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By Shelby Harris

 

INDIANAPOLIS Ind. — Strong winds kept many drivers off the track during day three of practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

 

But not Ed Carpenter who along with teammate J.R. Hildebrand recorded two of the three fastest lap speeds on Wednesday. Carpenter’s 222.894 wasn’t as fast as Monday or Tuesday’s top speed, but it was enough to lead the way on day three.

 

Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing finished second and said he expected the wind to make the track conditions worse. “You can’t feel the subtle stuff but there are definitely some gusts that can catch you out, especially in Turn 2,” Dixon said.

 

Winds were steady at around 22 mph with gusts as strong as 40 mph.  Only 21 of the 33 drivers went out Wednesday with just 14 making any real runs.  Drivers completed just 408 practice laps compared to 2,404 on Tuesday.

 

Some drivers stayed away because they didn’t feel they would gain anything, but other felt they could.  “It could be this windy on race day…but I do think there’s things you can do to help the car in these conditions and (we’re) just trying to always learn and be as prepared as we can for the end of the month,” Carpenter said.

 

Wind isn’t expected to be as much of a factor tomorrow, but the weather forecast calls for a chance of morning rain.