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thiagomed@gmail.com DRIVER DETAIL -- THIAGO MEDEIROS One of the most dominant competitors in Indy Racing League Indy Lights history, Medeiros switched from rear-engine cars to those with the engine in front for 2006 (at least for most of the season), competing in the USAC Silver Crown Series – the second South American driver in history to race in the series. The amiable Brazilian earned two top-five finishes in just seven starts, including a season-best fourth at Iowa Speedway in his rookie season in the Silver Crown Series. Medeiros holds many records in Indy Lights competition, including consecutive victories and poles, wins and poles in a season, and consecutive laps led and laps led in a season. Career Highlights (Through 2006 Season) · 2004 Indy Racing League Indy Pro Series champion · Best USAC Silver Crown Series Race Finish: 4th (Iowa, 2006) · Career USAC Silver Crown Series Starts: 7 · One (1) career Indianapolis 500 start

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Iowa Speedway



The Iowa inaugural
The weekend of September 16/17 marked the
inaugurations of Iowa’s brand new Speedway. The Rusty
Wallace designed 7/8 of a mile banked oval received
USAC’s Midget, Sprint and Silver Crown cars for three
special races on Sunday.

Near 20,000 people attended the show on Sunday and saw
not only three very spectacular races but also very
fast ones. Both Midget and Sprint Cars bettered the
existing speed records, with the Sprint Cars having
the privilege to break the existing World speed
record.

For Thiago Medeiros, driving PDM’s Silver Crown Car
#18, it was also the maiden finish in his first year on
the series, after moving from IPS cars.

Troubled Saturday, competitive Sunday
Watching in disbelief a brand new engine seize in what
just the third installation lap on Saturday’s test
session, Thiago had to seat out of qualifying and
constricted to start 13th and last on Sunday’s race.

With just 30 of the 100 laps completed Thiago had
already moved up in the rankings to 7th place with
some thrilling overtaking on Iowa’s Turn 1. His stride
to the front continued and soon he was occupying 4th
place having demoted another three competitors always
using very well the top groove of the track. “It was
very exciting and funny, the track is so smooth and
fast and I was capable of passing all these cars using
the top part of turns 1 and 2 to my best advantage.”
declared a beaming Brazilian that still had more to
show.

Up to 2nd overall
On lap 80 Thiago had moved to 2nd spot, after passing
both Pablo Danoso #91 and Peter Shepherd #99 and
profiting from the fact that his team mate Aaron
Pierce #26 had lost first place due to an electrical
failure. Thiago continued a strong run to the finish
line until lap 93 when the extra effort of climbing
from last place took its toll on his tires. “The car
became very difficult to control with both left hand
front and right hand rear tires loosing their
performance due to blisters. At the same time, I lost
some momentum when overtaking some back markers Brian
Taylor #21 and both Pablo and Peter went by. But I am
very happy with this 4th place and want to thank the
Team for their effort in changing the motor on
Saturday and giving me a car that helped me show my
form.” Completed cheerfully after the first checkered
flag that he sees after 4 races in the series.

Last race of the 2006 season scheduled for the Kansas
Speedway on September 30th is where Thiago hopes to
add a podium before embarking in the testing period
for next year’s season. “I want to be back in 2007 and
race on both Paved and Dirt tracks with the Silver
Crown, the car is awesome with its 800HP engine and no
aerodynamic devices to help, I am really happy and
excited to continue.”