Danica's fastest lap was less than 1mph slower than Buddy Rice's four-lap average for pole last year (222.024 mph was the pole average). Fine it was a one-off lap and not four consistent fast ones but it certainly shows that Patrick should be able to post respectable times.
It certainly looks as if lap times will be faster this year but Danica's laps were apparently run in very favourable conditions (sunny and warm). Is this good or bad? Up to you...
Definitely exciting to know that the cars are on the track and the month of May has officially started.
Bourdais and Newman-Haas certainly look as if it might be on the back-foot already. IMHO with the development battle between Honda/Toyota, the manner in which AGR have raised the bar and the benefits of multi-car outfits, i think it is going to be much harder now for a non-IRL team to be really competitive and potentially even win.