IRL: Sharp draws first Indy qualifying slot

The draw for the qualifying order was moved forward by two hours when heavy rains saturated the grounds of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Scott Sharp will be the first driver eligible to qualify when MBNA Pole Day qualifying begins at noon local time. Sam Hornish drew the second position for his primary car.

Hornish was involved in a violent accident this afternoon, sailing his Marlboro Dallara high into the air after making contact with debris on the track. After avoiding the spinning car of Paul Dana, Hornish hit a small piece of debris, launching his car into a blow over. Hornish was practicing in his backup car.

Dan Wheldon's back up car was assigned the third qualifying position which means his Andretti Green Racing teammate Tony Kanaan will most likey be the third car out after drawing the fourth spot in the order. Wheldon's crew will have a decision to make as his primary car is slated for the 43rd position in the order.

Tomas Scheckter, who set the fastest lap of the day on Friday, drew the 8th spot for his primary car and the 38th position for his primary.

The 17th spot in the order was drawn by Bobby Rahal for Danica Patrick, who has been very consistent by turning laps, putting her near the top of the speed charts every day.

Dan Wheldon turned a lap at 226.808 mph on Tuesday to top the speed charts. He drew the 43rd spot in the qualifying order for his primary car.

With rain cutting the final day of practice short, many teams will be back on track at 9:00 a.m. for the final two hour practice session before pole qualifying.

<pre> MBNA Pole Qualifying Order -- 89th Indianapolis 500

Car     Driver
8       Scott Sharp
6       Sam Hornish Jr.
26T     Dan Wheldon
11      Tony Kanaan
5       Adrian Fernandez
10      Darren Manning
91      Paul Dana
4T      Tomas Scheckter
51T     Alex Barron
33T     Ryan Briscoe
55      Kosuke Matsuura
51      Alex Barron
36      Bruno Junqueira
9       Scott Dixon
15      Buddy Rice
17      Vitor Meira
16      Danica Patrick
33      Ryan Briscoe
55T     Kosuke Matsuura
11T     Tony Kanaan
22      Jeff Ward
14      A.J. Foyt IV
16T     Danica Patrick
37      Sebastien Bourdais
2       Tomas Enge
3       Helio Castroneves
6T      Sam Hornish Jr.
25      Marty Roth
7T      Bryan Herta
7       Bryan Herta
15T     Buddy Rice
9T      Scott Dixon
37T     Sebastien Bourdais
10T     Darren Manning
48      Larry Foyt
27      Dario Franchitti
91T     Paul Dana
95      Buddy Lazier
83T     Patrick Carpentier
2T      Tomas Enge
8T      Scott Sharp
26      Dan Wheldon
70      Richie Hearn
20      Ed Carpenter
4       Tomas Scheckter
83      Patrick Carpentier
20T     Ed Carpenter
21      Jaques Lazier
41      TBA
3T      Helio Castroneves
44      Jeff Bucknum
24      Roger Yasukawa
17T     Vitor Meira

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