INDIANAPOLIS 500 / DAILY REPORT : Car Owner Wells Trying New Circuit

Rick Mears and Robby Gordon moved to Indy cars from off-road racing.

Cal Wells hopes to follow the same pattern--as a car owner-builder. Wells, whose Precision Preparation, Inc., shop in Santa Margarita, Calif., builds the Toyota trucks that Ivan Stewart drives, is the co-owner of the Arciero-Wells team.

“This is my maiden voyage in Indy car racing, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said. “When Toyota decided they wanted a second team to showcase their engine in 1996, they decided that I was the man to do it.

“This is a learning year for me. I have worked with Frank and Butch Arciero in the desert, so it’s a good relationship. Butch, in fact, has driven for me. It’s a win-win situation for me.”

Hiro Matsushita, the Arciero-Wells driver, qualified 10th for Sunday’s 500, by far his best starting position in four 500s.

“Hiro’s our hired gun, like Ivan is in the trucks,” Wells said. “He brings about half the project budget with Panasonic, but Frank [Arciero] and I foot the other half.”

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It’s probably not something she wants to brag about, but Lyn St. James will collect $5,000 as the oldest starter. She is 48 years and 2 months old.

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Stefan Johansson’s car will have an Indiana Pacer logo on its sides. Tony Bettenhausen, the car’s owner, lives in Indianapolis and is a big fan of the Pacers.

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Is this something that runs in the Unser family? Al Unser Jr. didn’t qualify for the race and so the defending champion will be unable to defend. The last time the previous year’s 500 winner was not around to defend his title was 1982 when Al’s uncle, Bobby Unser, the 1981 winner, decided to give up driving to coach Josele Garza.