Helio Castroneves was again quickest as preparations continue for the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Running in the fast (second) group of cars, Castroneves navigated the 14 turn 1.8mile circuit in 1:01.3008seconds which is a 0.3 quicker than his yesterday's quick time that was set by Castroneves.

Dario Franchitti was second fastest but over four tenths slower. He also ended the session when he went nose first into the tire barriers in turn eight. The Scotsman overcooked the entry to the 90 degree right hander and just pushed left front wheel first into the tires. He was uninjured and damage to his car appeared to be minimal.

The same cannot be said for Dan Wheldon who brought out the sessions first full course caution several minutes earlier. Wheldon clipped the tires at the exit of turn two with the right side of his car, breaking the rear suspension and collapsing the rear wing. He continued at high speed down the track until slamming nose first into the turn three tire barrier.

Wheldon's car had significant suspension and wing damage, and he even wound up with a broken roll hoop camera pod, thanks to some tires landing on top of his car. Turning only two laps at speed, Wheldon placed 15th with a time of 1.03.5797seconds.

The surprises of the session were Buddy Rice and Darren Manning. Rice was fifth quick in the Dreyer and Reinbold Racing car, while Manning continues to be very impressive for AJ Foyt Racing.

Tony Kanaan in third and Sam Hornish, Jr., in fifth rounded out the top five. Scott Dixon was unexpectedly far down the chart, turning just the seventh quick time after running only nine laps. He was caught out several times by the yellow flags which kept him from getting in a better time.

Tomas Scheckter was a surprisingly slow 16th in the session, thanks in part to overshooting turn four and sitting in the run off for a brief period of time. Interestingly, Scheckter was thanked by his team before he went out for the advice and assistance he gave to team-mate AJ Foyt, IV. This overnight help worked for Foyt, IV who timed in 13th and was 1.3 seconds better than his best Friday time.

Next up for the IndyCar Series is qualifying.

St. Petersburg Grand Prix IndyCar Series Practice 3

1 3 Castroneves, Helio D/H/F 01:01.3008 105.708
2 27 Franchitti, Dario D/H/F 01:01.7704 104.905
3 11 Kanaan, Tony D/H/F 01:02.0165 104.488
4 6 Hornish Jr, Sam D/H/F 01:02.3825 103.875
5 15 Rice, Buddy D/H/F 01:02.4814 103.711
6 14 Manning, Darren D/H/F 01:02.6122 103.494
7 9 Dixon, Scott D/H/F 01:02.7236 103.310
8 55 Matsuura, Kosuke D/H/F 01:02.7299 103.300
9 26 Andretti, Marco D/H/F 01:02.7705 103.233
10 7 Patrick, Danica D/H/F 01:02.8035 103.179
11 17 Simmons, Jeff D/H/F 01:03.2149 102.507
12 4 Meira, Vitor D/H/F 01:03.3334 102.316
13 22 Foyt IV, A J D/H/F 01:03.4140 102.186
14 8 Sharp, Scott D/H/F 01:03.5297 102.000
15 10 Wheldon, Dan D/H/F 01:03.5797 101.919
16 2 Scheckter, Tomas D/H/F 01:03.6711 101.773
17 20 Carpenter, Ed D/H/F 01:04.2985 100.780
18 5 Fisher, Sarah D/H/F 01:04.8477 99.926.

ORS / CAPSIS International