MARCO ANDRETTI CRACKS 227MPH IN INDY500 PRACTICE

Marco Andretti has set the pace on the second day of practice for the Indy 500 – Photo: LAT

Marco Andretti has set the pace during the second day of practice ahead of 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500.

The third-generation Indy car driver was fastest in Wednesday’s seven-hour session on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, turning a 227.053-mph lap in the No. 98 Honda.

Andretti led a parade of four Honda drivers at the top of the timesheet all day after Chevrolet owned the first three spots in Tuesday’s opening practice.

“It was a pretty productive day,” said Andretti.

“We got the car to ‘almost there’ in traffic. We’re not there yet, but I’m sure everybody’s dealing with a similar thing. But we think we have a direction, which is positive.”

Kiwi Scott Dixon was second fastest – Photo: LAT

Kiwi Scott Dixon, the 2008 Indy 500 winner and four-time Verizon IndyCar Series champion, was second fastest on the day, with a lap of 226.329 mph in the No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

“I think the car was decent,” said Dixon.

“The conditions were probably more favourable around lunchtime. (In) the heat of the day, we went through some struggles, went through some pretty big changes.

“A long story short, we ended up finding a couple of good changes. The second-to-last run was fairly decent as far as being comfortable in the car, kind of being very consistent. That was nice. We just ran full downforce all day and tried to work with the car and find better combinations just for being comfortable in traffic and trying to get the car a little more grip.”

Defending Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato was third at the end of the day at 226.108 mph in the No. 30 Honda for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

Danica Patrick, completing her Indycar and NASCAR racing career at this year’s Indianapolis 500, was 12th on the speed chart in the No. 13 Chevrolet for Ed Carpenter Racing (224.570 mph).

“I ran in traffic virtually all day,” said Patrick.

“I feel like that’s going to pay off in the long run. We still have to make the car better, but me getting more comfortable is also going to help that process. So, all in all, it was another good, productive day.”

Competitors will have two more days of testing ahead of qualifying for the Indy 500 on Saturday and Sunday, which will set the 33-car field with 35 cars entered.

For more of the latest international motorsport news, pick up the latest issue of Auto Action, on sale now. Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.