INDIANAPOLIS (AP) 鈥 While the top of Thursday’s speed chart was filled with IndyCar’s usual names, many other Indianapolis 500 drivers grew increasingly frustrated with the day’s results.
Graham Rahal complained on the broadcast about how the extra weight in the rear end of his car impacted how it handled around the 2.5-mile oval. Marco Andretti offered a similar critique during his radio communications.
Santino Ferrucci was so upset with the car, he put all four tires over the white line on the warmup apron, resulting in a drive-thru penalty. Even the seemingly invincible points leader, Alex Palou, went back to the garage to make a change to the No. 10 car.
the first day of practice for 鈥淭he Greatest Spectacle in Racing鈥 not interrupted by rain.
鈥淭ough day today but we鈥檙e just gonna have to crank up the boost, cowboy up and go find what we need,鈥 Rahal wrote on social media following practice.
Rahal, Andretti and Ferrucci finished Thursday near the bottom third of the speed charts. Palou, of course, was closer to the top.
Drivers knew navigating the series’ new, heavier hybrid cars around the fastest oval in racing could be problematic as far back as the when two experienced drivers crashed鈥 2021 NASCAR champion Kyle Larson and
What it all means for Friday when drivers get a power boost to increase their speeds before this weekend’s qualifications 鈥 or in the May 25 race 鈥 remains unclear.
But even some of the fastest drivers at Indy are fighting to figure it all out.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e 100, 110 pounds heavier. That鈥檚 a lot of mass percentage wise that you are adding to this car,鈥 two-time defending champion Josef Newgarden said Wednesday. 鈥淚t鈥檚 saturating the tires more. It鈥檚 just moving around. Your weight distribution is shifted depending on where teams put it. That鈥檚 what people are trying to figure out right now.鈥
Sato’s new battle
Sato isn’t just cramming to learn the new cars, he’s also fighting another battle 鈥 rust.
The two-time Indy winner spent seven seasons in Formula One before becoming an IndyCar regular from 2010-2022. In 2023, he raced five times for Chip Ganassi Racing. But he hasn’t suited up since last year’s 500. This year, he’s again driving for Rahal Lannigan Letterman Racing.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not easy,鈥 the Japanese native said Wednesday. 鈥淭o get out of the car 11 months, close to 12 months, jump in the car and go 230 mph, you feel the speed for sure. The refresher program helped me a lot. So just getting through the speed with an extra two sets of tires, makes me a little more confident or comfortable to the environment to get up to speed.”
Sato is trying to become the third foreign-born driver with three Indy titles. Helio Castroneves of Brazil has a record-tying four wins. Dario Franchitti of Scotland won three times.
Familiar voices
FOX Sports announced Thursday that it’s bringing two former IndyCar drivers back to the broadcast booth for next week’s race 鈥 Tony Stewart and Danica Patrick.
Both have done broadcast work previously and 500 fans may recall hearing Patrick on NBC’s telecasts of the 500.
Patrick was the first woman to lead the race in 2005 and became the highest female finisher in race history when she was third in 2009.
Stewart grew up in Indiana and won the 1997 IndyCar title before moving to the Cup Series. He won three NASCAR championships and captured two Brickyard 400 wins at his home track, Indianapolis.
Fast Friday sponsor
Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials announced Thursday they have reached a multiyear deal with Turtle Wax to become the presenting sponsor for Fast Friday, the final practice before qualifying is held Saturday and Sunday.
As part of the deal, Turtle Wax also will provide its car-care products to help maintain the entire fleet of speedway vehicles.
鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled about this alliance between two iconic Midwest-based brands 鈥 Turtle Wax and Indianapolis Motor Speedway 鈥 each with a rich history in the automotive world,鈥 the company’s chief marketing officer Daren Herbert said. 鈥淪imply put, it鈥檚 a match made in speed and shine, and we鈥檙e ready to go.鈥
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