INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, May 22, 2022) – Dale Coyne Racing with RWR driver Takuma Sato put in another strong performance on Sunday, placing his #51 Nurtec ODT 10th on the grid for what will be his 13th Indianapolis 500, which takes place, next week on Sunday, May 29, 2022. Position: 10th Lap 1: 232.165 mph Lap 2: 231.746 mph Lap 3: 231.450 mph Lap 4: 231.321 mph Average: 231.670mph
Sato guaranteed himself a place in today’s Top 12 qualifying thanks to a 12th place in yesterday’s first day of qualifying in which he registered a four-lap average of 231.708 mph.
Sato was the first car to take to the track for a shot at the Fast 6, (which would then have given him a shot at pole position).
However, his strong and consistent four-lap average of 231.670 mph wasn’t quite enough to get him into the Fast 6.
He’ll be starting on the inside of Row 4, just ahead of his teammate David Malukas (#18 Dale Coyne Racing with HMD Motorsports) who is starting 13th on the inside of Row 5.
All drivers will get four more hours of practice to get their cars race ready with a two-hour session on Monday and another two-hour session on Carb Day (Friday, May 27).
Takuma Sato #51 Nurtec ODT Honda – Dale Coyne Racing with RWR “Today was Indy 500 Pole Day and we are in the Top 10. A top 10 is great, but honestly speaking it was a tough day for us. We had a very good car on Fast Friday, the last practice day in preparation for qualifying. That all looked very strong but Saturday was a little difficult as we miscalculated a bit for the conditions. Today, we practiced before the session and tested our set up for qualifying and at the end of the day, we did everything we could. Ending P10 hurts a little but the race is a completely different thing. We are really excited about it. I think we have a very good car in traffic. There’s still a little bit of work to do but we have two more sessions on Monday and Carb Day to do that.”