103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500
NTT IndyCar Series
PRACTICE NOTES/QUOTES – May 15, 2019
RAHAL, SATO AND KING MADE PROGRESS WITH THEIR RACE SETUPS ON THE SECOND DAY OF PRACTICE FOR THE INDY 500
1) Josef Newgarden 228.856 mph
14) Graham Rahal 227.008 mph
17) Takuma Sato 226.765 mph
31) Jordan King 225.291 mph
GRAHAM RAHAL, No. 15 United Rentals Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “We ran in race trim all day. I feel like we’re pretty competitive. We need to get some understeer out of the car to be a little bit quicker. In general, I think we’re close. It seems like a lot of guys are good on one run and struggle the next. It’s going to be one of those deals where we have to stay committed to it, try to work through it, and find ways to improve. I think all three of our cars are very similar on balance so the good sign is we can all work together at it. (On coming close to the wall on a few laps:) The one felt close (to the wall) behind Spencer (Pigot). I knew that what happened to Fernando could have easily happened to me. I could sense it was coming so luckily I lifted before it got bad. Unfortunately, it seems like when you get in the wake and the car decides to understeer, it goes pretty big.”
FAST FACTS: Will be his 12th Indy 500. His best qualifying position in the Indy 500 is fourth in 2009 with Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing and best finish is third with Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing in 2011 after he led six laps. He ran in the top-five in seven of his 10 previous races here. Detailed Indy 500 information available upon request. Has SIX IndyCar Series wins (2008 – St. Pete street course; 2015 – Fontana Super Speedway, Mid-Ohio road course; 2016 – Texas Super Speedway; 2017 Detroit Race 1, Detroit Race 2) and THREE poles (2009 – St. Pete street course, Kansas oval; 2017 – Detroit Race 1 street) and his highest series season-ending standing is fourth place in 2015… He is currently seventh in series standings with 113 points, only 33 out of third place.
TAKUMA SATO, No. 30 Mi-Jack / Panasonic Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “We were only working on the race setup today. This place is so different considering its only four corners and the speed range is 220 mph but it changes a lot, day to day. By yourself, it felt good, but in traffic it was a very different feeling. The track is getting more rubber laid down and everyone is getting more competitive and the whole pace is raised. It’s even more difficult to follow. In fact, trying to overtake is extremely difficult. I think we learned quite a few things today and hopefully we can translate it into tomorrow for a better result.”
FAST FACTS: 2017 Champion of the Indy 500. The 2019 race will be his 10th Indy 500 and second with RLL. In 2012 with RLL, he was alongside eventual winner Franchitti in Turn 1 on the final lap but his race ended due to contact after he was squeezed down on the apron and lost control of his race car. Prior to his 2017 win with Andretti from his best start of fourth place, his highest finish was 13th in 2013 and 2015 – both with A.J. Foyt Racing… Has TWO IndyCar Series wins (2013 – Long Beach street course, 2017 – Indy 500 oval) and SEVEN poles (2011 Iowa oval, Edmonton street; 2013 Houston Race 1 street; 2014 St. Pete street, Detroit Race 2 street; 2017 Detroit Race 2, Pocono oval). He is fifth in series standings with 132 points.
JORDAN KING, No. 42 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “We were up to speed much better today, starting to feel the car, and actually work the car well. We made some good progress. Our no tow time is not too bad obviously in traffic I’m still struggling myself inside the car. It’s kind of a double whammy, there’s a few people who put in some quick times in traffic which is unfortunate. We need to work on that for the race and obviously work on it for qualifying. Those are the two things were trying to work on and making small progress.”
FAST FACTS: Will be his first oval race and first Indianapolis 500… Competed in 11 road and street course races with Ed Carpenter Racing with a best start of fourth at St. Pete in his debut and a best finish of 11th at Toronto. He participated in a 2018 pre-season test at the Phoenix International Raceway oval before the season-opener at St. Petersburg but that was his only oval experience.
NEXT UP: Practice will take place from 11-6 p.m. ET tomorrow.