Fittipaldi returns to Indy

Emerson Fittipaldi

Photo Courtesy IMS

Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi returned to Indianapolis Wednesday for his tour of the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval in the new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 E85 concept Pace Car, which he will drive while leading the 2008 Indianapolis 500 field to the green flag on Race Day, May 25.

In addition to media interviews at the Indianapolis 500 Media Tour, Fittipaldi took members of the media on "hot laps" around the Speedway.

Fittipaldi came to the United States in 1984 after championships in Formula One (1972, 1974) and started a new career in American open-wheel racing, winning the Indianapolis 500 in 1989 and 1993. It started a focus in his home country of Brazil on Indy, and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan, Vitor Meira and several other Brazilians are among the favorites to win the "500" this year.

Fittipaldi said adjusting to oval racing was a major challenge. When he ran his first oval race, at Phoenix International Raceway, he said it was the most traffic he had ever seen in a race.

"I was surprised," he said. "The learning curve was very difficult but at the same time, it was a challenge for me. Then later I got with the right teams with Patrick and Penske.

Corvette Pace Cars

Photo Courtesy IMS

"The first time I came to the Speedway, A.J. Foyt took me around in a golf cart and showed me what to do and what not to do."

The Corvette Z06 E85 concept Pace Car is powered by high-octane, environmentally-friendly E85 fuel, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Ethanol is derived from a variety of crops grown across the United States. Fittipaldi has been a leading refiner of ethanol in Brazil for more than 30 years.