NOTEBOOK From Indianapolis

Fernandez makes quick charge: Adrian Fernandez skipped the Indianapolis 500 the last nine years. It took just two days for Fernandez to show the Indy Racing League that he hasn't forgotten a thing. Fernandez, who has made two Indianapolis 500 starts, was one of seven drivers to top 219 mph during a Monday practice session that was cut short by heavy rain. "It is fun, especially when the car is running good," Fernandez said. Fernandez's best lap, 219.118, was better than the 218.342 he posted Sunday. Monday was a day for improvement. Seven drivers topped 219, compared to two on Sunday. Eighteen drivers were faster than 217, compared to 12 on the opening day. Fernandez had the third-fastest time in Sunday's practice and was third again Monday, until the final 10 minutes when two-time Indy winner Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan knocked him to fifth. Castroneves, last year's pole winner at 231.725, was the first driver to hit 220 this week, turning a 220.300. New Zealand's Scott Dixon, Sunday's fastest driver and the defending IRL points champ, was second at 219.569. Kanaan went 219.553, and two-time IRL points champ Sam Hornish Jr. clocked 219.357.
Celebration: Castroneves had one celebration scheduled for Monday night -- his 29th birthday. He's hoping for more parties this month. Castroneves, who has had the best start to a career in Indy history with two wins and a second-place finish in his first three races, said he planned to have a quiet dinner with his family on Monday.
Wash out? The scheduled seven-hour practice session was cut short by 3 hours, 35 minutes when a brief downpour doused the track. More time was lost because of two accidents. Just 14 minutes after practice resumed, rookie Marty Roth lost control of his car exiting the third turn, did a three-quarter spin to the right and a half-spin to the left before stopping against the inside wall on the back straightaway. He was not injured. Less than 15 minutes before the end of practice, Robby Gordon lost control entering the second turn and brushed the wall lightly.
-- Associated Press