05-16-05

KANAAN, HORNISH, SHARP AND PATRICK TOP FOUR FOR INDY 500

Indianapolis, Indiana — Former karters did extremely well on Sunday, with 2004 IRL IndyCar® Series champion Tony Kanaan, who went out early in qualifying, and posted the best time and then waited. And waited. His patience was finally rewarded.

Kanaan, third in the qualifying line, won the MBNA Pole Award for the 89th Indianapolis 500 after recording a four-lap average of 227.566 mph (2 minutes, 38.1961 seconds) on a cool and breezy day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Another karter Sam Hornish Jr., who had the 10th-best speed through the initial round of
qualifiers, withdrew the car per the qualifying rules and made a second run at 4:30 p.m. (EDT). Hornish improved to second after a four-lap average of 227.273 mph. That bumped Scott Sharp, who kicked off qualifying with a four-lap average of 227.126 mph, to third.

“We made a couple adjustments to pick up more downforce so we’d have more grip around the track," said Kanaan, who posted qualifying laps of 227.821 mph, 227.771, 227.459 and 227.212. "I’m pleased with my run. I think I pushed too hard too soon, but I’m pleased with the run."

The front row for the May 29 classic is comprised of IndyCar Series champions (Kanaan, 2004; Hornish, 2001 and '02; and Sharp, 1996 co-champion). It is Kanaan's sixth career pole, and his first for the 500-Mile Race.

IndyCar Series rookie sensation Danica Patrick also had consistent lap speeds -- on her final three (227.638, 227.623 and 227.860). But the first lap of 224.940 mph (she had to lift when the car developed a wiggle coming out of Turn 1) prevented her from challenging for the pole. She will start on the inside of Row 2. "We just missed it a little bit," Patrick said. Patrick, is the highest-placed woman in “500” history.

Results:
Qualifying Sunday for the 89th Indianapolis 500 IRL IndyCar Series event on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with starting position, car number in parentheses, driver, chassis-engine and four-lap average speed. Top 22 positions filled today; final 11 positions to be filled May 21-22:

1. (11) Tony Kanaan, Dallara-Honda, 227.566
2. (6) Sam Hornish Jr., Dallara-Toyota, 227.273
3. (8) Scott Sharp, Panoz-Honda, 227.126
4. (16) Danica Patrick, Panoz-Honda, 227.004
5. (3) Helio Castroneves, Dallara-Toyota, 226.927
6. (27) Dario Franchitti, Dallara-Honda, 226.873
7. (17) Vitor Meira, Panoz-Honda, 226.848
8. (55) Kosuke Matsuura, Panoz-Honda, 226.397
9. (95) Buddy Lazier, Dallara-Chevrolet, 226.353
10. (2) Tomas Enge, Dallara-Chevrolet, 226.107
11. (4) Tomas Scheckter, Dallara-Chevrolet, 226.031
12. (36) Bruno Junqueira, Panoz-Honda, 225.704
13. (9T) Scott Dixon, Panoz-Toyota, 225.215
14. (5) Adrian Fernandez, Panoz-Honda, 225.120
15. (37) Sebastien Bourdais, Panoz-Honda, 224.955
16. (26) Dan Wheldon, Dallara-Honda, 224.308
17. (24) Roger Yasukawa, Dallara-Honda, 224.131
18. (7) Bryan Herta, Dallara-Honda, 223.972
19. (10) Darren Manning, Panoz-Toyota, 223.943
20. (70) Richie Hearn, Panoz-Chevrolet, 222.707
21. (44) Jeff Bucknum, Dallara-Honda, 221.521
22. (51) Alex Barron, Dallara-Toyota, 221.053

The Indianapolis 500 will take place on May 29.


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