New Zealand driver Scott Dixon needed but just a few laps to turn in a scorching performance on the first day of Indy 500 practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Chicago this morning (NZtime).
Dixon, who won the race in 2008, turned in only 10 laps in his Chip
Gannasi team car but notched still a fast lap of 226.237 mph (365kph).
Dixon was among three drivers who went 226, including teammate and 2007 winner Dario Franchitti of Scotland and three-time winner Helio Castroneves of Brazil, who had the day's fastest lap at 226.603 for Team Penske.
Dixon anticipates speeds to continue to rise dramatically this week in anticipation of Pole Day with a new format on May 22.
"Qualifying will be a lot quicker than what we're used to," said Dixon, the 2008 pole winner.
"It was 224 last year and this time I think it will be somewhere between 228 to 230."
Franchitti and Dixon, at one time Saturday, were 1-2 on the speed chart until Castroneves' fast lap.
"It's good to see the speeds back up and see the Target cars fast out of the box," Dixon said.
"The difficult thing for us is to maintain qualifying set-ups and race set-ups at the same time for the first week."
Dixon's crew planned on changing engines Saturday night and bringing out the team's primary cars for practice Sunday.
Dixon and Franchitti were among 27 drivers on the track during a rain-interrupted stint for veteran drivers.
This year's Indy 500 will be run on May 30.
- NZPA
