FAST FRIDAY FUSSING AND FIXING

IMS Emblem

The morning breeze for Fast Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway helped cut the muggy heat. Already by 9am it’s 73 degrees F. All the IZOD IndyCar teams are concerned about afternoon rain. Fast Friday all the teams get an extra boost, in preparation for the weekend’s Pole Day and Bump Day. So far thirty-three drivers have been on the track.

BUDDY LAZIER/Lazier Partners Chevrolet was the last driver to complete his Refresher Course. He did it in thirty minutes Friday morning and passed. He did well – enough so that his team had to radio him to keep it slow and consistent.

Over in the A.J. Foyt garage, it seemingly is taking a village to put together the heavily damaged car of CONOR DALY, after Thursday afternoon’s big crash. Young Daly is OK and ready to get back into the car, which the team hopes to be around 4pm Friday afternoon

Conor Daly's car

Conor Daly's Garage Sign

Conor Daly's car

Early in the morning, the garages are quieter than usual, with fewer fans, and less hustle and bustle.

Teams are working away on engines, and all parts of the cars are getting attention.

Viso's crew polishing

Viso's car in Scrutineering Bay

Briscoe's crew sanding

This year there seems to be more flash and upgrading of the team signs over the garages.

Ed Carpenter Racing sign

Panther Racing Sign

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Sign

And on the lighter side, Frenchman SIMON PAGENAUD/Schmidt Hamilton Motorsports Honda held forth as a crepe chef, serving breakfast to his HP crew and owner SAM SCHMIDT. His fellow French teammate, TRISTAN VAUTIER was on hand to give lots of advice from the peanut gallery.

Simon Pagenaud checking crepe supplies

Team Owner Sam Schmidt

Simon Pagenaud making crepes