Will Power has made a strong start to the Peak Indy Grand Prix by setting the fourth fastest time on the opening day of practice at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California.
Power drove 47 laps of practice in the #8 Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia car today around the 4.05km/2.52 mile road course, setting a strong pace to start the weekend on a good note.
The Australian is confident that with further improvement of the car’s set-up he can perform well in tomorrow’s all-important qualifying, which will be held in a three-segment elimination format, with the final stage seeing six cars shooting for the pole.
Helio Castroneves set the fastest time at Infineon Raceway today ahead of Tony Kanaan and Power’s KV Racing Technology team-mate Oriol Servia.
WHAT THE TEAM HAD TO SAY …
Will Power: #8 Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone
“It was very difficult to get a good lap in with so many cars on track, but the Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia car was quick,” said Power.
“We still need to work some things out to make the car a little bit better.
“Our aim for tomorrow is to not only make the Firestone Fast Six (in qualifying), but to be right up at the front.”
Craig Gore: Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia
“It was a good start by Will and the Aussie Vineyards team today,” said Gore.
“The road course qualifying format brings a lot of pressure but Will is very good at getting the most out of the car in qualifying, so we should be right up there tomorrow.
“A good grid position would really put us on the front foot for the race so it will be a crucial day tomorrow.”
RESULTS: Friday Practice (Combined Session Times)
1. #3 Helio Castroneves 1:17.1703
2. #11 Tony Kanaan 1:17.3920
3. #5 Oriol Servia 1:17.4712
4. #8 Will Power 1:17.5851
5. #4 Vitor Meira 1:17.7236
6. #6 Ryan Briscoe 1:17.7333
7. #9 Scott Dixon 1:17.8827
8. #7 Danica Patrick 1:17.8854
9. #26 Marco Andretti 1:17.9017
10. #27 Hideki Mutoh 1:17.9811
2008 Bombardier Rookie of the Year Standings - After Race 14
1. #27 Hideki Mutoh 298
2. #8 Will Power 267
3. #02 Justin Wilson 249
4. #06 Graham Rahal 235
5. #33 EJ Viso 234
6. #36 Enrique Bernoldi 208
7. #19 Mario Moraes 197
8. #34 Jaime Camara 140
9. #96 Mario Dominguez 98
10. #24 Jay Howard 72
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