Rahal Letterman Racing Team Ethanol driver Ryan Hunter-Reay posted the fastest time in today's first practice session for the SunTrust Indy Challenge. Most impressive about Hunter-Reay's speed is the fact that this is his first visit to Richmond International Raceway. Ryan's speed of 166.664 mph put him just ahead of 2008 Indy 500 winner and Series point leader Scott Dixon (166.463 mph) and 2004 Indy 500 winner Buddy Rice (165.962 mph).
The top seven drivers (Hunter-Reay, Dixon, Rice, EJ Viso, Oriol Servia, Tony Kanaan and Danica Patrick) were all within one tenth of a second of Hunter-Reay's time. 19 cars were within ½ second of the leader.
Enrique Bernoldi spun out early in the session, damaging his Sangari Conquest Racing machine when he hit the outside wall exiting turn 4. Hideki Mutoh sent one of his crew members, Fueler Scott Lynch, to the medical center with a broken toe and foot contusions after Mutoh ran into him entering his pit stall during the practice session.
Silver Crown Practice 1: The K & N USAC Silver Crown Championship cars took to the track this morning for their only practice session before qualifying for Saturday's James River Grounds 100. Topping the speed charts was Ryan Smith (131.637 mph, 20.511 sec.). Next up were last year's winner Brian Tyler (130.992 mph, 20.612 sec.) and Levi Jones (130.871 mph, 20.631 sec.). Jerry Coons Jr., winner of the season's only other race, at Manzanita Speedway, had the sixth fastest speed (130.309 mph, 20.720 sec.). The battle for pole position should be hard fought as 14 of 18 cars were within ½ second of the leader and 17 of 18 cars were within one second of Smith's time.
IndyCar Practice Mishap 1: Enrique Bernoldi spun exiting turn 4 and hit the wall just beyond the end of the SAFER Barrier. Bernoldi's Sangari Conquest Racing machine slid to a halt just past the flag stand at the start/finish line. Bernoldi's Dallara sustained damage to the left rear suspension and the rear wing. The driver exited the machine under his own power.
IndyCar Practice Mishap 2: Hideki Mutoh ran into one of his crew members while entering his pit stall during the first practice session. Scott Lynch, the Fueler for Mutoh's #27 Formula Dream Andretti Green Racing car suffered a broken toe and a foot contusion after Mutoh misjudged the distance to the wall while pulling into his pit. Lynch was released from the infield medical facility after treatment.
The SunTrust Indy Challenge IndyCar Series race is the headlining event of an exciting weekend of open-wheel racing at Richmond International Raceway June 27-28. The weekend starts with NBC12 Day Friday, June 27, featuring IndyCar Series Pole Qualifying and the “Showdown at Sundown” USAC National Sprint Car Series race. Friday’s ticket also includes admission to an autograph session featuring all of the IndyCar Series drivers. On Saturday, June 28, the James River Grounds 100 USAC Silver Crown Series race precedes the SunTrust Indy Challenge.
Tickets for the Saturday, June 28, SunTrust Indy Challenge IndyCar Series race are available by calling 866-455-RACE (7223) or
clicking here. Reserved seats are $35 and general admission seats are $30. Children 12 and under are admitted free in general admission sections with a ticketed adult. Saturday’s ticket also includes a seat for the James River Grounds 100 USAC Silver Crown Series race, which will precede the IndyCar Series event. Friday’s NBC12 Day tickets are general admission for $15; and children 12 and under are free with a paid adult. NBC12 Day ticket includes an autograph session with all IndyCar drivers, Pole Qualifying for the SunTrust Indy Challenge and the USAC National Sprint Car Series race. Weekend-long garage passes are available for adults 18 and older for only $35. Dress code: long pants must be worn; no open-toe shoes; no sleeveless shirts.
