Castroneves heads final practice
Helio Castroneves topped the times in the final practice session for the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi, Japan, as the rain finally cleared
Castroneves completed nearly 100 laps on his way to the fastest time, just edging out 2005 IndyCar Series Champion Dan Wheldon.
Scott Sharp was third fastest, just ahead of Buddy Rice in the first of the three Panoz cars in the field, who had local favourite Kosuke Matsuura right on his tail.
Jeff Simmons, in his first drive for Rahal-Letterman and just his third drive in the IndyCar series, was only one place behind teammate Danica Patrick.
Less than a second covered the twenty car field.
Pos Driver Chassis Time Laps 1. Helio Castroneves Dallara-Honda 27.1464 96 2. Dan Wheldon Dallara-Honda 27.1797 73 3. Scott Sharp Dallara-Honda 27.2433 62 4. Buddy Rice Panoz-Honda 27.2674 62 5. Kosuke Matsuura Dallara-Honda 27.2946 72 6. Vitor Meira Dallara-Honda 27.3148 73 7. Tomas Scheckter Dallara-Honda 27.3618 49 8. Sam Hornish Jr Dallara-Honda 27.3841 50 9. Tony Kanaan Dallara-Honda 27.4123 66 10. Felipe Giaffone Dallara-Honda 27.4136 51 11. Dario Franchitti Dallara-Honda 27.4211 70 12. Scott Dixon Dallara-Honda 27.4482 79 13. Bryan Herta Dallara-Honda 27.4632 54 14. Marco Andretti Dallara-Honda 27.4681 75 15. Danica Patrick Panoz-Honda 27.4802 63 16. Jeff Simmons Panoz-Honda 27.5459 55 17. Tomas Enge Dallara-Honda 27.6953 70 18. Ed Carpenter Dallara-Honda 27.9078 42 19. PJ Chesson Dallara-Honda 27.9649 73 20. Buddy Lazier Dallara-Honda 27.9762 67
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