By Austin Lawton, Staff Writer
Thursday saw the first full day of practice for the 109th Indianapolis 500 as the 34 entrants saw six hours of running. In addition to the full day of running, 2013 “500” winner Tony Kanaan passed the refresher program in order to be able to replace Kyle Larson, if Larson is unable to compete due to Coca-Cola 600 obligations.
“Awesome, as usual,” Kanaan told the media after the refresher. “I came down pit lane after my warm-up lap. Did an installation lap. I never really took it for granted, this place, driving an IndyCar. After two years, I’m like, ‘I had the coolest job in the world for 26 years’. Just going to have to control myself for 30 laps. It was awesome. I’m pretty lucky. This place never let me down.
Today even special little things. I mean, Kyle Sagan, who has been my mechanic for years, he was in my 2013 car. He was the one that buckle me up most of my career. He’s with the team now and he was not supposed to be there this morning because his is on the other car. He came in to buckle me in. Special moments like that. Even though just a few laps, I got to enjoy.”
After the checkered flag flew to conclude practice, it was the winner of the last two “500”s, Josef Newgarden at the top of the charts. Newgarden, in the No. 2 Shell Chevrolet for Team Penske, posted 226.362 mph to securely take the top spot. The two-time IndyCar champion was ahead of seven-time champion, Scott Dixon at 225.457 mph. Following Dixon was local hero Conor Daly at 224.893 mph, in third. Thursday marks the second consecutive day that Daly has put the ampm No.76 Chevrolet for Juncos Hollinger Racing in the Top Five. In fourth was Pato O’Ward at 224.467 mph, with 2014 “500” winner Ryan Hunter-Reay in fifth at 223.983 mph.
SEE: Results of Thursday’s Practice Session
There were 2,213 laps turned on Thursday and only two yellow periods. The first, for a routine track inspection, but the second saw the first caution for a car since the Open Test in April.
Exiting Turn 2 in the middle of a pack, Christian Rasmussen spun and touched the outside wall just enough to put a few scraps on the car. The driver of the No.21 Splenda Chevrolet for Ed Carpenter Racing saved the car in a 360 degree spin and was able to continue going.
As qualifying looms, the no-tow charts are vital to look at. So far, it has been an Andretti Global car at the top, but on Thursday, it was Newgarden at 222.555 mph. Newgarden’s teammate, Scott McLaughlin was third on the chart at 222.193 mph. In the middle of the Penske sandwich, was Kyle Kirkwood at 222.372 mph. Kirkwood has had a spot in the top three each day of practice and looks to have strong speed for qualifying.
At the bottom end of the charts, there is not a clear favorite to be bumped. Graham Rahal ended the day in 34th at 219.606 mph, continuing the now three-year period of Rahal struggling at Indy. Ahead of Rahal was Santino Ferrucci piloting the No.14 for A.J. Foyt Racing. The No.14 crew switched over Ferrucci’s car to last year’s setup and have ran a limited number of laps over the last two days. In 32nd and 31st was Robert Shwartzman and Callum Ilott. The drivers for Prema Racing are guiding their brand new race cars and gathering data each day, but it could earn them a spot in the Last Row Shooutout on Sunday afternoon.
On Friday, the qualifying horsepower boost will be turned up as attention turns to qualifying weekend. At the conclusion of the weekend, the field of 33 will be set for the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500.