The inclement weather that dogged the opening week of the month of May returned to thwart those teams hoping to bag a spot on the grid for the 92nd Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, leaving 22 positions up for grabs when qualifying continues next Saturday [17 May].
It was the first time a qualification day had been rained out since 2006, but is already the third day this month that has been abandoned because of the conditions.
“We were scheduled to do second day of qualifying and [fill] positions 12-22 on the grid, but those eleven positions will be added to the eleven that were scheduled for next Saturday," IRL president of competition and operations Brian Barnhart confirmed, "So, next Saturday, the third day of qualifications we will do positions 12-33 and then bump the slowest car in the field beginning on Sunday.
"It's really unfortunate [and] a shame because it certainly alters everyone's plans for the week. It's been a bit of a challenge losing both Wednesday and Thursday, a half-day Friday and now Sunday. The teams are going to be really anxious to get some quality track time Wednesday through Friday - and even in between qualification runs next weekend. I anticipate a lot of track activity.”
While the first eleven qualifiers, who secured their spots on Pole Day Saturday could rest easy as the rain came down, those outside the leading group were left kicking their heels, veterans as frustrated as rookies.
"It's pretty frustrating not to have gotten into the top eleven yesterday by less than a tenth of a second, and then have day two qualifying rained out and not be assured a spot on the grid yet," Davey Hamilton commented, "But, you know, we gave it all we had. I can't look back and say we should have done something different because that was the best we had.
![Rain washes out practice at Indianapolis [pic credit: IRL/McQueeney]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/437095.jpg)
