Briscoe and 2 rookies crash in Indy 500 practice

5/16/2008 4:05 PM

By STEVE HERMAN
AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -Veteran driver Ryan Briscoe, a front-row qualifier last week, crashed hard in the second turn but was uninjured during practice Friday for the Indianapolis 500.

One of the fastest on the final full day of practice before the May 25 race, Briscoe spun into the wall with the rear of his backup car. After climbing out on his own, he was checked at the infield hospital and cleared to drive.

The 26-year-old Australian, who drives for Team Penske, qualified his primary race car third last week, placing him on the outside of the front row for the race. At the time of his crash on Friday, his top speed of 223.372 mph was third-fastest of the day, behind pole-sitter Scott Dixon and former winner Helio Castroneves, Briscoe's teammate with Penske.

In separate crashes Friday, rookie drivers E.J. Viso and Will Power also hit the wall but were not hurt.

Viso, a 23-year-old Venezuelan, hit the wall first. He had completed only one lap early in the session and was still building speed when he lost control going into the third turn, struck the outside wall with the rear of his car and spun across the track.

``It just got loose in the middle of the corner,'' Viso said.

He was out of the car on his own, checked and released from the infield hospital and cleared to drive.

Less than 30 minutes later, Power, who had turned a lap at 223.039 mph - second-fastest of the day at the time - spun and slid into the wall, sending up a cloud of flame and debris. The 27-year-old Australian also was unhurt and cleared to drive.

``There was a lot of blustery wind out there and I just got caught,'' Power said. ``I wasn't even up to speed yet, and the car came around on me, sending me into the wall.

``I just have a few bumps and bruises on my knees and an ankle. Other than that, I feel fine,'' he said.

Both Viso and Power are among the nine drivers who have moved to the IRL's IndyCar Series along with teams making the transition from the now-defunct Champ Car World Series.

Neither of them was among the 11 drivers who qualified for the race last Saturday.

The crashes by Viso and Power came during a busy first hour of Friday's practice. On Thursday, 35 cars turned more than 2,600 laps on the 2 1/2-mile oval without a single incident.

After final qualifications Sunday, the track will be closed until race day except for a final two-hour practice next Friday.