It’s qualifying day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as drivers take to the track for Pole Day of the 2011 Indy 500. Follow this StoryStream for news and results throughout the day.
2011 Indy 500: Scott Dixon Irked Over Missed Pole Position Opportunity
Scott Dixon’s No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car was short on fuel for his qualifying run Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That opened the door for Alex Tagliani to claim the top spot and the pole for Sunday’s centennial anniversary Indianapolis 500.
Dixon ran out of fuel in the final turn of his four-lap qualifying run and finished with a 227.340 mph average. Tagliani won the pole with a 227.472 mph average. Dixon was miffed by the mistake, not just because it cost him the top spot but because he understands how rare it is to get:
Read Article >Indy 500 Lineup Preview: Qualifying Weekend’s Winners And Losers
With Indy 500 qualifying in the books and the full Indianapolis Motor Speedway field on display, it’s time to evaluate which racers and teams came out ahead, and who’s staring up at longer odds than they were before the weekend.
Pop Off Valve, SB Nation’s IndyCar community, thinks Alex Lloyd, Paul Tracy and Simona de Silvestro acquitted themselves well, along with pole-holder Alex Tagliani of course. On the other side of the ledger, Dragon Racing, Andretti Autosport, Team Penske and Target Chip Ganassi Racing produced the week’s biggest disappointments.
Read Article >Indy 500 Qualifying Results: Marco Andretti Qualifies, Bumps Teammate Ryan Hunter-Reay
Bump Day at the 2011 Indianapolis 500 was bittersweet for Marco Andretti and the Andretti Autosport team.
With 75 minutes left, Danica Patrick qualified for the field with a four-lap average of 224.861 mph. That left teammates Marco Andretti, who qualified earlier at 223.688, on the bubble while Ryan Hunter-Reay (223.690) sat 32nd.
Read Article >Indy 500 Qualifying Results: Full Field After Bump Day Includes Danica Patrick
Bump Day at the 2011 Indianapolis 500 saw Danica Patrick join the field, but she wasn’t the only story of the race’s final qualifying round. Michael Andretti’s Ryan Hunter-Reay and Michael Conway were knocked out on Sunday, but Marco Andretti was able to make his way into the field of the 100th Indy 500.
The tense day of qualifying concluded with 33 racers scheduled to participate in next week’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Indy 500’s full field after Bump Day qualifying, via Racer.com:
Read Article >Indy 500 Qualifying: Danica Patrick Will Be In Field At The Brickyard
Entering Sunday’s “Bump Day” of Indy 500 qualifying, the biggest question involved the IndyCar Series’ most polarizing driver: would Danica Patrick qualify for the 2011 Indianapolis 500?
It turns out that the answer is yes, if barely. Patrick snuck into the back of the field with a late run, and will be a part of the series’ highest-profile race.
Read Article >Indy 500 Qualifying Results: Lineup And Starting Grid After Pole Day
Pole day is in the books at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and it was a historic day. For the first time in the 100 years of the Indianapolis 500, a Canadian will sit on the pole. Alex Tagliani has the honors after a terrific Saturday that saw him earn the No. 1 spot in the morning, then race to take it back in the afternoon as the fastest nine made second runs. With an average speed of 227.472 miles per hour, Tagliani topped the field and earn the pole for next weekend’s race.
Rain threatened earlier and the track was dampened in turns one and two, but the field was able to squeeze qualifying in. Even the fast nine runs were able to give it ago after many thought the weather would wash it out, forcing the top-nine to sit on their morning times. As it stood, drivers were given a chance to improve, setting up an afternoon shootout at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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