New Zealand’s Scott Dixon made the most of limited track time in this morning’s first practice for next weekend’s 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 to record the fastest time.
Just 23 minutes of run time was possible as wet weather hampered the opening day of practice for the second consecutive year, with only 219 total laps turned and no driver exceeding 13 laps.
Dixon, the 2008 Indy 500 winner, led the way with a 39.2829-second flyer at an average speed of 229.107 mph (368.712kph) to top second fastest Marco Andretti by one-tenth.
Dixon and Andretti both benefitted from an aerodynamic tow in morning traffic.
Two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato was the only other driver to go below the 40-second mark for third.
Tom Blomqvist was the second-quickest Kiwi in 17th, completing 12 laps for a best of 40.7504, one place to the good of Penske’s Scott McLaughlin, who ran 13 laps with a 40.8530 as his fastest.
Marcus Armstrong did not record any track time, nor did defending IndyCar Champion Alex Palou.
2021 NASCAR Cup Series winner Kyle Larson managed just two laps as builds up to running the ‘double’ of the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on the same day.
“It’s good to finally have the Indy 500 here,” Larson said. “I’ve known about this (double attempt) for a couple of years now, so it’s been a lot of waiting. Just happy to get this experience underway.
“The weather is getting in the middle of things today, but once we get through today, it should be good.”
The weather forecast at Indianapolis remains mixed for the remainder of the week ahead of Qualifying 1 on Sunday morning NZST.
Sky Sports is broadcasting live coverage of Practice 4 from 4.00 am on Thursday, Practice 5 from 4.00 am on Friday, Practice 6 at 4.00 am on Saturday and Practice 7 at 12.30 am on Sunday.
Qualifying 1 begins at 3.00 am on Sunday before Qualifying 2 at 7.00 am on Monday.
Coverage of the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 begins at 3.00 am following Monday, May 27.
Header Image: Penske Entertainment: Walt Kuhn
