The Last Chance qualifying session Saturday afternoon at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was always going to result in disappointment for one driver.
With 34 drivers attempting to qualify for 33 positions, one had to go home before the green flag even dropped.
This year, that unfortunate driver was rookie Jacob Abel in the #51 entry.
Driving for Dale Coyne Racing, Abel made only two attempts at setting a fast time in the battle for the final row.
His first run was the slowest of the four drivers, and was also subsequently disallowed on account of unapproved changes on pit lane.
Amazingly, Abel’s team-mate Rinus VeeKay made a second run with just seven minutes remaining despite having a locked in time already.
VeeKay’s second attempt was 226.913 MPH, considerably slower than his original speed of 227.740 MPH.
Abel went out once more afterwards, attempting to bump his team-mate out of the 500.
His second run was also slower, and he completed four laps at an average speed of 226.394 MPH. He was not fast enough to jump ahead of VeeKay and was relegated off the grid.
Team owner Dale Coyne was put in an impossible position having two cars fighting for one spot in the end, comparing the situation to ‘playing chess against yourself.’
Last year, rookie Nolan Siegel was similarly eliminated in his first attempt at the great race. He was devastated at the time, but came back this season by qualifying in 26th with Arrow McLaren.
Marco Andretti, Marcus Armstrong, and Rinus VeeKay all are now guaranteed a position in the 109th Indianapolis 500, which takes place May 25.
