Castroneves thrills Indy fans with detour

When the Indy car drivers took to the track this morning for a 30-minute warm-up session in advance of this afternoon's Honda Indy Toronto at the CNE, Team Penske driver Helio Castroneves gave himself a thrill by missing his braking point at Corner 7.

He had to continue past the turn and went down an escape road running behind the Rico Centre, where he promptly stalled his car.

But the three-time Indy 500 champion and Dancing With The Stars celebrity winner thrilled hundreds of fans who were arriving for the race by GO and TTC by firing up his engine and executing a 360-degree turn – an explosion of sound and smoking rubber – to get back on course and resume practicing.

At the end of the session, Dario Franchitti – the pole winner for the race that starts at 1:15 p.m. – was fastest with a top speed of 102.381 miles an hour. Mario Moraes was second at 101.577 mph and fastest Canadian Alex Tagliani was third with a speed of 101.402 mph.

Hometown favourite Paul Tracy was ninth fastest of the 23 cars that took warm-up with a speed of 100.901 mph. Danica Patrick was 17th at 100.169 mph.

In brilliant sunshine, thousands of fans were pouring into the Exhibition grounds as race time approached. This contrasts with Friday, when there were fewer than expected, and yesterday when inclement weather put a damper on much of the proceedings.

There were several support races held this morning. Alain Lauziere won the Touring Class race of the Canadian Touring Car Championship while Greg Pootmans finished first in Super Touring Class. John Farano won the Vintage GT race.

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