Indianapolis, Ind. - Panther Racing driver Vitor Meira turned in the third quickest lap of the day on Miller Lite Carb Day during the rain-shortened final practice before the 92nd Indianapolis 500. Meira’s speed of 222.326 trailed only the two Chip Ganassi Racing drivers, Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon, who will start first and second on Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The Firestone Indy Lights Freedom 100 was cancelled due to constant rain showers. The event has been rescheduled for tomorrow at 12:15 p.m. Also cancelled was the McDonalds Pit Stop Competition, which Panther won in 1998 and 2000. The team was entered in the competition, but the rain ruined chances of the team’s third victory in the popular contest.
Meira, who will be racing in his sixth Indianapolis 500, is happy with the setup of his car and is ready to put the No. 4 Delphi National Guard machine into victory lane. Vitor will start the race in eighth position.
Meira and team owner John Barnes discussed today that the two veterans agree that Sunday might be the best opportunity either of them have had to win the Indianapolis 500. For Barnes, Sunday marks his 40th year in the sport, all of which have included participation at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Panther driver Dillon Battistini will start the race on the pole in his No. 15 Alexp racecar, while teammate Brent Sherman will start his No.16 Delphi National Guard machine seventh.
Sherman, who is looking for his first win in the Firestone Indy Lights series, now has extra incentive to win the Freedom 100; Saturday marks the former NASCAR driver’s 34th birthday.
Meira will start eight from the inside of row three for Sunday’s Indianapolis 500. Meira will be looking for his first Indianapolis 500 victory, after finishing second in 2005, and Panther’s driver is currently on a streak of four consecutive Top Ten finishes.
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