New Zealand’s Scott Dixon led Thursday’s practice session for Saturday’s Indianapolis 500 pole qualifying, turning the second-best lap of the week at the famed four-kilometre oval circuit.
Australian Will Power, the IndyCar season points leader in quest of his first Indy season title and Indy 500 victory, was fourth at 221.932mp/h (357km/h).
Honda-powered Dixon, the 2008 Indy 500 winner, made a lap in 40.3428 seconds at an average speed of 223.088mph (358.95km/h).
The only faster practice lap came on Tuesday when American Marco Andretti made the trip around in 40.2367 seconds.
“You can run closer with this car than with the old car,” Power said. “It punches a massive hole in the air, so the tow effect is huge. You could be leading doing 217mph and the guy behind you could be 5mph quicker.”
The speed chart showdown intensifies this weekend with Saturday’s battle for pole position in the May 27 race. On Sunday, the remaining cars will fill the 33-car field with slower cars bumped from the lineup once the limit is reached.
Only 33 of 37 entered cars have passed technical inspection approval so far to take to the track.
US rookie Josef Newgarden, who spun on Wednesday after setting that day’s fastest lap, was also among Thursday’s quickest with a lap at 222.709 mp/h (358km/h) with countryman Graham Rahal achieving his best speed of the week at 222.080 mph.
Frenchman Sebastien Bourdais and England’s Katherine Legge received good news when race officials approved an engine switch for the Dragon Racing team, changing from Lotus power to a Chevrolet motor in hopes of finding more speed.