Rookie Aleshin Leads Honda Effort at “Carb Day” in Indianapolis

18Honda drivers qualify for 98th running of the Indianapolis 500

Led by impressive rookie Mikhail Aleshin, Honda-powered drivers claimed five of the top 10positions Friday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the traditional “Carb Day” final practice prior to Sunday’s Indianapolis 500.

Driving for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, Aleshin posted the fifth-fastest speed around the 2.5-mile oval in the hour-long practice, followed by Andretti Autosport’s Ryan Hunter-Reay and Marco Andretti in sixth and seventh, respectively.  Former pole qualifier Alex Tagliani was eighth-fastest for Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing, with teammate Josef Newgarden rounding out the top 10.  The 98th running of the Indianapolis 500 starts at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 25, with live television coverage on ABC.

Mikhail Aleshin (#7 SMP Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda) 5th fastest in in practice:  “My car was really good today. I think Schmidt Peterson Motorsports is working hard right now, and it’s helping me feel prepared for my first Indianapolis 500 on Sunday. We were very fast in traffic today during practice. I think we’ll have a good chance during the race, we¹re just going to have to be ready to fight and stay out of trouble.”