Takuma Sato was quickest in “Fast Friday” practice for the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a lap at 234.753 mph around the 2.5-mile oval. Photo: Penske Entertainment: Doug Mathews
Takuma Sato lived up to his “no attack, no chance” motto on “Fast Friday” at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, turning the fastest Indianapolis 500 practice lap since 1996 on the eve of the start of qualifying.
Two-time “500” winner Sato led the six-hour session with a lap of 38.3382 seconds, 234.753 mph in the No. 11 Honda fielded by Chip Ganassi Racing, the ninth-fastest practice lap in Indy 500 history. The eight fastest practice laps at Indy were turned in 1996, led by Arie Luyendyk’s speed of 239.260.
Sato’s best lap came during a four-lap qualifying simulation early in the six-hour session that he had to abandon after coming within a hair’s width of touching the SAFER Barrier in turn 4.
“The beginning of the run, first time today, was really too light,” Sato said. “The middle run, we had more downforce, and I was getting more comfortable. By the end of the day, I think I wanted to try to find the limit again, so we went to a little bit sketchy one (setup) again, so I had to lift in Turn 4. But overall, I think we were very satisfied with our performance.”
This was the second time this week Sato was the fastest driver, as he led the first day of practice Wednesday at 229.439. Speeds climbed Friday, as extra turbocharger boost added approximately 100 more horsepower to the Honda and Chevrolet engines. That boost also will be available during qualifying on Saturday and Sunday.
Marco Andretti was second fastest at 234.202. Rinus VeeKay was third at 234.171. Defending race winner Marcus Ericsson took the fourth spot at 234.029. Pato O’Ward rounded out the top five at 233.796.
All 34 drivers spent the entire session on the 2.5-mile oval in four-lap qualifying simulations to prepare for two days of pressure-packed qualifying. Sato also drove to the fastest four-lap average speed of 233.412 during the sims.
Three other drivers produced four-lap qualifying sim average speeds of 233 mph, with Ericsson at 233.112, Josef Newgarden at 233.085, and Will Power at 233.070.
Saturday’s action starts with practice from 8:30-9:30 a.m., separated into two groups. Qualifying takes place from 11 a.m.-5:50 p.m., with spots 13 through 30 in the field of 33 determined.
2014 Indianapolis 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay drew the No. 1 spot in the qualifying order Friday night, gaining the advantage of cooler air and track temperatures as being the first driver to attempt to qualify Saturday morning. Sato drew the 25th spot in the qualifying order, when temperatures could be higher and the track slicker.
The 12 fastest drivers Saturday will return Sunday to compete for the coveted NTT P1 Award through two rounds of qualifying, while the four slowest cars also will be back on track Sunday to grab one of the final three spots in the field in Last Chance Qualifying.
The 107th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 28. Qualifying is Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21.
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