Solar Phantom Gets "Bumped" During Indy 500, Plans to Try Again at Brickyard 400

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's Solar Phantom VI team was given the unique opportunity to participate in pre-race activities for this year's Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Phantom was to complete a ceremonial lap around the famed track minutes before the race commenced. Unfortunately, the team's "track time" was short- lived. Due to scheduling conflicts and unforeseen time constraints, the team's parade lap was "bumped" in order to start the race on time. Solar Phantom VI was literally on the shoulder of the track, ready to pull out and start its lap, when the team received the unfortunate news.

"I think we were all disappointed," said Chris Nicholson, Phantom VI's driver for the event. "The team was in high spirits and was anxious to see the car on the track. It would have been a very large media and publicity boost for the team and the school."

The team will get a chance to try again, however, at this year's Brickyard 400 on August 5th. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has graciously invited the Solar Phantom VI team back to the track for a parade lap before the upcoming NASCAR event. The team will return to Terre Haute in late July after competing in this summer's American Solar Challenge, and after a few days of rest to recharge our human batteries, the team will be ready to take Phantom VI to IMS for the Brickyard.

Spectators at home can watch for possible media coverage of the event during the hour before the start of the race. After getting "bumped" at the Indy 500, the team hopes to finally see Phantom VI "in the limelight" at the Indy Motor Speedway this fall.

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