The question of who will be driving the No. 19 Dale Coyne Racing Honda for the 99th Indianapolis 500 has been temporarily solved, with Australian James Davison turning his first laps of the month on Tuesday in the blue-and-white car.
Davison is yet to be officially confirmed for the race itself, but indications are pointing that way. Additionally, paddock sources suggest 2013 Verizon IndyCar Series rookie-of-the-year Tristan Vautier will qualify the car this weekend while Davison is on assignment in his No. 33 AE Nissan GT Academy Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 for the Pirelli World Challenge race weekend at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.
As it is, Davison ran 15 laps on Tuesday for his first time in an IndyCar since driving the No. 33 AE KV Racing Technology Chevrolet in last year’s Indianapolis 500, when he finished 16th.
“It’s a fantastic feeling to be back in an IndyCar at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” Davison said post-practice on Tuesday, via IndyCar.
“It was the windiest conditions I have driven in. I was quite fortunate last year to drive in very ideal conditions, so there was a lot more movement in the car than I had experienced before. We were regulated to run under 215 (mph) and I’m just really looking forward to getting on with our proper program tomorrow.”
While Davison continues to bank laps, two-time Indianapolis 500 starter Katherine Legge is also pounding the pavement this week in search of any potential opportunities that may arise.
