INDIANAPOLIS (Saturday, May 21, 2022) – After leading all three days of practice, Dale Coyne Racing with RWR and driver Takuma Sato had a fast and interesting day on Saturday, but when all was said and done, the driver of the #51 Nurtec ODT Honda qualified for Sunday’s Top 12 by placing 12th in Saturday’s qualifying session thanks to a four-lap average of 231.708mph. Attempt 1 Lap 1: 232.319 mph Lap 2: 232.558 mph Lap 3: 232.135 mph Lap 4: 231.775 mph Average: 232.196 mph Attempt 2 Lap 1: 232.482 mph Lap 2: 231.890 mph Lap 3: 231.244 mph Lap 4: 231.221 mph Average: 231.708 mph
Sato made two qualifying attempts on Saturday before placing 12th on what would be his final attempt.
He was sixth upon taking the checkered flag on his first try and was in 10th when his first qualifying attempt was invalidated because he impeded another car on track during his deceleration lap.
With rain in the forecast, the crew was ready and immediately went back in line once all cars had made their first qualifying runs.
Sato was on pace in his second outing, and despite a brush with the wall on his third lap his four-lap average of 231.708 mph was good enough to place him 12th.
The two-time Indy 500 Champion will be back on track Sunday, at 4pm for a shot at pole position.
Takuma Sato #51 Nurtec ODT Honda – Dale Coyne Racing with RWR “What an eventful day for us. Going into our first qualifying attempt we didn’t anticipate that speed. The conditions drastically changed from yesterday, and then there was the incident on my in lap, with interference with Marco (Andretti) on his warmup lap. Obviously, IndyCar gave me a penalty, which is totally fine. Since I lost my qualifying time, we had to go out again. We didn’t know exactly when the rain was going to start so we were fortunate to be able to make our second attempt. Going early in warmer temperatures is challenging but today we fortunately went faster and just got into the Top 12. In the end I think the Dale Coyne Racing team did a great job with David (Malukas) in 13th and myself in 12th.