Indianapolis 500 Qualifying Report: Day One

2016-indy-race6“We had the fastest car on Wednesday – which was great, but we had some troubles toward the end of the week so today we’ve just been getting up to speed. Are first run we just didn’t have the balance, but our last run was great! I really have to give credit to the whole 28 DHL Honda team- these guys, when I needed them they were there with the right settings, the car was great. I also really want to thank Honda for really pushing it here. They’re absolutely hanging it all on the edges as we are (the drivers). It’s making for a great show out there. Hopefully tomorrow we come away with the pole!”

Day one of qualifying for the 2016 Indianapolis 500 is in the books after a nail-biting day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Thirty-three drivers awoke to rainy conditions this morning with hopes of making it to tomorrow’s Fast Nine shoot out, but after a revised schedule and several rounds of bumping, the Fast Nine was set – with three of the Andretti five included. Townsend Bell and Carlos Munoz laid their claim inside the top nine early in the day, neither needing to make a second attempt. The road to the top of the pylon wasn’t as uneventful for Ryan Hunter-Reay as his first run placed him 14th. The 2014 Indy Champ’s final attempt came with minutes remaining in the day, and placed him firmly among tomorrow’s pole contenders, while unfortunately bumping teammate Marco Andretti who had made it in after his third attempt. Rookie Alexander Rossi remains May’s fastest rookie and started his day in the top nine, the California-native was bumped to 10th with the closing gun.

As the famed 2.5-mile oval closes, today’s times disappear with the setting sun as the filed of 33 will start fresh tomorrow to claim their starting grid positions. Positions 10 to 33 will be set starting at 2:45 p.m. ET with the Fast Nine taking to the track at 5 p.m. ET to determine the illusive Front Row and the pole sitter for the historic 100th Running.

Tune into ESPN3 at 2 p.m. ET tomorrow and follow us to ABC starting at 4 p.m. ET. Additionally, listen along with the IndyCar Radio Network on Sirius 210, XM 209 and via IndyCar.com.

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