Indianapolis 500: Will Power Scores Sixth In Official Practice
May 15, 2008
IndyCar Series Media
Will Power has completed a strong day of running at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to be the fastest rookie and fastest driver yet to qualify in practice for the Indianapolis 500 at Indiana today.
Power set the sixth fastest time today in the #8 Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone as 35 cars and drivers conducted the first full day of track proceedings since Pole Day last Saturday.
The Australian’s status as not only the fastest rookie of the day, but the fastest driver outside the top 11 positions that are already locked into the 92nd Indianapolis 500 starting grid, puts him on track to secure his starting position on Third Day qualifying this Saturday.
Power will have a further day of practice tomorrow before Third Day qualifying sets positions 12 to 33 on the grid, with Bump Day the following day allowing cars outside the top 33 the chance to leap into the field.
Australian driver Ryan Briscoe was fastest in practice today ahead of his team-mate Helio Castroneves and Kiwi driver Scott Dixon.
Will Power - #8 Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone
“It was nice to get some dry track time today in the Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia car.”
“Everyone thought it would rain today, but fortunately it never came. We were able to get through a few test items, did one qualifying run and a couple of long runs, which were interesting.”
“But all in all, we are still at a similar pace as before. We are making slow progress, but I think now we really need to focus on the race set-up. I think that is the most critical for us if we are going to finish well in this race.”
“We have made a little bit of progress from Saturday. Now our focus has gone more toward the race because I’m pretty confident that we’ll get in that top 22 somewhere and that we’ll qualify. Now we’re focusing on long runs and figuring out what kind of downforce we can run and how close behind people.”
“I haven’t had much experience running in traffic. So that’s where the focus is and hopefully we can make some headway over the next couple of days.”
