Christian Rasmussen Leads Final Tune-up Before '500' Qualifying

Ed Carpenter Racing stated its intent for PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying on Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as Christian Rasmussen led three of the team’s drivers in the top four on the speed chart for the final practice this morning before pressure-packed time trials for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

Rasmussen topped the split-group, one-hour session at 232.255 mph in the No. 21 Splenda Chevrolet.

SEE: Practice Results

“(Leading practice) tells you that you have a good car,” Rasmussen said. “We’ll just have to fine-tune it to the conditions later today. It’s going to be tougher, for sure, once it heats, the ambient (temperature) comes up, the track temp comes up. So far, so good.”

Today should be the warmest day of the event, with air temperatures climbing into the 80s with higher humidity. Temperatures also are expected to rise through the afternoon, creating more challenges for drivers and crews as downforce declines and risk increases.

Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato was second in practice at 231.759 in the No. 75 Amada Honda of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Sato, renowned for his “no attack, no chance” aggression, became the first driver to make wall contact at this event when he brushed the SAFER Barrier in the short chute exiting Turn 3 with his right-rear tire.

ECR owner Ed Carpenter also has his eyes on a fourth Indy 500 pole position after ending up third at 231.684 in the No. 33 SlimFast Special Chevrolet. His teammate and 2016 “500” winner Alexander Rossi was fourth at 231.588 in the No. 20 Java House Chevrolet.

Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves also has designs on a fifth “500” pole after he rounded out the top five at 231.554 in the No. 06 Cleveland Cliffs Honda of Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian.

The practice featured just 14 of the 33 cars turning laps on the 2.5-mile oval. Just 109 laps were clocked in the session, as more than half of the drivers either were content with their cars or didn’t want to take any risks before the start of one of the most pressure-packed qualifying days in recent Indy 500 history, with time trials starting at noon ET.

Due to rain washing out qualifying Saturday, each of the 33 drivers will get just one qualifying attempt in the first round, setting starting spots 13 through 33.

The fastest 12 drivers then will advance to the Top 12 session. The six fastest will move forward to the Firestone Fast Six, which will determine the NTT P1 Award winner and its $100,000 bonus.

FS2 will televise the first round of qualifying starting at noon ET. Coverage will shift to FOX at 4 p.m. for the Top 12 and Firestone Fast Six rounds. FOX One and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls also will provide live coverage of all qualifying sessions.

The 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 24 (10 a.m. ET, FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls).