Iowa Corn 250 Notebook – Sunday
O'Gara, the race strategist among other things for the No. 67 Dollar General car driven by team owner Sarah Fisher, has the opportunity to work side by side with son Andy and daughter Colleen.
"It's incredible to be able to follow him like I did growing up and to come to all the racetracks and root him on and to now be here on the other end," said Andy, who happens to be married to the owner/driver.
Both were part of Dreyer & Reinbold Racing for many years before leaving to start Sarah Fisher Racing in 2008. Sarah's 80th IZOD IndyCar Series start was cut short when the No. 67 car drifted up the track in Turn 4 and made light contact with the SAFER Barrier on Lap 95.
"Sometimes you don't appreciate it while you're here but when you get home and take time to think about what you're doing, where you're at and who's around you and it means a great deal to us," Andy O'Gara said.
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There are two sons of famous racing fathers competing in today's race on Father's Day: Graham Rahal, who is driving the #24 Dad's Root Beer car for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, is the son of 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal. Marco Andretti, who drives the #26 Team Venom Energy for Andretti Autosport owned by his father Michael
In addition, there are three sets of fathers and sons working on the spotter's stand today: Former Indianapolis 500 polesitter Pancho Carter (Dale Coyne Racing) is joined by his sons Dane (Dreyer & Reinbold Racing) and Cole (de Ferran Dragon Racing); Glenn "Packy" Wheeler (Panther Racing) and his son Chris (Dale Coyne Racing); Rik Crews and his son C.R. (Both with KV Racing Technology.
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About 115 Boy Scouts from Iowa were part of the pre-race ceremonies at Iowa Speedway.
They had the opportunity to get an up-close look at the No. 19 Boys Scouts of America car driven by former Scout Alex Lloyd. Boy Scouts of America is celebrating its centennial anniversary, and the program with Dale Coyne Racing focuses on the benefits of Scouting in a changing world.
"It's phenomenal to have organizations like the Indy (Racing League) behind the Boy Scouts and realize that this program is what we need in today's world," said Jim Fox, scoutmaster of Troop 111 from Grimes, Iowa. "We've even added merit badges that fit today's world – geocaching, inventing – but the basic core values haven't changed from 1912."
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Brett Snyder of Muscatine, Iowa, a tire changer on the No. 78 Team Stargate Worlds/HVM Racing car, suffered a sprained ankle when struck by the car entering the pit stall during a stop in the first half of the race. … Danica Patrick was running at the finish for the 24th consecutive race — four off Scott Dixon's series record. Patrick posted her third consecutive top-10 finish. … Dixon, who started in the top 10 for the 40th consecutive race, finished in the top 10 for the sixth race in a row. His five-race top 5 streak ended with a sixth-place finish.