Saturday Indy Notebook

Phil Giebler was taken to Methodist Hospital, was alert and talking with attendants. AT 6:07 pm, the Speedway announced that Giebler has suffered pulmonary contusions ("bruised lungs") and was admitted. The car is a total write-off, and the team is looking around in the garage for a replacement to salvage the weekend. However, this is the former Playa Del Racing team, and they didn't exactly endear themselves to the IRL under the old name. No word on either driver or replacement car possibilities.

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LATE QUALIFICATION ATTEMPTS:

AJ IV took the track at 5:44 local time, but was waved off when the computer display in his car malfunctioned. Marty Roth took the track at 5:50, and qualified at 215.506, filling the field. He is almost 2 Â½ mph slower than the next slower car. AJ is praying for better weather, and Marty Roth is praying for rain.

STILL TO QUALIFY:
AJ Foyt IV — two failed attempts today
Phil Giebler — Crashed hard in practice, at Methodist Hospital. Team looking for replacement car and driver.
Max Papis — Contrary to earlier reports, NOT going to a backup car. They are repairing their car,
including new undertray, all 4 corners, both wings, and gear box.
Mario Dominguez — Car was repaired after morning crash, and almost had it ready to run today. Should attempt qualification tomorrow.

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Weather forecast for Indy tomorrow calls for partly cloudy skies, cool temps (60 degrees) and much calmer winds. It should be an entertaining Bump Day — the first in years.

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Charles Buckman, who was injured in the pits when he was hit by Danica Patrick's car on May 9, is now home. He still suffers from vertigo, and has to wear a neck brace for a month, but is expected to make a full recovery.

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People who marvel at Mario Dominguez's team putting his car back together in an afternoon would be astounded to learn that PCM Racing only took delivery of their IRL cars the weekend of the Long Beach race. The team didn't start putting their cars together until they got home from California. Should they make the race it would be a major accomplishment for the team.

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I understand now why people who were part of the CART/CCWS/CART series loved it so much. I've been welcomed into virtually every former CCWS garage, and made to feel like an old friend. However, one playful PR rep told me that Paul Tracy had signed an 8-year agreement to drive Sprint Cup — it seems he reads the AutoRacing1 "Rumors" section. Tim Wohlford reporting from Indy