Originally Posted on May 14, 2006 on foxsports.com
Saturday was Pole Day at Indy. Well, it was supposed to be anyway. The rain has keep the cars off the track sporadically the past few days. The original plan was for 11 cars to be set on the grid on Saturday and the next 22 cars to be set on Sunday. Then, next Saturday (the 20th) the remaining 11 cars (for a total of 33) would be set. Then next Sunday would be Bump Day. However, Mother Nature had other plans - raining out both Saturday and Sunday and leaving the qualifications in limbo.
Last year, Pole Day was delayed one day by the rain. This year, after one 35 minute practice session and the start of the second, the day was washed out.
Rain is not merely an inconvenience for the teams. Because of the rain, the rubber which builds up on the track has been washed off. Thus, the drivers were unsure how fast they would be able to go. The coole temperatures were another concern, but at least the wind was minimal. Engineers, drivers, and race planners were unsure how to set up the cars to take advantage of the conditions. Some of them got it figured out as at the end of the first practice session, Scott Dixon led the filed at over 226 mph. By the time rain shortened the second session, Dan Wheldon had clocked in at over 227 mph, as had Sam Hornish.
Danica Patrick has not been running as fast as the majority of the field. When asked if she could reach 228 mph, she said she did not see how given how the car had performed thus far in the practice sessions. Patrick said she wanted qualifying delayed until next weekend.
After a meeting with IRL officials, IMS officals and others, the decision was made to qualifty for all 33 spots next Saturday. Bump Day will then occur as scheduled on Sunday.
At least, if Mother Nature decides to let it happen on that schedule.
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