No dark side to Pink Lloyd's Indy 500
INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) - Wearing a pink race suit, driving a pink car sponsored by a women's energy drink, Alex Lloyd has already made a name for himself at the Indianapolis 500 -- Pink Lloyd.
The little-known Briton, who lists Dire Straits not the iconic British rockers Pink Floyd as his favorite band, has no full-time ride this season and has never come close to winning an Indy car race yet has become one of the most recognizable drivers at the famed Brickyard.
"I knew we'd have a pink car quite a while ago, so I was prepared for that," Lloyd told SpeedTV. "I was prepared for the pink suit too but I honestly didn't realize how pink the suit would be.
"Nor could I imagine the attention it would get so it took a bit of time to adjust, but I've been having fun with it.
"My PR guy has said I've become more sensitive since the month has started. The first day, I was a little self-conscious. Especially after I got a lot of abuse from Dario Franchitti.
"After a day or two though, I got used to it. Now I quite enjoy wearing pink. In a masculine way, of course."
It was Franchitti, the 2007 Indy 500 winner, who branded his fellow Briton "Pink Lloyd" -- a name that looks like sticking with the 24-year-old throughout his racing career.
Lloyd has shown, however, that he can do more than simply look pretty in pink.
In 2004, after finishing runner-up behind Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton in the Formula Renault championship, Lloyd earned a test drive with McLaren.
Eventually Lloyd found his way to North America and in 2007 dominated the Indy Lights championship -- the IndyCar feeder series -- winning eight races in one season, including five in a row.
Last year he qualified for his first Indy 500, finishing 25th after crashing heavily into the wall and spinning down pit lane.
This May, the Briton put that experience to good use turning in a superb qualifying effort that placed him 11th in the 33 car field in the middle of row four between Danica Patrick and rookie Raphael Matos.
Lloyd will added incentive to get to the finish line first.
His wife Samantha will start Sunday's race in the pit lane watching her husband but could end it in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's medical center giving birth to their second child.
"Having spoken to the doctor yesterday, she's anticipating the baby to arrive at any point now," said Lloyd. "Hopefully after the race."
(Editing by Nick Mulvenney)
