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(5-11-05,
early morning) As has been the case most the week weather will
again be an issue today as they try and put 11 more cars in the
Indy 500 field. The most recent
forecast seems to indicate that if teams want to make the 500
today, they better be ready and fast early. That would be all well
and good if everyone wakes up to a dry IMS in a few hours. Today
will be the day for the teams and drivers of the former CCWS to
show what they have learned of Dallara 101, but they will still
have to contend with IndyCar regulars like former Indy 500 winner
Buddy Rice, plus veterans Townsend Bell and AJ Foyt IV, also
former drivers Sarah Fisher and Davey Hamilton. All five drivers
showed more than enough speed Saturday. Ryan Hunter-Reay crashed
hard in Pole Day qualifying, but I expect the team will have a
backup Dallara ready Sunday, even if the team now has two badly
damaged cars in the garage area,. On Friday Alex Lloyd used up his
primary car rather badly. Lloyd might need a couple of more days
before he can get in another car.
If they do run today, I expect the five drivers from the ICS to
qualify, along with Justin Wilson, Graham Rahal, Oriol Servia,
Will Power and Bruno Junqueira. Perhaps Max Papis will find a bit
more speed and fill the remaining spot. Practice begins at 10:0
a.m., Indy time. I have to work for a few hours Sunday here,
and I'm on MDT, so if there is a practice and qualifying session,
I'll return to recap today's session retrospect later in the
afternoon... |
