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“Fast Friday” At Indy Lives Up To Its Reputation For Speed

James Hinchcliffe smokes his tires leaving pit lane to get on track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. © [Andy Clary / Spacesuit Media]

James Hinchcliffe smokes his tires leaving pit lane to get on track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. © [Andy Clary / Spacesuit Media]

 

By Joe Jennings

INDIANAPOLIS – “Fast Friday” at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway lived up to its reputation as speeds soared in preparation for qualifications on Saturday and Sunday to establish the line-up for the 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 27.

Marco Andretti, rookie Robert Wickens, Ed Carpenter and Oriol Servia topped the 230 miles per hour mark with Andretti leading the way at 231.802 mph.  All presumably were assisted by benefitting from a tow from others.

Andretti said he was pleased with his car in race trim but less so in qualifying trim where he checked in 12th fastest.

In non-tow conditions, Team Penske teammates Will Power, Josef Newgarden and Simon Pagenaud were the fastest with Power on top at 229.780 mph.

The 35 entrants were all on the track and collectively they ran 1,260 laps.  Rookie Kyle Kaiser topped the laps run with 62 circuits while rookie Zachary Claman de Melo ran just 11 laps.

Eyes and watches were focused on the slowest cars as on Saturday, the two slowest will be bumped from the starting field.  Jack Harvey and James Davison were the slowest with Davison crunching the wall in mid-afternoon.

Rain was forecast on “Fast Friday” but only an occasional drizzle took place.  The forecast for the weekend ahead is more ominous with thunder storms predicted, but it is May in Indianapolis where anything can happen.

 

 

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