Chip Ganassi Racing’s Marcus Erickson’s 229.607 mph in the first half of Thursday’s six-hour practice session for the Indianapolis 500 remained unbeaten as the run neared its end, although teammate Scott Dixon managed a 229.186 mph to enter By himself. Arch.
Homegrown champion Connor Daly finished third for Ed Carpenter Racing-Chevrolet as two-time winner Takuma Sato clinched fourth and the two Andretti Autosport cars – Colton Herta and Kyle Kirkwood – moved into the top ten.
At happy hour, with long trains of 10-12 cars on track, Erickson and Dixon stood firm in the first two holes, but then 2019 winner Simon Pagenaud of Meyer Shank Racing and 2018 winner Will Power of Team Penske moved into the top four The first. Before Herta.
Agustin Canapino continues to impress at Juncos Hollinger Racing, posting the 15th fastest and fastest among rookies.
In the final quarter of an hour, Ericsson also claimed a top lap speed set without the aid of drag, and his effort of 224.414 mph moved him ahead of Power. Santino Ferrucci of AJ Foyt Racing, with Scott McLaughlin, Penske, Dixon, Rinus VeeKay of Ed Carpenter Racing and Newgarden completing the top eight.
There was an unsettling incident when Abel Motorsports’ new team RC Enerson was downhill by the pack, bailed into the pit exit lane and had to creep alarmingly close to Pato O’Ward who was just coming out of the pits.
This was the last time the cars would run their BorgWarner turbos at a boost of 1.3 bar – racing level – until the two-hour practice session that takes place next Monday. Tomorrow, “Fast Friday,” they’ll be running at 1.5 bar in preparation for their weekend qualifiers.
results
the next: Fast Friday, 12 noon to 6 pm ET
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