Herbert faces Indy conundrum

Three-time grand prix winner Herbert lapped the famous 2.5-mile oval at 227.125mph in Saturday morning practice, quicker than Michael Andretti's 23rd best time in qualifying later that day, but his team opted against making a qualifying attempt on Pole Day. They planned instead to save his attempt for the Sunday session, which offered additional practice time, but the day was washed-out.

The big problem is that Herbert is contracted to race in the American Le Mans Series for Champion Racing at Sears Point this weekend, 2,300 miles away, which clashes with the third and final day of qualifying at Indy. Herbert currently leads the ALMS point standings.

"I want to do Sears Point, for Champion and for myself, because obviously it's good for the rest of the year for the championship," he said, "but, obviously, I want to do Indy."

Herbert does have the option of having the car qualified for him by another driver, and then taking over for the race, although he would have to forfeit his qualifying place and start last. He is against going down that road, however.

"I don't want someone else to get in the car and qualify, because then you'll have people saying, 'He's got someone else in there to qualify, and then he gets back in it to race'," said Herbert. "I want to prove the point that I can do it, for one. The only way I can do that, is to do it."