The fight to be able to fight for the pole for the 101st Indianapolis 500 began today seeing the every IndyCar driver give their all to fight for the top 9 spots.
The first car out Pippa Mann would show a lack of speed putting the first average 4 lap speed up with an average of 219:282 mph. Will Power of Team Penske would be the first driver to show what the true speed of an IndyCar is putting in a 4 lap average of 230.072 mph. Powers speed would be on top for the time being of the early runners. Tony Kanaan would also be in the 230 mph bracket of those who went out early.
Setting the bar high for qualifying was Scott Dixon putting in an average 4 lap speed of 230.333 which would stand for most of the session.
2-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso would show how tough his McLaren Andretti Team are putting in an impressive average of 230.34.
The big story of qualifying would be a terrible accident involving Sebastien Bourdais. Going into turn 2 his #18 Dale Coyne Honda would snap lose with Bourdais overcorrecting into the wall and flipping down the straightaway.
The crash would put qualifying on hold while cleanup and repairs were made on the track. Sebastien Bourdais would be taken to the hospital due to issues with his lower extremities.
Reigning Indianapolis 500 winner Alexander Rossi would be the first out after the long waiting period and he would set an average of 230.148 mph which at the time would put him and 2nd place. His Andretti teammates that remained would also be quick with Marco Andretti putting in an average of 229.924 mph while Takuma Sato went to the top of the charts with an average of 230.382 mph. The teammates would all finish in the top 9 along with their other teammate Fernando Alonso.
With just a few cars 2-time Indianapolis 500 pole winner, Ed Carpenter would blaze the field having a 230.468 mph average. His average kept him on top for the remaining time in the session. His teammate JR Hildebrand would also make it into the top 9.
Shockingly Will Power would be the only Team Penske driver in the top 9. Other notables missing the top 9 would be previous winner Ryan Hunter-Reay and last year’s pole sitter James Hinchcliffe.
Here are the top 9 who will fight for pole
1) Ed Carpenter – 230.468 mph
2) Takuma Sato – 230.382 mph
3) Scott Dixon – 230.333 mph
4) JR Hildebrand – 230.205 mph
5) Alexander Rossi – 230.148 mph
6) Will Power – 230.072 mph
7) Fernando Alonso – 230.034 mph
8) Tony Kanaan – 230.007 mph
9) Marco Andretti – 229.924 mph
Also, here is an update on Sebastien Bourdais
Featured Image Credit – Bret Kelley – www.indycar.com
