Courage and a gust of wind propelled Vision Racing driver Ryan Hunter-Reay into the famed field of 33 for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the 2009 Indianapolis 500.
After being bumped out just moments earlier by competitor John Andretti, Hunter-Reay pulled on track in the No.21 Vision Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone and bumped his way back into the field; qualifying the car as the final gun sounded representing the end of qualifications.
Even more, his four lap average of 220.597 mph was literally just enough to get back in as it bumped out driver Alex Tagliani by only 0.085 seconds. It’s also the closest field in the history of four-lap qualifying for the 500-Mile Race—3.0967 seconds separate pole winner Helio Castroneves and Hunter-Reay.
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It was Hunter-Reay’s second qualifying attempt of the day and fourth of the month overall. He will start in the 33rd and final position for his second Indianapolis 500. His status as a last row starter actually puts him in good company along the likes of Indy 500 and open-wheel greats Mario Andretti, Al Unser and Johnny Rutherford.
Hunter-Reay will be looking to earn a spot in history with those gentlemen by vying for the race win from the farthest starting position. The farthest back anyone has started the Indianapolis 500 and won is the 28th spot, which has been done twice by Ray Haroun (1911) and Louis Meyer (1936).
Just last season Hunter-Reay started 20th at Indy and ran an impressive race, finishing behind current teammate, Ed Carpenter, in the sixth spot and earning Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year honors.
Hunter-Reay also drove 25 laps of practice today with a best lap of 220.948 mph.
Teammate Ed Carpenter and his No.20 Menards/Vision Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone machine turned 82 laps in practice today with a top speed of 220.065 mph.
Carpenter qualified the No.20 Menards special last Sunday, May 10th in the 17th position, middle of row six, with a four-lap qualifying average of 222.780 mph.
Just last season Carpenter started a career-best 10th at Indy, drove his first career IndyCar Series leader laps (3) and finished a team and career-best fifth place at the Brickyard.
IndyCar Series final practice for the 2009 Indianapolis 500 will take place on Carb Day.
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