IndyCar: Hunter-Reay back on top in third practice at Mid-Ohio

Despite a late challenge for P1 from Justin Wilson, it was Ryan Hunter-Reay who emerged fastest in final practice before qualifying for the Honda Indy 200. The Andretti Autosport driver wheeled his Dallara-Honda around the 2.258-mile Mid-Ohio SportsCar Course in 65.7082sec to set an average speed of 123.711mph.

The 2012 IndyCar champion held off four-time Mid-Ohio winner, Chip Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon (Chevrolet) by less than 0.1sec, with Wilson grabbing third in the Dale Coyne Racing car (Honda). Schmidt Peterson Motorsports pairing Simon Pagenaud and Mikhail Aleshin were fourth and fifth in their Honda-powered cars with KV Racing's Chevy pairing of Sebastien Bourdais and Sebastian Saavedra next up.

The Colombian's effort was particularly commendable as he caused the only red flag of the session after an off at Turn 12. Other incidents of note were half spins by James Hinchcliffe (Andretti Autosport) and Mike Conway (Ed Carpenter Racing), but both rejoined the track without stopping the action.

Team Penske continued to struggle once the track gripped up, with Will Power having to monster his car to get within 0.36sec of Hunter-Reay, and still winding up only 11th fastest. Championship leader Helio Castroneves was 15th, and Juan Montoya 18th, a full half-second off the ultimate pace.

What may save the Captain's crew is the forecast rain, due to hit the circuit this afternoon. If that arrives before qualifying starts and keeps the track damp, none of the work so far will be relevant until race day.