By Tristan Schilling

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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - After 2,404 laps around the oval track on a hot, windy May afternoon,  Will Power finished practice with the fastest lap speed at 224.656 mph.

 

Helio Castroneves finished second and Gabby Chaves was third fastest, each less than four-tenths of a mph apart.

 

The warm temperatures (85 degrees) and 16 mph gusts caused a greasy track and slower speeds Power said. But because qualifying hasn’t begun, speeds aren’t at their fastest.  “These first three days (of practice), which being hot, yeah, it will make it slower. But we’re not in the configuration that’s going to put up a big speed anyway.” Power said.

           

Today’s top three speeds were all turned in by Chevrolet engines, but they were still 2 mph off yesterday’s top speed of more than 226 mph turned in by a Honda engine.  No matter the speed, Gabby Chaves is happy with his team’s performance.

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“I think we were quick today because the guys at Harding Racing did a hell of a job,” Chaves said.  

           

Three time champ Helio Castroneves hopes good practice means a good race day.

           

“With all this speed hopefully we can get the gold moment at the victory circle.”

Day three of practice begins tomorrow at noon, with more warm temperatures and strong winds expected.