Indianapolis 500 pre-race quotes - Rookie racers.

With the 'month of May' kicking off at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend, the hopes, ambitions and aspirations were prised out of the various Brickyard newcomers ahead of Sunday's opening practice day.

ALEX BARRON (#44 Rayovac Blair Racing Dallara-Chevrolet):

"We want to continue our progress in speed and set-up from testing at Indy. The whole team is working together to get the Rayovac Blair car solid in the field on Pole Day. We want to win, and we're not going to Indy to just run and finish the race. The level of the Rayovac Blair team enables us to look ahead and aim at winning. Due to the fact that we had a great week at Nazareth, running so well and getting a great sponsor like Rayovac enables us to have a lot of confidence and momentum going into Indy."

"A lot of the challenges of driving and setting up the car at Indianapolis are always analysed and can be difficult due to weather, the changing conditions, from wind, temperature and the new track surface. The track will continue to change. It was green during testing, and once everyone gets on it and the rubber starts to be laid down on the track, set-up will again be another challenge."

PJ JONES (#2 Johns Manville/Menards Dallara-Chevrolet):

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to be in my first Indy 500 and also to be driving for Johns Manville/Team Menard. It's a tough situation with the team losing Jaques [Lazier] and, as a racer, nobody needs to explain to me what he's going through. I know my role here, I want to win, and I think everyone on this team still wants to win. Obviously, I have a lot to learn in a short period of time, but given the quality of this team and their ability to produce horsepower, it's going to make my job a lot easier. This car is fast. It's up to me to make it that much faster."

"When I first got here to do my seat fitting, I went to the track and took a lap in a Suburban to see how the new surfacing and the new walls looked. The track is smooth, no question about it - and that's not just because I was in a Suburban, either! They did a nice job. But the track also has grooves in it from the surface grinder, which could impact tyre wear. It will be interesting to see what happens. The 'soft walls' were fantastic. I want to applaud the Speedway for taking this kind of action and spending that kind of time and money to make sure their drivers are as safe as possible. I don't know of any other organisations really being that aggressive and taking safety into their own hands like they have."

ANTHONY LAZZARO (#99 Sam Schmidt Motorsports Racing Dallara-Chevrolet):

"My first goal is to get qualified in the first weekend. I'd like to do it on the first day. I plan on spending the first week getting comfortable in the car and get up to speed where I know we'll make the race. I'll rely on Paul Diatlovich, Paul Murphy and the rest of the crew to help me find the chassis' sweet spot. I know that PDM qualified well last year, and I don't see why we can't improve on that with the new Chevys we're getting from Rick Long and Speedway Engines."

"I'm just really looking forward to my first month of May in Indy. I have to thank Sam [Schmidt] for his continued support and making this opportunity happen. I look forward to working with the experienced PDM team. Paul [Diatlovich] has been involved at the Speedway for over 25 years, and his team was formed at the start of the Indy Racing League in 1996. That experience will be invaluable to me. The ability to share information with Mark [Dismore] will be a great help. I have only driven on the track one day and that was for the ROP [Rookie Orientation Programme]. I felt comfortable being there and took the time to 'take it all in.' We ran an old engine from last year and did a 219.8. I ran flat pretty early on in the test, and then we just started to trim the car to gain speed. We didn't want to get carried away as we know the Speedway Chevy will be much faster when we come back for the race. So I do have a feel for what a good car is and look forward to doing the month of May with PDM as they have a lot of experience there. Indy feels fast; I definitely have respect for the speed there."

"Being here is a dream come true. My first visit was as a spectator in 1986, although I watched on TV for as long as I can remember. I remember [Gordon] Johncock in 1973, I remember [Tom] Sneva on his head in 1975 in Turn Two, I was glued to the TV every Memorial Day since I was old enough to understand."

"Every time I take on a new challenge, it seems I jump off in the deep end. This year is no different. When I went to the Busch Series in 2000, it was one of the most competitive years with the most cars that they have ever had. This year's 500 is one of the most competitive that they have ever had with the most good drivers in good cars that have been there in a long time. When was the last time you had this many good rookies? I know when you count the number of major race wins and championships between them, it will be impressive. Winning Rookie of the Year this year will almost be as big as winning the race."

GEORGE MACK (#30 310 Racing G-Force-Chevrolet):

"As a rookie, it is really intimidating to anticipate what is about to happen as we approach the Indy 500. To make things short ... I am scared as hell. I guess I am somewhat concerned about how I will be welcomed, how receptive the fans, media and everyone else might be to me. It would be nice if you could just go, qualify and race, but there are so many other factors when it comes to the Indy 500 that affect your state of mind. Mentally I am going to try to stay calm, focused, basically just block a lot of things out. Once I get to the track, I put on blinders and go into my own little world."

"I might be nervous anticipating the day, but when 26 May comes, I will be intense and focused. I love Natalie Cole's Stardust CD - I listen to it wherever I go. Her voice really calms me down and helps me focus. She [Cole] will definitely be a part of my pre-race preparation. Physically I have been using a number of exercises to get ready. Jump rope, heavy [punch] bag and speed bag for hand-eye co-ordination. I also play a lot of ping-pong for hand-eye coordination."

"We have two cars ready for practice. They are prepping them now. We will test them both to see which one is faster and use that one to qualify and race. My goal for the race is to qualify in a respectable position and then give it 100 per cent during the race. It is important to me to keep my own safety and that of others at heart when I am racing. That doesn't diminish my desire to win, it just keeps me more focused when I am on the track."

TOMAS SCHECKTER (#52 Red Bull Cheever Racing Dallara-Infiniti):

"I am looking forward to Indy. Obviously, all of our races before this are preparing for the 500. Hopefully we have done all of our homework. I have learned a lot in the four races prior, and hopefully we don't make mistakes and have a successful Indy 500."

RICK TREADWAY (#55 Airlink Enterprises/Spade Motorsports G-Force-Chevrolet):

"This is a dream come true for me, and I have to tell you it's an incredibly good feeling to be living your dream. I'm experiencing a whole range of emotions as I get ready to start the month. I have to thank Airlink Enterprises, John Spade, the Hubbards and the entire Treadway-Hubbard Racing team for their support. It's going to be a difficult race to make this year, for sure. I'm confident with my crew, equipment and engineer that I'll have the speed to first make the race, and then we'll see how the race unfolds. Arie [Luyendyk] has been a great help, and he had a really good test here last week, so we know we have a good foundation to start the month. You never know what the future might hold, so I'm just focused on making the most of this opportunity and putting the car in the show."