Alonso up to speed as Indy 500 rookie

INDIANAPOLIS— Two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso passed his rookie orientation test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday, allowing him to try to qualify for the Indy 500 starting May 15. He got Michael Andretti’s No. 29 car up to 222.548 m.p.h. and avoided crashing when two birds flew into his car on another lap. Dozens of reporters covered his solo test, and race organizers expect the crowd for the May 28 race to be the second-largest in 20 years.