Former Formula One driver Takuma Sato led the first day of official Indy 500 training, setting a lap of 228.939 mph (368.441 kilometers per hour), while Will Power and Scott McLaughlin were buried in the pack.
In the final five minutes of the day, using a tow, the two-time Indy 500 Sato winner is 1 mph faster than the rest of the field.
Last year, New Zealander Scott Dixon was second in speed on his Chip Ganassi Racing car at a speed of 227.767 mph (366.557 kilometers per hour)
“We had a big tug,” Sato said. “In happy hours, if you have new tires, I think you can do it. I am very happy today.
“Honestly, this morning was not as smooth as we wanted.
We had to go back to the garage and check a lot of things because there was something we weren’t very happy with. But in the end, in the afternoon we quickly turned on good speed.
“I’m very happy with car 51. Dale Coyne Racing did a good job.”
Aussie Power is leading the IndyCar series in the Indy 500, it finished Day 1 18th in the accounting table 225.432 km / h (362.797 km / h).
Power finished the day two places ahead of his Team Penske teammate, Kiwi Scott McLaughlin, who was slower at 0.102 mph on the fastest lap.
There, teammate Joseph Newgarden was in the top 10, ninth.
Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmy Johnson hit the ovals again, finishing the day third in speed.
Last year he decided not to race in the ovals, but this year he finished very well sixth in his first race in Texas.
He completed the lap with an average speed of 227.722 mph (366.483 km / h) at # 48 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, the fastest of the seven newcomers.
“We have a really good race car,” Johnson said. “It’s just an attempt to survive the extremes for me. What is a low pruning setting? What is a high trim setting? What is mechanically tight? What is mechanically free? Just trying to work out some of these great things.
“All in all, a very good day. I feel that what we finished in this session gives me a lot of confidence in the future. “
Former Formula One driver Marcus Erikins was fourth, ahead of Dutchman Rinus Vick on his Ed Carpenter Racing car and current series winner Alex Pal.
Dixon, Johnson, Erickson and Palu showed that Chip Ganassi Racing look strong earlier in the week.
David Malukasm Sage Karam, Nergarden and Tony Canaan close the top 10.
Championship contenders Pat O’Ward, Coltan Hertha and defensive Indy 500 race winner Helio Castroneves finished the day off the 20th.
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