Indy 500: Marco Andretti, Mike Conway Only Drivers To Practice On Rain-Shortened Day

Indianapolis Motor Speedway was washed-out again on Tuesday as only two drivers were able to take the track before officials shut down the session. Marco Andretti and Mike Conway were the lucky recipients of bonus practice time, but it didn’t last long. Between the two drivers, 13 laps were completed, none of which came near a blistering pace.

In previous sessions, the fastest laps clocked in at just about 225 miles per hour, with the leaders all clusters in the high 224s and low 225s. On Tuesday, however, Andretti and Conway, using the same car, just barely broke the 220 mile per hour barrier.

Andretti completed five laps in Conway’s car with a fast lap of 220.656 miles per hour. Conway completed eight laps in the same car with a best speed of 219.910 miles per hour.

Of course, this is just practice and it’s taking place on a rain-soaked track in less than ideal conditions. There isn’t much to read into the times as teams are testing, tweaking and tuning ahead of next Sunday’s big race. But with just a few days to go until qualifying weekend begins, teams are running out of time to find the right setups to make the field and secure an advantageous spot on the starting grid.

Drivers will be back out on the track, weather permitting, on Wednesday morning.

For more on the race, stay with our 2011 Indy 500 StoryStream. Be sure to head over to Pop Off Valve for all things IndyCar, including the three excellent Indy 500 resources: The Indy 500 experience, Indy 500 traditions and the history of the Indy 500 and the Brickyard.