IndyCar - Rain Shortens Practice At Edmonton

EDMONTON, July 23, 2011: The much-anticipated IZOD IndyCar Series Edmonton Indy action Friday at the new tarmac of the Edmonton City Centre Airport was postponed due to heavy rain storms.

Following the wild Honda Indy Toronto event two weeks ago, the new 2.25-mile, 13-turn road circuit was to throw a new wrinkle into the preparation for the 26-driver field including Andretti Autosport's Marco Andretti, Mike Conway, Danica Patrick and Ryan Hunter-Reay.

However, the constant rain was yet another curveball for the drivers and teams as they move into Saturday's practice and qualifying sessions without any previous on-track experience of the new racing layout. Many drivers, including Hunter-Reay, met with sponsors representatives for the popular "meet-and-greet" events, while the crew members worked on a variety of activities in the paddock area.

With Friday's rainout, INDYCAR has established a revised Saturday schedule with IZOD IndyCar Series practice set for 9:40 to 10:25 a.m. and 11:25 a.m. to 12:10 p.m (MDT). Qualifying still remains from 3:30 to 4:50 p.m. (MDT) Saturday.

Firestone Indy Lights practice is now set from 8:55 to 9:25 a.m. and qualifying from 10:40 to 11:15 a.m. The first of two Firestone Indy Lights races is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. Saturday.

Sunday's event schedule remains the same as previously published with the second Firestone Indy Lights race dropping the green field at 10:15 a.m.

The 90-lap Edmonton Indy main event, the 10th race in the 17-event IZOD IndyCar Series, is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. (MDT).