Pole qualifying postponed

However they handled the wait today, it ended the same for all and is likely to continue tomorrow. Pole qualifying for the 90th Indianapolis 500 has been postponed because of persistent rain. The six-hour session is now scheduled for Sunday, when more of the same is expected.

Drivers, crews and mechanics dealt with the delay in a variety of ways, and expect to do the same Sunday, when forecasts call for more light rain, overcast skies and temperatures in the mid-50s.

If the rain ceases long enough, race officials will attempt to fill the first 22 positions on the 33-car starting grid for the May 28 race.

"The key is to not create any expectations," Kanaan said. "If you get anxious, you start to get bored. You have nothing to do. You just spend your energy on something that's not going to change.

"The toughest thing on days like this is to keep from getting too excited. You can't expect anything to happen. You just have to cool down and enjoy it."

It marked the third time in the last four years in which the first day of qualifying was postponed because of rain. It also was marked the second time the race's new qualifying format - in which 11 positions are filled on the first day before bumping ensues - was wrecked by weather.

The delay - and earlier rain delays that effected practice sessions during the week - has left some drivers feeling as if they're behind on necessary preparation. If the weather clears Sunday, the on-track activity will open with a two-hour practice session before qualifying begins.

"It's tough because we're struggling to find some things we need to find, and the rain is really hurting us," said Buddy Lazier, driver of the No. 5 Dreyer & Reinbold Honda/Dallara and winner of the 1996 Indy 500. "We're working to have all of our ducks in a row."

Apropriate statement, considering the weather. After Sam Hornish Jr. led the first three days of practice this week - the last of which was cut short because of rain - the field lost a day of practice to the weather on Friday.

Rain continued overnight, and, while it let up at times today, it still left the track too wet for a clean-up. IRL president and CEO Brian Barnhart called off today's activity at 2:00pm local.

That left drivers with time to catch up, goof off or work out. Scott Dixon went for a swim; Ed Carpenter played table tennis; and Bryan Herta chatted with crew members.

"I just try to visit with everyone," Herta said. "There are so many people working with you all year long, but you don't have much time to talk with them.

"Today is a good day to do that. I just like to say hi to then, chat for a bit, and find out how their family is doing."

He might have more time for that Sunday. The constant rain has been caused by a low pressure system stalled over the Great Lakes, trapped by high pressure to the east and west. It isn't expected to move out of the area until at least Monday.

"As soon as we think we're going to run, you watch - everybody will disappear," Kanaan said. "That's when you try to take an hour and relax and get into game mode again. Right now we're just trying to entertain the fans a little bit."