INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Latest on Carb Day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (all times local):
10:30 a.m.
IndyCar has announced that it will use an “Aeroscreen” developed by Red Bull Advanced Technologies for cockpit protection beginning next season.
The safety piece will virtually cover the open-air cockpit with a clear screen anchored by and on a titanium framework. Its purpose is to protect drivers from flying debris.
Justin Wilson died in 2015 when a piece of debris struck his helmet during a race at Pocono.
IndyCar has tested various windscreen concepts, including one by PPG Aerospace that drivers used in tests last year. Although the drivers who tested the windscreen did not report any issues, comprehensive testing at PPG’s facility in Alabama showed more work was needed before implementation.
IndyCar was able to take that research to give Red Bull additional data and information for development of the current design.
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9:50 a.m.
Chris Windom plans to start the Freedom 100 on Carb Day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after a harrowing sprint car crash on Thursday night during the Hoosier Hundred at Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Windom’s car turned sideways on the front stretch and wound up flipping at least six times before it finally came to rest on its wheels. Windom managed to walk away under his own power.
“Very grateful to walk away from that one,” Windom said.
The 28-year-old is making his Indy Lights debut in the Freedom 100 for Belardi Auto Racing with support from Jonathan Byrd Racing. The 40-lap race begins after the final practice for the Indy 500.
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9 a.m.
The annual Carb Day revelry ahead of the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 got off to a soggy start as a line of storms rolled over Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday.
The speedway even closed its gates briefly as lightning lit up the sky.
The storms were expected to move away quickly, leaving in their wake a hot, humid day for thousands of fans planning to attend the final practice before the Indy 500. Also on deck Friday is the Indy Lights race, the pit stop competition and a concert headlined by Foreigner.
It’s been a rainy month of May at Indianapolis, and there is more rain in the forecast for this weekend. Some meteorologists have predicted a 90 percent chance of rain on race day.
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