Indianapolis 500 Veteran
Enters Indoor Coffee Cup Event
Davey Hamilton has turned many laps at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Now, he’ll try to be the best at
the upcoming Coffee Cup at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in
Providence, R.I., on December 4-5.
Hamilton, a nine-time Indianapolis 500
starter, is the latest entry for the upcoming two-day indoor
three-quarter size Midget Car race, which drew rave reviews from
competitors and fans when the same cars competed at the Dunkin’
Donuts Center in March.
“I have always told people that the smaller
the track, the busier and more challenging it is for the
driver,” Hamilton said. “I know the speeds are not faster at
tracks like Indianapolis, Texas and the other bigger-sized race
tracks that I’ve raced Indy Cars, but it is more of a challenge
on the smaller tracks.
“It’s more physically exhausting. You never
have a time to relax like you get on a bigger-outdoor track.
When you are on a short track and especially when you’re racing
on one indoors, you’re on the gas, hitting the brake, turning
right, turning left and worrying about the cars in front and/or
in back of you.”
In other words, indoor racing is a must-see
event for all. The action will take place on a concrete oval on
the Dunkin’ Donuts Center floor and the cars will reach speeds
close to 70 mph. The spectators will have a view of the entire
racing surface, from seats overlooking the track.
Hamilton, who started 50 Indy Car events
and finished second in series points twice, will drive a car
built and owned by indoor race event dominator Lou Cicconi Jr..
“Lou has been a long-time friend of the
family,” Hamilton said. “His family has been involved in the
sport for a long time, just like mine.
“In September, I was driving a
Supermodified in a race at Oswego (N.Y.) Speedway. One of the
support classes was the TQ Midgets. I got watching them, and
they were incredibly fast.
Hamilton spoke with Cicconi about the
feisty cars and before he knew it, Cicconi offered him a ride in
one of his cars.
“I asked him where they race and Lou was
telling me about some of the facilities,” Hamilton said. “Then,
he said, ‘there is a race in Providence in December. Why don’t
you come and race one of my cars?’”
The Coffee Cup will mark the first time for
Hamilton in a three-quarter sized Midget Car.
“I’ve driven some bigger-sized cars indoors
like four to five times with the USAC (United States Auto Club)
Series,” Hamilton said. “I’ve never driven something that can be
this quick on an arena floor.
“I’ll depend on Lou a lot on this one. I’m
going to ask a lot of questions and follow his lead. I did the
same in September at Oswego with the Supermodified and the guy -
Otto Sitterly - who gave me the car, won the main event. I was
in good hands at that race and I know Lou is one of the best
indoor racers in the sport.”
The format will be similar to the one used
in March. The Three-Quarter Midgets and Senior Champ Karts will
headline the two-day program. Feature events for both classes
are scheduled each night.
Tickets can be purchased at all
Ticketmaster locations and the Dunkin’ Donut Center box office.
Ticketmaster can be reached online at
www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Information
on the event will be available at aarn.com or by calling
609-888-3618.
A special hotel rate of $79 per night is
available at the Hilton, which is located within walking
distance from the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Racers and fans can
find more information on a link at
www.aarn.com or by calling 1-800-445-8667. In order to get
the special rate, you must ask for the “Indoor Auto Race” rate.
The room rate block is available until it’s sold-out with a
November 17 deadline.
Source: Jerry Reigle/Coffee
Cup
PR
Posted: October
23, 2009
