AVONDALE, Ariz. -- IndyCar's return to the desert got off to a blazing start.
Helio Castroneves had the fastest qualifying lap during a day of records in IndyCar's return to Phoenix International Raceway on Friday.
Castroneves had the final of six track-record runs on the mile oval, turning a lap at 192.324 mph for a two-lap elapsed time of 38.2604 seconds.
"It's an honor to be breaking the record and show that the cars are fast," Castroneves said.
The high speeds and split-second decisions that come with them benefited the older, more experienced drivers during qualifying.