Briscoe Qualifies 27th on Dramatic Indy 500 Bump Day
May 22, 2011
Photo courtesy of Steve Swope
SPEEDWAY, Ind. (May 22, 2011) – Team Penske's Ryan Briscoe made it into the field for the 100th anniversary Indianapolis 500 during Sunday's Bump Day activities, guaranteeing that all three of the team's cars will compete in the historic race next weekend.
One day after a practice accident set his team on the back foot, Briscoe recorded a four-lap average of 224.639 mph in the No. 6T IZOD Team Penske Dallara/Honda, as he earned the 27th starting position for the May 29 race.
"It was interesting to experience the excitement of Bump Day from where I was sitting this morning," said Briscoe. "I saw Tony Kanaan going through this last year, thinking how awful it must have been. Then here I am in his shoes. It felt great to put together four solid laps during our qualifying session this morning and put together an average that stood up all day."
Briscoe struggled with his backup car on Saturday after his primary car crashed during a morning practice session. Shaking off the effects of the accident, Briscoe was unable to post a fast enough qualifying effort Saturday as the top 24 were determined, so he was forced to come back for Sunday's Bump Day session.
"I have thank the No. 6 IZOD Team Penske crew again for getting this car ready as quickly as they did, and continuing to work on it until we put it in the race," added Briscoe. "Now we'll turn our attention to getting the best possible result in the Indianapolis 500 next weekend."
The other two Team Penske drivers, Will Power and Helio Castroneves, qualified on Saturday. Power will start fifth in the race, while Castroneves will line up 16th next weekend as he attempts to tie the record with four Indianapolis 500 wins.
Briscoe, Power and Castroneves will spend the next couple of days promoting the race in various markets before returning to Indianapolis. Team Penske will next see action at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Carburetion Day, Friday, May 27, with final practice. The 100th anniversary Indianapolis 500 will be televised live on ABC beginning at 12 pm ET on Sunday, May 29.
One day after a practice accident set his team on the back foot, Briscoe recorded a four-lap average of 224.639 mph in the No. 6T IZOD Team Penske Dallara/Honda, as he earned the 27th starting position for the May 29 race.
"It was interesting to experience the excitement of Bump Day from where I was sitting this morning," said Briscoe. "I saw Tony Kanaan going through this last year, thinking how awful it must have been. Then here I am in his shoes. It felt great to put together four solid laps during our qualifying session this morning and put together an average that stood up all day."
Briscoe struggled with his backup car on Saturday after his primary car crashed during a morning practice session. Shaking off the effects of the accident, Briscoe was unable to post a fast enough qualifying effort Saturday as the top 24 were determined, so he was forced to come back for Sunday's Bump Day session.
"I have thank the No. 6 IZOD Team Penske crew again for getting this car ready as quickly as they did, and continuing to work on it until we put it in the race," added Briscoe. "Now we'll turn our attention to getting the best possible result in the Indianapolis 500 next weekend."
The other two Team Penske drivers, Will Power and Helio Castroneves, qualified on Saturday. Power will start fifth in the race, while Castroneves will line up 16th next weekend as he attempts to tie the record with four Indianapolis 500 wins.
Briscoe, Power and Castroneves will spend the next couple of days promoting the race in various markets before returning to Indianapolis. Team Penske will next see action at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Carburetion Day, Friday, May 27, with final practice. The 100th anniversary Indianapolis 500 will be televised live on ABC beginning at 12 pm ET on Sunday, May 29.