Sebastien Bourdais, behind the wheel of the No. 18 Team SealMaster – Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser-Sullivan car, qualified an Indianapolis 500 career best fifth for the 102nd running of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Bourdais was fifth after yesterday’s first round of qualifying putting him in the Fast-Nine with a chance to run for the pole. He was fifth of the nine drivers to make an attempt in the Fast-Nine Shootout and recorded a four-lap average speed at 228.142 mph, making him the fastest of the Honda powered cars. Bourdais’ starting position surpasses his previous high of seventh in 2015. In six previous Indy 500-mile races, Bourdais has three top-five finishes in the first five races of the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series season including a victory at St. Petersburg, a fourth place performance in the INDYCAR Grand Prix and a fifth place finish at Barber. Currently third in the championship standings, Bourdais heads into the Indy 500 as a favorite to win.
“It was just a great weekend for the SealMaster Honda No. 18. We are the top Honda car. I’m starting fifth in the middle of row two. I am really proud of everything the guys have done. I think it speaks volumes about their work, their passion and their dedication to this program, Dale (Coyne), Jimmy (Vasser) and Sulli (James Sullivan) and everybody from top to bottom. I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity, for the support. It has probably been the hardest weekend and the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. I am glad it is over.”