INDIANAPOLIS -RIS- In anticipation of being bumped or simply choosing to hedge his bets, Ryan Hunter-Reay pulled his racing feet out of the fire by pushing into the qualifying line after withdrawing yesterday's four-lap average of 219.502 mph.
HUNTER-REAY Photo by Larry Clarino/RISWith a stiff tailwind down the main straight, Hunter-Reay successfully put his car back into the show with an average of 220.413 mph.
"The track's obviously faster today," an obviously frustrated Hunter-Reay said. "I think we're going to be rolling back out for another run. I don't know what to say. We'll just see how this thing goes."
The man currently on the bubble is E. J. Viso in the ironically-numbered #13 at 219.971.
Mike Conway, the young Englishman driving for Dreyer & Reinbold, is next in line, driving the #24 Purex ride. In accordance with the common plan today, Conway's ownership withdrew this previous four-lap of 220.124 and has run four new laps and requalified at 221.417, fastest of the day's qualifiers thus far.
"I really pushed it to get a good speed on the first lap," he said. "I was having to push a bit more on the out-lap."
Conway also noted that the track is a bit dirty, noting that the tire marbles are beginning to build up off-line.
E.J. Viso remains on the bubble and will likely work on a more solid practice speed this afternoon should John Andretti and Buddy Lazier find some speed.
Andretti seems ready to find his.
RIS/Indy-Tom Beeler
