Dragon deal delays start of practice

SPEEDWAY, Ind. (WISH) - Although day six of practice for the Indianapolis 500 started off with an hour delay, the track has not lacked action.

Practice was originally slated to start at noon, as the other practice days have, but the Indianapolis Motor Speedway made the decision to let Katherine Legge begin her Rookie Orientation at 11:40 a.m. and have the first hour and twenty minutes to herself.

In that time, Legge successfully completed stage one of the Rookie Orientation. There are three total phases, based on speed. Legge will complete her orientation from 6 to 6:40 p.m.

Legge and her Dragon Racing teammate Sebastien Bourdais were held out of the first five days of practice because their owner, Jay Penske, filed a lawsuit against the car’s engine manufacturer, Lotus. Late Wednesday night, Penske’s lawsuit made headway and the two drivers were made aware that their cars would be able to run today with a new engine , from Chevrolet.

Both Legge and Bourdais started Thursday’s early track action by alternating laps in Legge’s car. Then, at 11:40, Legge took over to officially begin her Rookie Orientation.

When the track opened up to all at 1 p.m., drivers took full advantage of another sunny, warm day.

The track was busy in the first hour and a half, with a familiar name at the top of the speed chart. Josef Newgarden of Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing has had the top speed in three of the first five days of practice. As of about 2:30 p.m. Newgarden had the fastest speed at 222.709 mph.

Charlie Kimball, Scott Dixon, Will Power, Graham Rahal, Bryan Clauson and Dario Franchitti round out the top seven – who have all topped the 220 mph barrier.

WISH-TV Sports Director Anthony Calhoun will have all your Indianapolis 500 coverage from the track. Tune into 24-Hour News 8 at 5 p.m. for a complete update on day six’s practice run.