When the two days of IPS testing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway ended on Saturday, April 28, Alex Lloyd had sent the message to the field that he expects to lead them at the Freedom 100 this year – qualifying and the race. But he still will have his challengers who have other thoughts. If Lloyd pulls it off he will, of course, be the first driver to ever win both an oval and road course race at the IMS. And, the first Pro driver to win twice at the IMS.
Friday’s testing was shortened by rain, but most of the total 24 cars that made an appearance over the two days turned in times. Wade Cunningham was in the spot light again. He was fastest and the only driver to turn in a lap at over 190 mph [190.513]. Chris Festa, with his two years of experience in the Freedom 100, threw his hat in the ring with a second fastest 189.213 mph. Hideki Mutoh was 3rd fastest and Lloyd 4th.
An extra day and Saturday’s better weather was all that Alex needed, however, to grab fastest speed of all. His 190.645 showed Wade and everyone else how good they will have to be to get ahead of him at the Freedom 100. Cunningham was the only other driver to clock a 190 on Saturday [190.157].
Of note though, Mutoh showed his consistency by turning in a 189+ speed for 3rd fastest on Saturday. Sam Schmidt Motorsports showed that there is no question about how good their cars are set up for the IMS when Logan Gomez ran 4th fastest with a 189+.
Mutoh, Gomez and Festa were the only three cars to make it into the 189’s during the two days.
As for the other favored challengers we talked about last time, Jaime Camara turned in consistent times, 8th and 7th fastest, for the two days. Andretti Green will for sure try to get his car juiced up a bit more for qualification. Like Alex, Jaime and Wade are both looking for their second victory at the IMS.
Bobby Wilson managed to crash his car into a SAFER Barrier on Friday and did not test on Saturday. As for last year’s Series Champion, Jay Howard, who was not at the testing, the word is that he is focusing his time now looking for an Indy car ride for the 500 and for the rest of the IndyCar season.
A name from the Pro Series past did show up, Al Unser III, or “Just Al”. Although he did not turn in good times on either day, he does have the memory of his 4th place finish in the 2005 Freedom 100. If he has a good enough car he will certainly make a run for it. With the name Unser he has something to prove.
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