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Pagenaud Goes Fast In IndyCar Practice At Long Beach

Day’s fastest driver, Simon Pagenaud, powers through the hairpin. [Joe Jennings Photo]

Rookie Jack Hawksworth shown in action.  [Joe Jennings Photo]

Rookie Jack Hawksworth shown in action. [Joe Jennings Photo]

Long Beach colors flourish as cars take to track.  [Joe Jennings Photo]

Long Beach colors flourish as cars take to track. [Joe Jennings Photo]

Fans in turn 10 see a blurred image of Tony Kanaan.  [Joe Jennings Photo]

Fans in turn 10 see a blurred image of Tony Kanaan. [Joe Jennings Photo]

A. J. Foyt IV joined A. J. Foyt, Jr. in pits.  Larry Foyt, not shown, was also close by.  [Joe Jennings Photo]

A. J. Foyt IV joined A. J. Foyt, Jr. in pits. Larry Foyt, not shown, was also close by. [Joe Jennings Photo]

Long Beach, Calif. – Simon Pagenaud led the way in the first day of Verizon IndyCar Series practice on Friday in Long Beach. The Frenchman smoothly traversed the 11-turn street course in a time of 1:09.1488 or a speed of 102.457 miles per hour.

He drives the Charter Communications/SPHM Honda fielded by Schmidt Peterson Hamilton Motorsports.

“This track is one of the finest to drive on,” said Pagenaud. “The sun has been shining and the car has been wonderful. Our team did a great job over the winter preparing the car to run over the bumps and curbs. I am pretty confident going into qualifying, and I am excited about tomorrow.”

Concerning qualifying, Pagenaud noted that with different series running on the course, teams will have to adjust to the various tire rubber that is laid down.

Pagenaud finished second at Long Beach in 2012.

Cooler temperatures are anticipated as the weekend progresses and Pagenaud said the carbon brakes are the most sensitive component to weather changes.

Sebastian Bourdais had the second fastest speed of`102.440 mph, doing so in the Mistic KVSH Chevrolet owned by KVSH Racing.

Bourdais has won here on three consecutive occasions, plus he has a pair of poles to his credit.

“This track is no different than others, as you just need the balance,” he said. “It is a pretty challenging place and commitments are always rewarded. This car can do it, and I am pretty happy with where we are. Hopefully, we can put this car up front.”

Rookie Jack Hawksworth, an Englishman, surprised the veterans with a speed of 102.026 mph in the Charter/Castrol Edge Honda from the BHA/BBM with Curb Agajanian stable.

Said the Brit, “I drove here in Indy Lights a year ago, and the Indy Cars drive somewhat the same, although they are better over the curbs. This track is like other street courses, you have to get the balance right. This car may be easier to get the car dialed in than it was at St. Pete. Today was a solid one for us.”

2013 winner Takuma Sato registered the fastest speed and was the only other driver to top the 102 mph mark.

St. Petersburg winner Will Power timed fifth fastest.

The second five speedsters were Josef Newgarden, Ryan Briscoe, Justin Wilson, Juan Pablo Montoya and Ryan Hunter-Reay.

Qualifications will take place Saturday afternoon starting at 4:15 p.m. ET.

The 40th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach will be telecast live by the NBCSN at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday.

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