WILL POWER/Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet out-lasted his IZOD IndyCar peers in the Second Practice and stayed on top once he got there. His lap was 1:01.4467. The weather appeared cooler due to the cloud cover which had been increasing since the morning session. But actually, it was warmer for the second session. The temperatures were 73 degrees F for ambient while the track temperature was l09. Humidity was 49 percent.
Second through fifth in P2 and overall were RHR, de Silvestro, ORIOL SERVIA/Panther DRR Chevrolet, and TAKUMA SATO/ABC Supply A.J. Foyt Racing Honda.
Eighteen drivers went faster in the afternoon than the fast lap laid down by RYAN HUNTER-REAY/DHL Chevrolet in the first practice; and all 25 drivers were faster in the afternoon than the morning practice sessions. Several other IndyCar drivers hit the top run during the 45-minute session, including SEBASTIEN BOURDAIS/Dragon Racing Chevrolet and SIMONA de SILVESTRO/KV Racing Technology Chevrolet.
In a post-session media briefing, when asked about de Silvestro’s driving, RHR responded: “Simona is the real deal. Great to see her up front with a new team”
De Silvestro said “It literally felt like I was driving in another category last year. I couldn’t realize what a difference until I got into the Chevrolet.”
As for his rival, Hunter-Reay said “Will’s always up at the sharp end.” Power, on the other hand, didn’t know about the Honda’s – or the lack thereof of many being in top positions during practice. “I’m not so sure the Honda’s aren’t sandbagging.”
Among the cheering section for RHR this weekend is his father-in-law, BOB GORDON. He came out to watch the race, but more importantly to him, to see his first grandson. Gordon is also the father of ROBBIE GORDON, an avid off-road racer who has gone back to his roots after struggling as a owner/driver in NASCAR. Robbie Gordon has started a new stadium off-road series, and dad will run a few events as a ‘guest driver.’
JOSEF NEWGARDEN/Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing Honda had his car all but apart before the session. During the session he ran only a few laps and pitted, with what team owner, SARAH FISHER, said were “issues around a gear box problem.”
Rookie GABBY CHAVES/Schmidt Peterson c/w Curb Agajanian was the fastest Firestone Indy Lights driver in the second practice session Friday afternoon, with a time of 1:06.8431, which also gave him the overall fastest time for the two sessions. The morning’s fastest driver, Chaves teammate, Rookie JACK HAWKSWORTH, was second in the second session and overall. Five afternoon drivers were fastest than Hawksworth’s fast morning lap.
Saturday’s schedule calls for the third and final IndyCar practice, and qualifying all around for all the series. In the afternoon there are races for the Cooper Tires USF2000, Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires, Firestone Indy Lights, and Pirelli World Challenge.
IndyCar Qualifying will be aired live on NBC Sports Network, as will the race on Sunday at noon. Check your local broadcaster The broadcast team includes J TOWNSEND BELL, WALLY DALLENBACH and LEIGH DIFFEY as announcers, with JON BEEKHUIS, KEVIN LEE, ROBIN MILLER, and MARTY SNIDER in the pits.