INDY 500 - The Track is Green for Practice for the 102nd 500!
Indianapolis - RIS - May 15, 2018 - The first day of practice for the 102nd running of the 500 Mile Race got underway at 11:00 am with a two hour session for veteran drivers. That is to be followed by a two hour period for rookies and refresher laps for drivers that have not been in an Indy car foe awhile.
The first group saw Team Penske make a statement with the 22 car of Simon Pagenaud, 225.787 MPH, the 3 of Helio Castroneves, 223.445, and the 1 of Josef Newgarden, 223.229, in the top three spots. Marco Andretti, rounded out the top four with a top speed of 223.214.
The session ran free of incidents, with a couple of stoppages for a few rain drops on the racing surface.
The 1:00 session saw number 19, Dale Coyne Racing car with Claman DeMelo work on his Rookie Orientation Program, along with Stefan Wilson doing his refresher program.
We expect a lot of action in the final three hours, from 3:00 to 6:00 today, due to the weather forecast for the rest of the week. Rain is a possibility everyday this week, with both qualifying days in jeopardy. Heavy rains are currently being called for, both Saturday and Sunday.