Indy 500: Harvey heads final practice, Penske struggles continue
The final practice before qualifying for the 2021 Indianapolis 500 saw Jack Harvey of Meyer Shank Racing go fastest in the four-lap simulation runs as Team Penske’s struggles for pace continued.
Just nine cars took part in the session which allowed drivers to test their overnight changes before today’s qualifying runs, although with the ideal ambient temperatures, conditions were far more favourable than many drivers expect to encounter this afternoon.
Harvey topped the speeds with a 230.232mph average over four laps, ahead of Rahal Letterman Lanigan’s defending Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato on 229.983mph.
Rookie Scott McLaughlin ran a 229.682mph average to finish as top Penske ahead of team-mate Simon Pagenaud who completed two runs, as did the Andretti Autosports of Ryan Hunter-Reay and Marco Andretti. However, Will Power and Josef Newgarden were some 1mph off Harvey’s average.
Nonetheless Power told Peacock TV that his car’s handling had been vastly improved, and said if he qualified in the top 15 this afternoon it will have been a good day, as he feels he can race from there and has a strong race set-up.
Qualifying will begin at 12pm local time with all drivers beginning their first run in the order below. After all 35 entrants have made their first runs – which will take a total of approximately three hours, barring yellow-flags – cars can make an unlimited number of runs thereafter.
Those entries wishing to take advantage of this opportunity can join one of two lines. The fast line takes priority but obliges the entry to withdraw his or her current four-lap average. Getting to the track via the slow lane allows an entry to retain his or her existing speed.
When the gun goes off at 5.50pm local time this afternoon, grid positions 10 through 30 will be locked in place.
The top nine will progress to the Fast Nine shootout – just one four-lap run per car – on Sunday starting at 3pm local time, while the bottom five from qualifying today will be consigned to the Last Chance Qualifying shootout on Sunday at 1.15pm local time for the three slots on the last row of the grid. An entry’s number of runs in this session is confined only by time.
Following last night’s draw for qualifying, cars will make their initial runs in the following order:
|
1 |
9 |
Scott Dixon |
Honda |
|
2 |
98 |
Marco Andretti |
Honda |
|
3 |
28 |
Ryan Hunter-Reay |
Honda |
|
4 |
06 |
Helio Castroneves |
Honda |
|
5 |
18 |
Ed Jones |
Honda |
|
6 |
29 |
James Hinchcliffe |
Honda |
|
7 |
25 |
Stefan Wilson |
Honda |
|
8 |
48 |
Tony Kanaan |
Honda |
|
9 |
2 |
Josef Newgarden |
Chevy |
|
10 |
21 |
Rinus VeeKay |
Chevy |
|
11 |
3 |
Scott McLaughlin |
Chevy |
|
12 |
30 |
Takuma Sato |
Honda |
|
13 |
45 |
Santino Ferrucci |
Honda |
|
14 |
24 |
Sage Karam |
Chevy |
|
15 |
51 |
Pietro Fittipaldi |
Honda |
|
16 |
86 |
Juan Pablo Montoya |
Chevy |
|
17 |
1 |
JR Hildebrand |
Chevy |
|
18 |
12 |
Will Power |
Chevy |
|
19 |
20 |
Ed Carpenter |
Chevy |
|
20 |
5 |
Pato O’Ward |
Chevy |
|
21 |
7 |
Felix Rosenqvist |
Chevy |
|
22 |
59 |
Max Chilton |
Chevy |
|
23 |
4 |
Dalton Kellett |
Chevy |
|
24 |
47 |
Conor Daly |
Chevy |
|
25 |
15 |
Grahal Rahal |
Honda |
|
26 |
60 |
Jack Harvey |
Honda |
|
27 |
75 |
RC Enerson |
Chevy |
|
28 |
10 |
Alex Palou |
Honda |
|
29 |
22 |
Simon Pagenaud |
Chevy |
|
30 |
26 |
Colton Herta |
Honda |
|
31 |
27 |
Alexander Rossi |
Honda |
|
32 |
8 |
Marcus Ericsson |
Honda |
|
33 |
16 |
Simon De Silvestro |
Chevy |
|
34 |
11 |
Charlie Kimball |
Chevy |
|
35 |
14 |
Sebastien Bourdais |
Chevy |
Related video
Ferrucci rebounds from Indy shunt, aims for a Fast Nine slot
Indy 500: Dixon leads as Power and De Silvestro face qualifying battle
Title-winning Newman/Haas Indycars to be auctioned
Indycars raced by Mario Andretti, Michael Andretti, Nigel Mansell and Sebastien Bourdais are among artefacts of the legendary Newman/Haas Racing team to be auctioned by RM Sotheby's in October.
Ganassi will support Palou’s IndyCar title bid despite contract dispute
Chip Ganassi Racing won’t waver in its support of Alex Palou’s IndyCar title defence, despite being locked in a legal dispute with the Spaniard who intends to join McLaren.
Why the 2022 IndyCar title fight is Penske vs Ganassi yet again
There have been wins, poles and promise from others, but the 2022 IndyCar Series championship battle has distilled down to a fight between old rivals Team Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing once more. A principal from each explains what has elevated their teams beyond other rivals ahead of the final three races
Nashville IndyCar winner Dixon feared race was ruined by shunt
Scott Dixon was convinced that car damage had ended his victory hopes at IndyCar's Nashville round, before working his way to the front to eventually claim his 53rd series win.
How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled
Chip Ganassi Racing team was strong again in the Indianapolis 500, with poleman Scott Dixon and reigning champion Alex Palou leading almost three quarters of the race between them. But when dominator Dixon was penalised for pitlane speeding, ex-Formula 1 driver Marcus Ericsson stepped up to score the biggest win of his career and seize the IndyCar points lead
Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021
In an enthralling 2021 IndyCar campaign, the series bounced back from its COVID-19 truncated year prior and Alex Palou defeated both the established order and his fellow young guns to clinch a maiden title. It capped a remarkable season with plenty of standout performers
How F1's other IndyCar exile finally unlocked his potential
Romain Grosjean's swashbuckling rookie year in IndyCar captured the imagination of many in 2021. But another ex-Formula 1 driver whose potential was masked by five years of toil in, at best, middling machinery also enjoyed a breakout year in 2021 - winning twice and finishing sixth in points. Here's how Marcus Ericsson finally delivered on his promise
How Ganassi's relentless new champion outfoxed IndyCar's best
IndyCar sophomore Alex Palou stunned by overcoming team-mate Scott Dixon and the rest of a white-hot field in 2021. He was consistently fast and crucially showed a level head, rebounding well from setbacks to put himself in a near unassailable position entering the final round
Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?
Despite appearing to have an IndyCar job for life with Meyer Shank Racing, Jack Harvey’s departure and move to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing sparked plenty of debate. However, Harvey's and RLL's combined strengths could prove to be a winning combination - if they get the balance right
Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing IndyCar win
Saturday 16 October marks the 10th anniversary of Dan Wheldon’s death. David Malsher-Lopez pays tribute, then asks Wheldon’s race engineer from 2011, Todd Malloy, to recall that magical second victory at the Indianapolis 500
Why Kyle Kirkwood is America's new IndyCar ace-in-waiting
Kyle Kirkwood, the record-setting junior formula driver, sealed the Indy Lights championship last weekend. But despite an absurdly strong junior career and scholarship money, his next move is far from clear
Why IndyCar title glory is just the start for Ganassi's new star
Newly-crowned IndyCar champion Alex Palou has been lauded as a complete driver and veteran-like in only his second season. The 24-year-old is still in the early days of his career, but the parallels are there for all to see with his six-time champion Chip Ganassi Racing team-mate who has been CGR's team leader since 2014