Indy Qualifying Postponed

Schwartz Fan · 05-13-2006, 06:42 PM

Indy Qualifying Postponed
J.J. O'Malley
RacingOne Contributor

For the second consecutive year – and third time in the past four years – steady rain and cool temperatures forced postponement of the opening day of qualifying for the Indianapolis 500.

As a result, positions 1-22 will be filled Sunday from noon – 6 p.m.

The revised schedule calls for three Sunday morning practice sessions. Cars in the first half of the qualification draw will practice from 9:30 – 10 a.m., followed by the second half, from 10 – 10:30 a.m. All cars will be allowed to practice from 10:30 – 11.

All of that is weather permitting, with a 50-percent chance of showers on Sunday.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway revised its traditional qualifying method to 11 positions for the first three days, with the final Sunday as Bump Day. Unlike former years, drivers are allowed to withdraw qualified cars and attempt to requalify up to three times.

While Marlboro Team Penske’s Sam Hornish Jr. and Helio Castroneves are favored to win the pole, defending winner Dan Wheldon was second fastest in practice and feels confident in his first Indy 500 for Target Chip Ganassi Racing.

"I do believe that we can contend," Wheldon said. "I think right now it’s a Penske-Ganassi race for the pole. I think that’s not going to be like that in the race. I think there’s going to be a lot of people that will come very strong. I’m certainly looking forward to it."

While 62 cars have drawn for positions in the qualifying order, this includes many backup cars and teams that have indicated that they will wait until next Saturday to attempt to make the Indy 500. Castroneves is 11th in line, with Michael Andretti 25th. Of the second group, defending pole winner Tony Kanaan is 36th, Danica Patrick 41st, Hornish 49th and Wheldon 51st. Expect to see all of them attempt to post an early time, with the opportunity to withdraw that lap and requalify later in the day. Last year, Hornish requalified and improved nine positions to start second, while Castroneves lost a position on his second attempt.

The 90th Indianapolis 500 is set for 1 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 28.

http://www.racingone.com/article.asp?artnum=28146

05-13-2006, 06:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
Schwartz Fan Co-Administrator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The flatlands...Where dirt is for farming, clay is for racin' and asphalt is for gettin there!!! Posts: 7,431	Indy Qualifying Postponed Indy Qualifying Postponed J.J. O'Malley RacingOne Contributor For the second consecutive year – and third time in the past four years – steady rain and cool temperatures forced postponement of the opening day of qualifying for the Indianapolis 500. As a result, positions 1-22 will be filled Sunday from noon – 6 p.m. The revised schedule calls for three Sunday morning practice sessions. Cars in the first half of the qualification draw will practice from 9:30 – 10 a.m., followed by the second half, from 10 – 10:30 a.m. All cars will be allowed to practice from 10:30 – 11. All of that is weather permitting, with a 50-percent chance of showers on Sunday. Indianapolis Motor Speedway revised its traditional qualifying method to 11 positions for the first three days, with the final Sunday as Bump Day. Unlike former years, drivers are allowed to withdraw qualified cars and attempt to requalify up to three times. While Marlboro Team Penske’s Sam Hornish Jr. and Helio Castroneves are favored to win the pole, defending winner Dan Wheldon was second fastest in practice and feels confident in his first Indy 500 for Target Chip Ganassi Racing. "I do believe that we can contend," Wheldon said. "I think right now it’s a Penske-Ganassi race for the pole. I think that’s not going to be like that in the race. I think there’s going to be a lot of people that will come very strong. I’m certainly looking forward to it." While 62 cars have drawn for positions in the qualifying order, this includes many backup cars and teams that have indicated that they will wait until next Saturday to attempt to make the Indy 500. Castroneves is 11th in line, with Michael Andretti 25th. Of the second group, defending pole winner Tony Kanaan is 36th, Danica Patrick 41st, Hornish 49th and Wheldon 51st. Expect to see all of them attempt to post an early time, with the opportunity to withdraw that lap and requalify later in the day. Last year, Hornish requalified and improved nine positions to start second, while Castroneves lost a position on his second attempt. The 90th Indianapolis 500 is set for 1 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 28. http://www.racingone.com/article.asp?artnum=28146 __________________

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