Defending Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves, a Brazilian racer seeking his fourth Indy crown, set the pace in Saturday's opening practice for veteran drivers.
Castroneves completed the fastest lap around the legendary 2.5-mile (4km) Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval at 226.603 mph (362.564 k/hr) on the first day of practice for the May 30 IndyCar race.
Veterans had a two-hour session while Indy newcomers had a later four-hour training period for their first speed-limited orientation session.
Scotland's Dario Franchitti, the 2007 Indy 500 winner, was second-fastest at 226.535 mph (362.456 k/hr) with New Zealand's Scott Dixon, the 2008 Indy 500 champion, third on 226.237 mph (361.979 k/hr).
Dixon gives himself a solid chance at a second title in three years but admits Castroneves is the man to beat for now.
"It's going to be very tough," Dixon said. "Helio had great success last year and obviously is going for his fourth so he?s probably the pick of the bunch at the moment."
Organizers trimmed what had been a three-week schedule of Indy 500 practice, qualifying and racing to just two weeks this year, forcing teams to work on race set-ups on cars as well as prepare cars for qualifying next weekend.
"I?ve had a bit of trouble sleeping the past few nights just thinking about getting on the track," said Australian two-time front row starter Ryan Briscoe.
The first 24 spots in the 33-car field will be filled next Saturday with the final nine positions claimed on May 23 "Bump Day" activities.
Dixon, coming off an oval triumph at Kansas, sees qualifying and the race as very separate battles.
"It?s good having confidence going in because Indianapolis is so different than any other racetrack that we go to," Dixon said. "You really have to change focus. It?s two races -- one going for the pole and the other trying to win the race."
Copyright 2010 AFP American Edition
