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Written by:
Jeff Olson
Senior writer, RACER Magazine http://www.racer.com/speedtv
Senior writer, RACER Magazine http://www.racer.com/speedtv
05/16/2008 - 07:08 PM
Indianapolis, Ind.
Will Power was among those to have his prospects hopes thrown a curve by Indy's uncompromising walls on Friday. (LAT photo) ยป More Photos
One more time, with feeling: Scott Dixon had the fastest lap again Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, backing up his pole position with an effort of 223.714 mph in the final day of preparation before Saturday’s all-important second round of qualifying for the 92nd Indianapolis 500.
Dixon recorded a light work load of 60 laps Friday as the 11 teams already in the race worked on longer full-tank runs while those not yet in the race underwent a combination of race and qualifying simulations. Others near the top of the chart included Team Penske teammates Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe, who were second- and third fastest of the session in their T-cars.
However, Briscoe’s car spun and crashed shortly after 4 p.m. ET, the third of three crashes on the day. Briscoe was not hurt, nor were Will Power or E.J. Viso in their earlier crashes, but the Power and Viso crashes could have serious effects on whether they qualify for the race Saturday.
Power, the fastest this month among drivers transitioning to the IndyCar Series from Champ Car, crashed the No. 8 KV Racing technology Dallara-Honda about 45 minutes into Friday’s session. At the time, he had the second-fastest lap of the session, which stood for fourth best at the end of the day. However, Power never returned for the track after the crash, and his team was still repairing the car late Friday.
“Obviously this is a setback for the team, because of the track time we’re going to lose,” Power said. “But I know the team will do what needs to be done and we will be ready to qualify tomorrow.”
Briscoe, who will start from the outside front-row position in the May 25 race, spun on the exit of Turn 1
Also running well Friday was Graham Rahal, who was bumped from the top 11 at the end of last Saturday’s qualifying session and should be among the top runners when qualifying resumes. Rahal was clocked at 222.959 mph in the No. 06 Newman/Haas/Lanigan Dallara-Honda, fifth-fastest of the day despite a brush with the wall late in the day.
“It was due to the wind,” Rahal said. “I had lifted already and at that point there isn’t much you can do. You turn the wheel and you’re off the throttle, and it’s tough to get the front end back.”
The final 22 positions on the grid will be available this weekend, with the 12th spot expected to be contested among Rahal, Power, Ryan Hunter-Reay, John Andretti, Davey Hamilton, Justin Wilson, Oriol Servia, Buddy Rice, Bruno Junqueira, A.J. Foyt IV and Townsend Bell.
Andretti continued to show speed, as he has since he took over the No. 24 Roth Racing Dallara-Honda from Jay Howard last weekend. He posted the sixth-fastest lap Friday at 222.860 mph. Marco Andretti, who led the way with 126 laps, had the seventh-best lap at 222.764 mph.
Dan Wheldon, Servia and Danica Patrick rounded out the top 10. Thirty-six cars were on the track Friday, recording 2,164 laps. Another practice session is scheduled Saturday at 10:15 a.m. ET, with qualifying set to begin at noon.
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