Indy Racing league shortens Indy 500 practice schedule

The Indy Racing League is cutting two days from its Indianapolis 500 practice schedule to save money.
Most of the 16 other IndyCar Series races will also have shortened practice times.
The move is “clearly a response to the economic times,” IRL spokesman John Griffin said in The Indianapolis Star on Saturday.
Full practice for the May 24 race will begin on Wednesday, May 6, a day later than last year. Then after the first two days of qualifications on May 9-10, the track will be closed for three days instead of two. Practice will resume on May 14-15 with final qualifications May 16-17.
The track will be closed after that until the final Carburetion Day practice on May 22, two days before the race.

-- The Associated Press