Hamilton receives bad news at Indy

INDIANAPOLIS -- Davey Hamilton of Las Vegas recorded 55 laps Tuesday on the third day of practice for the Indianapolis 500, but his thoughts were far away from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Hamilton learned his grandfather, Leonard Hamilton, had suffered a stroke and went into a coma Monday night. Hamilton's father, Kenny, had planned to be at the track for qualifications this weekend.

"Things are a little tense right now," Davey Hamilton said. "It's a tough deal for today (Tuesday) for sure."

Hamilton's fastest lap Tuesday was 216.664 mph, 18th fastest among 35 drivers on the track. Hamilton, driving the Nienhouse Motorsports G Force/Oldsmobile Aurora V8, is seeking his third Indianapolis 500 start.

Sam Schmidt of Henderson did not practice Tuesday in the Best Western/Gold Crown Racing Dallara/Oldsmobile Aurora V8. Schmidt's fast lap of the week was 221.588 mph Tuesday.

Practice continues through Friday at the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval with qualifications for the 33 starting spots in the field scheduled for Saturday and Sunday and the final Carburetion Day practice on May 21.

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