Early speed and later speed was the order of the day at IMS as teams ran simulated qualifying runs early, waited through the hottesrt part of the afternoon, then came out after the skies became overcast.

Scott McLaughlin had the fastest single lap of the day this very early, a 233,954 mph scorcher, but Scott Dixon edged teammate Alex Palou for the best four lap average.

Kyffin Simpson had a huge wall contact out of turn 4 and got airborne early in the day. he was cleared to drive by the medical staff. Kyle Larson spun and made slight contact in the north short chute. He returned to make a shakedown run later.

The biggest surprise of the day was Robert Shwartzman. The rookie had struggled to find speed all week, but he turned the 13th fastest single lap at 231,295 mph and the eighth fastest four lap average.

Graham Rahal continues to struggle. He ran the 28th fastest single lap and didn’t get a qualifying simulation completed.

The top ten 4 lap averages:

Tomorrow’s forecast is for cooler and windier weather with a high ofm73 and west winds of 15 to 20 knots and gusts of 25-30 knots.

I’ll be back latwer tonight with resultd of the quakifying draw.