INDIANAPOLIS 500 Billy Boat eyes more speed in bid to make field again

He has been the slowest qualifier the last two years.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Making the Indianapolis 500 field the last two years has been a big problem for former pole-winner Billy Boat.
Now, with nine of 33 spots still open, he'll be forced to qualify in the final session Sunday. With a short field a distinct possibility, that might not be such a formidable task, however.
But Boat, who missed an opportunity to get in when he crashed before qualifying began last weekend, doesn't want to hear that.
"You can't take anything for granted," he said. "I've seen too many weird things happen here."
Eyes more speed
As the slowest qualifier the last two years, he wants to find more speed in case the field expands beyond what now projects to be 31 cars. It has been at its maximum of 33 since 1947.
Seven drivers who have not yet qualified for the May 25 race practiced Thursday, and Boat's top speed was 223.546 mph. That doesn't suit him.
"We need to run a high 225 -- minimum -- for me to feel good," he said. "I don't want to take one of the slower speeds. We won't take a speed that is toward the end of the field."
It wasn't always that way. Boat won the pole for A.J. Foyt Racing in 1998, and started third the next year.
But it's been struggle since then. Last year, he became only the fourth driver to be the slowest qualifier for two straight races.
"It's disappointing to have to go through the bump day ordeal," Boat said. "We'll just get through it on Sunday and hopefully not have any drama."
He's had his fill already this month. Boat is driving his backup car after the crash last Saturday on the 21/2-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
He spun coming out of the fourth turn and continued spinning as the car came down the front straight. The back of Boat's car slammed hard into a plastic-foam block padding the concrete wall between pit road and the track.
Boat's car was airborne, spun around and came to a quick stop near the outside retaining wall.
"It started to spin and I thought it was going to go in the pits. I didn't want that," he said.
Boat didn't return to the track until Wednesday, when he completed 95 laps. He added another 108 Thursday without feeling many effects of the crash.
"All things considered, I feel pretty good," he said. "My back's still a little sore, but we'll be ready to go."
Had ride secured
At least Boat had a ride secured. Alex Barron needed an injury to Arie Luyendyk to get a chance, replacing the two-time champion for Mo Nunn Racing.
Barron, last year's Indy 500 co-rookie of the year, never thought finding a job would be so difficult.
"It was a long trip being here two weeks and not having anything," he said. "Unfortunately, it's part of the career and you have to dig down."
Non-qualified drivers joining Barron and Boat on the track Thursday were Jimmy Vasser, Jimmy Kite, Shigeaki Hattori of Japan, and Brazilians Airton Dare and Vitor Meira.