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Indy500

今日Indy500の予選がありました。残念ながら最後にバンプアウトされて、予選通過をする事ができませんでした。メチャメチャ悔しいです。昨日の予選タイムの時点で２１９Mphを出さないと難しいなとは思っていたので、その為に準備をしていたつもりが、最後は風向きにやられてしまいました・・・。

The qualifying is over and the grid for the 500 is set. Unfortunately I will not be one of the driver in the field. I am very disappointed on not being able to make the race... I knew going in to to day that I needed to do 219mph to make the field and we were prepared to take that task.

残り１時間が勝負だと思って、ウィングを下げて準備をして予選シュミレーションをしたら余裕で決勝進出できるタイムが出たのでよしよしと思ったのも束の間。自分が走行をし始めたら風向きがちょっとだけ変わって、裏ストレートでのスピードが全くのびなくなってしまいました。タイムは残念ながら219mphを超える事ができなくて、最後に改めてチャレンジしましたが、決勝に進出するタイムを出す事はできませんでした。本当に悔しいです。

Looking at the wind speeds, we all knew that we needed to wait until the happy hour to be able to post the fast time. We made couple of qualification simulation runs and was able to run well above 219mph. I was very confident on being able to make the field and we went out just at the end. I thought the wind was going to get calm and we were going to easily back up the time that we ran. Well...I guessed it wrong...the wind direction changed on us and I was not able to pull my gear down the back straight. We lost all our speed and our average speed was just not enough to make the race.

今回の５００は改めて色々と勉強になりました。やっぱりレースにでれないのは、本当に悔しい気持ちでいっぱいです。しかし、チームと一体になって最後まで諦めずに力を出し切ったと自信を持って言えると思います。風向きさえ変わらなければ・・・とタラレバも言えますが、それがこのインディー５００の歴史を変えるポイントなんだなと実感しました。過去にはペンスキーの車が予選落ちした事もありますしね。

I think I have learned a lot during this year's Indy 500. I am obviously gutted on not being able to make the field...but I think we worked very hard as a team to make this deal happen. I want to thank my sponsor HH Gregg, Curb Records, Real Power, Wellman Racing and all my management team who was working very very hard on making this happen. It is easy to say "If the wind direction hasn't change..." but that's all could of or could have. The history of Indy 500 is so deep that there is reason why top teams who weren't able to make the show in the past. What really makes me feel gutted is that we were not lost with the set up. Actually we had a pretty good car at the end and I think it would have been a good car for the race.

しかし、何よりも予選通過できなかった事が応援していてくれたスポンサーの皆さんの本当に申し訳ないと思っています。そして、ファンの皆さんにも申し訳ないと思っています。来年も頑張りますのでぜひ応援して下さい！！

Again, I feel very very bad for the fans and the sponsors who have made this happen. I will try my best on being able to make the field next year and I better start now!!

レースには参戦できなくてとっても残念です。しかし、バンプアウトされてから、また再アタックする時に車は車検台に乗せて準備をする時に、インディーのグランドスタンドのお客さんから拍手＆声援をもらえた時は本当に嬉しかったです！グランドスタンド全体が予選通過に頑張ってるドライバー全員に応援してあげようという一体感は本当に凄かったです！！

Not being able to run the race is certainly heartbreaking...but crying all night long doesn't help the situation. However, one thing that I can say is the fan at the Speedway was just absolutely phenomenal. Their cheering for all the drivers and the pit crew who were trying to make the race was just amazing!! Although I was not able to make the race, I think I still need to appreciate the fact that I was able be part of one of the best bump days in the year. And although I am not happy with the outcome, I certainly did give my best that I could.

決勝には出れませんが、何がなんでもまた５００に戻ってくるぞと思っています！本当の所を言うとかなり凹んでいますが、でも今から来年に向けて今から活動を全力で頑張りたいと思います！！なのでこれからもずっとずっと応援宜しくお願いします！！

At this point, my focus is for next year! I will start working very very hard now so I can well prepare my self for next season!! Thanks again guys for all your support!! I will promise that I will be back!!