Drivers find ways to wash away time during Indy 500 qualifying delay
MAY 20, 2017
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:
No joke, I am locked inside my bus at the Indianapolis motor speedway. How does this happen?
— Josef Newgarden (@josefnewgarden) May 20, 2017
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:
We found help and have been saved. Now staying here because of the rain. @OriolServia was no help and laughed at me. #busupdates #Indy500
— Josef Newgarden (@josefnewgarden) May 20, 2017
Conor Daly took advantage of the free time to catch up with an old friend:
Rain delay means time to link up with Master Chief and the boys @Halo @Xbox #Indy500 pic.twitter.com/27BquuLcwC
— Conor Daly (@ConorDaly22) May 20, 2017
Last year’s Indy 500 pole sitter, James Hinchcliffe, offered a glimpse at potential entertainment for fans with defending Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi:
Who wants @AlexanderRossi and I to do an impromptu Facebook live?
— James Hinchcliffe (@Hinchtown) May 20, 2017
Then followed through:
Meanwhile, Hinchcliffe’s teammate Mikhail Aleshin wondered why he couldn’t make a qualifying attempt:
Am I the only one who think that rain is not a problem to drive on oval??:)/Я единственный кто думает что дождь-это не помеха для овалов??:) pic.twitter.com/Q1mVkmKoAn
— Mikhail Aleshin (@mikhailaleshin) May 20, 2017
Fernando Alonso of McLaren-Honda-Andretti took his time to inform his followers of the conditions as well:
Three-time 500 winner Helio Castroneves revealed his unique method of preparation for today’s four-lap qualifying run:
Gabby Chaves shared how his Harding Racing team spends quality time together during the delay:
Rain delay here @IMS so our guys love to socialize 📱 pic.twitter.com/gZLfJRCBRv
— Gabby Chaves (@GabbyChaves) May 20, 2017