Happy Birthday, Thiago

Thiago turns 24 today -- post a comment below and wish him a happy birthday!

Last year, Thiago celebrated with a cake -- and lots of frosting -- thanks to help from 2005 Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon...

Promising Run Ends Early Due to Electrical Problems

All eyes are on the future after a strong run for Thiago and the PDM Racing team at Milwaukee.






After starting 10th in Sunday's USAC Silver Crown series event at The Milwaukee Mile, Thiago was running sixth behind eventual winner Wayne Reutimann Jr. when electrical problems brought his day to an early end on Lap 55 of the 100-lap race. Despite the disappointing result, the performance proved that the rookie could keep pace with series veterans and challenge for the win.

“We had a little bit of brake trouble on full tanks, but the car came to me quickly and then got better and better," Thiago said. "We were on the same pace as the leaders until we had the electrical problem. It’s a shame that we couldn’t finish because I was having a lot of fun and I could really push the car. I think it was still the best experience we’ve had so far because the team and I are really coming together. We are all on the same page now, which gives us a lot of confidence heading into the next race at IRP.”

The next event for Thiago and the PDM Racing team is Aug. 3 at O’Reilly Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Thiago Finishes Sixth in Milwaukee 100; Qualifies 10th for Silver Crown Event

Thiago finished sixth in Saturday's Indy Pro Series Milwaukee 100, despite being slowed by an engine misfire throughout the race. The 100-lap event marked the end of an extremely busy day for the 23-year-old Brazilian, who earlier in the afternoon had qualified 10th for Sunday's USAC Silver Crown series race.

Thiago's hectic Saturday schedule:

9:15 - 9:45 a.m. -- Silver Crown series practice
10 - 10:15 a.m. -- Indy Pro Series warm-up
2:15 - 3 p.m. -- Silver Crown series qualifying
3:15 p.m. -- Indy Pro Series pre-race activities
3:40 p.m. -- Milwaukee 100 Indy Pro Series race

"Today was a long day," said Thiago about his return to the Indy Pro Series. "The car was very loose, especially at the beginning of the race. Then, whenever I'd catch up to (Nick) Bussell, I'd have some kind of misfire, so we'd drop back again. Still, it was fun being back in a Pro Series car, and I want to thank (team owner) Gary (Peterson) and the AFS crew for letting me drive for them this weekend.

"Unfortunately, qualifying for the Silver Crown race didn't go very well. One of the tires on the golf cart in pit lane rolled onto the track and USAC threw the yellow flag, so I only had one flying lap. Now we just have to focus on raceday. It will be a long race -- 100 miles -- so tires are going to play a very big role."

The green flag for the Milwaukee Silver Crown series race, only the fourth Silver Crown start of Thiago's career, will drop at 10:45 a.m. Sunday.

Thiago Seventh in Indy Pro Series Qualifying at Milwaukee

Thiago Medeiros, the 2004 Indy Pro Series champion, qualified seventh for Saturday's IPS Milwaukee 100 at The Milwaukee Mile. Substituting for the ill Alex Lloyd, Medeiros posted a best lap of 141.973 mph in the No. 26 Automatic Fire Sprinklers Inc. car despite brushing the wall late in his qualifying run.



"The car was not good in the first session, not set up the way I wanted it," Medeiros said. "We made some dramatic changes and really improved in the second session. In qualifying, the car was much faster in Turns 1 and 2. I just overdrove it into Turn 4, brushed the wall, no real damage. We should be in good shape for the race tomorrow."

Flashback: 2004 Milwaukee 100

Thiago’s Indy Pro Series/USAC Silver Crown Series double-header this weekend at The Milwaukee Mile marks the first time the talented Brazilian has competed at the historic oval since the IPS Milwaukee 100 in 2004.

Thiago dominated that race, starting from the pole, posting the fastest race lap and leading 76 laps before a wheel-bearing failure forced an early end to his day.
















Thiago captured the pole position for the 2004 Milwaukee 100, one of eight poles he earned en route to the 2004 Indy Pro Series title.

















Thiago dominated the competition during his last appearance at The Milwaukee Mile.

2004 Champion Medeiros Returns to Indy Pro Series Competition at Milwaukee

Thiago Medeiros, the 2004 IRL Indy Pro Series champion, returns to the series this weekend at Milwaukee driving for AFS Racing.

"I was flattered to receive the invitation and gladly accepted," said Medeiros. "After all, for a racing driver, it's the same thing as for a pilot -- the more you do it, the better you can be. It's a great opportunity to put in more miles."

The Milwaukee weekend will be a busy one for Medeiros, who also will compete in the USAC Silver Crown series event at the 1-mile oval.

"I am still following the Silver Crown option that I chose in the beginning of the year, and I even plan to compete in some races on dirt tracks later this year with PDM Racing," said Medeiros. "We're still preparing for a complete 2007 season in the Silver Crown series. The opportunity to race in the Pro Series this weekend is a bonus because it keeps me close to the Indy community and next year's Indy 500."

Medeiros will compete in the Indy Pro Series Milwaukee 100 at 3:40 p.m. on Saturday and the USAC Silver Crown series event at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday.

Follow Thiago during his double-duty weekend at www.indycar.com/pro and www.usacracing.com

Transmission failure ends strong run at Chicagoland

After starting fifth and running well for the first half of the USG Fiberock 100 at Chicagoland Speedway, Thiago suffered his third mechanical failure in as many events and finished ninth. Despite the disappointing result, Thiago was happy for his PDM Racing teammate Aaron Pierce, who earned the first win of his Silver Crown career.

Here's what Thiago had to say about his run:

"We had a strong car and if we hadn't had a transmission problem, I think we could have finished in the top three. We began having problems with the top gears and then the car wouldn't move. It's disappointing, for sure, but overall it was still a good weekend for the team thanks to Aaron's win."

Next up on the USAC Silver Crown series schedule is the Milwaukee 100 scheduled for July 23 at The Milwaukee Mile.

Thiago qualifies fifth at Chicagoland

Thiago turned in an outstanding qualifying effort for tonight's USG Fiberock 100 and will start fifth in just his third USAC Silver Crown series event.

The talented rookie qualified just over .10 of a second behind series points leader Bud Kaeding. USAC veterans Aaron Pierce, Jay Drake and Dave Steele took the top three spots on the grid.

Chicagoland qualifying results
1) Aaron Pierce 30.982
2) Jay Drake 31.089
3) Dave Steele 31.520
4) Bud Kaeding 31.727
5) Thiago Medeiros 31.830
6) Wayne Reutimann Jr. 31.864
7) Dave Darland 31.924
8) Brian Tyler 32.251
9) Bryn Gohn 32.351
10) Tim Barber NT
11) Peter Shepherd NT
12) Pablo Donoso NT
13) Josh Wise NT
14) Rodney Weesner NT

Wish Thiago good luck at Chicagoland!

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Chicagoland preview

The USG Fiberock 100 takes place tomorrow at Chicagoland Speedway, and after suffering mechanical failures in his first two starts, the former Infiniti Pro Series Chicagoland 100 champion is looking forward to a better result this weekend.

Here's what Thiago had to say heading into the event:

"The Chicagoland track brings back very good memories for me. I won there in the Infiniti Pro Series, and it was a very special win, since it came after I had mechanical problems at Milwaukee and Michigan. It felt good to be back on top again. Chicagoland was also where I had my first rookie test in an IndyCar with Patrick Racing, which was a great experience.

Chicagoland is a very fun track with a high level of grip. It’s a fast track, and with the high banking, it also allows us to carry a lot of speed through the corners.

The Silver Crown car is a whole different ball game for me. There is still a lot that I have to discover, but I think that this weekend’s race will be very close and very interesting to watch. I hope that everyone enjoys it. I also want to thank NASCAR for giving me the first opportunity to race in front of their teams!"

USG Fiberock 100 Schedule
Friday, July 7, 2006
Practice: 9-10:30 am
Qualifying: 10:45 am
USAC Driver Introductions: 6:10 pm
Feature Event: 6:20 pm