https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/05/18/sato-ganassi-on-top-in-indy-practice/

After a rainy opening day, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway began day two of practice for the 107th Running of the Indy 500 with plenty of sunshine and excellent track conditions.

At 10 a.m. (local), RC Enerson took to the track and breezed through almost all of his rookie orientation. The Floridian turned ten laps in the 205-210 MPH range and fifteen laps in the 210-215 MPH range. The requisite fifteen laps over 215 MPH were cut short when the yellow came out for track inspection with ten minutes remaining in the final phase. Enerson completed his orientation later in the day.

At noon all drivers took to the track for the six-hour session. 2008 500 winner Scott Dixon got to work straight away. The Kiwi, taking advantage of Indy’s massive tow, laid down a 229.174 MPH speed on his fourth lap. His lap held until 4:30 p.m. when teammate and two-time 500 winner Takuma Sato went to the top of the chart with a speed of 229.439 MPH.

“We learned a lot today, and it was good to see the Ganassi guys at the top,” Sato said. “It’s only the first day, and the tow made the speeds.”

Chip Ganassi Racing rolled off their trailers fast and put four cars in the top seven. Alex Palou was fourth, and Marcus Ericsson was seventh.

Except for a “kiss” of the wall by Graham Rahal’s Honda, the five cautions were for track inspections.

Honda-powered teams ran sixth of the fastest times. Santino Ferrucci was the fastest Chevy.

With a day of practice lost and the threat of rain Friday, most teams opted to run race setups. “The handling is not what I want,” said. Sato. “There is a sign to what direction we want to go in.”

Rinus Veekay led all drivers with 151 laps.