Auto racing IRL thirty-three cars and thirty-two drivers contested the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's 2.5 mile oval on Tuesday with Andretti Green Racing's Marco Andretti topping the scoring pylon on a best lap of 226.599 miles per hour.

Andretti's speed was better than 2007 Indianapolis 500 pole-winner Helio Castroneves' qualifying average of 225.817 miles per hour.

"We're in a decent position right now," said Marco, "but it's a long month with a lot of ups and downs."
"It's going to be tough (to win pole) with all the Champ Car guys coming over."
The forecast may put a damper on the proceedings with the weather forecast indicating at least one day of rain prior to qualifying on Saturday (May 10th), something which Andretti duly noted.
 
"We'll chase the track a bit and stay with it," if it rains, he said. "It is what it is, and it's the same for everyone."

Andretti teammate Tony Kanaan was second-fastest with a lap of 225.269 mph; and third was Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon on 225.011 mph as practice for the full field commenced for the Indianapolis 500.
Ryan Briscoe, Dan Wheldon , Helio Castroneves, Tomas Scheckter, Buddy Rice, Danica Patrick, and Helio Castroneves (in his T-car) round out the top ten times for the six-hour practice session.

The gates open at 9 AM EDT on Wednesday at Indy, with a forecast sixty to seventy percent for rain showers.