Overheard Friday at Indy

Tony Kanaan has speed and Chevy power

It is a hot, sticky day here at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The AR1 Central Indiana Weather Bureau has temperatures currently at 88 degrees (it feels hotter). And word is Temperatures could reach a record-high for race day.

Having just finished a stroll through the paddock, I think it’s pretty to safe to say the two biggest topics on everyone’s mind this morning are: James Hinchcliffe failing to qualify and what kind of race will we see Sunday?

As for Hinchcliffe, a lot has been written and said this week. Roger Penske, would one noted that regular drivers should be guaranteed spots in the field, due to sponsor considerations. Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Hulman also noted this past weekend that the series would consider changes going forward.

Dale Coyne, who saw one of his drivers – Pippa Mann – also fail to qualify had a bit of a different take. “I think it should be the fast 33," said a very succinct Coyne. “You don’t play golf in the U.S. Open unless you qualify. You can be the number one in the world and not make the cut. You have to prove yourself every time you go out there.

"I mean the Yankees have been around a long time but they’re not guaranteed to make the playoffs every year."
“Yea, it’s tough, Coyne continued, “but it’s part of the game."

As for Sunday’s race, let’s start with this: we didn't a lot of confident drivers in the paddock following Carb Day practice. No one knows exactly how their car is going to behave over 30-plus lap runs with 33 other cars on track. What they do know is that with record hot temperatures expected and more of the air being pushed under the car there aren’t a lot of air molecules keeping the cars on the ground.

We asked the engineer of one team that qualified when he would be getting to the track tomorrow. Noting that they would be running the maximum downforce setup, he said he was hoping to not be in. In other words, the plan for a lot of the teams is to run all the downforce they can and hope their driver can hold onto the car Sunday.

Another engineer used the term “follow the leader," when asked what the racing would be like.

As for the drivers one of them whose engineer also confirmed to us they would be running a max downforce setup noted, “I’m expecting a lot of accidents and yellow flags."

The general theme of being difficult to pass was reiterated by many. Matheus Leist noted, “I think this is going to be a long and tough race. It is a pretty tough car to race in traffic. It is difficult to pass. Most of the drivers have some understeer in their car. It is very difficult to get close to the guys in front of you and try to make a run. I don't think we will have as many passes as last year."

James Davison liked his car following the final practice, as you can see here. Jack Harvey was also optimistic., “We are starting 31st. Not awesome. But I think our car is going to be more moving forward than staying stationary. We are very optimistic with what our car will do in the race. I thought we were one of the cars making some passes. I think our car runs pretty well in traffic." But again, Davison and Harvey are in the minority.

As for who has the best race car?

Well, we won’t know until Sunday. However, one veteran of more than 10 Indy 500 starts told us with a hint of dismay “The 14 has figured something out." Yes, there is a sense that the speed Tony Kanaan showed in Carb Day practice is for real.

A few more quick notes:

We hear that IndyCar was approached about expanding the field for this year’s race in light of Hinchcliffe missing but “stuck to their guns."

Speaking of Hinchcliffe, we were told that it was a seller’s market this year in the case someone didn’t qualify. We were told the cost of someone buying their way into this year’s field would have been get this: $2 million.

We’re hearing that while Harding Racing is set for this season, their future beyond that is in question due to surprise, surprise, funding issues. Right now the team is being funded by Indiana businessman Mike Harding, but we know these thing usually don't last unless sponsorship comes along.

Brian Carroccio and Lucille Dust reporting from Indianapolis Motor Speedway