Josef Newgarden Leads Rain-Shortened ‘500’ Practice
Alexander Rossi, Pato O’Ward, Romain Grosjean Involved in Big Turn 2 Incident
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden rebounded from a disappointing qualifying session Sunday to guide the rain-shortened observe for the a hundred and tenth Running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on Monday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
But the larger story of the observe, shortened from two hours to 1 hour, 18 minutes on account of rain and lightning, was a daunting three-car incident in Turn 2 involving Alexander Rossi, Pato O’Ward and Romain Grosjean 28 minutes into the session.
SEE: Practice Results
Newgarden, who will begin twenty third within the race this Sunday, was quickest right now at 226.198 mph within the No. 2 Shell Fuel Rewards Team Penske Chevrolet. He was adopted by fellow double “500” winner Takuma Sato at 225,723 within the No. 75 Amada Honda of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
Rookie Dennis Hauger was third at 224,554 within the No. 19 Only Bulls Honda of Dale Coyne Racing wherein he’ll begin twenty ninth Sunday. 2014 “500” winner Ryan Hunter-Reay was fourth at 224,415 within the No. 31 Prize Picks Arrow McLaren Chevrolet that he’ll race Sunday from the twenty second beginning spot.
2022 Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson rounded out the highest 5 at 224,376 within the No. 28 Phoenix Investors Honda of Andretti Global. Ericsson additionally had a troublesome PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying day Sunday, as he’ll begin seventeenth within the 33-car discipline.
The first main accident of the occasion came about at 1:28 pm ET. Rossi spun in Turn 2 within the No. 20 Java House Chevrolet of Ed Carpenter Racing, made laborious contact with the SAFER Barrier after which suffered a secondary hit from the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet of O’Ward, who spun underneath braking making an attempt to keep away from Rossi. Both automobiles suffered heavy harm.
Grosjean additionally spun into the SAFER Barrier making an attempt to keep away from the accident within the No. 18 Bmax.IO Honda of Dale Coyne Racing.
Rossi, who certified second Sunday, was awake and alert, in good spirits and was transported to a neighborhood hospital for additional analysis, mentioned Dr. Julia Vaizer, INDYCAR medical director. O’Ward and Grosjean had been launched with out damage.
“I’m OK; I just feel bad for my car,” O’Ward mentioned. “Just wrong place, wrong time. I just got collected there. I obviously hit the brakes and couldn’t do much to avoid it. I’m glad Alex is all right, Romain, as well.”
The shortened session was quick and frantic, as thick packs of automobiles took work in site visitors in preparation for Race Day after specializing in pure pace throughout “Fast Friday” observe and qualifying Sunday. All 33 drivers mixed to show 1,053 laps although the observe was open for motion for under 35 minutes on account of observe inspection, the three-car incident, and rain and lightning.
Next up is the ultimate observe earlier than Race Day, Miller Lite Carb Day from 11am-1pm ET Friday (FS1, FOX One, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls).
The a hundred and tenth Indianapolis 500 introduced by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 24 (10 am ET, FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls).
