Sharp

Scott Sharp's 227.571 mph practice lap on Indy's opening day of practice Sunday was more than a quick lap. It was a salvo shot across the bow of his fellow competitors that last year's pole winner intends to do everything in his power to bring the 33-car field down for this year's event.

"Coming in here for me was more of a concern of picking up where we left off with the testing, and making sure the team's running on all cylinders, which it obviously is," Sharp said.

"I'm not big on history. People around here keep telling me that this year's race could end up being the most competitive and close Indy 500 in its history."

It was clear early in the day that there was no drop-off from testing. A forecast of rain and declining temperatures through Thursday prompted Sharp's Delphi Automotive to adjust their practice and preparation schedule.

"With the weather forecast looking so bad, we figured that we should do a dummy qualifying run just to see where we were."

A first day posting of 227.5 has sent estimates of the pole-winning 10-mile average speed into the 228 bracket -- two miles per hour faster than Sharp's speed of last year.

The gloomy forecast is not a big issue for most because early days of practice see many teams sorting through their set ups and anticipating what conditions will be during the actual qualifying period.

"The weather is supposed to be colder by pole day so I would think that you really won't see guys pulling out all their stops until Friday when they have a better idea of what qualifying weather will be like. Happy Jour got really happy. I know that Helio (Castroneves) really wanted a fast time"

Castroneves set the No. 2 time (227.408 mph) during the final hour of Sunday practice.

"We were able to do a fast lap right away, and I was really thrilled. It was great to see the looks on the crew's faces when I pulled in the pits," the 2001 Indy 500 winner said. "You have to enjoy these moments because they are special and you need to appreciate every one."

Sharp's teammate, two-time 500 champion Al Unser Jr., snared the third-quickest time of the day at 226.889 mph.

"It's great having Al right there with me," said Sharp.

Thomas Knapp's departure as Unser's engineer produced little negative effect. Mike Colliver, a long time friend of Sharp's engineer, Jeff Britton, calls the shots on Unser's Coretco mount.

"We're working very well -- everybody on the team, engineers and drivers," Sharp said. "The big thing is we are really all one team. Jeff Britton has a long relationship with Mike. We share everything."

The sharing stops though when it comes to hair styles. Prior to the Firestone 225 in Nazarerth, Pa. several weeks ago, Sharp bet one of his crew members that if he won the race, he would dye his hair. Shortly after his return to his Indiana home, the former Connecticut native paid off the bet. Last year's MBNA Indy 500 pole winner now sports blond hair.