pits. Teams spend A LOT of money on these things.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:03:38 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Firestone tire dispay in the pits. Teams spend A LOT of money on these things.

These tires are like me...kinda bald.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:04:03 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
These tires are like me...kinda bald.

Mario Moraes team goes back out hoping they find that "little more speed."

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:19:50 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Mario Moraes team goes back out hoping they find that "little more speed."

The garage area enters the track through...Gasoline Alley.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:20:13 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
The garage area enters the track through...Gasoline Alley.

Fans can stand on the concession stand patio and see what goes on in the garage area.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:20:34 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Fans can stand on the concession stand patio and see what goes on in the garage area.

Davey Hamilton is happy to be back at the Speedway driving the #22

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:20:46 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Davey Hamilton is happy to be back at the Speedway driving the #22

Davey Hamiltons car (Vision racing team) is moved through the pits.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:21:09 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Davey Hamiltons car (Vision racing team) is moved through the pits.

The back wheels are lifted with a little "dollie" on swivel wheels to make moving these thing around a little easier.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:21:33 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
The back wheels are lifted with a little "dollie" on swivel wheels to make moving these thing around a little easier.

the Dale Coyne owned #18 driven by Bruno Junqueira (Brazil)

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:21:49 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
the Dale Coyne owned #18 driven by Bruno Junqueira (Brazil)

Dale Coyne used to race these cars. Now he is a car owner.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:22:02 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Dale Coyne used to race these cars. Now he is a car owner.

a guy next to me said, "Get his picture. He must be a driver." I did. He isn't

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:22:27 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
a guy next to me said, "Get his picture. He must be a driver." I did. He isn't

At Indy everyone watches the track...on TV.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:22:53 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
At Indy everyone watches the track...on TV.

Helio's car goes back to the garage.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:23:26 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Helio's car goes back to the garage.

Helio Castroneves drives the #3 for Roger Penske

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:23:40 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Helio Castroneves drives the #3 for Roger Penske

This is Victory lane. the winning car is wheeled onto a lift and raised up to that level.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:23:58 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
This is Victory lane. the winning car is wheeled onto a lift and raised up to that level.

Fans hang around all day hoping to see another qualifying attempt.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:24:33 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Fans hang around all day hoping to see another qualifying attempt.

Young Graham Rahal is interviewed.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:24:47 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Young Graham Rahal is interviewed.

the Newman-Hass team goes for privacey in their pits

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:25:21 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
the Newman-Hass team goes for privacey in their pits

A J Foyt still drives at Indy

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:25:38 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
A J Foyt still drives at Indy

Some nice landscaping in the infield

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:26:18 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Some nice landscaping in the infield

Car on the track...cars in the pits.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:26:44 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Car on the track...cars in the pits.

Top of the Pagoda on May 10, 2008 Happy Birthday.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:26:59 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Top of the Pagoda on May 10, 2008 Happy Birthday.

the Mario Moraes (Brazil) team takes his Dale Coyne owned car back to find more speed.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:27:46 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
the Mario Moraes (Brazil) team takes his Dale Coyne owned car back to find more speed.

Remember that wing the team "took out" so Ryan Hunter-Reay could go faster? Well he's goin' slower now.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:27:59 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Remember that wing the team "took out" so Ryan Hunter-Reay could go faster? Well he's goin' slower now.

Helio "Twinkle Toes" Castroneves and crew are ready for their photos.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:28:12 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Helio "Twinkle Toes" Castroneves and crew are ready for their photos.

Photos taking place at the base of the pagoda

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:42:34 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
Photos taking place at the base of the pagoda

I told Helio to turn his back to me and I'd take his photo. These drivers will do anything you ask.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:43:03 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
I told Helio to turn his back to me and I'd take his photo. These drivers will do anything you ask.

He's either very sad, or looking for something.

nobody@smugmug.com (Larrie Ervin (LarrE)) — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:43:28 -0700

Larrie Ervin (LarrE)
He's either very sad, or looking for something.