Final Full-Day Practice Wrap-Up

May 18 – Speedway, IN – The last full day of practice for the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 saw defending race winner, Sam Hornish, Jr. top the speed charts with a fast lap of 225.006. Under sunny skies and temperatures in the high-60’s saw 31 cars take to the track today. The top-eight included Team Penske, Andretti-Green and Target-Chip Ganassi drivers leading the way. Hornish’s 225.006mph lap was tops as Scott Dixon 224.458, Tony Kanaan 224.340, Dario Franchitti 224.253, Marco Andretti 223.668, Dan Wheldon 223.338, Helio Castroneves 223.212 and Danica Patrick 222.913mph followed. Many teams worked on race set-ups as the non-qualified cars scrambled for top speed to try to qualify tomorrow. However, it was John Andretti and Roger Yasukawa that completed the top-10. Both Andretti and Yasukawa still have to qualify and attempt to fill out spots 22-33. Sunday will see final bumping for the race. Cars still in need to qualify on speed that were on the track today were, John Andretti, Yasukawa, Marty Roth, Phil Giebler, Al Unser, Jr., Jaques Lazier, Milka Duno, P.J. Jones, Alex Barron and Jimmy Kite. Kite was the slowest of the group at 215.262mph. Hornish commented on his fast lap, “It was a nice day out there today, and tomorrow’s going to be even better. We’re going to put the car away early today and come back tomorrow to work a bit more. We feel pretty good with the Team Penske car thus far, but we know we have to get it exactly right before Race Day because there’s no room for error at the Indy 500.”

Injured driver Stephan Gregoire was released from the hospital today. Dr. Michael Olinger, IRL director of medical services: “Stephan Gregoire was released from Methodist Hospital today. Though he is feeling well and is experiencing only minimal pain, Stephan will not be cleared to compete in remaining Indianapolis 500 activities this month.” It was announced that veteran Formula 1 and Indy 500 driver, Robert Moreno will replace Gregoire.

Beck Motorsports named Alex Barron it’s driver, Greg Beck (owner, Beck Motorsports): “We’re going to run Alex (Barron) today. Obviously, he’s been in the car all year. He’s the best choice for us. We got some things sorted out the last couple of days, and it will enable us to run. We’re still working on sponsorship, but hopefully it will come. Alex will be running the Dallara, and we’re going to go out this afternoon and run him and see where we are.”

The 2007 IndyCar Series season continues with the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 at 1 p.m. (ET) on May 27. The race will be telecast live by ABC and broadcast by the IMS Radio Network. The IMS Radio Network broadcast also is carried on XM Satellite Radio and www.indycar.com. The sixth season of Indy Pro Series competition continues with the Freedom 100 on May 25 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The race will be telecast as part of ESPN2’s coverage of Carb Day at 4 p.m. on May 25.

INDIANAPOLIS – Practice Friday for the 91st Indianapolis 500 IndyCar
Series event on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with
position, car number in parentheses, driver, chassis-engine and speed:

1. (6T) Sam Hornish Jr., Dallara-Honda, 225.006
2. (9T) Scott Dixon, Dallara-Honda, 224.458
3. (11) Tony Kanaan, Dallara-Honda, 224.340
4. (27) Dario Franchitti, Dallara-Honda, 224.253
5. (26) Marco Andretti, Dallara-Honda, 223.668
6. (10T) Dan Wheldon, Dallara-Honda, 223.338
7. (3T) Helio Castroneves, Dallara-Honda, 223.212
8. (7) Danica Patrick, Dallara-Honda, 222.913
9. (33) John Andretti, Dallara-Honda, 222.830
10. (24) Roger Yasukawa, Dallara-Honda, 222.409
11. (20) Ed Carpenter, Dallara-Honda, 222.350
12. (2) Tomas Scheckter, Dallara-Honda, 222.259
13. (5) Sarah Fisher, Dallara-Honda, 222.057
14. (25) Marty Roth, Dallara-Honda, 221.749
15. (8T) Scott Sharp, Dallara-Honda, 221.508
16. (4) Vitor Meira, Dallara-Honda, 221.411
17. (15) Buddy Rice, Dallara-Honda, 221.218
18. (31) Phil Giebler, Panoz-Honda, 220.992
19. (55) Kosuke Matsuura, Dallara-Honda, 220.968
20. (39) Michael Andretti, Dallara-Honda, 220.711
21. (14) Darren Manning, Dallara-Honda, 220.659
22. (17T) Jeff Simmons, Dallara-Honda, 220.572
23. (50) Al Unser Jr., Dallara-Honda, 220.344
24. (19) Jon Herb, Dallara-Honda, 220.037
25. (21) Jaques Lazier, Panoz-Honda, 219.830
26. (99) Buddy Lazier, Dallara-Honda, 219.046
27. (23) Milka Duno, Dallara-Honda, 218.025
28. (02) Davey Hamilton, Dallara-Honda, 217.452
29. (40) P.J. Jones, Dallara-Honda, 217.164
30. (98) Alex Barron, Dallara-Honda, 216.432
31. (18) Jimmy Kite, Panoz-Honda, 215.262

Steve Zautke

Steve Zautke, a Milwaukee, WI native, was raised in the sport of auto racing. His father, Bill, was a movie photographer that shot racing footage at tracks such as the Milwaukee Mile and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the 1960’s and 1970’s Steve’s first professional job in racing was as an Emergency Medical Technician at tracks such as Angell Park and Hales Corners Speedway (1988-1991). Steve has also worked for the Milwaukee Mile as videographer, in media relations and historian (1993-2011). Steve also has worked as a reporter for Racing Information Systems (RIS) and has written features for ‘Vintage Oval Racing’ and ‘Victory Lane’ magazines. Most recently, Steve has written a book on Road America for Arcadia Publishing. ( http://www.amazon.com/Road-America-Nascar-Library-Collection/dp/1467111457 ) Steve co-hosts “Sparky’s Final Inspection” a motorsports-based radio show with hosts, Steve “Sparky” Fifer and “NASCAR Girl” Summer Santana on Sports Radio 1250AM in Milwaukee and is also available on the internet at www.Sportradio1250.com. A member of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Induction Committee, Steve follows all types of racing from the dirt tracks to Formula One.

racingnation.com

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