LOCAL RACES

Alexander Rossi, upset winner of last year’s 100th Indy 500, admits he was “terrified” in making his oval-track debut at PIR. A near last-minute deal brought him to IndyCar from an uncompetitive Formula One team. A late-race penalty dropped him from a possible topfive finish to 14th.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “In some ways that was OK because I just took everything as it came and relied on information from the people around me. Qualifying was the most nervous I had ever been before a session. The race was the most nervous I had been before a race.

“It was funny because I went through a few phases during the weekend. The first, I didn’t like it at all. The second, ‘It’s Canyon Speedway Park, 9777 W. Carefree Highway, Peoria. Information: 602-258-7223; canyonspeedwaypark.com. Saturday, 7:30 p.m.: “Duel at the Diamond,” with SWDRA Late Models; IMCA Modifieds, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks; and Modlites. Arizona Speedway, 47346 N. Ironwood Road, San Tan Valley. Information: 480-926-6688; arizonaspeedway.net. Saturday, 7 p.m.: ASCS Wing Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mods, Pure Stocks, Bombers. not that bad.’ The third was halfway through the race: I really enjoyed it.”

Rossi admits he won Indy in a “weird” way -- by driving as slow as possible over the last 36 laps to save fuel. He ran out on the last lap.