Although Castroneves is a four-time polesitter at Indy – and a three-time winner – and has started the 500 no less than 20 times before, this is the first time he’s been reported by any team other than Penske. Instead, the reigning IMSA prototype champion is on the speedway for his first of six races this year, competing as a temporary teammate of full-time MSR Jack Harvey for Meyer Shank Racing-Honda.
In Saturday’s qualifying, Castroneves used his early draw (fourth in line) to produce one of his special four-lap runs to set the sixth fastest time. This includes him in the Fast Nine session due tomorrow afternoon so he can aim for a fifth pole – a record only his old Penske mentor Rick Mears has improved (six).
“The AutoNation / SiriusXM car was very solid,” Castroneves said afterwards. “Qualifying went exactly like we trained yesterday – we were actually a bit faster than expected, which was perfect.
“Our goal was to get into the top nine so that we could have a shot on pole tomorrow, and we did that. However, tomorrow is a different day and we will work overnight to find more speed and to be back for qualifying tomorrow. “
Meanwhile, Dale Coyne Racing-Honda’s ups and downs through practice contradicted the performances Ed Jones and Pietro Fittipaldi made in qualifying.
Pietro Fittipaldi, Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing Honda
Photo by: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Images
Fittipaldi was the 15th driver to complete a qualifying run over four laps. Hence, the rookie hit the speedway when the temperature on the track rose rapidly – usually the death knell of a quick time. But the 1989 grandson and 1993 Indy winner Emerson Fittipaldi produced a time that finished 13th in the start ridden by Romain Grosjean on street and street courses.
“We knew we had a good car yesterday,” said Fittipaldi, Haas F1 test and reserve driver, who also described the experience as “super intense”. He continued, “You have to go out there and get involved and keep it open for four rounds and that’s what we did.
“The car was fantastic, Dale Coyne Racing with the RWR team did a great job. I’m just very happy to be here and super excited.
“We considered going back out at the end to get into the Fast Nine – I think the car had it in it – but at the end of the day we’re happy with where we qualified and we didn’t . I don’t want to risk it. “
His teammate Ed Jones, who drove the DCR in Vasser Sullivan’s car, was impressed when he was one of only five drivers to improve their times on a second run in the heat of the day after initially setting a time to which brought him to 19th place. In the first three rounds of his later qualifying attempt, Jones appeared to be able to get into the Fast Nine, and while his fourth round ended that dream, he finished 11th on the grid.
“It was an up and down day,” he said afterwards. “We were very conservative at the first run in qualifying.
“However, the SealMaster team did a fantastic job getting the car ready for the second try. I had a solid run and moved up eight places to P11.
“Now it’s time to concentrate on preparing for the race.”
For those outside of the Fast Nine entrants who are not part of the Last Chance Qualifiers group, the next chance to hit the track is the 5pm to 7pm session on Sunday evening. The 33 qualifying cars presented by Gainbridge for the 105th round of the Indianapolis 500 will then remain silent until a two-hour practice session on Carb Day (next Friday).
Ed Jones, Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser Sullivan Honda
Photo by: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Images
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