Hornish keeps torrid pace at Indy

INDIANAPOLIS – Sam Hornish Jr. just keeps pumping out fast laps at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Every scheduled session since the track opened last week for practice for the May 28 Indianapolis 500 has been shortened or canceled by rain. No matter to two-time IRL IndyCar Series champion Hornish, whose Honda-powered Dallara has shot to the top of the speed chart in every session but one.

Thursday was no exception, with Hornish beating back a challenge for the day’s fastest lap from Helio Castroneves with a speed of 224.941 mph.

“We wanted the chance to run in traffic this afternoon, which we were able to do, and I’m happy with the way the car is handling in the pack,” Hornish said.

“Tomorrow, we’ll work some more on race setup and we’ll spend the last part of the day preparing for qualifying on Saturday.”

Two-time Indy winner Castroneves was close behind at 224.437, followed by defending champion Dan Wheldon, the only driver to beat Hornish this month.

Wheldon, driving for Target Chip Ganassi Racing, posted the fastest lap so far (228.663) during a brief practice session Sunday, with Hornish right behind at 228.220.

Scott Dixon, Wheldon’s teammate, was fourth fastest at 222.461, followed by Scott Sharp at 222.425.

Danica Patrick, the only woman entered in the race for the second straight year, was 11th fastest at 220.900.