INDIANAPOLIS - Some days during the month of May, Mother Nature is the leading driver on the charts.
Sure, there were 400 laps turned by 21 drivers (only 14 of whom posted representative speeds) in Wednesday’s practice for the 101st Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil.
But it was a day where very little running overall occurred, as high and consistent winds were in the 15 to 25 mph range, with gusts more than that north of 30.
Scott Dixon led for most of the day with a best tow speed of 222.599 mph and no-tow of 220.794. That was before in the final hour Ed Carpenter edged ahead at 222.894 mph, done without a tow, in cooler conditions and an empty track.
Carpenter and teammate JR Hildebrand each posted more than 50 laps on the day.
Other notes from Wednesday:
- So there was a bit of gamesmanship on Tuesday about whether Honda teams were “sandbagging” - not deploying their full speed and potential. Honda’s PR rep quickly arranged this photo then (see above as well), to humorously stir the pot.
- Indianapolis Colts rookies were out to the Speedway today. Defending race champion Alexander Rossi promptly took a selfie with them.
- Sage Karam and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing made a quick pit stop into the press conference room. Karam and DRR both want to be back full-time in the series, although Karam is thankful to have the 3GT Racing Lexus RC F GT3 program keeping him busy full-time this year versus last year.
- Had further interviews with Harding Racing team principal Mike Harding and team manager Larry Curry today, as they run with Gabby Chaves. More on that team’s solid start to come either later this week or early next week.
- Several teams didn’t run at all on Wednesday. The Team Penske quintet didn’t and neither did the Dale Coyne Racing trio.
- This was the first round of pit stop practice for Michael Shank Racing’s team on an IndyCar, and Shank said he was pleased with their progress.
- Shank’s longtime friend AJ Allmendinger has been in attendance the last two days as well, supporting the team’s efforts. Allmendinger’s longtime friend, and Shank Acura NSX GT3 driver Katherine Legge then joined the supporting cast today as well. Both drivers last raced the ‘500 in 2013.
- Others of note making the rounds in the paddock: Stefan Wilson, James Davison and Tristan Vautier.
- Prep continues for the Buddy Lazier entry, as the team’s engine was now assembled with the chassis today. On a short program, Thursday or Friday will now be the day when we’d expect to see that car on track.
- Couple sponsor notes. Made in Space has been formally confirmed as an associate sponsor with Pippa Mann’s No. 63 Honda. Per a release: “As part of the company’s partnership with Mann, Made In Space plans to print the Susan G. Komen® running ribbon logo on its 3D printer aboard the ISS during National Breast Cancer Awareness month in October 2017. The ribbon will then be auctioned off to raise funds on behalf of Komen’s national research and community outreach programs.”
- Juncos Racing has formally confirmed Temple Fork Outfitters, Ricoh USA and Ray Morgan Company as associate sponsors and primary sponsors Oceanfront Recovery through Rising Star Racing and P1 Management of Spencer Pigot’s Chevrolet powered car.