IndyCar tidbits from Iowa

Arie Luyendyk Jr., the son of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Arie Luyendyk and the Indy Pro Series' all-time leader with 44 career starts, is the spotter for Guthrie Racing's Tom Wieringa this weekend. Luyendyk spotted for Wieringa at both events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Freedom 100 on the oval in May and the Liberty Challenge doubleheader on the road course June 16-17. Luyendyk is pursuing opportunities to return to driving in the Indy Pro Series later this season.
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IndyCar Series team officials Michael Andretti and Larry Foyt were on pit lane during SWE Pole Qualifying for the Iowa 100. Andretti is co-owner of Andretti Green Racing, which fields the No. 11 Osofresh car driven by Jaime Camara. The team also is partners with AFS Racing, which fields the No. 27 car driven by Wade Cunningham. Foyt, the team manager for AJ Foyt Racing, was talking with Team KMA co-owner Jon Lewis. Earlier in the day, IndyCar Series Kosuke Matsuura was an interested observer in the pit of countryman Hideki Mutoh during Indy Pro Series practice.
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Race fans and animal lovers alike can share the excitement of the Indy Racing League's debut at Iowa Speedway this weekend while helping Best Friends Animal Society, the not-for-profit organization that operates the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the United States.
Fans can donate money to Best Friends based on the number of laps Andrew Prendeville completes in Saturday's Indy Pro Series race at Iowa Speedway and throughout the rest of the season by making pledges at racinglapsforbestfriends.com. Donations may be made using MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover credit cards. Donations may also be made by telephone at (435) 644-2001, extension 4801, or by mailing checks payable to "Racing Laps for Best Friends" to: Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah 84741-5000.

Fans donate a set amount of money for each lap that Prendeville completes in each race. At $1 per lap for the 115-lap Indy Pro Series race at Iowa Speedway Saturday, the donation would be $115 if he completes all the laps. If the car would only complete 10 laps then the donation would be $10.Straight donations in any amount may also be made, and per-lap donations start at 25 cents.

Best Friends Animal Society supports animal welfare programs throughout the world, including Iowa. At any given time it is caring for approximately 1,500 animals at its sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. Best Friends hopes the exposure to racing fans will raise awareness of the organization and gain support for animal welfare.
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Today is Dan Wheldon's 29th birthday. He was allowed to run the first lap on track during IndyCar Series Open Testing and received a birthday card from young fan Cole Fink, whose parents, Mike and Sandy run Dreyer & Reinbold Racing hospitality.
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Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr. is at Iowa Speedway this weekend serving as an Indy Racing League driver coach. Unser is filling in for his father, four-time winner Al Unser, who is attending the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England this weekend.