Schmidt clocks 'very impressive' lap of 224.131

INDIANAPOLIS -- For Davey Hamilton and Sam Schmidt, Thursday's practice session at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was guided by lady luck.

While she dealt the 36-year-old Hamilton a favorable hand, she dealt only aces to Schmidt, who had one of his best days of the week at the storied 2.5-mile oval, clocking a lap at 224.131 mph.

"I think it was very impressive," said Henderson's Schmidt, who is seeking his third start in the Indy 500. "We spent a lot of time on full-tank (fuel) runs in the afternoon, and we ran them all above 218 and had a couple at 221 as well."

Las Vegas resident Hamilton, meanwhile, took to the track early in the day in his primary car, but later jumped into his backup Dallara/Aurora/Goodyear, turning his fastest lap of the week at a speed of 222.222 mph.

"Both cars are good, and both are close in what they can do," said Hamilton, who is in search of his fourth Indianapolis 500 start.

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