NASCAR Cup Series

Tagliani, Carpenter top 228 at Indy

Published May. 20, 2011 2:26 p.m. ET

foxsports

Canadian Alex Tagliani has the fastest speed early at Friday's Indianapolis 500 practice.

Tagliani was one of two drivers to top 228 mph Friday, hitting 228.327 mph. Ed Carpenter was second at 228.017.

Both have been among the fastest drivers all week. Tagliani drives for Sam Schmidt Motorsports. Carpenter drives for Sarah Fisher Racing.

Many of the bigger teams aren't planning to switch to a qualifying setup until later in the afternoon.

Saturday is the first of two qualifying days for the May 29 race. Forty driver-car combinations have been announced, though it's unclear whether Swiss driver Simona de Silvestro will make an attempt after burning her hands in a crash Thursday. De Silvestro has not yet been cleared to drive.