Rookie Fastest at First Day of Indy 500 Practice

05/09/96

ESPNET reported that Team Menard took the top three fastest times at the first full day of practice for the Indy 500. Tony Stewart, Menard's 24 year old rookie driver had the fastest speed of the day. He set an Indianapolis Motor Speedway record on his fourth circuit, turning a time of 236.121 mph. Stewart's veteran teammates Eddie Cheever and Scott Brayton clocked the second and third fastest laps with 235.997 mph and 235.750 mph, respectively.

Arie Luyendyk, Roberto Guerrero, and rookie Buzz Calkins all topped 230 mph, also, bringing the number of cars to run at such high speeds to six. Last year only Brayton and Luyendyk exceeded the 230 mph mark on the opening day of practice.

Twelve of the 23 cars on the practice field exceeded 226 mph.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel