Qualifying at Indy rained out

Indianapolis 500 officials can’t make the rain go away, and they can’t qualify cars until it does.

After pole day was washed out Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, chief steward Brian Barnhart said there are too many variables to predict when qualifying will begin if rain falls again today.

Barnhart’s preference is to get two-thirds of the field settled before second-week practice begins Wednesday, but he understands that might not be possible.

There is television programming, local race fans and the event work force to consider. The track is scheduled to be closed Monday and Tuesday.

“There are a lot of factors to consider,” Barnhart said.

IMS president Joie Chitwood isn’t in favor of Monday qualifying, but he said it isn’t worth considering until today’s situation is settled.

“(Monday) is definitely not something that is good for anybody,” he said. “Let’s just hope we get a big (no-rain) window (today).”

Today’s practice is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m., although Barnhart said the air and track temperatures must be at least 50 degrees.

The first 22 starting positions will be up for grabs.

It has been 23 years since the 500’s opening qualifying weekend was rained out. Saturday’s session was lost for the second consecutive year and third time in four years. It has been bothered by rain five straight years.

Low temperatures continue to dog pole day. The event hasn’t seen a 70-degree day since 1999.

Champ Car

Sebastien Bourdais won again in the Champ Car World Series, holding off Paul Tracy by 1.238 seconds in the Grand Prix of Houston.

Bourdais overcame a No. 5 starting position and a slow early pit stop to win for the seventh time in nine starts and the second time this year. The 27-year-old Bourdais took another step toward becoming the first driver since Ted Horn in the 1940s to win three consecutive Champ Car titles.

Formula One

World champion Fernando Alonso gained his second consecutive pole position, leading a Renault 1-2 qualifying finish for the Formula One Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, Spain.

Jarrett will drive Toyota

Dale Jarrett became Toyota’s first big-name driver, agreeing to drive a Camry next season when the Japanese automaker makes its NASCAR debut.