On Monday, Indianapolis Motor Speedway played host the formal Indianapolis 500 Rookie Orientation Program. The program is designed to make sure that rookies set to enter the 2014 Indianapolis 500 are up to speed with the veterans. Each driver must complete the three phases – 10 laps at 200-205 mph, 15 laps at 205-210 mph and 15 laps at 210-plus mph – while stewards monitor car control, placement and a consistent driving pattern.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kurt Busch topped the charts with a lap of 40.4878 seconds as he looks to do the Memorial Day double in running both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca Cola 600. Busch participated in the refresher program last week as he had passed the ROP last year with the test that he did with Andretti Autosport.
Mikhail Aleshin was second quickest as he looks to continue his rookie season in the Verizon IndyCar Series. The Russian didn’t fare that well in the rain at Birmingham, but did finish sixth at Long Beach earlier this year.
“It was actually harder for me to go slower (in Phase 1) because you had to lift and I don’t like to lift,” Aleshin noted. “”This is so important and it’s all set now for working with the car in practice for the Indy 500. This will be the first oval race in my career and how awesome is it that it will be the Indy 500?”
Despite being third on the charts, Karam is the only driver who did not pass the ROP as he did not complete the full distance required in the phases due to a mechanical issues. The 19-year-old will be allowed to finish the third phase on the first day of practice May 11.
Jack Hawksworth was fourth followed by Carlos Huertas. Huertas wasn’t initially going to run the race for Dale Coyne Racing, however came to the conclusion that he had to run it.
“I was a bit unsure because I never did it before and because I had a late start to the season I couldn’t prepare for the ovals well,” the 22-year-old said. “This race is different because you get a lot of practice, which helped in the decision. If I’m well-prepared, I’m ready to do it.”
Huertas has ran the three opening road/street course events this year and it will be determined post-race as to whether he will run the other five ovals this year.
“Being on the oval is weird to start with because everything is so different,” he commented. “I think the speed was OK. I was just working on the lines and understanding what to do. I think everything is very new, but I think I did OK.”
