After getting to know the mixed track of the mythical Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday, Miguel Paludo projects another exciting race with the #88 Chevrolet Camaro in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
After getting to know the mixed track of the mythical Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday, Miguel Paludo projects another exciting race with the #88 Chevrolet Camaro in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
The seven-time Porsche Cup champion turned six fast laps in free practice, finishing 18th among a field of 42 competitors, including several regular drivers in the Cup Series. Immediately after that he left for the quali.
Miguel was starting from the top 5 in his group, until he lost 7 precious tenths with a crash in turn 7 in the quali lap. Consequently, the gaúcho from Nova Prata was tenth in the session.
This was enough to qualify the car for the race, the first mission of Friday, because as the #88 Camaro does not compete regularly this season it was necessary to finish the quali among the 33 fastest to qualify.
With the rankings compiled between the two groups, Miguel will line up the JR Motorsports-prepared machine in 19th this Saturday, among the cars of regular Cup drivers Ross Chastain and Austin Dillon.
The Indianapolis race is Paludo's third in NASCAR in 2022. The race is scheduled for 62 laps, or 151 miles, with segments 1 and 2 wrapping up in turns 20 and 40.
The weekend of speed on the most traditional track in the United States promises a full house and a grand event. In addition to the Xfinity Series race, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts the NASCAR Cup Series race and the ninth round of the 2022 Indycar season.
The start of Paludo's race is scheduled for 4:30 pm on Saturday, with broadcasting on Bandsports.
What he said:
"I did six laps in practice and the sixth was the best. I ended up half a second away from the top 10. In the quali we went for a fast lap strategy and I was able to be more aggressive than in the other two rounds. I was coming very well, to finish in the top five. But we blocked a wheel at the end and I lost time. If it hadn't been for that, I would have been able to get into Q2. It was a detail, but with very little time in practice and motivated to take a little more risk in my last run, I felt I needed to push a little, even more so competing this time against several regular Cup drivers. The most important thing was that I felt comfortable on the track and the car showed that it has speed. We've already managed to finish among the first starting from the back and I'm optimistic about bringing BRANDT's colors to the front in Saturday's race.
Miguel Paludo
NASCAR Xfiniy Series - Indianapolis Road Course
Saturday, July 30th
16:30 - Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard