After losing a day of practice to rain, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway re-opened for business on May 18, and teams/drivers quickly got down to business of turning laps around the famed 2.5-mile oval.
Dialing in race setups was the objective for most teams on a chilly day not conducive to big speed, with the focus turning to qualification simulations the next few days in preparation for the two-stage run May 22 for the PEAK Performance Pole Award presented by AutoZone. With the almost five hours available for the session, a few things began to come into focus—primarily that the competition is exceptionally close.
• Five different teams were represented in the top five on the speed chart.
• The top 21 drivers were separated by 0.5755 of a second.
• No. 1 (Scott Dixon) and No. 36 (Milka Duno) were separated by 1.197 seconds.
• Drivers pounded out 1,590 laps (of a total for three days of 3,562).
Last year was the closest field in the history of the ‘500’ at 3.0967 seconds. That record might not last long.
Dixon, driving the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car, posted a quick lap of 39.7265 seconds (226.549 mph) on the 2.5-mile oval. Mario Moraes was second quick (225.913 mph) in the No. 32 KV Racing Technology entry, and Marco Andretti in the No. 26 Team Venom Energy car for Andretti Autosport was next at 225.751.
The checkered flag flew eight minutes early after the No. 8 PDVSA KV Racing Technology car of E.J. Viso made contact with the SAFER Barrier at the exit of Turn 1. He was transported to Methodist Hospital complaining of back pain.
DAY 4 NOTEBOOK:
Indianapolis 500 veteran Townsend Bell talked about his preparations for the 2010 Indianapolis 500. He is driving the No. 99 Herbalife Ganassi/Schmidt Racing entry.
TOWNSEND BELL: (On getting up to speed in his first start of the season): “It’s great to be back. The car feels fantastic. The team has done a great job of getting us prepared, and we are excited to get some running done here.” (On the new Pole Day format and the shorter month): “Well, obviously the month has been condensed and we’ve had quite a bit of rain so far, which has condensed it even more. I think that that has put an increased intensity on the on-track action as we get closer to qualifying weekend. Any time you can increase the intensity of what’s on the track; I think it’s going to be good for the fans.” (On how an Indy-only program handles the shorter month): “You can’t fast-track chemistry and all that goes with that, but luckily I’ve worked with our race engineer before, and we’ve had a lot of time to prepare. I think that for an Indy one-off, we’re as well prepared as you can be.” (On racing plans after Indy): “I don’t have anything planned at this point.”
2002 Indianapolis 500 pole winner Bruno Junqueira spoke in the pits today about his prospects for driving the No. 33 FAZZT Race Team entry in this year’s race.
BRUNO JUNQUEIRA: “It feels really good to be back at Indianapolis. I love this place. I’m ready, and we’re just waiting to see what happens with our sponsor. Tag (Alex Tagliani) is going fast, the car is looking good, and the balance of the car is good. I just hope if we get out there that we can make the #33 car just as fast and put both cars in the show.” (What are you racing this year?): “I’ve been racing Brazilian Trucks this year and just finished my third race this weekend. It’s been really fun and a different challenge for me. There are a lot of racers I know in the series, like Cristiano DaMatta and Felipe Giaffone, and there are other good drivers and it’s a really good series. I feel like I’m getting better every time I go out. It has been good to give me some racing experience before coming to Indianapolis since it has been a long time since I have raced. So I’m ready to go.”
Indianapolis 500 veteran Oriol Servia was in Gasoline Alley today, looking around for prospects for a ride for this year’ race. Servia finished 26th last year in a Rahal Letterman Racing entry.
ORIOL SERVIA: (We are curious if you have anything going?): “I am curious, too! Actually, I been very, very close to something that would be really good. We were supposed to have an answer last week, then Friday, then Monday, then today, but I am still waiting. But you know how these things go. It is all about getting contracts signed and money being sent. I hope it happens. There is no other place I would rather be racing you know than this race.” (Are you working with a particular team?): “Yes, but who knows what will happen in the end? I have to get the money first.” (Do you think your chances are good?): “I don’t know, man. Last week I thought they were and I thought I would be driving today, so I don’t know what to tell you. I think there is a good chance, and if it happens it will happen with a car that we can go for the win. But it’s not there yet, and we will have to wait and see.”
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