Live from Trackside – Grand Prix of Long Beach

Sunday, April 13
4:45 p.m.
We’re not yet sure what exactly happened today with the No. 83 NovoLog FlexPen Chevrolet car. We still need to get the car back and look over all of the data to figure out the exact problem. We started the race out exactly as we planned by picking up a lot of spots early and getting through the standing starts cleanly. From starting 19th to running sixth by the halfway point, it shows we had a strong car. The Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing crew did a great job in pit lane by getting me in and out quickly and just as the yellow fell. We had the right pace and the right tires to run a good race today, but it just didn’t go our way with mechanical issues. The team did a great job today and even though it wasn’t the best end to our weekend in Long Beach, I’m confident going into Barber in a few weeks.

I’m staying in California for one more night before heading to Texas Motor Speedway with the team for testing on Wednesday. If you’re near TMS, be sure to stop by!

11:20 a.m.
Happy race day! I felt more comfortable in the No. 83 NovoLog FlexPen car this morning during warm-up than I have all weekend… a good sign for the race for sure. We were able to sort a few things out with the setup last night and I think it’s made a difference. There were lots of bits and pieces to consider at this track (a different Firestone Tire compound, racing with Chevy here for the first time, dampers, etc.) but with the combined experience and expertise of three other teammates, the Chip Ganassi Racing engineers and Team Chevy, I think we’ll be ready to race once the green flag drops.

Saturday, April 12
3:40 p.m.
Well, we’ll start from P19 tomorrow and will focus on moving up from there! It wasn’t the result that Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing would like for qualifying and we have some more work to do on the cars. I have a lot of confidence in my engineers and the crew that they’ll give me a really good car for the 80 laps tomorrow. The Chevrolets seem to be really good on the standing starts so I have a lot of confidence in that aspect of the race. We’ll come up with a great race package tonight and be ready to race from where we start.

To start the day, I did a quick photo shoot for Diabetic Living magazine with my endocrinologist, Dr. Peters. Because she is the best (really, she is!), they are doing a big story on her for their fall issue. They were kind enough to include me as well! I always look forward to seeing Dr. Peters and having her expertise on hand at the track (and just a phone call away too, of course).

Photo courtesy of Mark Harmel Photo, http://www.harmelphoto.com

Since this is a “home” race, I’ve been able to say hello to a ton of friends and family throughout the race weekend. I’ve even seen some fellow Rio Mesa graduates (“Once a Spartan, Always a Spartan!”). I really can’t thank everyone enough for the support!

I’m off to a drivers’ meeting then dinner with my parents. Early bed time tonight! Tune in tomorrow at 4 p.m. Eastern (1 p.m. Pacific) to catch the race on NBC Sports Network.

Photo courtesy of Mark Harmel Photo, http://www.harmelphoto.com

Friday, April 11
5:25 p.m.
Wow, what a great crowd here at Long Beach! Thanks to all of the fans for coming out on a Friday. Just finished up with an autograph session, and met lots of fun locals and fans who traveled here too.

I think our two practice sessions were a good starting point for our first day in Long Beach. We didn’t end up putting a new set of tires on the No. 83 NovoLog FlexPen Chevrolet, when most of the field did. We’re really looking forward to having a new set of tires ready to go start out the day tomorrow and then we’ll hopefully be able to gain quite a few spots in qualifying by saving our tires for the right time. I think we’ve already made the car quite a bit better than it was this morning, so we’ll just come out tomorrow ready to go!

9:15 a.m.
It’s another beautiful morning in Long Beach! I just finished up with a drivers/team managers meeting. We had a good couple of hours to spend with the engineering group yesterday before the track walk. Even though the actual layout is similar from year to year, the track surface and curbs do change a bit on a street course like this. It always helps to get that first-hand look at the track before getting into the car for practice.

Speaking of practice, I’m about to suit up for our first session at 10. Catch live timing and scoring via Race Control.

To get an inside look into my recent hospital visits, check out the Orange County Register and Long Beach Press Telegram!

Thursday, April 10
8:15 a.m.
Good morning from Long Beach! After St. Petersburg, I had a few days of meetings and work at the shop before heading out to the Best Coast to spend some time with family and friends at the beach. It was really nice to have some downtime, but I’m ready to be back in the car for sure!

I came down to Long Beach yesterday for a couple of appearances with Novo Nordisk at local hospitals–Miller Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital of LA. I’m headed to Children’s Hospital of Orange County and the Allen Diabetes Center in Newport Beach today, with engineering meetings and the track walk in between.

The Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing team is working hard to bounce back from a very educational first race at St. Petersburg, and I know that the No. 83 NovoLog FlexPen car will be much quicker in Long Beach. I’m really excited to see the Chevy power through the streets of Long Beach and to see what we can do here as a team. It’s always exciting to go back to the Grand Prix of Long Beach as a competitor, because I spent so many years attending the race with my father as a spectator. It’s just a special feeling to be back in my home state of California and to be supported by so many of my friends and family. This race holds so much prestige and tradition and I’m just happy that I get to be a part of it.

Here’s our race weekend schedule (all times Pacific/local):
Friday, April 11
10 a.m Practice
2 p.m. Practice
4 p.m. Autograph session (in the IndyCar paddock; open to the public)
Saturday, April 12
10 a.m. Practice
11:45 a.m. Q&A at the Team Chevy booth (in the Lifestyle Expo/convention center)
1:15 p.m. Qualifying
Sunday, April 13
9 a.m. Warm-up
1 p.m. Grand Prix of Long Beach race (live on NBCSN)
Live timing and scoring for all on-track sessions available via Race Control.