Drivers face the unexpected as Indy practice opens
Honda could be getting a bigger boost than expected at this year’s Indianapolis 500.
Less than 24 hours after IndyCar officials announced each car would have additional horsepower for next week’s qualifying, the series’ longtime engine-manufacturer learned Friday that it also could keep a new compressor cover on its single turbocharged engine – a move that should help Honda drivers find more speed in Indy’s long, flat straightaways.
On Friday, a retired Indiana Supreme Court judge upheld a ruling series officials made last month, which allowed Honda to use the cover at Sao Paulo.
Those relying on Honda engines say they hope the changes will put some parity back in the series.
Coming into the May 27 race, the biggest questions were how the new cars would handle at the season’s first oval race and how fast would they go.
Nobody seems to know.
When asked Friday what fans should expect for a pole-winning speed, KV Racing Technology owner Jimmy Vasser projected it to be in the 222 mph to 223 mph range. Justin Wilson, a two-time IndyCar winner who drives for Dale Coyne Racing, projected speeds topping 225 mph thanks mostly to the new rule in place for next Friday’s practice and both qualifying days.
Honda had been the sole engine provider for the IndyCar Series since 2006 but has yet to win a race this season with its single turbocharged engine. Chevy and Lotus, the other two manufacturers all season, use twin turbochargers.
Series officials ruled that Honda needed the part to be more competitive.
Biffle on pole
Sprint Cup points leader Greg Biffle won his second career pole at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, sweeping past the Hendrick Motorsports duo of Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne to start up front for the Southern 500.
Biffle won this race in 2005 and 2006, the first two years that Darlington’s event was moved to Mother’s Day weekend.
Biffle was the next-to-last to hit the track for qualifying with a speed of 180.257 mph and pushed past Johnson and Kahne – who both finished at 179.556 mph.
Logano wins again
Joey Logano wrecked leader Elliott Sadler five laps from the end, then broke free during a green-white-checkered finish at Darlington for his second straight Nationwide Series victory.
Logano was in third place after the fifth caution period tightened up the race at the end. Logano bumped Sadler at the restart, turning the lead car into the wall. Logano then shot past Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin during NASCAR’s version of overtime and held on for his third series victory of the season. Hamlin finished second.