Chaves Honored as Fastest Indy 500 Rookie

Gabby Chaves

Verizon IndyCar Series drivers Gabby Chaves and Stefano Coletti were recognized May 19 at the 40th Indianapolis 500 Fastest Rookie luncheon presented by the American Dairy Association of Indiana. Chaves joins Indianapolis 500 Mile Race luminaries such as Rick Mears, Michael Andretti, Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Jacques Villeneuve, Juan Pablo Montoya, Chip Ganassi and Tony Stewart as winners of the fastest rookie award.

Driving the No. 98 Bowers & Wilkins/Curb Honda for Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb-Agajanian, Chaves recorded a four-lap average speed of 222.916 mph May 17 to qualify in the middle of Row 10 for the 99th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on May 24.

"We aren't starting where we'd like to, but we are the fastest rookie and that means a lot to me," said Chaves, 21, who won the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Freedom 100 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval in 2014. "Having to race with our qualifying trim (following aerodynamic and boost level changes mandated in the name of safety by INDYCAR), we opted to have a better car in the race rather than qualifying, which hurt us a bit. But just being able to race here now changes your whole perspective on everything."

Coletti qualified with an average speed of 222.001 mph. The 26-year-old from Monaco will be competing in his first Verizon IndyCar Series race on an oval.

"I've always wanted to come and race here and be part of this amazing race, and here I am and I'm thrilled and can't wait to race," Coletti said.