Marco Andretti’s 225 mph lap fastest in first full day of practice at Indy 500

May 11th, 2009 Indy driver Conway out of hospital day after crashINDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis 500 rookie Mike Conway has been released from the hospital a day after sustaining a mild concussion when he crashed during practice for the May 24 race. An Indy Racing League spokesman says the 25-year-old driver from England also bruised his lungs when he spun in the second turn at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and slammed hard into the wall Sunday.

May 11th, 2009 Indy 500 rookie Matos leads second-day qualifyingINDIANAPOLIS — Brazilian Raphael Matos is the fastest driver in second-day qualifying for the Indianapolis 500. The Indy rookie from Brazil posted a four-lap average of 223.429 mph on the historic 2.5-mile Brickyard oval and will start 12th in the May 24 race.

May 10th, 2009 Indy 500 rookies crash in practiceINDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis 500 rookies Mike Conway and Alex Tagliani have crashed in separate accidents. Sunday's practice had barely started when Conway appeared to go too low in the second turn and spun, slamming hard into the wall.

May 10th, 2009 Veteran Andretti crashes at Indy 500 practiceINDIANAPOLIS — Veteran driver John Andretti has crashed at practice for the Indianapolis 500, the third crash of the day. Andretti, who had qualified at 221.109 mph, was in danger of being bumped out of the lineup.

May 9th, 2009 Doornbos, Sharp crash during Indy 500 practiceINDIANAPOLIS — Former Indianapolis 500 pole winner Scott Sharp has crashed during practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, although he appears to have escaped injury. Sharp came out of the first turn too high, spun around and nearly saved the car before it slid up the track and into the outside wall, smashing the right side.

May 9th, 2009 Castroneves takes provisional pole from teammateINDIANAPOLIS — Helio Castroneves took the provisional pole for the Indianapolis 500 with less than two hours remaining Saturday in the first round of qualifying. The two-time Indy winner voided an earlier qualifying effort that was third on the tentative grid and made the decision pay off with a four-lap average of 224.864 mph that knocked Penske Racing teammate Ryan Briscoe's 224.131 off the top spot for the May 24 race.

May 9th, 2009 Wheldon among 3 drivers to crash in turn 2INDIANAPOLIS — Rookie driver Nelson Philippe became the third driver to crash coming out of turn two during practice for the Indianapolis 500. Philippe's car wiggled as he exited the turn, then slid up the track and hit the wall.

May 9th, 2009 Castroneves take provisional pole from teammateINDIANAPOLIS — Helio Castroneves has taken the provisional pole for the Indianapolis 500. The two-time Indy winner voided an earlier qualifying effort that was third on the tentative grid and made the decision pay off with a four-lap average of 224.864 mph that knocked Penske Racing teammate Ryan Briscoe's 224.131 off the top spot for the May 24 race.

May 9th, 2009 Briscoe, Franchitti 1-2 at IndyINDIANAPOLIS — Ryan Briscoe took the provisional pole position for the Indianapolis 500 in early qualifying on Saturday. The fastest driver in practice this week showed the way on a cool, windy afternoon with a four-lap average of 224.131 mph.

May 9th, 2009 Doornbos crashes during Indy 500 practiceINDIANAPOLIS — Rookie driver Robert Doornbos (DORN'-bohs) has crashed during practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, skidding up the track and into the wall in turn two. Doornbos lost part of his rear wing and his right rear tire rolled down the track before the No.

May 9th, 2009 Penske drivers 1-2 in early qualifying at IndyINDIANAPOLIS — Ryan Briscoe was the early leader Saturday in pole qualifying for the Indianapolis 500. The fastest driver in practice this week showed the way on a cool, windy afternoon with a four-lap average of 224.131 mph.

May 9th, 2009 Rookie Doornbos fastest in early practiceINDIANAPOLIS — Rookie driver Robert Doornbos is the fastest during early practice for the Indianapolis 500. Thursday's practice began about 20 minutes after its scheduled start because of a still-wet track, but by midday Doornbos was at more than 223 mph, just ahead of Penske teammates Ryan Briscoe and two-time Indy winner Helio Castroneves.

May 8th, 2009 Teammates Doornbos, Rahal following Indy game planINDIANAPOLIS — Robert Doornbos is trying to keep it simple. Graham Rahal is trying to keep it fast.

May 6th, 2009 Doornbos fastest rookie at more than 221 mphINDIANAPOLIS — Led by 27-year-old Dutchman Robert Doornbos at a top speed of more than 221 mph, four of six Indianapolis 500 rookies have completed their mandatory driving test and have been cleared to begin full practice for the May 24 race. Doornbos, Raphael Matos, Alex Tagliani and Mike Conway completed 10 consecutive laps in each of four speed brackets during the opening rookie session Tuesday.

April 24th, 2009 Rossi fastest in practice for Japan GPMOTEGI, Japan — Reigning world champion Valentino Rossi of Italy clocked the fastest time Friday in the first free practice for Sunday's MotoGP Grand Prix of Japan. Rossi, who finished second to Australia's Casey Stoner in the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix last week, had 1 minute, 48.545 seconds on a Yamaha on the last practice lap of the day at the 4.8-kilometer (3 mile) Motegi circuit.