Indy 500: Even 'Traffic Jams' are Beautiful at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May- Race Stats

(Photo: Indianapolis 500 Practice - Wednesday, May 17, 2023)

Day two of practice for the world's top race car drivers, on Wednesday, after a washout on Tuesday, was very successful.

Race fans, teams, track officials and drivers were united in excitement to see blue skies and lots of people celebrating the sounds, smells, and sights of very fast race cars on the track. There was even a bit of a traffic jam reported as cars gathered on the front straight for a beauty parade for the fans, who were fortunate enough to be at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first full day of practice for the Indy 500.

Dave Furst, the Vice President of Communications for NTT IndyCar, posted this excellent view of traffic:

Here are the official notes from NTT IndyCar:

Sato, Dixon Reach 229 as Ganassi Flexesin First Indy PracticeINDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, May 17, 2023) – Past winners Takuma Sato and Scott Dixon both topped 229 mph as Chip Ganassi Racing drivers took four of the top seven spots on the speed chart in the first day of practice Wednesday for the 107th Indianapolis 500 presented Bainbridge.Two-time “500” winner Sato led with a top lap of 39.2261 seconds, 229.439 mph in the No. 11Deloitte Honda, turned in the final two hours under sunny skies and air temperatures in the mid-70s. 2008 Indy 500 winner Dixon was second at 229.174 in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip GanassiRacing Honda on a lap turned in the first 10 minutes of the day.

This is Sato’s first “500” outing with the powerful Ganassi team. He won the race in 2017 with Andretti Autosport and in 2020 with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

“The organization is very impressive,” Sato said. “Everything is in the right place and the rightpeople. They use their resources and make the most of it. Preparation is simply impressive.“Today on the track, all four drivers are divided a few different programs. I wasn’t particularly happy with the kind of sensation I was getting in the morning. We’re just working on what’s the best way. In the afternoon, the group run by Ganassi was a great hint for me about what needs to be done. We went for it, and we had a big tow, and that’s why we have a very successful platform right now.

”Santino Ferrucci was third at 228.977 in the No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet fielded by AJ Foyt Racing. 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion and current series points leader AlexPalou was fourth at 228.720 in the No. 10 The American Legion Honda fielded by Chip GanassiRacing.

Scott McLaughlin was fifth at 228.473 in the No. 3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet. Reigning“500” winner Marcus Ericsson rounded out the four-car Chip Ganassi Racing team in seventh at 227.701 in the No. 8 Huski Ice Spritz Honda.RC Enerson completed the three-phase Rookie Orientation Program in the No. 50 AbelMotorsports Chevrolet, as all 34 entries combined to turn 3,455 laps (8,637.5 miles) in the busy,six-hour session after Opening Day was rained out Tuesday.

Practice resumes from noon-6 p.m. ET Thursday. Public gates open at 10 a.m.The 107th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 28 (11 a.m. ET, NBC, Peacock, Universo, INDYCAR Radio Network). PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying is Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 2.

The 107th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 28 (11 a.m. ET, NBC, Peacock, Universo, INDYCAR Radio Network). PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying is Saturday, May20 and Sunday, May 21