INDIANAPOLIS – Rain delays at Indianapolis Motor Speedway can seem interminable, but drivers and teams try to make the most of them.

With the first day of qualifying for the 101st Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil on hold for heavy rain and lightning today, many drivers found ways to entertain themselves. And, of course, they went to social media to let their followers know what they were up to.

For Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden, it was an eventful start to the day: 


Newgarden was eventually freed from his motorhome (see photo above) just before the rains came, no thanks to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Oriol Servia:


Conor Daly took advantage of the free time to catch up with an old friend:


Last year’s Indy 500 pole sitter, James Hinchcliffe, offered a glimpse at potential entertainment for fans with defending Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi:


Then followed through:


Meanwhile, Hinchcliffe’s teammate Mikhail Aleshin wondered why he couldn’t make a qualifying attempt:


Fernando Alonso of McLaren-Honda-Andretti took his time to inform his followers of the conditions as well:


Not wet tires at Indy... #indy500 #wetDay

A post shared by Fernando Alonso (@fernandoalo_oficial) on


Three-time 500 winner Helio Castroneves revealed his unique method of preparation for today’s four-lap qualifying run:


Planning the strategy.....🌧 Preparando a estratégia!

A post shared by Helio Castroneves (@heliocastroneves) on


Gabby Chaves shared how his Harding Racing team spends quality time together during the delay: