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Power and the Aussie Vineyards crew concentrated on race set-up today, with the Australian driver happy with the form of his #8 Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone over a long run.

The 27-year-old will have a further two days of practice over the next two days before entering Third Day qualifying on Saturday at Indianapolis, with Bump Day qualifying the following day.

Power is seeking to become the fifth Australian to compete in the Indianapolis 500, known as ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’, following in the footsteps of three-time Formula One World Champion Sir Jack Brabham, Le Mans 24 Hour winners Vern Schuppan and Geoff Brabham as well as current day rival Ryan Briscoe.

Once locked into one of 33 starting positions for the race on May 25, the driver from Toowoomba, Queensland is seeking to become only the second Australian to win the prestigious Indy 500 Rookie of the Year Award, after Schuppan won the honour back in 1976.

New Zealand driver Scott Dixon was fastest in practice today ahead of team-mate Dan Wheldon and third generation racer Marco Andretti.

WHAT THE TEAM HAD TO SAY …

Will Power - #8 Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone

“I was able to get a longer run at the end of the day and get a better feel for what the Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia car does over a number of laps,” said Power.

“The conditions were cool and the track was green, so I wasn’t really able to get up to full speed.

“These rain days have been frustrating, but we only have a certain number of tyres and a certain number of miles we can do on the engine anyway. But, it has definitely rained more than we need.”

Craig Gore - Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia

“Today was another day where rain dictated how long the cars could be on the track but the Aussie Vineyards team still achieved some of it’s goals,” said Gore.

“This week will be a bit of a balancing act as Will needs to learn what the car does on a long run on full fuel to learn for the race, but at the same time we have qualifying this weekend.”

RESULTS: Official Practice (Wednesday May 14)
1. #9 Scott Dixon 222.834mph (one-lap average speed)
2. #10 Dan Wheldon 222.810
3. #26 Marco Andretti 222.801
4. #27 Hideki Mutoh 221.868
5. #7 Danica Patrick 221.683
6. #24 John Andretti 221.386
7. #15 Buddy Rice 220.277
8. #36 Enrique Bernoldi 220.105
9. #99 Townsend Bell 220.020
10. #18 Buddy Rice 219.981
11. #8 Will Power 219.953

2008 IndyCar Series Points Standings - After Race 4
1. #3 Helio Castroneves 144
2. #9 Scott Dixon 138
3. #10 Dan Wheldon 135
4. #11 Tony Kanaan 129
5. #7 Danica Patrick 110
6. #8 Will Power 97
7. #26 Marco Andretti 95
8. #5 Oriol Servia 93
9. #20 Ed Carpenter 90
10. #06 Graham Rahal 88
2008 Bombardier Rookie of the Year Standings - After Race 4
1. #8 Will Power 97
2. #06 Graham Rahal 88
3. #27 Hideki Mutoh 87
4. #36 Enrique Bernoldi 84
5. #33 EJ Viso 83
6. #02 Justin Wilson 71
7. #24 Jay Howard 62
8. #34 Franck Perera 56
9. #19 Mario Moraes 53
10. #96 Mario Dominguez 35

92nd INDIANAPOLIS 500 ‘Month of May’ SCHEDULE
All Times US Eastern
Practice
Thursday 15 May 2008
12:00pm – 6:00pm

Practice
Friday 16 May 2008
12:00pm – 6:00pm

‘Third Day’ Practice
Saturday 17 May 2008
10:15am – 11:15am

‘Third Day’ Qualifying
Saturday 17 May 2008
12:00pm – 6:00pm

‘Bump Day’ Practice
Sunday 18 May 2008
10:15am – 11:15am

‘Bump Day’ Qualifying
Sunday 18 May 2008
12:00pm – 6:00pm

Miller Lite ‘Carb Day’
Friday 23 ! May 2008
11:00am – 12:00pm

Checkers/Rally’s Pit Stop Challenge
Friday 23 May 2008
1:30pm – 3:00pm

92nd Indianapolis 500
Sunday 25 May 2008
1:00pm US Eastern

UNITED STATES TV SCHEDULE
All Times are US Eastern

‘Third Day’ Qualifying:
Saturday 17 May 2008
4:00pm – 6:30pm (ESPN2)

‘Bump Day’ Qualifying:
Sunday 18 May 2008
12:00pm – 3:00pm (ABC)
5:00pm – 6:30pm (ESPN2)

Miller Lite ‘Carb Day’ Practice:
Friday 23 May 2008
4:00pm – 6:30pm (ESPN2)

Festival Parade & Pre-Race Programming:
Saturday 24 May 2008
5:00pm – 7:00pm (ESPN2)

92nd Indianapolis 500
Sunday 25 May 2008
ABC
12:00pm US Eastern

UNITED STATES TV REPLAY
Saturday 14 June 2008
7:00pm US Eastern

AUSTRALIAN T! V SCHEDU LE
92nd Indianapolis 500
Monday 26 May 2008
ESPN
2:50am AEST

AUSTRALIAN TV REPLAY
Monday 26 May 2008
ESPN
7:30pm AEST

ABOUT INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
92nd Indianapolis 500
Venue: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Type: 2.5 mile oval – 9 degree banking
Distance: 200 laps – 500 miles/804.67km

INDYCAR SERIES RECORD BOOK
Defending Race Winner: Dario Franchitti
Defending Polesitter: Helio Castroneves
Will Power: Indianapolis Motor Speedway debut

Aussie Vineyards driver Will Power at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Credit: IndyCar Series Media)

Will Power runs side-by-side with Dan Wheldon along the front straight at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Credit: IndyCar Series Media)