"We learned what was not working, and I think we went back at the end and put a few things right. We've still got a little bit of improving to go, but I think all being well, we should have a good day tomorrow."
1996 Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Lazier turned his first laps of the month in the #91 Hemelgarn Johnson entry. He will attempt to qualify for his 16th Indianapolis 500 - however he was way down the timesheets in 35th place.
"Really, we didn't have the speed, but actually it was a very positive day. First of all, I would like to thank Ron (Hemelgarn) because this is a great opportunity even though it doesn't seem like it at the moment, because it was a last-minute, last-day (programme), but it's not from a lack of trying. I was over with my guys, Dennis and Brandon, and it was 3:30 in the morning and we had just finished car setup," said Lazier.
"I left in the rain and came back at 10 a.m. the next day, and they had never left. They did real all-nighters. The fact that it's our first day on the racetrack, you can't get mad when everyone is giving it everything they have. The deal just came together a little bit late.
"It was actually a very positive day. We were working our platform, and we were just one step away, and we just ran out of time. I actually think we're quite a bit better than we showed."
Friday's practice was the final opportunity for 25 drivers who have not yet qualified for the 500-Mile Race to prepare for qualification attempts. Starting positions 12-33 will be determined by four-lap qualifying attempts May 17. Drivers who don't qualify will attempt to bump their way into the field on May 18.
Friday's practice was marred by three incidents and in addition to Briscoe and Power, E.J. Viso also crashed. All three were uninjured though and have since been cleared to drive.
