Salazar welcomes new son.

Indy Racing Northern Light Series standout Eliseo Salazar and his wife, Kari, easily won the pole position at South Miami Hospital early yesterday [15 May] with the birth of their first son, Eliseo Salazar VI.

Born at 0353, the newest AJ Foyt Racing pit crew member weighed in at a whopping ten pounds and six ounces, and measured 20.5inches. Mother and son are resting comfortably.

"I sound like all new parents, but he's beautiful," said Eliseo Salazar, who flew to Miami from Indy on Monday morning, "I was hoping he would be born on the 14th, which is my birth date [albeit in November] and favourite number, but AJ was teasing me that his birth date is the 16th [albeit in January], and that should be the day. I guess my son didn't want to take sides, so he's between us both."

Salazar will return to Indy Wednesday evening to drive the Harrah's AJ Foyt Racing Dallara-Oldsmobile cars in practice on Thursday. Foyt will have two cars available for Salazar, who will attempt to qualify for his sixth Indianapolis 500 this Sunday.

"Most new fathers hand out cigars," Salazar said, "But I have something bigger in mind. On 27 May, I hope to give my son a sip of the winner's milk from this year's Indy 500."

Another new arrival graced the IRL world in the past week, as 2000 Indianapolis 500 rookie Andy Hillenburg and his wife, Michelle, welcomed son Dustin Dwight Hillenburg into the world on 11 May. Dustin was 21.5 inches long and weighed eight pounds and 13 ounces.

Dustin is the Hillenburg's fourth child. His name continued Andy and Michelle's tradition of naming their children in alphabetical order. The couple's first three children are named Ashley, Brittany and Casey.