In final pre-qualifying practice Sunday
source:
irl.racing-live.com
Danica Patrick set the fast time Sunday morning in
the final practice before qualifications for the 2005 Indianapolis 500. Patrick
turned two consecutive laps at more than 229 miles per hour, with a fast time of
229.880mph.
The pole position, along with the top 22 spots in the field, will be decided in
qualifications Sunday afternoon. The pole was originally to be determined on
Saturday but that session was called due to rain.
Patrick, with Rahal Letterman Racing, led 29 car/driver combinations in the 90
minute practice session, that saw split groups of 45 minutes each with a 30
minute "all skate" conclusion. Also turning a lap over 229 was Dario Franchittii,
of Andretti Green Racing, at 229.422mph. The top four speeds were turned by
Honda powered cars as Tony Kanaan, with AGR, turned a 228.920 and Vitor Meira
with RLR turned a 228.666.
The only other driver to record a lap over 228 Sunday morning was Sam Hornish Jr.
with Marlboro Team Penske at 228.356. Hornish had the top speed for a Toyota.
The top speed for a Chevy was by Tomas Scheckter, with Panther Racing, at
227.574, good for eighth fastest.
Patrick's time, if turned in qualifications or the race, would be the fastest
official time for a woman driver at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Sarah
Fisher turned a lap of 229.675 while qualifying for the 2002 Indianapolis 500.
Fisher's four lap average was 229.439.
Sunday's fast times were all turned in with assistance of a "tow" during the
practice session. Actual qualification speeds Sunday afternoon are not expected
to reach quite these speeds.
While it has not been raining at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sunday morning,
it is mostly cloudy and very cool, with the temperature during practice at just
54 degrees (F). The high Sunday afternoon is expected to reach a maximum of 60
degrees with a stout wind making it feel even cooler to the bundled up fans at
the Brickyard.
There were no incidents in the final 90 minute practice, although Tony Kanaan
was penalized 20 minutes of practice time for failing to slow when the caution
flag was displayed for debris on the backstretch.
Today's qualification session will place 22 cars into the field. Once 22 cars
are qualified, any car that goes faster will bump out the slowest car. Next
Saturday, the remaining entrants will compete for the final 11 positions and
then next Sunday any car that can go faster any previously qualified car will be
able to bump into the race.