Kanaan tops first day at Daytona
At the end of the day, Tony Kanaan had turned the fastest lap, 1 minute 12.2393 seconds, 135.549 mph in the No. 11 Team 7-Eleven Honda-powered Dallara. Kanaan's best lap, set late in the afternoon session, eclipsed the mark set by Helio Castroneves 1:12.3653, 135.313 mph.
"It is a good first day for the Team 7-Eleven crew," Kanaan said. "We were not really too worried about where we were going to finish, but obviously when you finish at the top, like we did today, it makes you feel good. It sure says a lot for all the work the guys did in the off-season.
"It's very early in the season and this really doesn't mean too much. We don't race here and it's just a test. What I am happy about is not the position we finished today, but what we accomplished with the setup and the changes we made to the Team 7-Eleven car. It was a pretty good day for us, for sure.
"I have to brag a little bit because I only have a few hours left and by tomorrow everyone will forget who was first today. Honestly, it is good for the boys who worked all winter long trying to catch up. It's a good first day and it will massage everyone's egos right now. I'm happy for my guys and it was a good day for us."
Afternoon Times
Pos Car Driver Time Gap to First Speed
1. 11 Tony Kanaan 1:12.2393 N/A 135.549
2. 3 Helio Castroneves 1:12.3653 0.1260 135.313
3. 10 Dan Wheldon 1:12.4121 0.0468 135.226
4. 27 Dario Franchitti 1:12.4613 0.0492 135.134
5. 6 Sam Hornish Jr 1:12.5033 0.0420 135.056
6. 9 Scott Dixon 1:12.8365 0.3332 134.438
7. 4 Vitor Meira 1:12.9935 0.1570 134.149
8. 8 Scott Sharp 1:13.5587 0.5652 133.118
9. 55 Kosuke Matsuura 1:13.6206 0.0619 133.006
10. 26 Marco Andretti 1:13.7594 0.1388 132.756
11. 17 Jeff Simmons 1:13.9616 0.2022 132.393
12. 14 Darren Manning 1:14.2641 0.3025 131.854
13. 2 Tomas Scheckter 1:14.2794 0.0153 131.827
14. 7 Danica Patrick 1:14.4986 0.2192 131.439
15. 15 Buddy Rice 1:14.5694 0.0708 131.314
16. 20 Ed Carpenter 1:15.5953 1.0259 129.532
17. 22 AJ Foyt IV 1:16.5095 0.9142 127.984
01/31/07 The IndyCar Series kicked off a two-day spring training test session at historic Daytona International Speedway on Wednesday.
The roar of 17 IndyCar Series teams can be heard throughout a 2.73-mile road course at the "The World Center of Racing." The teams are using the two-day test at DIS to prep for the five road/street course events on the 2007 IndyCar Series schedule.
The preseason test is the second visit for the IndyCar Series to Daytona International Speedway. Last September, the IndyCar Series held a compatibility test at Daytona International Speedway with four teams – Chip Ganassi Racing, Penske Racing, Panther Racing and Andretti Green Racing.
Said Andretti Green Racing's Tony Kanaan during the lunch break: "I walked into this place in September, it was my first time ever here, and I was pretty impressed. Again, last night when I walked in the gate, it always gives you that passion like it's Daytona. You're in Daytona."
First lap: Scott Sharp, driver of the No. 8 Rahal Letterman Racing Dallara Honda, was the first driver to complete a lap during the first day of testing.
All teams on ethanol: The Open Test at Daytona International Speedway marks the first time all IndyCar Series competitors will run on the 3.5-liter Honda Indy V-8 engine fueled by 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol. The IndyCar series is the first in motorsports to embrace a renewable fuel source.
Seat problems for Danica: Andretti Green Racing's Danica Patrick turned only one lap during the Wednesday morning session due to difficulties with her driver's seat.
From the Rolex 24 to IndyCar: Adaptation will be the name of the game this week for top IndyCar Series drivers as they make the transition from sports cars to open-wheel IndyCars.
Dan Wheldon, Scott Dixon, Helio Castroneves, Sam Hornish Jr., Scott Sharp, Darren Manning, Ed Carpenter and Tomas Scheckter are participating in the two-day testing session just after competing in last weekend's Rolex 24 At Daytona.
Testing continues: IndyCar Series testing continues on Thursday and is open to the public. Fans can purchase a special DAYTONA USA $10 tram tour ticket and view all the testing action at the NEXTEL FANZONE.
Tickets to all the exciting Speedweeks 2007 events at Daytona International Speedway are available online at www.racetickets.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.
Morning Speeds:
1. Helio Castroneves, 133.542 mph
2. Tony Kanaan, 132.473
3. Scott Dixon, 132.417
4. Sam Hornish Jr., 132.387
5. Dan Wheldon, 132.144
6. Dario Franchitti, 131.756
7. Marco Andretti, 130.565
8. Vitor Meira, 130.474
9. Jeff Simmons, 129.785
10. Scott Sharp, 128.495
11. Darren Manning, 128.457
12. Ed Carpenter, 126.390
13. Buddy Rice, 125.570
14. A.J. Foyt IV, 120.527
15. Kosuke Matsuura, 117.223
16. Danica Patrick, 79.400