By Tom Reck
Tribune-Star Correspondent
INDIANAPOLIS
May 10, 2008 12:08 am
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Qualifying begins at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway today for the Indianapolis 500 with 11 cars earning spots for the field and the fastest of them earning the pole spot for the May 25 race.
“The line should long with 20 or 22 going for the 11 spots … probably about eight for the pole. It should be cool early and [we could get] some good numbers,” said Scott Dixon, who was fastest in Friday’s rain-shortened practice session.
Weather conditions are are expected to be good for the second straight year of the new qualifying format after the first day was rained out twice.
Under the revised procedure, 11 cars will make the lineup each of the first three days of qualifying — today, Sunday and May 17. With most of the top open-wheel drivers now competing in the unified IndyCar Series, competition should be keen for the 11 spots and particularly for the pole.
“The new format makes is good … keeps it interesting,” said Dixon, who drives for Ganassi Racing and is second in the series point totals after four races.
Roger Penske drivers have won the pole 14 times and the race 14 times — both records. Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe will try to become the 15th Penske driver to sit on the pole today.
Penske commented on what being on the pole means for the crown jewel in IndyCar Series racing.
“The notoriety you get … over the next two weeks [or so], you never have that opportunity in any other sport,” he said at a meeting with the media Friday.
Castroneves said going for the pole is the first race of the month.
“For me, it’s just awesome to do something that depends on the weather, depends on the car and then trying to find the edge. I think it is fun,” said the two-time race winner and two-time pole sitter who will turn 33 today.
Tony Kanaan was on the pole last year and turned in one of the top speeds in Friday’s abbreviated practice session which was only the second for all of the drivers because of two complete rainouts. Thirty-three cars were on the track for about three hours of practice before rain fell again.
Dixon’s speed of 226.968 miless per hour was fastest followed by Marco Andrett at 226.710 mph, Andretti-Green teammate Kanaan at 226.688 mph, Briscoe at 226.143 and AG rookie Hideki Mutoh at 225.990.
“It was hard to get a clean lap with all the cars on the track. We know about where we are,” said Dixon.
Andretti was fastest on Tuesday, the only other day all drivers were able to practice. “I hope I am back in here tomorrow [after qualifying],” he told the media after commenting on his run.
“What was positive is that we made little change from Tuesday to today. We’re ready to go. I am going for it [the pole],” said the 21-year-old Andretti.
Dixon said the first runs made by him and teammate Dan Wheldon will determine if they go for the pole. “Being on the pole is a big accomplishment for a driver,” he said.
Qualifying begins at noon and continues until 6 p.m. with the 11 fastest cars in the field. Practice begins at 9 a.m. and runs for two hours.
In the draw for qualifying, Briscoe will be second in line with Andretti eighth, Dixon ninth, Danica Patrick 21st, and Castroneves 28th.
“I have always said qualifying here is one of the toughest things I ever did. But it is also … fun and most rewarding,” said four-time winner Rick Mears.
• Crewman hurt — A member of the Dale Coyne Racing crew was injured in an incident in the pits involving the No. 7 car driven by Patrick during practice.
Charles Buckman was evaluated at the medical center and taken to Methodist Hospital for treatment of a concussion and facial andd scalp lacerations.
“The pits lane was very crowded. It was no one’s fault … it happens in racing,” said Andretti.
• Alex Lloyd, winner of the Indy Pro Series title last year, was involved in the first major accident of the day. The No. 16 car incurred extensive damage.
Lloyd was taken to Methodist Hospital where inititial CT scans revealed no fractures. Due to persistent pain, he was kept overnight for observation.
• Former drivers Gil deFerran, winner of the 2003 race, and Mel Kenyon, an eight-time starter, were among the visitors at the track.
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