Ed Carpenter overcomes tough conditions to top speed chart on 1st day of Indy 500 practice

5/11/2013
ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • IndyCar-Indy-500-Auto-Racing-2

    Josef Newgarden prepares to drive as he waits for the track to open on the opening day of practice for the IndyCar Indianapolis 500 auto race on opening day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

  • INDIANAPOLIS — Ed Carpenter jumped to the top of the speed chart late today and finished with the fastest lap of the day during the Indianapolis 500’s first practice session.

    Carpenter, the stepson of former Indianapolis Motor Speedway CEO Tony George, finished the 2.5-mile oval going 220.970 mph. Another American, Josef Newgarden, was second-fastest at 220.920 while rookie Carlos Munoz of Colombia was third at 220.720.

    Five drivers topped the 220 mark in tough conditions. It was unseasonably chilly, breezy and mostly overcast, slowing speeds that could reach 230 mph when qualifying begins next weekend.

    Practice is scheduled to resume Sunday.

    Three newcomers, including Munoz, passed their rookie tests.