Photo Credit: IndyCar
DETROIT — Takuma Sato’s year-old track record is likely to fall, weather permitting, this afternoon during knockout qualifications for Race 1 of the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit presented by Quicken Loans on the 2.35-mile, 14-turn street circuit on Belle Isle.
Ten Verizon IndyCar Series drivers were within one second of the 1-minute, 16.1371-second standard laid down by the AJ Foyt Racing driver, led by the 1:16.2931 lap by Tony Kanaan in the No. 10 Taylor Swift Big Machine Records Chip Ganassi Racing Teams Chevrolet.
Teammate Sage Karam, driving the No. 8 Comfort Revolution/Big Machine Records Chevrolet, was second (1:16.4935) and reigning series champion Will Power (1:16.7693) was third. Power won the first race and was runner-up in the second last year.
Simon Pagenaud (1:16.8734) and Team Penske teammate Helio Castroneves (1:16.8969) also were in the top five. Stefano Coletti, who, like Karam, is making his first appearance at Belle Isle, was sixth at 1:16.9902. Teammate Sebastien Bourdais (1:17.1100) was seventh, followed by Scott Dixon (1:17.1429).
Watch streaming video of qualifications (3:40 p.m. ET) on RaceControl.IndyCar.com augmented by real-time Timing & Scoring and the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network broadcasts.
Sato (ninth at 1:17.1464) posted the quickest lap among Honda drivers, who were getting acclimated to balance and downforce changes prompted by the INDYCAR-mandated removal of the outer vertical wall of the front wing assembly end fence, attached flaps and strake. READ MORE
Results of the 75-minute practice session set the qualification groups for both races. The formats: Three rounds of knockout qualifying for Race 1, including the Firestone Fast Six that determines the Verizon P1 Award for the pole position. For Race 2, all cars will participate in one of two groups for 12 minutes each. The Verizon P1 Award will be awarded to the best overall lap time in the qualifying sessions. The remainder of the cars in the same group as the Verizon P1 Award winner will be ranked in the odd-numbered race starting positions based on fastest lap times. Even-numbered starting positions will be determined from the other group based on fastest lap times.
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