AJ Foyt Racing’s Santino Ferrucci in the No.14 Homes For Troops Chevrolet will start Sunday’s 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge from fourth place on the grid.
Ferrucci said that he made a few little mistakes meaning he couldn’t challenge for the pole.
“I think our Firestone Fast Six run was unfortunately our worst run today. “I just made a couple of mistakes and I don’t think we trimmed enough. We were on the conservative side of things but that was the whole point. I didn’t want to go trim it to minus seven (rear wing angle) and then hope and pray that it sticks just to be on the front row. You know, I race cars definitely better (than qualify them) and I think we’re going to show that come race day. I’m so proud of this whole team and everything we’ve accomplished up to this point. You know, it’s shown that we’re the underdog that can definitely win this race.”
Ferrucci’s final four-lap average speed was 233.661mph was Foyt’s best Indy 500 qualifying result since 2001.
Team owner and four time Indianapolis 500 winner Aj Foyt was a little disappointed but had fun.
Today was a pretty good day. “We had high hopes of maybe getting a pole but you know, getting a pole with all the competition you have here is pretty tough. This is about the best we’ve been in the last 20 years. So, I’m just happy we’re starting fourth, I won the race from the fourth spot (twice) so maybe that’s a good luck charm. I never won it from the pole so maybe it ‘ll come true again. Anyway, we had a lot of fun.”
Benjamin Pedersen in the No.55 Sexton Properties Chevrolet qualified as the fastest rookie in 11th place with a four-lap average of 232.671MPH and speaking following the action he said:
We had a lot of pace obviously in the morning in practice but nevertheless, it’s super good to be starting 11th. “I just kind of feel like we missed a little something for qualifying with the pace we had in practice earlier. Overall, to start p 11 is a great spot and huge results for the whole team. So, I’m really looking forward to the race.”
“I had a very good feeling because of our Texas performance with a non-Speedway car. “And I knew how much time and effort had gone into the Speedway cars. So as soon as we got to the track here, after the GMR Grand Prix, I could tell we were very fast. So yes, I was expecting it and then it kind of became a reality very quickly.”
Team President Larry Foyt commented saying:
Definitely just a little disappointed that we weren’t a little closer going for the pole. But that’s just the racer in you. We knew we had a fast car and the guys did a terrific job , but we weren’t gonna do anything to jeopardize our race car either. We know we have a good race car, we’re in a perfect spot that we can win the race from and that’s the most important thing. I’m just proud of the whole team. Honestly, everybody pulled together this week, and put all the work in that it takes to compete at this level. And that’s a great start for us. I hope it shows the direction we’re headed as a race team. Surely a lot of work to still do, but this was just a great week because Indy’s still very much our Super Bowl. It’s super important for us. So, to come here and be competitive, especially for A.J., means a lot.”
