Alex Tagliani Sets Fast Lap in Third Day of Practice for Indy 500

39 Drivers hit the track today at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first full day of practice.  Saturday's session was cut short due to rain, and yesterday's practice was a total wash out.

Alex Tagliani set the pace today with a lap of 225.878 mph.  He set the quickest lap in the last hour of practice.

Scott Dixon was second in today's session with a lap of 225.124 mph. 

The only other two today that topped the 225 mph barrier was Ganassi Racing's Graham Rahal who was third with a lap of 225.071 mph, and Penske's Ryan Briscoe who clocked in at fourth at 225.016 mph.

Rounding out the Top five today was Newman/Hass Racing's Oriol Servia.  The Spaniard turned a lap at 224.903 mph in his No. 2 Telemundo Honda. 

One thing that's been true so far in two days of practice has been the diversity of all the teams on the speed charts.  Four different teams (Schmidt Motorsports, Ganassi Racing, Penske Racing and Newman/Hass Racing) were in the Top five positions on the chart. 

A surprise on the day was veteran Vitor Meira.  Meira was sixth on the day in his No.14 ABC Supply Co. Honda for A.J. Foyt Enterprises.

Andretti Autosport had a tough day though.  Marco Andretti and Danica Patrick were in the Top 15 on the carts, but Ryan Hunter-Reay was a disappointing 22nd, and Mike Conway was way back in 38th.  We have no word yet on whether Conway is practicing on a slower race set-up or is just that off pace right now.

Top 10 Speeds

1. 77 Alex Tagliani 225.878

2. 9 Scott Dixon  225.124

3. 38 Graham Rahal 225.071

4. 6 Ryan Briscoe 225.016

5. 2 Oriol Servia  224.903

6. 14 Vitor Meira 224.813

7. 10 Dario Franchitti  224.406

8. 3 Helio Castroneves 224.348

9. 26 Marco Andretti 224.215

10. 12 Will Power 223.984