Power has speed for Indy 500

AUSTRALIA’S Will Power was fourth fastest on the speed chart during practice for the Indianapolis 500 yesterday.

The Queensland driver clocked a best lap of 361km/h in his No.12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Power will start the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 from sixth position on the 33-car starting grid, on the outside of row two.

“The car was good,” said Power. “The track was green at the beginning but it felt good at the end. I think well be in good shape for the race.”

Although Power finished the day near the top of the leaderboard, he said it is hard to predict what it will be like for tomorrow’s race. “It’s hard to say,” he said. “Everyone was getting big tows and all that. I have to get a feel of the non-tow laps to see exactly where the pace is.”

Power hasn’t dwelt much on the milestone race.

“It’s something I really haven’t thought about (the enormity of the 100th race), but the amount of people and the buzz around it is great for IndyCar,” he said.

“I think it will benefit the series a lot.”

Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver James Hinchcliffe will lead the field from pole position.