IRL: Charlotte final practice notes

Tony Stewart was back atop the standings once again as the IRL Indy Cars took to the track for their final practice session before Saturday's VisionAire 500. Stewart ran 16 laps in the half hour session, setting his fast time eight minutes into the session.

Greg Ray ran sixth fastest in tonight's practice session recording a speed of 210.691. This was over three miles an hour faster than his qualifying speed. Ray's team has had problems over the course of the week allowing Ray to run only 52 laps since practice began on tuesday.

Roberto Guerrero ran faster than his qualiifying time too. The Pennzoil team was surprised to find that the car didn't lose any speed when run on full tanks. Guerrero was pleased with the balance of the car and looks forward to tomorrow's race.

Seventeen minutes into the session, Dr. Jack Miller got too low in turn four and spun the car after it bottomed out on the notorious bumps in the low groove. The car spun 270 degrees and brushed the wall, hitting with the nose first and then making contact with the left rear. The car continued 460 feet into the tri-oval grass. Dr. Miller has been cleared to drive in tomorrow's race and the car will be repaired in time. As Miller was being led to the emergency vehicle for the mandatory examination he remarked that he had only bumped his elbow.

Saturday's race starts at 8:00 p.m. and will be televised by CBS on a tape delay basis at 1:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon (7/27).

David Reininger - Motorsport News International