Daly Speeds to 231 on Fast Friday | Jones, Carpenter Fastest in Solo Runs
May 17, 2019 | By Paul Kelly, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Conor Daly soared to the fastest lap of the week during Fast Friday practice in his U.S. Air Force-sponsored car, becoming the only driver to top 231 mph in the final approach before Crown Royal Armed Forces Qualifying for the 103rd Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.
Daly, from nearby Noblesville, Indiana, led with a top lap of 231.704 mph in the No. 25 United States Air Force Honda fielded by Andretti Autosport. This is Daly’s first event of the NTT IndyCar Series season, as he secured a one-race deal for Indy with the Air Force and the powerful Andretti team last December.
“I’m just super thankful to be here, honestly,” Daly said. “It's incredible to be a part of this team. The U.S. Air Force, that's the group that made it happen for me, and that's awesome.
“We've just been working away at it. It's certainly interesting tomorrow to see what's going to happen. I think no-tow wise, everyone is closer than we expected really manufacturer-wise. I think there's a little bit of a difference there, for sure, but the Honda guys are working super hard, and I've been super happy with my group and our engine and our car.”
Qualifying takes place from 11 a.m.-5:50 p.m. Saturday, with spots 10-30 in the field set and the order determined for the Fast Nine Shootout for the pole Sunday afternoon. The Last Row Shootout also is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
The good news continued for Daly after practice, when his primary car was drawn as the first qualifier Saturday, in presumably the coolest and fastest conditions of the day.
Ed Carpenter Racing teammates Ed Jones and Ed Carpenter are among the favorites to turn the top four-lap qualifying runs Saturday after posting the top two speeds without an aerodynamic tow Friday.
Speeds climbed today due to extra turbo boost provided to all engines for this practice and both days of qualifying this weekend on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval.
On the overall speed chart, the Andretti Autosport family also claimed the No. 2 spot with Marco Andretti’s lap of 230.851 in the No. 98 U.S. Concrete/Curb Honda fielded by Andretti Herta with Marco & Curb-Agajanian.
Takuma Sato was third at 230.755 in the No. 30 Mi-Jack/Panasonic Honda. Spencer Pigot was the fastest Chevy-powered driver today, turning a top lap of 230.471 in the No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet.
2014 “500” winner Ryan Hunter-Reay rounded out the top five at 230.466 in the No. 28 DHL Honda, giving Andretti Autosport three of the top five cars on the overall speed chart.
Twelve drivers exceeded 230 mph Friday, but only Jones achieved the feat without the benefit of an aerodynamic tow while trailing another car.
Jones was the fastest driver overall and while running alone Thursday, and he continued his impressive solo pace Friday. Jones led the no-tow list at 230.106 in the No. 63 Ed Carpenter Racing Scuderia Corsa Chevrolet.
Team boss and three-time Indianapolis 500 pole winner Carpenter was second among the no-tows at 229.879 in the No. 20 Preferred Freezer Services Chevrolet. 2016 Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi was third at 229.878 in the No. 27 NAPA AUTO PARTS Honda.
Reigning “500” winner Will Power was fourth on the tight no-tow list at 229.751 in the No. 12 Verizon 5G Team Penske Chevrolet.
Two-time Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso returned to the track for the first time since his crash Wednesday in the No. 66 McLaren Racing Chevrolet. Alonso, from Spain, was 24th overall at 229.328 but 30th on the no-tow list at 226.869 as concern continued to grow in the McLaren garage.
“I am, yes,” Alonso said when asked if he was worried about qualifying. “I think it's the same for everyone. Tomorrow, as Conor said now, I think the pickup order and when you will do the run is going to be a big factor if it's a hot day. So, yeah, if we are in the wrong moment of the day, which it seems that the luck will put us in that moment this week.”
Alonso was prophetic with his prediction of continued bad luck. His backup car was drawn 24th and primary car 39th in the qualifying draw, forcing him to make his first attempt in the afternoon heat.
Rookie Patricio O’Ward also returned to the track today after his crash Thursday in the No. 31 Carlin Chevrolet, ending up 34th overall at 227.513.
Kyle Kaiser was unhurt in an accident in Turn 3 early in the session. His No. 32 Juncos Racing Chevrolet was heavily damaged after spinning into the outside SAFER Barrier and nearly flipping over before making secondary contact with the inside SAFER Barrier. The Juncos team then began work on building a backup car.
All 36 drivers were on track, turning a total of 1,492 laps. Rookie Ben Hanley turned 81 laps, more than any other driver. Practice was suspended for one hour, 19 minutes during the mid-afternoon due to lightning in the area.
The 103rd Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 26. Visit IMS.com to buy tickets and for more information on the Month of May schedule at IMS.