Simon Pagenaud said that his trip in the Honda Odyssey in the 91st Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 30 was "a win for all the 'soccer moms.' ''
Pagenaud, the driver of the No. 77 Schmidt Hamilton Motorsports car in the IZOD IndyCar Series, spent his off-weekend in Colorado for the event in the specially-outfitted van. He finished second in the Exhibition Class on the 12.42-mile, 156-turn course.
“For me, it was amazing," he said. "Pikes Peak was always a dream for me, ever since I was a kid in France. There is a lot of interest in this event in Europe, and I think that’s why you saw so many French drivers this year. Honda prepared a great car, really unique I have to say.
"With more than 500 horsepower, the conditions (rain, fog and light snow at high elevation) were tricky and kept me busy. I feel very blessed and very proud. I’d like to come back again next year with something even more crazy.”
Eleven drivers representing Honda R&D Americas and Honda Performance Development competed, with one class victory and eight other top-five results. The Odyssey is produced at the Honda plant in Alabama.
IZOD IndyCar Series Open Test July 4 free to public
The IZOD IndyCar Series Open Test from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (ET) July 4 at Pocono Raceway is free and open to the public. Gates open at 8 a.m. and fans will have access to select grandstand seats. Select concessions will be available.
Click it: Get Pocono INDYCAR 400 Fueled by Sunoco tickets
Following the Firestone Indy Lights race July 6, Pocono Raceway will host a fireworks show that is open to the public for a $5 donation per vehicle to benefit the Tunkhannock Twp. Volunteer Fire Department. There will be an infield block party, featuring live entertainment and activities.
Vintage Indy cars on track, on display
An exhibition of vintage Indy cars will be part of the Pocono race weekend.
Vintage cars will be on the 2.5-mile track at 12:05 p.m. and 5:05 p.m. (ET) July 5, before the Firestone Indy Lights race July 6 and before the IZOD IndyCar Series race July 7. The cars will be on display all weekend in the paddock.
The exhibition is being organized by Gary Mondschein, president of the vintage division of the American TQ Midget Racing Association.
"Pocono Raceway was built with Indy cars in mind, and we believe that the addition of the classic Indy cars to the events at the Pocono IndyCar 400 will serve to fascinate the experienced fan and educate the new one," Mondschein said.
Pocono race factoid
Team Penske cars have led more than 1,000 laps in the 19 Indy car races at Pocono Raceway and led laps in all but four of the races (it did not enter cars in 1979 and 1981).