At the end of Fast Friday, SCOTT DIXON was still fastest, for the day and for the combined four Indy Racing League IndyCar practice sessions so far, with a speed of 227.167mph set early on Friday afternoon.

He was the only driver to go faster than 227mph, as speeds so far this week have ranged from 217.758 to 227+.

"I think, this morning, as everyone could see, lots of people were running early on the track when it was cooler," Dixon said, "There was pretty good grip because it hasn't rained that much. On our first run, we had a bit of understeer and, for our second one, we took some wing out, and it just went quicker. We got a bit of a tow off of SAM HORNISH Jr and got a 227."

Second fastest, Friday and overall, was Dixon's team-mate, DAN WHELDON, the 2005 Indy 500 winner and current IRL IndyCar points leader. Dixon was the 2003 IndyCar champion.

Third through fifth fastest Friday were three of the five Andretti Green racers, TONY KANAAN, MARCO ANDRETTI and DARIO FRANCHITTI. Third through fifth fastest overall are DANICA PATRICK, Kanaan and Andretti.

All together, there were five cautions during the six-hour session - two for track inspection, two for debris, and one for MILKA DUNO crashing into the turn one SAFER Barrier. She wasn't hurt and, afterwards, was busy signing autographs outside her garage. She'll have plenty of time for meeting with the fans this weekend while her car is being repaired.

"I just lost the car as I was entering the last part of the corner when I was coming to the peak," the Venezuelan said, "I feel so sorry for my team and for the car because they were doing such a good job. Now we'll have to fix it."

Duno is the only rookie who has been on track so far. The other, PHIL GIEBLER, has passed his rookie test, but hasn't been on track. He is listed in Saturday's qualifying order.

Twenty-eight drivers were on track Friday, and a total of 33 different driver/car combinations have been recorded so far. The difference is explained by one driver running both his primary and T-car - JON HERB - and two AGR drivers running a team-mate's car - Kanaan in his car as well as in Patrick's during the first practice, and team owner MICHAEL ANDRETTI running his car in addition to his son's car in the second practice.

Sixty-eight driver/car combinations have been lined up for Saturday's first round of qualifying. Twenty-eight of them are T- or back-up cars. Eight are TBD drivers. You do the math. Looks like 32 drivers so far.