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Bad Luck Ruins Simona’s Top Ten Run at Edmonton
July 24, 2011 – Edmonton, Alberta, Canada – Simona De Silvestro was on her way to her fourth top-ten finish of the season when a mechanical problem stopped her on lap 55 of Sunday afternoon’s Edmonton Indy.
De Silvestro and her Nuclear Clean Air Energy crew had a rough start to the Edmonton Indy race weekend. IndyCar track activity was cancelled on Friday, after a continuous rain fell over the Edmonton City Centre Airport circuit.
Saturday’s schedule was rearranged to include additional track time, however De Silvestro and her team spent both sessions trying to find enough speed. That afternoon, the team made good progress and De Silvestro delivered a solid qualifying attempt, running in the top six for most of the session. The time fell just short with only a couple minutes left, leaving her to start P16 in Sunday’s race.
After several incidents during the early laps of the Edmonton Indy, De Silvestro was running P18. She continued to move up through the field and, after a great pit stop on lap 38, was running P12. A drive-through penalty for Hunter-Reay moved her up to P11. Eleven laps later, she came out of the team’s second pit stop in P10. Unfortunately, the car suffered a suspected clutch failure, bringing HVM’s day to an end on lap 55.
“It’s definitely disappointing,” said De Silvestro. “The team worked so hard this weekend to improve the Nuclear Clean Air Energy car every time we went out on track. After our top-ten finish in Toronto, I thought we were headed toward a repeat, but that just wasn’t our luck today. So we’ll hope to do it in Mid-Ohio.”
In two weeks, the IZOD IndyCar Series heads to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, OH. The Honda Indy 200, airing on Versus, will take place on Sunday, August 7 at 2 p.m. EDT.
Simona Finds Speed for Edmonton Indy Qualifying
July 23, 2011 – Edmonton, Alberta, Canada – Simona de Silvestro and her HVM Racing team had a rough start to the Edmonton Indy race weekend. However, on Saturday afternoon, De Silvestro showed that she wouldn’t be deterred, hitting the track with a notable qualifying effort.
The Nuclear Clean Air Energy crew, along with the other teams in the IZOD IndyCar Series paddock, was ready to go for the first practice on Friday morning. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans. A continuous, and sometimes intense, rain fell all day on the Edmonton City Centre Airport circuit, cancelling all track activity for the day. HVM Racing had the added challenge of being near the main drain in the paddock. As the downpours continued, the rainwater flowed downhill and pooled in the center of the covered setup area. The team was able to manage the situation, which cleared up by Saturday’s scheduled track time.
An additional practice session was added on Saturday morning to make up for lost time on Friday. De Silvestro and her team struggled in both sessions, aiming to make the proper adjustments in time for the afternoon qualifying session.
De Silvestro made a solid qualifying attempt, running in the top six for most of the session. The time fell just short with only a couple minutes left, leaving her to start P16 in Sunday’s race.
“It’s tough when you struggle in practice,” said De Silvestro. “We had some trouble this morning, but the Nuclear team has made some improvements since them. I think we were better on reds and it felt like the car just came alive much more in this session. We have to improve even more for tomorrow, though. The race is going to be a challenge, but I really like the track and I’m having a lot of fun out there.”
The Edmonton Indy will take place Sunday, July 24 at the Edmonton City Centre Airport and airing on Versus. Pre-race activities will begin at noon with the 90-lap race starting at 12:45 p.m. MDT.
Simona Earns a Top-Ten Finish on the Streets of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario – July 10, 2011 – After 85 laps of chaos during the Honda Indy Toronto on Sunday afternoon, Simona De Silvestro crossed the finish line with a tenth-place finish and a sense of accomplishment.
Not only did the result mark her third top-ten finish of the 2011 season, it also accomplished the comeback she was hoping for after a month and a half of unfortunate luck.
De Silvestro started P17 on the temporary street circuit and quickly advanced her way forward, at one point running as high as P4. The race included numerous cautions, but De Silvestro was able to avoid incidents, save fuel and make advances.
“Overall, I think the race went really well,” she said. “It felt great to be back in the Nuclear Clean Air Energy car and I had a lot of fun out there. We’re definitely going to build on this result as we move forward. My team did an awesome job and I’m grateful to them, and my sponsors, for sticking with me over the past couple months. Now it’s time to look forward to the rest of the season.”
In two weeks, the IZOD IndyCar Series travels to Edmonton City Centre Airport in Alberta, Canada for the Edmonton Indy. The race will air on Sunday, July 24 at 2 p.m. ET on Versus TV.
Simona Ready to Make Her Return in the Honda Indy Toronto
Toronto, Ontario – July 9, 2011 – After a tough month and a half, Simona De Silvestro is back in the cockpit of the No. 78 Nuclear Clean Air Energy car for the Honda Indy Toronto this weekend.
De Silvestro and the HVM crew arrived in Toronto with a focus on putting the past behind them and aiming for the success they saw at the beginning of the 2011 season. The team made steady improvements with each practice session of the weekend, which saw the entire field separated by less than one second, leading up to Saturday afternoon’s qualifying attempt.
The run was solid, however just not enough to advance into the second round of qualifying. De Silvestro will start P17 for Sunday’s race.
“In our qualifying attempt, we gambled a little bit with the tires but it was just something to try,” she said. “There are a couple of things we have to change on the Nuclear Clean Air Energy car, but it felt pretty strong. That’s going to be a good thing for the race tomorrow. It will be about being consistent and not making mistakes. If we can do that, we’ll have a good finish.”
De Silvestro joins the rest of the IZOD IndyCar field on Sunday for the Honda Indy Toronto, an 85-lap race on the temporary street circuit in downtown Toronto. The pre-race festivities will begin on Versus TV at 2 p.m. ET.
Simona Not Cleared to Drive at Iowa Speedway
Newton, IA – June 24, 2011 – After a week of ups and downs following an accident at The Milwaukee Mile last weekend, Simona de Silvestro met with medical staff on Friday morning at Iowa Speedway and was not cleared to drive in the Iowa Corn Indy 250.
Last Saturday, de Silvestro’s car made contact with the SAFER barrier on the exit of turn four, in addition to the inside wall of the track. De Silvestro was sent to Froedert hospital, where she was later released.
What followed was a series of medical evaluations throughout the week. The following is a statement from INDYCAR regarding those check-ups:
“Upon evaluation Sunday morning at Milwaukee, Simona had no physical signs of a concussion after the neurological exam and didn’t report any post-concussion symptoms to the INDYCAR medical team so she was cleared to drive. After taking 11 laps in the car, Simona returned to the care center reporting post-concussion symptoms. Physical and emotional stress can bring out post-concussion symptoms.
To be cleared to drive after a concussion, a driver must pass the IMPACT Test and INDYCAR Medical evaluation. Simona passed the IMPACT Test on Wednesday but was still exhibiting post-concussion symptoms when evaluated by INDYCAR Medical on Friday at Iowa so she has not been cleared to drive. She will be re-evaluated at Toronto.”
For additional information regarding this statement, please contact Amy Konrath, Director of Public Relations for INDYCAR.
HVM Racing and the Nuclear Clean Air Energy team has made the decision to pack up and go back to Indianapolis, where they will prepare for the next race on the IZOD IndyCar Series schedule. The Honda Indy Toronto (airing on Versus) will take place on Sunday, July 10 at 2 p.m. ET.
Simona Makes the Right Decision at The Milwaukee Mile
Milwaukee, WI – June 19, 2011 – Only a few laps into Sunday afternoon’s Milwaukee 225 race, Simona de Silvestro decided that she wasn’t in the right condition to drive after the crash she was involved in during Saturday’s qualifying session.
On Saturday, de Silvestro’s car got loose between turns three and four and made contact with the SAFER barrier on the exit of turn four, in addition to the inside wall of the track.
De Silvestro was sent to Froedert hospital, where she was later released, and then met with medical staff on Sunday morning. She was cleared to drive and told her team she felt fine up until race time.
“Throughout the day, I thought I was ready to get out there, but it only took a lap or two to realize that I wasn’t,” said de Silvestro. “It’s tough because the Nuclear Clean Air Energy team worked so hard last night to repair the car. I’m proud of them and thankful that they were willing to put in the hard work it took to be ready when the green flag dropped. Now I’m just going to focus on getting ready for the next race.”
Next weekend, the IZOD IndyCar Series heads to Iowa Speedway for the Iowa Corn Indy 250, airing on VERSUS at 8 p.m. ET.
Lady Luck Not on Simona’s Side at the Legendary Milwaukee Mile
Milwaukee, WI – June 19, 2011 – Simona de Silvestro’s qualifying run ended early on Saturday afternoon at The Milwaukee Mile as she got loose between turns three and four. The car made contact with the SAFER barrier on the exit of turn four and then came to rest against the inside wall.
De Silvestro was taken to the infield medical care center at the track, where Dr. Mike Olinger reported, “Simona is awake and alert, being transported via ground to Froedert Medical Center for further observation.”
She was released from Froedert at approximately 10:15 p.m. on Saturday. She then met with the track medical team on Sunday morning for re-evaluation, where she was cleared to drive in Sunday’s race.
Meanwhile, the Nuclear Clean Air Energy crew worked overnight and into the morning hours to repair the damage sustained to the car. They were able to make the necessary repairs to compete in the Milwaukee 225 race, taking place Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. CST. De Silvestro will start P26.
Simona Continues to Hone Oval Skills at Texas Motor Speedway
Fort Worth, TX – June 11, 2011 – With intense heat and a new race weekend format to contend with, Simona de Silvestro showed steady improvement on Saturday at Texas Motor Speedway.
The IZOD IndyCar Series introduced a new dual-race schedule this weekend: The Firestone Twin 275s, two 114-lap races, run consecutively. The new format proved to be a hit with the fan base, and even the drivers seemed to have fun with the “random draw” for starting positions in race two.
De Silvestro, who qualified the car P29 on Friday for the first race, drew a P22 for the second. Despite a P26/P27 finish for the two races, she showed tremendous improvement throughout the course of the 228 combined laps.
“In both races, it was really about getting my confidence back, trying some things and learning a lot,” says de Silvestro. “The ovals aren’t my strong point, but I’m learning from each race. The team pushed me tonight and I was able to give some great feedback. I know that the Nuclear Clean Air Energy team is behind me and I think we can be happy with what we did. Plus, I’m pretty sure the fans liked the dual-race format and it’s great when we can put on a good show for them.
Next weekend, de Silvestro heads to the legendary Milwaukee Mile for Father’s Day weekend with the IZOD IndyCar Series. The Milwaukee 225 will take place on Sunday, June 19 at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be aired on ABC.
Simona Shows Courage Can Be as Important as Results
Indianapolis, IN – May 29, 2011 – Sunday’s 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 brought a disappointing end to a month full of ups and downs for last year’s Indy 500 Rookie of the Year, Simona de Silvestro, and her team at HVM Racing.
De Silvestro endured a massive crash during a week-one practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, injuring her hands and destroying her primary racecar. However, she overcame the odds to qualify her backup car P23 on Pole Day.
Starting the race, de Silvestro was cautiously optimistic. Her goal was as much about gaining confidence in the cockpit as it was about gaining positions. The tremendous roar from the crowd during driver introductions indicated that de Silvestro has quickly become a fan favorite. Unfortunately, contact with the wall in turn two early in the race forced her and the team to contend with several issues.
“The car sustained suspension and upright damage from an early brush with the wall,” said de Silvestro. “We were able to repair the suspension, but we still had an issue with the upright. It’s disappointing, but we’ve come a long way this month. I’m so thankful for all the work my team has done to make the No. 78 Nuclear Clean Air Energy car feel good.”
Reflecting on her month at the historic racetrack and P31 finish, de Silvestro adds, “I have to thank my sponsors, team and family. They supported me through this whole process and stood by me as I made some tough decisions. Even though we didn’t have the finish we were hoping for, I think we can be happy with what we accomplished this month.
In two weeks, the IZOD IndyCar Series heads to Texas Motor Speedway. De Silvestro and her team at HVM Racing aim to get back on track with a confidence-building performance and successful finish. The race will be live on Versus on Saturday, June 11 at 8 p.m. ET.
HVM Racing Finds the Right Stride Both On and Off the Track with Successful Qualifying and Exciting New Partner
Indianapolis, IN – May 23, 2011 – Simona de Silvestro overcame the odds this weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, qualifying in 24th position on the first day of qualifying for the 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, and becoming a fan favorite in the process. At the same time, HVM Racing announced a new partnership.
Heading into Pole Day, the team was cautiously optimistic. Only two days earlier, driver Simona de Silvestro was involved in a monumental crash, injuring both of her hands and destroying the team’s primary No. 78 Nuclear Clean Air Energy car.
The odds seemed stacked against de Silvestro and HVM going into qualifying weekend with less than fifty laps on track, against the toughest field of competitors in years. But perseverance has been the key word so far this season and that, coupled with an incredible amount of talent, was what the brave Swiss driver put forth on Saturday to get the job done. She endured three qualifying attempts, fighting the pain but getting faster with each outing. The first wasn’t enough to get her into the top 24 on day one. The second was, but just barely. De Silvestro found herself on the bubble and then bumped out. Finally, after a solid third run, the time stuck. Even if it was with a little help from the rain shower that just happened to douse the track just as de Silvestro faced the bubble for the second time.
On Sunday, qualifying lap times from other entrants weren’t enough to bump de Silvestro out of the field. She now looks forward to competing in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing once more.
“This has been quite a week,” de Silvestro reflects. “After Thursday’s accident, I wasn’t sure I was ready to get back into the race car. I was shaken up and didn’t know if we could find the speed in our backup car. But we did it. I want to thank Entergy for supporting me in the Nuclear Clean Air Energy car, and I’m so proud of my crew. They came through for me when I needed them most.”
Qualifying weekend isn’t the only thing HVM Racing is celebrating. The team is proud to announce a new partnership with Dr. Garçon Footwear. Created by Dr. Gregoire Garcon, a licensed podiatrist who has developed a stylish, but comfortable, line of footwear. He believes everyone should wear beautiful shoes and enjoy sneakers that fit your feet. The shoes are designed with a thin layer of cushion to provide comfort for the soles of the feet.
“I’m excited about our partnership with HVM Racing,” says Dr. Garçon. “This is the first of many sports marketing programs that will include the NFL and NBA in 2011, however I’m really looking forward to this one because we have plans to create a specially-designed shoe for both the team at HVM and Simona.”
In addition, Dr. Garçon created a foundation focused on relief efforts in Haiti. Donations and revenues from shoe sales are distributed to that foundation, as well as various other charities. As such, a portion of the proceeds from current lines, and the special-edition HVM and Simona shoes, will be donated to one of the team’s partner charities.
Dr. Garçon has indicated that the team shoes will be available later this season. In the meantime, he plans to offer various promotions for fans and supporters. The existing line of shoes is available now online at www.DrGarcon.com, along with additional information.
HVM Racing 