Weather slows Indy 500 hopefuls

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (AFP) — Rain has returned to Indianapolis, leaving a host of Indianapolis 500 hopefuls scrambling to prepare for next weekend's qualifying sessions.

Last Sunday's second day of qualifying was washed out, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was closed on Monday and Tuesday as scheduled.

Ironically, the fabled circuit basked in warm, sunny weather on those days, while cold, wet weather greeted the reopening on Wednesday.

Officials didn't open the track until 5 p.m., paving the way for a frantic round of practice that featured little more than half an hour of green-flag running for 29 cars.

Scott Dixon of New Zealand, who won the pole for the 92nd Indianapolis 500 during last Saturday's Pole Day, was able to run 17 laps with a best...