DAVY JONES

HIDESHI MATSUDA

"Going into Turn 2, the car had little push and I tried to correct it, went out of control and corrected it...a little bit scared. Used full course to recover. Turn 3 and 4 performed beautifully and going into Turn 1, I got push. I got throttle and the front end tucked in under me and then I got back on the throttle and used the full course to straighten out. I try to make every lap the same. When I went back to Japan last year, I thought every night how to run this race and maybe that's the secret for today.

[About going past the photo area when he returned to pit road]: "I forgot to push the brake. I hit brake a little bit and no response and I didn't want to turn into a lot of people so I went by and then they [the brakes] came back.

[About coming to Indy]: "I love Indy. Four years ago, I came here as a pit reporter. I was touched by the speed, the sound of the cars, everything, and wanted to drive here. I went back to Japan and put a resume together to get a sponsor to come here. I am so happy to be here.

[Whed did he have his ride]: "Yesterday, at 8 p.m.

[About ruinning well on ovals]:: "I agree. I came here two years and I feel comfortable doing the oval. I might be suited to do oval tracks.

[About what he wanted to say to people in Japan]: "I like to race in the United States. Give me all your support.

[Response when asked if he or countryman Hiro Matsushita were more famous in Japan]: "We both famous."

ARIE LYENDYK

[after the record run on the second day of qualfying] "It wasn't a real pretty run, my lines were different on each lap because I was trying to free up the car. The car was comfortable to drive, but I think we had more in it. I was able to run flat out. That's where we should have been yesterday with this car. It should have been a 235 mile an hour car yesterday. We never had the chance to run it because we had the two engines let go on it.

"The team was pretty down last night. As a team, this is really good. We're going to have a stronger team because of this, a stronger group of people."Z

[about starting far back on the grid] "Ya, like everybody is slower, I like that. I'll have to consider the inexperience of some of the guys, so I'll have to look out for them. I'm not going to rush into things. I don't care if it's 1995 running with the IndyCar guys, or this year running in the IRL, anytime to start from the sixth, seven row, you're in a bad spot. There's a lot of turbulence and the car does a lot of crazy things. You have to read that situation."

TYCE CARLSON

JOE GOSEK

[About his first two weeks]: "I've been trying to forget about the first part of the month. The first two weeks were very frustrating. It took fourteen days to get through. I got out of the ride. It just felt like I was wasting time. Then I talked to the IRL. They helped put a deal together for me. They went out of their way to help me out. I was able to come through for them. It worked out.

[On the potential purse money]: "The whole month I didn't concern myself with the purse. I came here with the thought that if I didn't go home with a nickel in my pocket that would be fine. I'm not going to think about it. Now that I'm in the race I can think about sponsorship.

[About the possibility of being in the race before]: "The probability was not in my mind at all before. Before I came out here with Davey Hamilton. I wasn't one to brag about what I can do. I prove myself out on the race track. As far as I was concerned, there was no hope at all before, but the IRL has changed all that. When I sat in the car yesterday, it was the most relaxed I've been all month. I don't mean to downplay the opportunity given to me in the first two weeks but, when I sat in the car yesterday it was like comparing a Cadillac to a junker. It's a really good car. It felt really nice.

[About his run]: "There's a lot going on out there. I had to concentrate. I didn't look at the speedometer. I wanted to concentrate on the track. When I crossed the line, I didn't know whether we were in or out."

SCOTT HARRINGTON

[about coming here]"This has been the most up and down two months of my life -- we had problems with the car, were over one week late in getting here to the track and had just completed my rookie lap when the car was destroyed. A lot of people stepped up and helped us out after that happened, and fortunately we came up with some sponsorship money. If I had to write a story about this month, I don't think I could have made up a better one. We've had to try to do this the old-fashioned way, with talent and coming up through the ranks. I grew up watching this race on TV, and I can't tell you what it means to be here. I wouldn't have it any other way. This experience makes you a better person -- when you have to earn your way here. The great guys here worked for it. You sleep in your car if you have to -- whatever it takes. This experience makes you a better person.

SCOTT BRAYTON

JOHNNY PARSONS

[Regarding Scott Brayton]: "I remember Scottie from way back.. We're going to miss him a lot , but you have to focus on the job that needs to be done and you can't let anything interfere with that focus. We've lost a lot of friends over the years, but I think they would all tell us to keep going no matter what. We all know the danger involved and we accept it."

TONY STEWART

"I got excited. I was really disappointed when Arie knocked us off the pole, but then when Scotty got back in line and I saw the excitement on his face, I was excited for the team. It was a great morale booster after I got knocked off to get one of our cars back on top.

"They better be on their toes on the start, that's all I've got to say. I plan on leading it in the first turn."

BRAD MURPHEY

"As temperatures rise, it will make the car push more. The handling on the car was perfect. It started out smooth. I had trouble on the second lap with the pop-off valve and had to get off the throttle and reset the valve in the back straightaway. The crew has the handling and the car set up perfect.

[regarding being at Indy]: "Just to be a part of it is special."

[regarding Scott Brayton]: "It's part of racing. It's tough when you lose someone. It's what we like to do. We have a job to do. He'd want us to do it."

[On being absent from racing] "It puts a smile on your face when you pass someone. It all comes back. Last race I was in was a Corvette Challenge. I destroyed the car and had a concussion, which put me on the sideline. I'm glad to be here."

[Preference between broncs, from his rodeo days, or Indy cars]: "Indy cars-race cars."

FERMIN VELEZ

[About Scott Brayton's accident]: "It's hard. You never think about it. In thinking about him, I was out there yesterday and he was out there too and he passed me. Then I came in. Then 'Poom,' that happened. He was doing what he wanted to do. It's very sad, but you've got to keep going."