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Power set the sixth fastest time today in the #8 Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone as 35 cars and drivers conducted the first full day of track proceedings since Pole Day last Saturday.

The Australian’s status as not only the fastest rookie of the day, but the fastest driver outside the top 11 positions that are already locked into the 92nd Indianapolis 500 starting grid, puts him on track to secure his starting position on Third Day qualifying this Saturday.

Power will have a further day of practice tomorrow (Friday) before Third Day qualifying sets positions 12 to 33 on the grid on Saturday, with Bump Day the following day allowing cars outside the top 33 the chance to leap into the field.

Australian driver Ryan Briscoe was fastest in practice today ahead of his team-mate Helio Castroneves and Kiwi driver Scott Dixon.

WHAT THE TEAM HAD TO SAY …

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

“It was nice to get some dry track time today in the Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia car.

“Everyone thought it would rain today, but fortunately it never came. We were able to get through a few test items, did one qualifying run and a couple of long runs, which were interesting.

“But all in all, we are still at a similar pace as before. We are making slow progress, but I think now we really need to focus on the race set-up. I think that is the most critical for us if we are going to finish well in this race.”

“We have made a little bit of progress from Saturday. Now our focus has gone more toward the race because I'm pretty confident that we'll get in that top 22 somewhere and that we'll qualify. Now we're focusing on long runs and figuring out what kind of downforce we can run and how close behind people.

“I haven't had much experience running in traffic. So that's where the focus is and hopefully we can make some headway over the next couple of days.

“It was very blustery today. You definitely felt that. It was very inconsistent lap to lap, but who knows, maybe Race Day might be like this or qualifying Saturday might be like this, so it's always important to run and get good ideas of wind directions and get a good idea about how the car operates.

“It's been an interesting month. It's good for us because we get so much running time and we need that on the ovals. It gives the team a chance to develop the car a little bit more, especially during the race.

“To finish the race would be great for me because I'd get a lot of experience running in traffic.

“As far as an event goes, it's second to none. It's huge. I was really surprised the first day how many people turned out and also on qualifying days.

“For me, I'm really impressed, and it's a very unique track and I've enjoyed every moment of it so far.”

Craig Gore - Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia

“It was good for Will to get a full day of running in today and have a good chance to run with both qualifying and race set-up,” said Gore.

“It’s a good sign for Will and the Aussie Vineyards crew to be switching their attention largely to race set-up at this stage, to ensure that we have a strong car when it counts most on race day on May 25.

“The build up continues and everyone involved with Aussie Vineyards and the Team Australia program is very excited to be a part of the 92nd Indianapolis 500 and right behind Will and his efforts.”

RESULTS: Official Practice (Thursday May 15)
1. #6T Ryan Briscoe 223.708mph (single lap average speed)
2. #3T Helio Castroneves 223.284
3. #9 Scott Dixon 223.192
4. #11 Tony Kanaan 222.880
5. #12 Tomas Scheckter 222.804
6. #8 Will Power 222.657
7. #24 John Andretti 222.474
8. #27 Hideki Mutoh 222.411
9. #10 Dan Wheldon 222.378
10. #18 Bruno Junqueira 222.303

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
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 Sto! p 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
ESPN2
7:00pm US Eastern

AUSTRALIAN TV SCHEDULE
Third Day Qualifying
Sunday 18 May! 2008 ESPN
1:00pm – 3:30pm

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

Will Power drives the #8 Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Credit: LAT)

Will Power gets ready at Indianapolis (Credit: LAT)

The #8 Aussie Vineyards car races around Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the hands of driver Will Power (Credit: LAT)

Looking down on Will Power's #8 Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia car at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Credit: LAT)