Friday, May 18, 2012

Andretti Favorite For Indy Pole


INDIANAPOLIS – Marco Andretti stamped himself as the favorite for the pole position when qualifying gets under way today for the Indianapolis 500.

The third-generation driver – grandson of Mario and son of Michael – posted the fastest speed of the month with a lap at 227.540 mph during the heat of Friday’s practice session. That lap is slightly faster than last year's pole speed when Alex Tagliani averaged 227.472 on his four-lap run.

“Why not try to go for the pole,” Andretti asked. “I’ve been working hard on the consistency for the four laps.”

Before his fastest lap, Andretti had a lap of 227.320 mph.

Andretti’s previous best start was seventh in 2008. An Andretti hasn’t been on the pole since Mario took the top spot in 1987 – about two months after Marco was born.

“(Winning the pole) would mean the world to me,” Andretti said. “I showed up this month to win the race, 100 percent. I still believe I could do it from 33rd, but if we could do it from first, it would be fantastic.”

Team Penske teammates Ryan Briscoe (226.835 mph) and Helio Castroneves (226.716 mph) were second and third, respectively, on the speed chart.

“(More speed) is in the car,” said Briscoe. “I think we’re up there, but I think Andretti’s team is heavy favorites for the pole and the race.”

Qualifying begins at 11 a.m. Eastern today, with 24 of the 33 spots being contested. The top nine qualifiers as of 4 p.m. enter a shootout to determine the pole winner.

The Andretti Autosport team looks poised to snag the lion’s share of shootout spots as three other Andretti drivers were in the top seven on Friday – Ryan Hunter-Reay (fourth fastest, 226.400 mph), James 
Hinchcliffe (sixth, 225.974 mph) and the surprising Ana Beatriz (seventh, 225.653 mph).

Beatriz, one of three women entered in this year’s 500, is a part-time driver with Andretti in the Izod IndyCar Series.

“Everybody is helping each other, so I’m pretty confident,” she said.

The top four speeds were turned in by Chevrolet-powered cars. Scott Dixon had the top Honda at 226.224 mph.

Been there, don’t want to do that: Rick Mears and Jimmy Vasser were asked if they’d like to take a spin in the new Indy cars. Each is satisfied to keep their driving uniforms in the closet.

“No, I haven’t (driven the new car), and I'm not going to, but my opinion is it's great. I've had all the fun I can handle,” said four-time winner Mears, who also sat on the pole a record six times.
Vasser, who had eight Indianapolis starts, echoed those thoughts.

“I don't think (the desire to drive) ever goes away,” he said. “But my racing days are behind me. I realize that.”

Start me up: Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List, was the honorary starter. Appropriately, Bryan Clauson, which is sponsored by Angie’s List, was the first car out.

Dragon, Lotus at the bottom: The two remaining Lotus drivers – Jean Alesi and Simona de Silvestro – and the two former Lotus drivers – Sebastien Bourdais and Katherine Legge (now with Chevrolet) – had the bottom four practice speeds on Friday.

Photo credit: Bret Kelley / Indianapolis Motor Speedway

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