Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon, driver of the No.9 PNC Bank Honda, told Paddock Eye on Friday that winning the pit-stop competition on Friday significantly boosts the entire organization and not just the crew on the No.9 Honda crew.
Dixon will start Sunday’s 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge from sixth place following a four-lap average speed of 233.151MPH and took victory in the Carb Day pit-stop competition with a 11.012s compared to a 12.552s by Will Power in the No.12 Verizon 5G Team Penske Chevrolet.
The Iceman went on to say:
The balance shifted a lot from Monday to today, as the conditions were a lot different. We made some adjustments but in the end, the car was really good and we could run up front and run in traffic.”
Takuma Sato who not only was fastest in Carb Day practice but he was also runner up in the pit-stop competition commented saying:
We had a beautiful Carb Day today. All four cars are in really good shape. What’s most important is that the car reacted the way that we expected. We will get together to discuss it, but I think we have a good package. The team has done a great job.”
Indianapolis 500 pole sitter Alex Palou in the No.10 American Legion Honda commented saying:
Carb Day was awesome with so many people here today. I can’t even imagine what it is going to be like on Sunday. The No. 10 American Legion has been fast since the Open Test, but we’ve always wanted more. We’re trying to be a bit more comfortable and get even more speed and we got that today. We’re really happy with how we ended. Can’t wait for Sunday.”
Speaking to Paddock Eye on Friday, Palou said that he thinks it will be easy to follow cars but he feels that second will overtake first on the start.
Defending Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson in the No.8 Huski Chocolate Chip Ganassi Racing Honda commented saying:
“It was a really good session. There were a couple of things that I wanted to change on the car. I was really happy with where the car was when we ended things. It worked really well in traffic and it’s exactly what you want and need in traffic. It’s been a great couple of weeks here. We’ve prepared ourselves very well and can’t wait to get to the race and see what we’ve got when it matters
Paddock Eye understands that Marcus Ericsson has declared himself a free agent at the end of the season so it will be interesting to see what happens on Sunday should he successfully win defend his Indianapolis 500 crown.
