Dan Wheldon compares IndyCar race cars to NASCAR

Richmond, VA (June 28, 2007) — How do you compare racing a NASCAR stock car to driving an IndyCar® Series car around the ¾-mile D-shaped oval at Richmond International Raceway? Some would say it's like night and day, as the IndyCar Series drivers turn 16-second laps, compared to NASCAR's 20-second laps. That's a difference of nearly 50 mph! Former IndyCar Series champion Dan Wheldon sums it up just before Saturday night's SunTrust Indy Challenge Presented by XM IndyCar Series race.

"The NASCAR cars here look like taxi cabs in New York compared to how we (IndyCar Series) go around here," said Wheldon, who won the SunTrust Indy Challenge at Richmond International Raceway in 2004.

"It's incredibly intense. I kid you not, it's very, very physically intense and mentally intense. The radius of these corners are incredibly tight. Then you put 20 or 21 cars on the same track—a short track—it's intense. That's why I think fans love this race."

Wheldon returns with Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti, defending series champion Sam Hornish Jr., Marco Andretti, Danica Patrick, Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan, Milka Duno, and the rest of the IndyCar Series stars this weekend for the SunTrust Indy Challenge Presented by XM on Saturday, June 30. Winning at Richmond International Raceway can be considered quite an accomplishment because it's the shortest track on the circuit, which makes for hardcore battles.

"It's so rewarding to win here because it's such a challenging track," said Wheldon.

Wheldon will be making his fifth career start Saturday night. In four previous races, the Englishman has never finished worse than ninth.

Tickets are on sale now for Saturday night's SunTrust Indy Challenge Presented by XM IndyCar Series race at Richmond International Raceway. Saturday night's ticket includes a seat for the USAC Silver Crown Series 100 race. Tickets are $35 (reserved) and $30 (general admission). Children 12 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult in general admission sections. The weekend starts Friday with NBC12 Day featuring pole qualifying for the IndyCar Series and the USAC National Sprint Car Series race. Friday's ticket includes an autograph session with all of the IndyCar Series drivers. All tickets for Friday are $15. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult. Please call 1-866-455-7223 or visit www.rir.com. -30-