Sato, Dixon Reach 229 As Ganassi Paces Indy Practice

Takuma Sato was fastest in Wednesday’s opening practice for the 107th Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Photo: Penske Entertainment: James Black

Past winners Takuma Sato and Scott Dixon both topped 229 mph as Chip Ganassi Racing drivers took four of the top seven spots on the speed chart in the first day of practice Wednesday for the 107th Indianapolis 500.

Two-time “500” winner Sato led with a top lap of 39.2261 seconds, 229.439 mph in the No. 11 Honda, turned in the final two hours under sunny skies and air temperatures in the mid-70s. 2008 Indy 500 winner Dixon was second at 229.174 on a lap turned in the first 10 minutes of the day.

This is Sato’s first “500” outing with the powerful Ganassi team. He won the race in 2017 with Andretti Autosport and in 2020 with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

“The organization is very impressive,” Sato said. “Everything is in the right place and the right people. They use their resources and make the most of it. Preparation is simply impressive.

“Today on the track, all four drivers divided a few different programs. I wasn’t particularly happy with the kind of sensation I was getting in the morning. We’re just working on what’s the best way. In the afternoon, the group run by Ganassi was a great hint for me about what needs to be done. We went for it, and we had a big tow, and that’s why we have a very successful platform right now.”

Santino Ferrucci was third at 228.977 in the No. 14 Chevrolet fielded by A.J. Foyt Racing. Alex Palou was fourth at 228.720.

Scott McLaughlin was fifth at 228.473. Defending “500” winner Marcus Ericsson rounded out the four-car Chip Ganassi Racing team in seventh at 227.701.

R.C. Enerson completed the three-phase Rookie Orientation Program, as all 34 entries combined to turn 3,455 laps (8,637.5 miles) in the busy, six-hour session after Opening Day was rained out Tuesday.

Practice resumes from noon-6 p.m. ET Thursday.

The 107th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 28 at 11 a.m. ET. Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21.