Friday Qualifying Report on the IndyCar Series at Phoenix
source: Max d'Orsonnens
Patrick Carpentier missed the only qualifying session for Round 2 of the 2005
Indy Racing League IndyCar® Series schedule following an accident during the
second practice session held Friday at Phoenix International Raceway. The Red
Bull Cheever Racing driver suffered rib injuries when the rear of his Dallara-Toyota
took off before hitting the energy-absorbing SAFER (Steel And Foam Energy
Reduction system) barrier covering the cement wall. Carpentier traveled to a
local hospital for x-rays before being cleared by medical staff to return to the
track where he met his engineers.
The Canadian driver was disappointed with the outcome, as he will for the second
time in two races, start from the back of the grid. Two other drivers, Tony
Kanaan and Paul Dana, did not make qualifying attempts, and Carpentier will
start 20th alongside Ed Carpenter, whom he replaced at Cheever Racing.
''The left side of my rib cage was hit by a piece of the brake system that came
lose when I hit the wall,'' said Carpentier who was cleared by the IRL medical
to start the race. ''The team put a neutral set-up on the car and it did not
work. The rear end came loose. This situation changes everything because I was
hoping to start mid-grid. Now, I'm back of the pack again. I will have to be
patient, but I cannot afford to lose a lap to the leaders early in the race.
It's a tall order for such a short track. But, we never know what can happen in
a race. I must bring the car back in one piece and score as many points as I
can. At least, this is what I'm hoping for.''