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INDYCAR: Scott Speed To Step Away From Indy 500 Seat?
A representative tells SPEED.com "I cannot confirm or deny Scott's place in the team going forward." Speed later tells SPEED Center he'll return to drive the car on Saturday.
Marshall Pruett  |  Posted May 20, 2011   Indianapolis, IN
Rumors of Scott Speed's imminent departure from Dragon Racing began to gain momentum late on Friday, with more than one source telling SPEED.com the former F1 and NASCAR Sprint Cup driver had walked away from his No. 20 Fuzzy's Vodka Dragon Racing entry for the Indy 500.

A representative for the parties involved told SPEED.com: "I cannot confirm or deny Scott's place in the team going forward," but the tone of the conversation hinted at a pending split between the American driver and the team owned by Jay Penske, son of Indy car legend Roger Penske.

A reconciliation of some sorts was made after the day's running had been completed, with Speed telling SPEED Center he will be back in the car for the 8 a.m. practice session that precedes Pole Day activities.

The interview will be available tonight on SPEED Center, which airs at 8 p.m. ET.

Doubts remained within some sections of the team even after Speed made his statements to SPEED's Robin Miller, highlighting the disconnect and confusion that took hold of the team on Friday.

The heart of the issue apparently centered on a growing impasse between Speed and his engineer on the direction needed to make the car faster.

Speed and the team have struggled for pace at Indy so far, with the 28-year-old finishing Friday 39th and last on the speed charts.

Provided Speed and Dragon are back in business Saturday, they will need to make a significant improvement to qualify for the race. Speed's best lap on Friday of 222.546 mph was well off of the 33rd-fastest lap of 224.911 mph, set by John Andretti.

Qualifying for the 33 grid spots available at the Indy 500 starts Saturday morning at 11 a.m. ET.
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