Helio Castroneves qualified as positive the first day of free practice for the Honda Grand Prix of Alabama, the second stage of the IZOD IndyCar Series, taking place on Sunday (April 1), in the city of Birmingham, Alabama. Team Penske dominated the first session, with Australian Will Power # 1 (1min11s2886) and immediately after Castroneves with 1min11s5010.

Because of heavy rains that fell in the afternoon, Team Penske decided not to send their cars to the track and the harsh climatic conditions caused the premature closure of Practice 2. Thus, the time of the morning predominated accumulated in the two practices.

For Castroneves, who will run this race with the car predominantly blue and white due to the sponsorship of the AAA Insurance, the day was good, despite the rain. “We’ve found a good basic package for the race Sunday. The rain hurt a little because we would try some details to improve performance, but the way it is already good. Tomorrow we’ll look a little better, because start in front here is very important, “said Castroneves, who seek in qualifying tomorrow (Saturday) his 40th pole position.