SCOTT DIXON was the fastest driver at the end of two hours practice during Fast Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in preparation for Saturday's first round of qualifying for the 91st Indianapolis 500 race.
His speed was 227.167mph, turned on his eleventh lap. After Dixon passed team-mate and early leader, DAN WHELDON, he held on to his fast time.
About 2pm local time, there was a 28-minute extended caution period for track repairs. Rookie MILKA DUNO spun out and crashed hard into the SAFER Barrier at turn one's exit. No other cars were involved and Duno was not injured. She was checked and released by Dr MICHAEL OLINGER, Indy Racing League director of medical services. However, the car will require repairs, which could take several days.
The team has a back-up car entered for Duno, one of three females in this year's race. But, the Dallara chassis is not at the track, and the team lacks the necessary bits and bobs at the track to fully repair the damaged car, which sustained gearbox and chassis damage. The right rear wheel came off but the mandated tether did its job. The new car will become the parts car, and team owner PETER BARON, is cautiously hopeful that the primary car will be repaired in time for Duno to run the second day of qualifying on Sunday. Otherwise, she loses the first two days of qualifying and will not be on track again until Wednesday, the next day cars are on course.
Repairs to the SAFER barrier required several vehicles, and repairmen to weld and shore up the damaged section.
The only other caution during the first two hours was for track inspection, which took 17 minutes.
The weather was warm and muggy, in the eighties. The skies were overcast and there was a light breeze. Track temperature was 108 degrees.
Indy Racing League IndyCars all run Honda engines and Firestone tyres. The only variable is the chassis, with the majority of the cars running the Dallara chassis, with a smattering of Panoz chassis. All cars on curse Friday were Dallaras.
Practice continues until 6 pm local time.
