“Refresher” Bourdais sets fastest speed in Indy 500 testing

The AJ Foyt Racing-Chevrolet driver, with the aid of a tow from two cars, lapped the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway 43 times, setting his best time of 40.1022sec, on Lap 33.

His best no-tow speed was only eighth in the 11-car Rookies & Refreshers session, but that was largely a result of there being not enough clear track, as the 80min session was interrupted by a yellow flag, hurrying everyone onto the track at golden hour.

Sage Karam was an encouraging second fastest in the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing-Chevy, while third fastest was three-time Indy winner and four-time polesitter Helio Castroneves in the Meyer Shank Racing-Honda.

James Hinchcliffe, back with Andretti Autosport-Honda fulltime in 2021, was fourth, and the 2016 Indy polesitter will have been gratified to clock a 219.788mph lap without the aid of a tow. That put him top of the session for no-tows, and just 0.1mph off teammate Colton Herta’s top no-tow time from this morning.

Simona De Silvestro was never able to find a space to get a no-tow speed but the 2011 Rookie of the Year looked very comfortable as she reacclimated to IndyCars and the Brickyard after a six-year absence, ducking and diving through slower traffic, and setting seventh fastest time.

The Dale Coyne Racing with RWR-Hondas of IMS rookies Pietro Fittipaldi and Cody Ware completed Stage 2 of ROP, with Fittipaldi turning 62 laps, more than anyone else.

Practice resumes at 9am ET tomorrow to help compensate for the time lost to rain today.