Storms Threaten Indy, Speeds Rising

Strong thunderstorms threaten practice at Indy Motor Speedway. Weather indicates a strong line that should be here before 3:00 EDT. Then again, this **is** Indy….

Ryan Hunter-Reay has not begun to be tires of hearing "Congratulations on your championship." I caught up with him earlier today, and asked him if we'd gone from the days of the "Big 3", to the "Big 2", then the "Big 1". AS of 2:30, Andretti Autosports held the top 3 positions on the speed chart (Viso, Andretti and Munoz), and all 5 cars were in the top 10. EJ's fast lap was at 229.537, and while there might've a tow on that one, others have done 228's with a clean track.

Two years ago, Simona De Silvestro became the hero of the speedway, surviving a nasty crash that left second- and third-degree burns on her hands, among other places. Last year, she was a casualty of the Lotus engine debacle. Now, with KV Racing, she's got a smile on her face and a bounce in her step. Having already competed for a podium finish this year, she's obviously thinking about winning this thing.

— Tim Wohlford, reporting from Indy!!