Add Robby Gordons name to the crowded ring of MBNA Pole contenders for the 87th Indianapolis 500, as he led the final practice before qualifications with a lap of 231.362mph on May 9 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Gordon turned his top lap in the #27 Alpine/Archipelago/Motorola Dallara/Honda/Firestone in sunny, warm conditions during the last 30 minutes of practice. He became the fifth different driver to lead one of the six practice days leading up to Pole Day. Qualifying for the MBNA Pole starts at 1:00pm/et Saturday [and will be televised on ABC 1:00-300pm/et, then ESPN 5:00-6:00pm/et, then ESPN2 6:00-700pm/et]. Robbie Buhl is the first driver in the qualifying line determined in a blind draw after practice Friday in the #24 Purex/Aventis/Dreyer & Reinbold Dallara/Chevrolet/Firestone. Gordons speed was the fifth fastest of the event, marking him as a strong contender for the pole and the accompanying $100,000 bonus.( IRL Site ) UPDATE: qualifying has been postponed due to rain, they will try again Sunday(5-10-2003)
