The Indianapolis 500 starting grid is set. While the motorsport world waits to see how Fernando Alonso finishes after qualifying P5, Scott Dixon shows why he’s still a force. After his qualifying accident, Sebastien Bourdais speaks. James Davison subs. That and more stories in brief, on this edition of the Indy 500 notebook.
Alonso blames boost problem for missing out on pole position
The 35-year-old rookie said a overboost problem cost him pole. Cars in the Fast Nine receive an additional boost from the turbo to help reach the 230+ mph speeds on Pole Day. The boost from the turbo gives drivers an additional 4-5 mph advantage on the qualifying runs. Alonso claims that he suffered too much boost on his second flyer which caused his #29 McLaren Honda Andretti car to be compromised on laps three and four as the car reset the ECU. This must be the only time in a Honda that Alonso has complained about having too much power.
Dixon and Dario Franchitti robbed at a Taco Bell
Hours after securing his third Indy 500 pole, Dixon and three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti were robbed at a Taco Bell drive through. The two men and Dixon’s wife were held up by two teenagers at gun point at the fast food restaurant roughly a half-mile from Indianapolis Motor Speedway. According to police, the men and Dixon’s wife were unharmed. The suspects, aged 14 and 15 were caught fleeing on foot and are being charged with felony robbery.
Bourdais releases post-surgery statement and tweets
On Day 1 of qualifying the Frenchman was involved in a single-car accident which saw his #18 car slam into the T2 wall, catch fire and flip over. Rushed to Indiana University Methodist Hospital, Bourdais underwent surgery late-Saturday to repair multiple pelvic and hip fractures. On Monday, Bourdais released a statement through IndyCar representatives thanking everyone for their support and tweeted a hospital photo, post-surgery.
Twitter: I’m not going to go for a run tomorrow, but I’m up!
Thank you all for your support! https://t.co/1u5OtqdbBg (@BourdaisOnTrack)
Davison to start from the back
Bourdais’ replacement, Australian James Davison will start the Indy 500, his third, from last place. It will be Davison’s second time starting from the back for Dale Coyne Racing. The first time was in 2015. Davison was unable to set a lap due to his late arrival. IndyCar rules state drivers may use the first part of Day 2 to qualify if they missed Day 1. Jack Harvey qualified on Day 2, after mechanical problems kept him from running on Day 1 (qualified P27). Davison however missed the cut. In 2015, when Davison started last for the Indy 500, he finished P27 after 116 laps due to mechanical problems.
