Will Power has gained further track time to refine his race set-up as the starting line-up for the 92nd Indianapolis 500 was confirmed on Bump Day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana today.

Power qualified for his Indy 500 debut yesterday by claiming the 23rd starting position for the May 25 race. While today was Bump Day, where those not already in the field can attempt to ‘bump’ there way into the 33 starting positions, cars already qualified were able to conduct practice when the track was free.

Power did not take to the track in the #8 Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone until 1:00pm local Indianapolis time, but once on track the 27-year-old gained some vital practice as the Australian driver worked at refining his race set-up.

Power, who yesterday qualified 23rd with a four-lap average of 221.136mph, ran the most laps of any driver today making 114 circuits around the 2.5-mile Brickyard oval recording the 16th fastest lap today with a speed of 218.473mph. Running in race trim, with full fuel tanks and more downforce, plus very windy conditions at the track accounted for the slow pace.

Power will now join the 32 other drivers in this year’s Indy 500 on a media tour to New York City and Detroit, Michigan. Power’s next day on track at Indianapolis will be on ‘Carb Day’ on Friday May 23.

AJ Foyt IV, Buddy Lazier and Marty Roth were the three drivers who made their way into the field of 33 cars on Bump Day today, with Roger Yasukawa, Mario Dominguez and Max Papis missing out on a spot, while Phil Giebler did not make a qualifying attempt, still recovering from an earlier accident.

WHAT THE TEAM HAD TO SAY …

Will Power - #8 Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone

“It was a really productive day,” said Power.

“Even with these windy conditions we had a really good set-up and ran close behind cars comfortably.

“We were able to do plenty of Miles and the Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia car felt good over the whole run, so the KVRT team have done a really good job with the #8 car.

“We definitely have a good race pace, but it’s just unfortunate we are going to be starting a little bit further back than where we need to be.”

Craig Gore - Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia

“It is very exciting to be so close to our first Indianapolis 500,” said Gore.

“Now the focus is completely on the race, but there is not much track time left between now and the start, with just Carb Day remaining before race day.

“Will and the Aussie Vineyards crew continue to do a very good job. This week will be about preparing the car and getting everything in place before the race, while Will and the other drivers do a lot of media commitments.”

RESULTS: Starting Order – 2008 Indianapolis 500
1. #9 Scott Dixon 226.366mph (four-lap average speed)
2. #10 Dan Wheldon 226.110 w
3. #6 Ryan Briscoe 226.080
4. #3 Helio Castroneves 225.733 w
5. #7 Danica Patrick 225.197
6. #11 Tony Kanaan 224.794
7. #26 Marco Andretti 224.417
8. #4T Vitor Meira 224.346
9. #27 Hideki Mutoh 223.887 r
10. #20 Ed Carpenter 223.835
11. #12 Tomas Scheckter 223.496
12. #99 Townsend Bell 222.539
13. #06 Graham Rahal 222.531 r
14. #14 Darren Manning 222.430
15. #18 Bruno Junqueira 222.330
16. #02 Justin Wilson 222.267 r
17. #15 Buddy Rice 222.101 w
18. #22 Davey Hamilton 222.017
19. #16 Alex Lloyd 221.788 r
20. #17T Ryan Hunter-Reay 221.579 r
21. #24 John Andretti 221.550
22. #67 Sarah Fisher 221.246
23. #8 Will Power 221.136 r
24. #41 Jeff Simmons 221.103 r
25. #5 Oriol Servia 220.767 r
26. #33 EJ Viso 220.356 r
27. #23 Milka Duno 220.305
28. #19 Mario Moraes 219.716 r
29. #36 Enrique Bernoldi 219.422 r
30. #34 Jaime Camara 219.345 r
31. #2 AJ Foyt IV 219.184
32. #91 Buddy Lazier 219.015 w
33. #25 Marty Roth 218.965
r = 2008 Indy 500 rookie driver
w = former Indy 500 winner