Simona De Silvestro is Indy 500 ROY

After a whirlwind 2 weeks of Pre-Indy 500 media activities, finally concluding it with a respectable 14th place finish, the momentum continues for Team Stargate Worlds/HVM Racing rookie driver Simona De Silvestro. It was announced at the 2010 Indy 500 Awards Banquet that the talented 21 year old had been selected to be the recipient of the 2010 Indianapolis 500 Chase Rookie of the Year Award.

Simona follows last year’s award winner Alex Tagliani, as well as respected racers Mario and Michael Andretti, Rick Mears, Jacques Villeneuve, and Nigel Mansell as winners of the award.

This year’s Indy 500 field included a deep and talented group of 6 rookies, 5 of which completed the long and grueling race. Simona started the race in 22nd place and made progress throughout the race and slowly and methodically powered her #78 Nuclear Clean Air Energy/Entergy car through the field. Using a combination of smart pit strategy and talented driving, Simona and her team garnered a 14th place finish, which represents her best finish of the year. This feat is heightened by the fact that this was only her 2nd oval in her young IZOD IndyCar Series career, it is the longest distance event on the calendar and it was also the hottest Indy 500 on record.

Simona De Silvestro, Driver No. 78 – “This is such an honor to be selected for this award. I’m humbled and so grateful to those who saw it fit for me to earn this. This whole Indy 500 experience has been so much fun and so rewarding. I can’t thank enough my team, as well as my manager Imran Safiulla, HVM Racing’s Keith Wiggins, my sponsors, and my parents for all helping me get where I am today. I will work my hardest this year to show that I am deserving of this award."