INDY 500 Rookies running fast in practice

The last rookie to qualify for the pole at Indianapolis was Teo Fabi in 1983.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Scott Dixon and Tora Takagi are showing their experience, despite being rookies in the Indy Racing League.
Dixon, a 22-year-old New Zealander who two years ago became the youngest winner in the history of major open-wheel racing, already has one victory and a start from the pole this season. Now, even with a broken hand and wrist, he's among the fastest drivers in practice for the Indianapolis 500.
Takagi, 29, another first-year IRL driver from Japan, is the fastest.
Fast-paced
"Two-twenty-nine is very great," Takagi said after his quick lap of 229.019 mph Monday. "Yesterday I had 228, and today the temperature was hotter but my car was very quick. I like the high speed. Here, it's much quicker."
Dixon was third-fastest at 228.427 mph, even with his injuries from a crash less than a month ago.
Veteran Scott Sharp, the fastest in practice Sunday, was between Takagi and Dixon at 228.766.
"It's such a long month. You might be good one day and not the other," Dixon said. "The time we did, it seemed all right, but we've got to keep focused on the big picture. I'm sure later on this week, we'll do some more heavy loads to make sure we've got a good race car."
Dixon, who drives for Ganassi Racing, still has his right wrist in a cast following his injury in a crash at the last IRL race in Japan, where he started from the pole. He also won the season-opener at Homestead, Fla., and -- even though he's officially a rookie at Indianapolis -- was exempted from the mandatory rookie test because of his extensive experience.
Takagi, who had seven top 10 finishes in CART last year and came to the IRL this season with Mo Nunn Racing, also was excused from the rookie test because of his previous experience.
Qualifications for the May 25 race begin on Saturday.
Young talent
The last rookie to qualify for the pole at Indianapolis was Teo Fabi in 1983, although Tony Stewart started from that spot in 1996 after pole-winner Scott Brayton was killed in practice.
Three years ago, Juan Montoya became the first driver in 34 years to win at Indy in his first start.