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For the third consecutive year at Watkins Glen International, Helio Castroneves will select the order (straight up or inversed) for single-lap qualifying July 7.
It’s the fifth time in eight IndyCar Series street/road course events that the driver of the No. 3 Team Penske Dallara/Honda/Firestone topped the combined speed chart in first-day practice, earning the right to select the qualifying order. His quick lap of 1:30.1192 (134.622 mph) was faster than his previous record of 1:30.6688 (133.806 mph) in September 2005. Two-time defending Watkins Glen winner Scott Dixon was second fastest with a lap of 1:30.1587, 134.563 mph, while 2004 Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Rice’a fast lap of the morning session (1:30.2580, 134.415 mph) held for third on the speed chart.
Under the IndyCar Series format, the quickest driver selects the qualifying order. The fastest six from single-car qualifying return for the 10-minute, all-car “Firestone Fast Six, ” which determines the first three rows.
Also on July 6, Wade Cunningham earned the provisional pole for the first race of the Corning Twin 100s Indy Pro Series doubleheader at Watkins Glen, topping the first of two 30 minute qualifying sessions.
Cunningham lapped the 3.4-miles road course in 1:36.7418, 125.406 mph, nearly three seconds faster than his 2005 event record. The second 30-minute qualifying session is scheduled for Saturday morning followed by the first of two 29-lap races.
Medical update from Dr. Michael Olinger, Indy Racing League director of medical services: Sean Guthrie has been cleared to participate in practice and qualifying today. Guthrie sustained a non-displaced fracture of his left foot in an accident at Iowa Speedway on June 23.
HELIO CASTRONEVES (No. 3 Team Penske Dallara/Honda/Firestone, fastest in practice):
“Today was a good day. The times are definitely faster because of the improvements made on certain areas of the track surface. It’s been great. Team Penske has been working hard and it’s showing. Right now we’re excited about the speeds from this afternoon, but tomorrow is still another important day.
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