Qualifying report. Rookie Status Reminder

So qualifying is in the books. I'm not precisely what sort of books they would be in fairness. Possibly a set of Wodehouse short stories perhaps? That would be the easiest way to explain the appearance of 'Special' Ed Carpenter on the front row and AJ Foyt IV on the inside of row 2.

Vision Racing dangled the prospect of competitiveness in front of us in early season testing, but that was dismissed rapidly on account of it being precisely that, early season testing.

So their outright speed tonight has come as a shock to just about everybody, including Foyt himself who had no rational explanation as to how he ended up ahead of everyone bar his team mate and Scott Dixon.

Wheldon's error serves to indicate the strength of the big teams in the series as he will have a fresh and very speedy back up car ready for the race tomorrow night and will no doubt provide the early fireworks as he attempts to negotiate his way through a fog of slower cars, mainly from the world of Champ Car.

Franck Perera has once again given us evidence of the abundance of talent he has under his helmet, by qualifying as top Champ Car virgin.

Speaking of rookies. The drivers marked (R) below are not the official Indy Car rookies but the guys that qualify for the Fantasy League 'Rookie Bonus'.

So Race 1 is nearly upon us and Scott Dixon has the chance to grab the first pole and race win bonus of the season. All of you who have him in your squads have already notched up 15 points. :)

Finally, I'm amazed to see that not one single player has picked Tony Kanaan at $24M.
Many of you will have spotted the fact that picking TK meant almost certainly having to also choose Milka Duno.

Finally, Hindhaugh wins a special award for his team name and accompanying logo (see above). I expect you all to respond very quickly.

So well done all of you and let the games begin.



1 - Scott Dixon, 213.341 - 15 Point Pole Bonus

2 - Ed Carpenter, 213.311
3 - A.J. Foyt IV, 212.211
4 - Danica Patrick, 212.129
5 - Ryan Briscoe, 212.108
6 - Marco Andretti, 211.838
7 - Helio Castroneves, 211.581
8 - Tony Kanaan, 211.580
9 – ® Hideki Mutoh, 211.508
10 - Marty Roth, 211.458
11 - Ryan Hunter-Reay, 210.744
12 - Vitor Meira, 210.315
13 - Buddy Rice, 209.486
14 - Darren Manning, 209.319
15 – ® Franck Perera, 209.230
16 - Oriol Servia, 209.021
17 – Justin Wilson, 208.757
18 - Milka Duno, 208.308
19 – ® Enrique Bernoldi, 208.130
20 – ® Ernesto Viso, 208.101
21 – Will Power, 208.029
22 - Bruno Junqueira, 207.434
23 – ® Mario Moraes, 207.067
24 - Dan Wheldon, No Time No Speed
25 – ® Jay Howard, No Time No Speed