Wheldon in the Top 10 on Fast Friday

Topics:  Dan Wheldon, Indianapolis 500

Andrew Herta
Bryan Herta Autosport
May 20, 2011

Dan Wheldon continued his promising pace in the #98 William Rast/aigo/Curb/Big Machine/Forsythe Solutions entry for BHA/Curb-Agajanian today, bettering his 225.716 mph mark from Thursday with a fastest lap of 227.463 mph as the team readied for Pole Day.

Wheldon took to the track at 1:00 pm for his first run of the day under partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the upper 70s. He completed 20 laps with a best speed of 227.407 mph. The team returned to the track at 4:40 pm with similar weather conditions and varying winds. Wheldon completed an additional 11 laps to end the day 10th overall.

Qualification Draw: 4

Fastest Speeds of the Day:
1. Helio Castroneves 228.611 mph
2. Alex Tagliani 228.327 mph
3. Scott Dixon 228.181 mph
10. Dan Wheldon 227.463 mph

Dan Wheldon, #98 William Rast/aigo/Curb/Big Machine Forsythe Solutions Dallara/Honda/Firestone:
“Today the car was pretty good. We actually focused solely on the qualifying trim and it seemed very well balanced. We continued to work hard throughout the day and again the boys have done an incredible job giving me a car that I feel comfortable in and is obviously very quick, which is the most important thing leading into qualifying. For our race situation, I feel we are in a good spot as well. I would like to work more on that on Sunday but we feel certain that the William Rast car can contend for the top nine tomorrow. From that point on, you never know. I am very, very pleased with everyone at Bryan Herta Autosport and am expecting a good day tomorrow.”

Steve Newey, Team Co-Owner:
“We had a great day today and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Dan was awesome. From the engineering side and the crew side, everyone did a great job and we are looking forward to qualifying tomorrow. We are hoping to get into the fast nine and take a shot at the pole.”