Change has been the one constant early in the IZOD IndyCar Series season for Oriol Servia.
He joined Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in mid-January to drive the No. 22 entry powered by Lotus. That partnership with the engine manufacturer was dissolved following the race in Brazil, and on the same May day the team announced a “strategic alliance” with Panther Racing for the remainder of the season. As part of the deal, DRR announced it will utilize Panther’s second Chevrolet engine.
So driver and crew were tasked with switching engine manufacturers mid-stream, with the initial race being the Indianapolis 500. Then the No. 22 car took a big hit during a Pole Day qualifications crash, which dashed Servia’s outlook for a second consecutive top-nine start.
On Race Day, however, it appeared the team didn’t miss a stroke. Servia, who qualified 27th, surprised quite a few spectators — and other competitors — with a fourth-place finish. In context, though, it shuoldn’t have been surprising. In the first five races, Servia has advanced a total of 61 positions relative to his starting spot.
It was a Indy 500 career best for Servia and Panther/DRR (Dreyer & Reinbold Racing’s 13th year at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway). Last year, Servia qualified on the front row for Newman/Haas Racing and finished sixth (leading 18 laps).
“I want to thank Panther/DRR and Panther Racing. They made a huge effort in getting the two teams together and I hope bringing them a top-five satisfies the big effort it took to bring it together,” said Servia, who finished fourth in the series’ championship standings in 2011. “We finished fourth in the biggest race of the season and in what fashion. We had a flat tire in the first stint and we went a lap down. We couldn’t get our lap back until the last stint so it was tough work.
“Once I had my lap back I was last, so I had to pass a lot of cars. We had been working in the car the entire race. Every stint we changed front and rear wings and tire pressures. I had the best car when it counted, which was in the last stint. It was awesome. I was able to pass a lot of cars and get some prize money. I told the guys before we started I wanted to get them some prize money today and we did.”
At the championship banquet May 28, Servia collected $443,430.
Servia’s 23-spot gain in the 500 Mile Race was a field high and a high for the season among 33 drivers. He has moved up at least seven positions in each of the five races, dotted by 13 spots at Barber Motorsports Park (26th to 13th) and 12 at Brazil (23rd to 11th).