News & Observer | newsobserver.com | Rain scrambles Indy setup

Published: May 13, 2008 12:30 AM
Modified: May 13, 2008 04:56 AM

Rain scrambles Indy setup

Teams must cram in testing sessions

 

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INDIANAPOLIS - Ladies and gentlemen, start your scrambling.

The rain that washed out 3 1/2 days of practice and one day of qualifications for this year's Indianapolis 500 is now forcing teams to adjust schedules, spend more time deciphering computer analyses and, of course, look for more speed.

Those cramming sessions could continue all week.

With a forecast calling for more rain Wednesday and a chance of rain later in the week, teams will have to figure out the best way to prepare for the second weekend of qualifications as well as race day.

"It's a little tough," said Oriol Servia, the Spanish rookie at this race. "We had rain all week, so we couldn't test as many things as we wanted. We're going to have to go qualifying next weekend, which means that this next week, instead of focusing 100 percent on race setup, we're going to have to think of qualifying setup."

Drivers and teams weren't the only ones disappointed with the latest cancellation Sunday.

It may also complicate the efforts of drivers like Roberto Moreno and Jimmy Kite, who are currently unemployed, to find a ride for the May 25 race. Many teams that might be tempted to fill extra cars are unlikely to do that until the regular drivers are assured of starting spots.

The weather only permitted 11 drivers to qualify for the 33-car field Saturday. Track officials hope to fill the remaining 22 spots this Saturday, leaving Sunday as the traditional Bump Day when nonqualified drivers can attempt to make the race by knocking the slowest qualifiers out of the field.

There is only one day of practice scheduled for race week, and that is a brief session on May 23, making this week's three full practice sessions -- Wednesday, Thursday and Friday -- likely to be extremely busy. Presuming, of course, it is dry.

SIMMONS GETS FOYT RIDE: Veteran Jeff Simmons was hired Monday to drive the second A.J. Foyt Racing entry in the Indianapolis 500.

The No. 41 Dallara was originally assigned to Foyt's son, Larry Foyt, who instead will focus on his job as team director.

The 31-year-old Simmons, whose best finish in three previous starts at Indianapolis was 11th last year, will drive the car for the first time Wednesday when practice resumes. His teammate is veteran Darren Manning.

Simmons' best career finish was sixth last year at Texas Motor Speedway for Rahal Letterman Racing, his team for the previous two years.

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