SATO, DIXON TOP INDY 500 PRACTICE AGAIN
Takuma Sato and Scott Dixon have emerged as the pacesetters after two full days of practice for the 2022 Indianapolis 500.
Practice resumed after Day 2 was completely washed out and for the second consecutive practice it was Sato and Dixon in positions one and two.
Two-time Indy 500 winner Sato set a 227.519mph lap in the #51 Nurtec ODT Honda, while six-time IndyCar Series champion Dixon was close behind with a 227.335mph effort in the #9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.
“We’re working on it,” Sato said.
“The car’s not entirely happy in a big pack. Still there’s work to be done.
“The boys are doing such a meticulous job, with great engineering.
“I’m happy with the progress, step by step, and here we are. Hopefully we have more to come.”
The second day of running was incident free and blessed with clear weather, allowing the field to turn 3,114 laps without issue.
Rookie David Malukas capitalised on the improved conditions, clocking the third fastest lap in the #18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda, ahead of JR Hildebrand who managed a 226.846mph in the #11 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet.
Jimmie Johnson spent the most time on track on Day 3 and earned a spot in the top five, the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion recording a best of 226.409mph in the #48 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.
Former Indy 500 winner Will Power showed the most pace without a tow, at 224.325mph in the #12 Team Penske Chevrolet.
Ed Carpenter Racing teammates Rinus Veekay and Ed Carpenter were second and third in the no-tow list after topping those rankings on Day 1.
Three-time Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin was 17th on the overall timesheets but eighth in the no-tow results.
Ex-Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean made headlines on the third day for the wrong reasons, as he was involved in several close shaves with the wall throughout the day. He finished 23rd fastest.
You can watch both days of practice on Sunday and Monday morning (AEST) live and ad-free on Stan Sport.
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