INDIANAPOLIS, May 9 (UPI) -- NASCAR Winston Cup driver Robby Gordon turned in the fastest time Friday in the final full day of practice before Saturday's Pole Day.
Gordon topped Friday's speed chart with a lap at 231.362 miles per hour in the final hour of practice, known as "Happy Hour." Gordon, who is filling in for the injured Dario Franchitti at Andretti-Green Racing, was driving a Dallara-Honda. Although his speed was the fastest Friday, it ranked fifth for the week.
Rookie teammate Dan Wheldon lapped the track at 232.202 mph on Thursday, followed by Tora Takagi's 232.007, Helio Castroneves' 231.595 and Gil de Ferran's 231.567. All four of those laps came on Thursday.
Much hotter and humid conditions slowed the speeds at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Friday.
Gordon is attempting to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 for the third time in his career. He also drives a Chevrolet Monte Carlo for Richard Childress Racing in NASCAR Winston Cup. But Gordon has proven to be equally adept in an Indy Racing League IndyCar Series car.
"I think we feel just as good as we did in 2001, when we sat on the front row with A.J. Foyt," Gordon said. "I think we were the quickest car that day in Happy Hour going into qualifying. I feel real good about that 231 mile an hour lap. That first 231, maybe you could call it a tow, but the next time I was all by myself with a 231.1, so I feel good about that."
Gordon was able to run four laps in the 231 mile an hour range, which could be a good indication who wins the pole. The qualifying procedures for the Indianapolis 500 are based on the fastest average speed for four laps. The 10-mile runs are unique in the world of motorsports, so not only is speed important, but consistency is an equal ingredient for a driver who hopes to lead the starting field to the green flag for the May 25 Indianapolis 500.
"We came here to win the pole," Gordon said. "You come here to win a couple of elements of the month. You want to sit on the pole, and you want to win the race. Everybody wants to do that. Being quickest in practice is nice. It builds a lot of confidence overnight."
Gordon is convinced he can run four laps flat out on Saturday. He predicts the pole speed will be a four-lap average over 230.5 miles per hour.
"You see how close the IRL has got these cars," Gordon said. "The guy that can be the trimmest for four laps and keep a good average speed is the guy that's going to be on the pole. Hopefully, we can do that. If you see a 232 on Saturday, I'm not going to be on the pole."
Scott Sharp was the second-fastest driver on Friday with a lap at 230.829 miles per hour in a Dallara-Toyota. Scott Dixon was third at 230.714 mph in a G Force-Toyota followed by Wheldon's 230.669 mph in a Dallara-Honda. Helio Castroneves rounded out the top five at 230.552 mph in a Dallara-Toyota.
Gordon is also fortunate to be involved with perhaps the most ambitious team at this year's Indianapolis 500 at Andretti-Green Racing. There are four drivers entered in this year's race from that team, including Michael Andretti, who will compete in his final race as a driver on May 25.
Just to prove its depth, if rain delays the start of the Indy 500 and Gordon has to return to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600, Bryan Herta is standing by as a substitute driver.
"It's a typical Green organization," Gordon said. "Michael came in at the right time. It's not a new team, it's Team Green that is now formatted as Andretti-Green. Michael and his father Mario have been perfectionists their whole lives.
"They know how to win races as good as anybody here so it's an honor to drive for them. I've been fortunate to drive for some of the greats in racing. I've driven for A.J. Foyt, now the Andrettis and my NASCAR team is Richard Childress Racing, which is one of the greats in that sport."
Gordon has come close to winning at Indy before. He was leading the race before running out of fuel at the start of the final lap and finished fourth after having to pit. He is hoping he does not make the same mistake this year.
"I've probably let my best shot slip away already," Gordon said. "I had 1999 won. In 1995, I was ahead of Jacques Villeneuve and behind Scott Goodyear when he jumped the restart. I thought I had a flat tire and had to pit. Every year, we do well at Indianapolis."
