Indy 500 qualifying canceled due to rain

Updated: May 11, 2008, 4:53 PM EST 5 comments

Danica's Indy accident

Danica Patrick hit a crewman with her car in the pits Friday at Indy 500 practice. Read about the accident and watch her reaction.

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More rain is expected for Wednesday's practice and the long-range forecast is calling for a chance of more rain late next week. But track officials are still hoping to fill the remaining 22 spots in the 33-car field Saturday.

If it does remain dry, Sunday would still be the traditional "Bump Day," when non-qualified drivers can make the starting grid by knocking out the slowest qualifiers.

The original schedule called for 11 spots to be filled each of the first three days of qualifying. The opening day of time trials on Saturday was dry and successful. Then the rain returned.

"I think it's a shame because it certainly alters everyone's plans for the week," Indy Racing League president Brian Barnhart said. "It's been a bit of a challenge losing Wednesday, Thursday, a half day Friday, and now Sunday."

Speedway president Joie Chitwood said the previous weather issues made Sunday's decision difficult even though the cancellation was announced shortly after noon and earlier than is usually the case at Indy.

The reason: Barnhart believed teams deserved at least three hours of track time Sunday to make the qualifying format work.

"Looking at the requirements he (Barnhart) would need to have qualifying today, as well as practice, and what it would take to dry the track in these kinds of conditions, with 50 degrees, high winds, and it seems like we're in a swirling rainstorm that's not leaving us," Chitwood said.

Typically, it takes at least two hours to dry the track when the rain stops.

Many teams were hoping to make up for lost time Sunday, which is likely to make the three remaining practice sessions and next weekend much busier for everyone.

"The teams are going to be really anxious to get some quality track time Wednesday through Friday, and even in between qualification runs next weekend," Barnhart said. "I anticipate a lot of track activity as teams are working on full tanks."

Buckman update

Dale Coyne Racing crewman Charles Buckman remained in the hospital Sunday after track officials initially announced he had been released. They said he would be held for continued observation.

Buckman was walking through the pits Friday when he was knocked to the ground by Danica Patrick's car as she pulled into her pit box. Buckman's left leg was struck by Patrick's left front tire and he went airborne. He was taken to the hospital with a concussion and cuts to his face and scalp.

He was released from intensive care on Saturday, and speedway officials put out a release saying he had been released Sunday. About an hour later, they announced he would remain at Methodist Hospital for another day.

Driver shopping

Several unemployed drivers are heading into the week looking to get into a car for the race.

Roberto Moreno, who placed 33rd last year, is among those searching.

"If there is a situation that I can jump in, I will jump in, in no time," he said Saturday.

Jimmy Kite, who has started here five times, was in the same predicament.

"I won't say anything is opening up," he said. "Whether it plays out or not, I'll know by 6 o'clock next Sunday (when qualifying ends). I never seem to have anything working, but I've got another three or four days to see if anything materializes."

Greg Beck, owner of CURB/Agajanian/Beck Motorsports, which has yet to put a car on the track, said he will hire Alex Barron or Roger Yasukawa as his driver.

Mechanics crash

Two mechanics for Rahal Letterman Racing hit a deer on a highway Saturday while driving to team headquarters to repair Ryan Hunter-Reay's crashed car.

Mike Kranz and Jim Volini were not injured in the accident on Interstate 70 en route to Hilliard, Ohio. Their car was towed more than 100 miles to the shop.

Ryan Hunter-Reay crashed on his second attempt during qualifying Saturday. He was not injured.

His teammate, rookie Alex Lloyd, was kept overnight in a hospital after he crashed on Friday. The Englishman will be checked out by the speedway medical team this week and could be cleared to drive by Wednesday.