Briscoe paces Friday practice at Indy
Indianapolis, IN - May 16, 2008
By: IndyCar PR
PHOTO: Enrique Bernoldi (36), Scott Dixon (9), and ryan Briscoe (6) practice on Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway-CREDIT: Steve Snoddy/IMS
Ryan Briscoe paced a frenetic practice day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as 35 cars combined to turn 2,628 laps in preparation for the 92nd Running of the Indianapolis 500.
"Tomorrow might be different, and we may run just as much (downforce), so we might have to change the ca," said Briscoe.. "We'll see what it looks like on Race Day and try to put to use what we have learned over these couple of days."
Thursday's session was the first significant practice time since May 9. Rain washed out all activity on May 11, including Second Day Qualifying, and limited green flag time to 30 minutes on May 14. The track was closed May 12-13.
Briscoe, who qualified third in the No. 6 Team Penske machine May 10, lapped the 2.5-mile oval in 40.2311 seconds, 223.708 mph. His teammate, Helio Castroneves, was second-fastest at 223.284 mph, and pole sitter Scott Dixon was third (223.192 mph).
Among the 24 drivers who have not yet qualified for the 22 remaining starting positions, Will Power topped the chart (sixth overall). Power's best lap was 222.657 mph.
With an uncertain forecast for the scheduled six-hour practice, teams wasted no time getting in their work. Twenty-six cars were on track within the first 10 minutes of the green flag. A light rain began falling late in the afternoon, ending practice 18 minutes early.
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Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon participated in a press conference at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A transcript is available at www.indycar.com/media and in the racks on the fourth floor of the Media Center.
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Indiana Pacers forward-guard Danny Granger was the honorary starter of today's practice. "It's unbelievable how fast they drive those cars," said Granger. "I've never experienced anything like that. I got kind of dizzy when the first one was coming at me so fast. I kind of flinched because I wanted to make sure I didn't fall onto the track. It's amazing, it really is. You have to respect them. When I went around in the Pace Car, it's very hard to control that car when it's going that fast. I couldn't do it. I have a lot of respect for race car drivers and their abilities. There's no possible way I could fit in one of those cars. I barely fit in the Corvette, and that was a Pace Car. It was an exciting, scary experience. It's just amazing to be that close to the Indy 500 cars. I've never been that close before. You just don't get to do that every day. When I was in the Pace Car, I was getting sick to my stomach, and we were only going 100 miles an hour." (Do you follow any IndyCar Series drivers?): "I know Tomas Scheckter. I'm pretty good friends with him, so every time I watch a race, I watch him."
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XM Satellite Radio will air extensive live coverage of the 92nd Indianapolis 500.
The 500-Mile Race can be heard on the IndyCar Series Racing channel (XM channel 145) starting with a pre-race show at noon (ET) May 25. Qualifying May 17-18 will be carried on Ch. 145, along with May 23 Carb Day events -- including the Firestone Freedom 100 and the IMS Radio Network show "Indy Live." A full list of dates and times are online at www.xmradio.com/irl.
Andretti Green Racing drivers Danica Patrick, Tony Kanaan, Marco Andretti and Hideki Mutoh will join team co-owner Michael Andretti live from the Speedway for a special edition of their weekly XM radio show "Andretti Green Racing Hour" on May 21 (7-8 p.m. ET on XM Sports Nation, XM Channel 144).
XM Sports Nation has daily coverage of the Indy 500, led by "Powershift" hosted by Joe Castello (8-10 p.m. ET weeknights on XM 144). Castello will host the show live from the Speedway on May 22 and 23, and he will host special editions of the show at noon May 24 and 11 a.m. May 25.
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The No. 98 CURB Records/hh gregg/Real Power Beck Motorsports car driven by Roger Yasukawa carried the logo of the National MPS Society on its sidepods during practice in recognition of International MPS Awareness Day.
It is a day for families and medical professionals to celebrate and remember people with mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) diseases -- a family of rare diseases that occur because of the body's inability to produce specific enzymes.
Founded in 1974, the National MPS Society seeks to find cures for MPS and related diseases, and provide support for affected individuals and their families through research, advocacy and awareness.
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The fourth annual Latino Swing Golf Classic is scheduled for May 16 at the Brickyard Crossing Golf Course. Presented by Latino Community Development, the event raises funds for Latino families that are in need throughout the state of Indiana. IndyCar Series drivers Mario Dominguez and Milka Duno will participate in the morning.
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Indianapolis 500 veteran Sarah Fisher spoke this morning on behalf of the Indiana Click It or Ticket seat-belt law enforcement program. "The month of May is a month that is synonymous with racing," said Fisher. "A longtime tradition that evokes pride and the spirit of sportsmanship, the Indianapolis 500 is more than an event for me. It's my life. That's why, as a professional driver, when I'm driving in my personal vehicle, I make buckling up my first defense against injury, both on the track and on Indiana's roadways. Since safety behind the wheel is paramount for both myself and my team, I urge you to put the same amount of importance in your own safety whether you're on the road, particularly during this time of year, as many of you will travel to and from the race, to celebrate with family and friends on this great Memorial Day holiday. What better way to continue Indiana's great racing tradition than to put safety first whether we're in a race vehicle or on the streets. By buckling up when we hit the road, it greatly increases our chances of crossing the finish line first and arriving alive. So remember, unless you want to risk a ticket, or even worse, your life, buckle up Indiana, every time. Click it or Ticket."
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Twenty-seven people camped out overnight on the grounds of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway May 14, and another 30 are expected tonight as part of Wheeler Mission's Operation Restoration, a program to raise funds for rehabilitative programming at the homeless shelter in downtown Indianapolis.
Among the campers May 14 were Tony George, CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and his wife, Laura; Indiana Pacers coach Jim O'Brien; Indianapolis Indians general manager Cal Burleson; and Jerry Throgmartin, president of H.H. Gregg.
High-profile individuals will camp at the Speedway every night from May 14-18. Each night is sponsored at a minimum of $50,000.
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Thirty-five cars were on track today, turning 2,628 laps, most of any day this month and 31 percent of the month's total. Previously, the most laps on a single day was 1,471 by 32 cars on Saturday, May 10.
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FASTEST SPEEDS OF THE DAY:
Pos. Car Name Speed
1. 6T Ryan Briscoe 223.708 mph
2. 3T Helio Castroneves 223.284 mph
3. 9 Scott Dixon 223.192 mph
4. 11 Tony Kanaan 222.880 mph
5. 12 Tomas Scheckter 222.804 mph
FASTEST SPEEDS BY NON-QUALIFIED DRIVERS:
Pos. Car Name Speed
1. 8 Will Power 222.657 mph
2. 24 John Andretti 222.474 mph
3. 18 Bruno Junqueira 222.303 mph
4. 15 Buddy Rice 222.252 mph
5. 33 E.J. Viso 222.108 mph
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A total of 40 cars are currently at the Speedway and have passed technical inspection. Thirty-five drivers have been on the track to date and have turned 8,223 laps this month. Will Power turned 73 laps today and has turned 384 this month, most of any driver. There were five yellow flags for 45 minutes. A total of 96 IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights drivers have passed physicals at the Clarian Emergency Medical Center.
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FRIDAY'S SCHEDULE (all times local):
9 a.m. Public Gates Open
Noon-6 p.m. IndyCar Series practice
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The 2008 IndyCar Series season continues with the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 25 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The race will be telecast live in High Definition at noon (EDT) by ABC. The race will air live on the IMS Radio Network. A Spanish-language telecast of the race will be carried by ESPNDeportes. The IMS Radio Network broadcast also is carried on XM Satellite Radio and www.indycar.com. The 2008 Firestone Indy Lights season continues with the Firestone Freedom 100 on May 23 at Indianapolis. It will be telecast at 4 p.m. (EDT) on May 23 on ESPN2.
