Tenacious and Talented Simona de Silvestro Qualifies for 100th Anniversary Indy 500

     Tenacious and talented Simona de Silvestro suffered a fiery crash last Thursday during Indy 500 qualifying. Yet, and despite severe burns to both hands, Simona, in what I have seen as typical Simona fashion, came back on Saturday with taped hands and qualified 24th for this year’s 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 in a backup car. Of course, this speaks volumes for Simona’s team as well.

     Over three years ago, Autoweek named Simona de Silvestro one of the fastest women you will ever meet. Rightly so, Simona’s history is going fast and letting her track actions speak for her. Originally from Thun, Switzerland, Simona now lives in Scottsdale, Arizona and races in the Izod IndyCar Series.


     She started racing when she was six years old and made the move to racing in the US in 2006 where she raced in Formula BMW USA. In 2007, she moved to the Atlantic Championship series and strongly competed through 2009. 2010 was her rookie year in the Izod IndyCar Series where she drove the No. 78 car for Team Stargate World/HVM Racing. Last year, she was one of a record five women drivers who qualified for the 2010 Indy 500. With Danica Patrick, Simona took to Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s high speed oval along with Sarah Fisher, Ana Beatriz, and Milka Duno. Simona finished 14th in the race and took home Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year honors. This year she races for HVM/Entergy Nuclear Clean Air Energy #78 Team.


     De Silvestro consistently demonstrates that she is quick to learn, not afraid to attack a race course, and adept enough to provide valuable feedback to the team. Her performance in the Atlantics was noteworthy and her IZOD IndyCar Series performances continue to improve overall. Last year, her one major scare came at Texas Motor Speedway when her car caught on fire and, as I and others watched, it appeared the safety crew responded in slow motion. Thankfully, Simona escaped with only minor burns. Despite her short time in Izod IndyCar racing she has already received numerous honors, finished in the top ten four times, finished in the top five once, came in second in the Rookie of the Year chase, and received the Tony Renna Rising Star Award.


     Again, if Simona stays her present course, she will be a serious future contender for the IndyCar Series Championships. I know that she will continue to push her No. 78 car to its limits. Who knows, this year, perhaps the first woman to earn a podium result at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (De Silvestro in 2006 Formula BMW USA Series), will again rise to the podium, but this time at the 100 Anniversary running of the Indianapolis 500.


To learn more about Simona visit http://www.simonadesilvestro.com/


To learn more about HVM Racing visit http://www.hvm-racing.com/simona.html


To learn more about IndyCar visit http://www.indycar.com/


For more photographs of Simona visit http://www.BestDigitalShots.com/