Dragon drivers miss rookie program

There was no sign of Dragon Racing on Thursday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Cars for rookie Katherine Legge and Indianapolis 500 returnee Sebastien Bourdais did not participate in the Rookie Orientation Program as team owner Jay Penske works through separating from Lotus and signing with Chevrolet.

Penske could not be reached for comment, although he met with IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard about receiving the required approval to switch manufacturers midseason. Bernard said IndyCar could not intervene.

"We can't get in the middle of this dispute," Bernard said. "They have a contract with Lotus."

Team manager Bharat Naran said the crew working out of a Zionsville shop does not know when it will get Chevrolet parts. Some in Gasoline Alley on Thursday estimated it will take Dragon at least two days to make the change.

"I don't know about that," Naran said. "We've never installed one."