Drive with Davey: Kansas Speedway
Davey Hamilton, driver of the Indy Racing Experience Hewlett-Packard-sponsored 2-seat Dallara, shares his thoughts about this weekend's IndyCar Series race at Kansas Speedway

It’s the first oval of the 2009 IndyCar Series season and that means one thing for Indy Racing Experience HP driver Davey Hamilton.

It’s go time.

“We are really going to the see the colors of these teams coming out this weekend,” Hamilton said.  “Ovals are such a big part of this series, so after coming off two street courses, I think Kansas will give us an idea of who is going to be strong this year.”

Hamilton has been the primary driver for the Indy Racing Experience HP 2-seater since 2001.  And while he says nothing matches the feeling a rider experiences while doing high-speed laps around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Hamilton admits that 1.5-mile ovals, such as Kansas Speedway, are his next favorite tracks to drive.

“Outside of Indy, I really think that the 1.5 (mile) ovals are the best for rides because you really feel the speed and the g-forces,” said Hamilton.

The IndyCar Series veteran also points out that the start of the 2009 schedule has really provided quality races that are strongly supported by the local communities.  Hamilton said that St. Pete and Long Beach offered festival-like atmospheres and that Kansas has always been a place that has wrapped its arms around IndyCar racing.

“I think Kansas is a lot of fun because it’s always a packed house,” he said.  “They do a great job of promoting the event and we’ve always been welcomed there.  And this will be a welcomed race for fans and the competitors.  Ovals create a whole different atmosphere and much more wheel-to-wheel racing.  I’m excited.”

The Indy Racing Experience 2-seater ride at Kansas Speedway has sold out to the public, but footage of the in-car camera feed can be seen at top.  Take a spin around the 1.5-mile oval and let the Indy Racing Experience know what you think.  You can find us on Facebook and YouTube or follow us now on Twitter (@IRE2seater).  As always, information on the popular ride and drive programs is just a click away at www.indyracingexperience.com.

Tickets for the 2009 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg can be purchased by calling 866-INDYCAR or by logging on to www.indycar.com.  Be sure to check out Versus for the IndyCar Series qualification show at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday and the season-opening race on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.  Fans can also tune in and hear Indy Racing Experience driver Davey Hamilton along with Mike King and others on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network.