Speed demons took center stage at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday, as the second day of practice for the Indianapolis 500 turned into a thrilling preview of what race day might look like. Drivers ran in packs, forming long, snaking lines through the two long straightaways, and managed to steer clear of major trouble during the frantic final 75 minutes on the 2.5-mile oval.
Cool, overcast conditions created the perfect recipe for speed, and Conor Daly and Alex Palou made the most of it. Daly posted the fastest lap of the day at 228.080 mph, with Palou just a hair behind at 228.026, making them the first drivers to break the 228 mph barrier this month. Palou also notched the fastest trap speed of the day at 237.220 mph, showing he's ready to defend his title as the reigning 500 champion and four-time series winner.
“We have, we think, found some speed in other areas,” said Jack Harvey, Daly's teammate at Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. “So, generally, they're just all excited to try and I think we were good the last month of May, but I think we can be a lot better this year.” Harvey has been fast all month, though he finished 14th on Wednesday with a lap of 225.100 mph.
Daly, the stepson of speedway president Doug Boles, is making the most of what could be his first and only IndyCar start of the season. After being one of five drivers to top 225 mph on Tuesday, he backed it up with an even stronger showing Wednesday, proving he's a contender to watch come race day.
David Malukas led the charge for Team Penske, finishing third at 227.139 mph, while Graham Rahal and France's Romain Grosjean rounded out the top five. The action wasn't all smooth sailing, though—crew members for three previous race winners, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Helio Castroneves, and Alexander Rossi, were busy troubleshooting issues. Hunter-Reay dealt with a radio problem at Arrow McLaren, Castroneves faced balance troubles at Meyer Shank Racing, and Rossi's Ed Carpenter Racing crew worked on the engine.
With drivers set to return to the track Thursday, the momentum is building for what promises to be an unforgettable Indianapolis 500. Whether you're a fan of speed or style, this year's race is shaping up to be a classic.