Here are your final aggregate practice times for the month. And with that, we can make our predictions on who will not make the show.
Tomorrow will see a whole host of non-to-3 teams trying to break into the fast 9. Alex Tagliani, Paul Tracy, Dan Wheldon, Hideki Mutoh, Mario Moraes, Graham Rahal and even Davey Hamilton have all put up consistently good times this past week and may play a part in the fast 9 session, especially if they benefit from an early pill draw. Good luck gentlemen.
The ladies so far have been less than impressive. Sarah Fisher looks like she will not be making the show, along with Milka Duno. Danica has had an abysmal Indy experience so far this year being 31st on the combined chart. She will most likely not be a day 1 qualifier. Ana Beatriz and Simona de Silvestro have outpaced all of the veteran ladies so far, and Simona has been peeking into the top 10 on some of the practice days.
It sounds like FAZZT is going to put Bruno Junquiera into a car on bump day, so I think that car makes the show, given how strong FAZZT has been this month. Other possibilities might include a second car at Newman Haas or a 3rd car at Foyt, but most likely 37 is going to be the number. That said, 4 cars will be bumped.
Given her poor performance relative to the rest of the field all week, Milka will not make the show.
Sarah Fisher has been in the top 33 on a few of the practice days, but overall her times have been poor. I am afraid that she will not make the show either and I am very concerned about her relationship with Dollar General because of that. I hope I am wrong!
Mario Romancini will also not make the show. I liked him over his less oval experienced teammate, but the times have not come together for him. I hate to see a rookie not make the show, but there it is.
Along with Romancini, Sebastian Saavedra will also be going home if Bruno does end up in a FAZZT car on bump day. That said, bump day specials may come out of the woodwork once primary cars are firmly in the show on Saturday, so keep your eye out for low hanging fruits like Jay Howard, Ana Beatriz and even Danica Patrick if things start to get wacky on Sunday.
Pole sitter prediction…. Helio! Dixon has looked hot all week, but Helio is king here.
