Bump Day for the 2010 Indianapolis 500
With the front rows set for the Indianapolis 500, the crazy qualifying continued today. The final nine spots were chosen in the traditional “bump day”. As it turns out, a crazy system led to crazy decisions.
For starters, Jaques Lazier has replaced A.J. Foyt IV as driver of the No. 41 ABC Supply Co./A.J. Foyt Racing entry after practice this morning. Foyt turned a fast lap of 221.823 this morning. According to A.J. Foyt Racing, “Jaques Lazier will replace A.J. Foyt IV in the No. 41 ABC Supply car and is being fitted in the car. Foyt was uncomfortable in the car, and it was decided to let Lazier try to qualify the car. If Lazier makes the race, he will race the car.” In the end, Lazier did not qualify.
Paul Tracy, in the No. 15 Geico car, was on the bubble, when it was decided to withdraw the speed and try again. He ended up on pit road when time ran out. Tracy will not race in the Indy 500.
Another driver on the bubble, Jay Howard, driving for Sarah Fisher Racing, withdrew his time to try again. Howard ended up with a slower time and did not make the race. Team owner, Fisher spoke about decision to withdraw Howard’s run and retry afterwards, “It’s going to be pretty detrimental for the rest of the year. I think it was the best decision we had to make with everything Paul (Tracy) was doing. It’s detrimental to our sponsors and our budget. I don’t know what we’re going to do now. We’re going to have to come up with a plan for the season.”
3-time Indianapolis 500 driver Milka Duno also did not make the race due to slow qualifying times.
The sad thing for the teams that did not make it was the nearly 4 hours of practice time the teams did not use. When no cars were on the grid to try and qualify, IZOD IndyCar Officials released the track to anyone who wanted to practice. Unfortunately, many teams did not use that time because of weather conditions (sunny). Drivers in qualifying line when qualifying ended (in order): #15 Tracy, #41 Lazier, #36 Baguette, #18 Duno, #23 Scheckter, #66 Howard.
It seems silly to know when qualifying ends, yet the teams do not try to go out early enough to make an attempt.
One team who did things right was the Andretti Autosport car of Tony Kanaan. After having one of the fastest cars all month in practice, Kanaan crashed on pole qualifying day. In practice on Bump Day, Kanaan crashed again. Scavaging parts from teammates, Kanaan’s team got him back on the track for more practice and a successful qualifying run. Kanaan will be in the Indianapolis 500, though toward the back of the field for the first time.
