INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — American Ben Spies shrugged off a shoulder injury and produced the fastest lap in Sunday morning’s final Indianapolis Grand Prix practice.
Spies completed the 2.621-mile, 16-turn course in 1 minute, 39.275 seconds. The 2010 Indy pole winner was worried he had torn ligaments in the shoulder in a crash during Saturday’s qualifications. Spies will start fourth Sunday afternoon.
Australia’s Casey Stoner also returned after a scary crash Saturday and completed the road course in 1:39.897, sixth fastest. He rode with special foot gear to protect his injured right ankle. Repsol Honda says Stoner has multiple chip fractures and four torn ligaments. He will start sixth.
Spain’s Dani Pedrosa, Stoner’s teammate and the pole winner, was second-fastest in practice at 1:39.582. Another Spaniard, Jorge Lorenzo, was third at 1:39.625.
