The Grand Prix of Miami, March 2, begins a week of special excitement for Target/Chip Ganassi Racing drivers Jimmy Vasser and Alex Zanardi. They are scheduled to fly with the Blue Angels, the Navy’s flight demonstration squadron, next Friday (March 7).

After driving their Target Reynard-Hondas in the race, defending PPG Cup champion Vasser, and 1996 Rookie of the Year Zanardi, will travel cross-country to fly with the famed Blue Angels at the Naval Air Facility in El Centro, Calif. Vasser and Zanardi each are scheduled to take 45-minute flights in an F/A-18 Hornet. The invitation was extended by the Navy in recognition of the driver’s high-profile performances last season, during which they combined for seven Indy car wins and 10 pole positions.

"It’s going to be an incredible week," said Vasser, who was fastest during Spring Training at Homestead a month ago and recently received the ESPY Award. "I’m not even sure I can say how excited I am. To fly with the Blue Angels, well, that’s just awesome. That’s something I’m really anticipating, although I’m sure you have to experience flying in an F/A-18 to have any idea what it’s all about, probably like driving a race car."

Added Zanardi, "You cannot expect to be given the possibility of doing these kind of things. It’s fantastic that we have this opportunity. All I can do is say ‘thank you’ to the people who are doing this for me and Jimmy."

The drivers plan to distribute Target/Chip Ganassi Racing championship caps and T-shirts to the Blue Angels pilots and crew, as well as autograph photos.

In other related news, it was Andre Ribiero's turn at flying with the Blue Angelslast week in California after the test session at Laguna Seca and here are someof his comments:

"In the air, I have no references like on the track. I don't seethe wall passing few inches away...."

The jet pilot made manuevers like 180-degree turn at 500 mph along with loops and a deepdive from 30,000 ft., causing Andre to black out. "Theblood ran from my head and and I was out maybe some 3 seconds," saidRibeiro.