Official Indy 500 Month of May thread

[CCP]

Just rookie testing still...

Times so far (got this off of an IndyStar MB):
Array1 Alex Lloyd (16) ... 51 40.3528 223.033
2 Hideki Mutoh (27) 0.0785 35 40.4313 222.6
3 Will Power (8) 0.139 61 40.4918 222.267
4 Oriol Servia (5) 0.1715 52 40.5243 222.089 (considered a rookie despite prior DNQ)
5 Graham Rahal (06) 0.3426 45 40.6954 221.155
6 Justin Wilson (02) 0.3659 34 40.7187 221.029
7 Ryan Hunter-Reay (17T) 0.4009 59 40.7537 220.839
8 Enrique Bernoldi (36T) 0.4979 48 40.8507 220.314
9 Bruno Junqueira (18) 0.5027 26 40.8555 220.289 (transition bonus time)
10 Davey Hamilton (22) 0.5748 38 40.9276 219.901 (refresher)
11 EJ Viso (33) 0.6387 33 40.9915 219.558 (220.445 yesterday)
12 Max Papis (44) 0.7242 22 41.077 219.101 (refresher)
13 Jaime Camara (34) 0.8817 4 41.2345 218.264 (219.175 yesterday)
14 Mario Moraes (19) 1.3881 68 41.7409 215.616 (needs to complete phase IV)
15 Jay Howard (24T) 1.5862 31 41.939 214.597 (217.247 yesterday)
16 Mario Dominguez (96) 1.633 48 41.9858 214.358 (needs to complete phase IV)[/quote]

Note: Jaime Camara crashed today and was sent to the hospital... my guess that will be a reoccurring theme with the rookies the entire month.

Random thoughts:
Always nice to see Davey Hamilton back after his near fatal crash a few years ago...

223 MPH already :o I wonder if 230 is reachable with the IRL vets???

[Dominic00]

Power & Rahal.:wub:

Didn't Hamlinton attempt the 500 last year?

[CCP]

ArrayDidn't Hamlinton attempt the 500 last year?[/quote]

Yes, he actually finished 9th in the rain shortened race. That was a great story that no one seemed to pick up...

Marco got above 226MPH today! the 2007 Pole was in the 225's, I think they will surpass that this year with ease.

[Dominic00]

Should happen. I'm don't think any of the Champ Car guys like Power, Servia, Rahal, Viso, or Wilson will win.

I'm pulling for Marco, and just hope it's not some d-bag like Wheldon, Dixon, or Castroneves. But above all, no Danica winning.

[SiderSouth]

ArrayJust rookie testing still...

Times so far (got this off of an IndyStar MB):


Note: Jaime Camara crashed today and was sent to the hospital... my guess that will be a reoccurring theme with the rookies the entire month.

Random thoughts:
Always nice to see Davey Hamilton back after his near fatal crash a few years ago...

223 MPH already :o I wonder if 230 is reachable with the IRL vets???[/quote]

If these guys are hitting 223 here this far in advance of the 500, then 230 with the vets is pretty reachable. I wouldn't be surprised to see a couple laps (or a lot of laps, who knows) turned in topping 235.

Speaking of ridiculous speeds and the IRL, I'll never forget the Chicagoland race of 2003, when there were three drivers: Sam Hornish, Jr., Scott Dixon, and Bryan Herta- going three-wide for the last 20 laps or so, speeds screaming at close to 240, and Hornish won by .0024 seconds- which translates to three inches.

Chicagoland+IRL=closest racing you'll ever see.:wub:

[CCP]

ArrayChicagoland+IRL=closest racing you'll ever see.[/quote]

Yes, but it's just not chicago, its also Michigan and Texas. Michigan is like the Talledega of the IRL, only 30-50MPH faster and if they touch wheels, one or more is almost guarenteed to go flying.



IRL is by far the closest racing (minus the road course races) in North America. Unfortunately safety is a big concern IMO.



As for the top speeds... Something to consider is that this Saturday is pole day. Once that passes, the top cars will be practicing in race setup. If Marco got to 226+ on day one, I think he could get to 228. Remember Indy 500 qualifying is nothing like any other race. There are 4 laps (6 if you count warmups) with 3 tries per car(per day) and 4 days of qualifying over the span of 2 weekends. It is a pretty big advantage to qualify on the first weekend so you have an extra week to work on race setups instead of the short qualifying sprints.

[SiderSouth]

ArrayYes, but it's just not chicago, its also Michigan and Texas. Michigan is like the Talledega of the IRL, only 30-50MPH faster and if they touch wheels, one or more is almost guarenteed to go flying.



IRL is by far the closest racing (minus the road course races) in North America. Unfortunately safety is a big concern IMO.



As for the top speeds... Something to consider is that this Saturday is pole day. Once that passes, the top cars will be practicing in race setup. If Marco got to 226+ on day one, I think he could get to 228. Remember Indy 500 qualifying is nothing like any other race. There are 4 laps (6 if you count warmups) with 3 tries per car(per day) and 4 days of qualifying over the span of 2 weekends. It is a pretty big advantage to qualify on the first weekend so you have an extra week to work on race setups instead of the short qualifying sprints.[/quote]

Oh yeah, I know. Those three races never fail to amaze me in their finishes.

[mcp529196]

I don't know why, but Indy Racing never caught my attention. Sorta OT, but only 3 people are posting in this thread so yeah...

[CCP]

ArrayI don't know why, but Indy Racing never caught my attention. Sorta OT, but only 3 people are posting in this thread so yeah...[/quote]
considering there are 7-8 active members on the board currently, whats your point?


Wednesday Practice was a washout :angry:
also to be noted: Marco's 226 lap was helped by another car...

[Dominic00]

You missed a race.
Kansas is usually pretty damn good too, as it should be seeing as how it's Chicagoland's sister track.