Newman-Haas Racing Takes Third At Milwaukee Mile

Mark Bellwoar of Grayslake has worked for Newman-Haas Racing for more than 20 years. He is the head graphics designer for the race team and is responsible for stripping, priming, sanding, painting and decaling the renowned firm’s Indy cars.

Drivers Oriol Servia, of Spain, and James Hinchcliffe, of Canada, started in the 10th and 16th positions after qualifying on Saturday prior to the Father’s Day race. Thanks to the behind-the-scenes work by the engineers and mechanics to prepare the cars for the race and the smart, aggressive driving by Servia and Hinchcliffe, Newman-Haas finished in the top 10.

Servia’s third-place finish gave the team hard-earned recognition on the winner’s podium, alongside winner Dario Franchitti and second-place finisher Graham Rahal.

Both the drivers were especially appreciative of Bellwoar’s efforts in painting their cars, which is more than just simple eye candy. Sponsors pay the racing teams to advertise on the cars, and the logos must be placed in specific areas of the vehicles and sized according to a legal contract. The cars’ finish must be as smooth as glass to cut down on the wind resistance and make the vehicles aerodynamically efficient.

Both of the handsome drivers graciously accepted all requests for autographs and pictures – no one was turned down. While fierce competitors on the track, after the race they are two of the nicest, most down-to-earth guys you could ever meet. They posed for pictures with the sons of Mark and Marie Bellwoar and some friends of theirs from Grayslake.

The training to be a top-level Indy Car driver is incredible. Servia runs or cycles six days a week. He also does kayaking, swimming and yoga. Hinchcliffe trains five to six days a week including biking, running, swimming, rock climbing, martial arts and boxing.

Dario Franchitti of Target Chip Ganassi Motor Sports won the race for his third victory of the season. Graham Rahal, son of Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal and a Ganassi teammate of Dario, came in second. Franchitti led in the race for 159 of the 225 laps with 61 laps being run under the yellow caution due to four drivers making contact with the wall. Helio Castroneves looked like he was going to win the race but gave up the lead to Franchitti on lap 199, when he had to make an unplanned pit stop to replace a tire.

This year’s major sponsors for Newman-Haas Racing are Telemundo, an American Spanish-language broadcasting company that reaches 93 percent of the Hispanic and Latino homes in the U.S.

Eric Sprott is an investment manager and founder of Sprott Inc., which primarily deals in precious metals. Sprott is famous for supporting investment in silver as the new wealth creator of this decade. Sprott predicts that silver is going to triple in price this decade.

Working with Newman-Haas Racing General Manager Brian Lisles, Bellwoar helped to come up with the paint scheme for the 06 car of James Hinchcliffe, which features deep blue and silver colors. Sprott, known as the Canadian Warren Buffett, sponsors the car of fellow Canadian James Hinchcliffe.

Bellwoar sometimes must spend weekdays and weekends working 14 to 18 hours or more a day to prepare the cars for the next race. The job is labor-intensive, and most of the sanding on the body has to be done by hand.

"There are no ifs, ands or buts about it. I have to work until the job is done because the cars have to be ready to be loaded on the trailers for the next race. I have to stay and do what I do until the job is done," said Bellwoar.

The Milwaukee Oval is the oldest continuous racing site in the Americas. The first race was held there in 1903 for the Wisconsin State Fair. The list of drivers who have raced or won at Milwaukee reads like a who’s who list of racing – Barney Oldfield, Rex Mays, Tony Bettenhausen, A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Parnelli Jones, Johnny Rutherford, Gordon Johncock, Rick Mears, Michael Andretti, and the Unsers – Al, Bobby and Al Jr.

The Indianapolis 500, by comparison, celebrated its 100th birthday this year in a race won by Dan Wheldon. It was a shocking finish to the storied race this year as rookie J.R. Hildebrand hit the wall only seconds from his shot at becoming the first rookie to win the Indy 500.

Scott Dixon, who won the last race at the Milwaukee Mile in 2009, finished seventh this year behind Newman-Haas Racing rookie James Hinchcliffe.