Published: May 10, 2008 11:19 pm            

Decent weather makes for strong day of 500 qualifying

For the second year in a row, weather conditions were good for Indianapolis 500 qualifying under a new format.

In the revised procedure, 11 spots are filled each of the first three days of qualifying with “bumping” set for the fourth and final day.

Rain washed out the first day until last year, meaning 22 spots were filled on the first day. Much of the drama was eliminated.

A year ago, Dario Franchitti claimed the pole early in the day and held it until the final minutes when Tony Kanaan’s run knocked him from the slot. Franchitti went on to win the rain-shortened race.

Four different drivers held the pole spot Saturday with Scott Dixon being No. 1 twice. He will start the May 25 race from that position with Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Dan Wheldon next to him in the front row along with Ryan Briscoe.

All three of them along with Danica Patrick were on the pole at various times Saturday. Another key aspect of the new format is that each driver may make three qualifying attempts each day and that was not permitted in the past.

Weather permitting, positions 12 through 22 will be filled today and the final 11 slots next Saturday.

“This format is great for the fans but it is stressful for the drivers. You know now you will make two or three attempts to be on the pole,” said Danica Patrick.

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• Pit stops — National Hod Rod Association driver Ron Capps was in town for a wedding and was at the track.

He said competition in his sport is different from IndyCar Series qualifying. “You have one shot and that’s it,” he noted.

• John Andretti took his first practice runs in the No. 24 Roth Racing car and will sub for Jay Howard in the race if the car is qualified due to the lack of practice time Howard has had due to bad weather.

Andretti has competed in eight 500s.

Howard should be back in the car the rest of the year. Marty Roth is the driver of the team’s primary car.

• Driver Alex Lloyd was released from Methodist Hospital where he was admitted for observation following an accident in practice Friday. He was not cleared to drive but could be back on the track for mid-week practice and qualifying next week.

• Coyne Racing crewman was transferred from the intensive care unit at the hospital to a standard care room. He incurred a skull fracture and traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage when he was hit by a car driven by Patrick on pit lane during Friday’s busy practice session.

• Helio Castroneves observed his 33rd birthday Saturday.

• Davey Hamilton, one of the promoters at The Action Track, said he is glad there is unity in open-wheel racing with all drivers in the IndyCar Series.

He noted, though, that he got the chance to compete because of the split. “Otherwise, this hillbilly from Idaho might have been a weather guy or something,” he said after his qualifying run.



Correspondents Lori Wood and Tom Reck contributed to this report. Reck may be contacted at treck@ma.rr.com.

        

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