Published: May 14, 2008 11:11 pm            

More rain limits track time for everybody at Indy

INDIANAPOLIS — Mother Nature didn’t get the message Wednesday about how important practice is at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Drivers put in just 30 minutes of green flag track time in preparation for the 92nd Indianapolis 500.

With precious minutes of track time being drizzled away, teams managed just a few laps of practice before a light sprinkle shut down the track just before 6 pm. Ryan Hunter-Reay and EJ Viso made only one lap around.

Pole sitter Scott Dixon worked on set up in his car, but still posted the top speed of the day, 222.834. Target Ganassi teammate Dan Wheldon followed closely with a 222.810.

John Andretti took his first laps for owner Marty Roth. In his 13 laps, Andretti found speed for sixth quickest of the day with a 221.386. With 22 slots still open, Andretti’s limited track time, may not be a huge factor going into Saturday’s qualifications.

“Well, I look it and see the length of track time for everybody obviously puts us all in the same boat. I think that's maybe a good thing.”

Andretti is a veteran of eight Indy 500 starts with the most recent being last year, driving for Panther Racing.

He finished fifth in the 1991 Indy 500. He is also driving part time in NASCAR as well. Andretti seemed satisfied with his limited participation, but did have an ideal plan. “I'd like to be at the Daytona 500, Indianapolis 500, Le Mans and the Brickyard 400 and the U.S. Nationals and then take the rest of the year off. I'd actually like to try a fuel car. I think they look like a lot of fun. So, you know, I'd like to go out there and do that.”

For the first time since his accident May 9, Alex Lloyd practiced in his Rahal Letterman, Ganassi Racing combined effort. In his 13-lap session, Lloyd clocked his best lap at just over the 219 mark.

“This is a great combination of the two. As far as the race goes, to drive for two racing legends like Chip [Ganassi] and Bobby Rahal is a thrill for me. Any race car driver dreams of winning this race, and I am going to relish every moment of the month.”

Lloyd made heavy contact with the Turn 1 SAFER barrier on Fast Friday, but a CT scan showed no fractures.

Two more second week programs began work Wednesday. Greg Beck of Beck Motorsports hired Roger Yasukawa for his Indy entry.

“It’s a great opportunity to have a driver the caliber of Roger in our car. Being an Indy 500 veteran, he has the depth of experience a team looks for, plus it’s great to build on the relationship we started at Japan,” said Beck

Yasukawa is a veteran of five Indianapolis 500s from 2003-07 and has posted two top-10 finishes. Overall, he has 38 IndyCar Series starts with eight top-10 finishes.

“Hopefully we have the hardest part of the job done now, and we can concentrate on being on track and going fast. The good thing is Greg [Beck] has such huge experience here at the track, and I’ve been here five years so I feel comfortable just going into it. I've done the second-week deal last year, so this is nothing new to me.” His top speed for the day was just over 212.

Phil Giebler signed as the driver for the American Dream Motorsports entry. Giebler finished 29 in last year’s race, his first IndyCar series start. For his effort, he earned Indy 500 Rookie of the Year honors.

“It’s hard to put into words what it means to return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indy 500. I had a huge learning curve in my rookie run last year, but I plan on this being a much better year. To say Indy is all I’ve thought about for the last 12 months would be an understatement

Former Indiana Boxing Commissioner William Kelsey and Arizona businessman Eric Zimmerman purchased majority ownership of Playa Del Racing and changed the team’s name to American Dream Motorsports.

Practice continues Thursday from noon to 6 pm. Public gates open at 9 am.

        

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