{"id":15305,"date":"2015-05-23T09:06:41","date_gmt":"2015-05-23T16:06:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/?p=15305"},"modified":"2015-11-10T17:03:58","modified_gmt":"2015-11-11T01:03:58","slug":"pre-indianapolis-500-eventsfast-friday-and-carb-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/pre-indianapolis-500-eventsfast-friday-and-carb-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Pre-Indianapolis 500 Events: Fast Friday and Carb Day"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"CHF
CHF Racing put Josef Newgarden and the Century 21 car back on track following a dramatic accident and flip during practice.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Tradition and This Year’s Outlook<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fast Friday and Carb Day have come and gone. These Month of May\u00a0pillars help\u00a0construct the cathedral that is the Indianapolis 500. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Indy\u00a0is a track of tradition, representing a living history of racing. It’s a special place to be – whether crossing the Brickyard\u00a0for the first or the fiftieth time, and the traditions that lead up to the 500 are almost as important as the race itself.<\/p>\n

This place invokes the urge to push the limits. That is why drivers occasionally find themselves flipping through the air at over 230 mph; and why normally shy, reserved individuals find themselves bellowing at drivers who can’t possibly hear them, dressing in enthusiastic if inappropriate outfits and hefting rubber chickens in the air like prize. No, we can’t explain that one either.\u00a0There’s a constant buzz of energy which serves to highlight the drama.<\/p>\n

This year, pre-race wrecks gave\u00a0everyone the jitters, especially after James Hinchcliffe nearly lost his life when his car suffered suspension failure<\/a>. IndyCar has seen full race aero required for qualifying, restricters in place to keep the speeds down, and a slew of amateur aerodynamicists taking to social media to argue it all.<\/p>\n

One of the most anticipated traditions of the race weekend is Fast Friday. Competitors have been practicing for weeks, and the final practice session before the pole position qualifying\u00a0is referred to as Fast Friday. It’s a time for showing off, and revealing what’s been held in the tank, a chest-bumping exercise in intimidation and speed. \u00a0Often, the fastest times of the weekend post at this event.<\/p>\n