It's time for "Fast Friday" before the Indy 500

Following six days of practice totaling 35 sun-splashed hours on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it's time for James Jakes and the other drivers teams to literally switch gears.

INDYCAR, the sanctioning body of the IZOD IndyCar Series, approved an increase in the turbocharger boost level for "Fast Friday" on May 18 and the May 19-20 time trials for the Indianapolis 500 from 130 kPa (kilopascals) to 140 kPa. The increase will add 40-50 horsepower to the 2.2-lter, turbocharged V-6 engines supplied by Chevrolet, Honda and Lotus, resulting in an increase of 4-5 mph per lap. The boost level will be returned to 130 kPa for the 200-lap race May 27.

The 2.5-mile oval is open for practice from on May 18 from noon until 6 p.m., with Pole Day qualifying featuring the top-nine shootout commencing at noon Saturday May 19.

James Jakes is hoping the result of the 138th Kentucky Derby will also signify something special for him. "I'll Have Another" became the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby with the No. 19 - the same number as James Jakes' Boy Scouts of America car in the Indianapolis 500.

A car using No. 19 has never won the Indy 500. Since 1911 the Derby and Indianapolis 500 winners have shared the same number eight times - the most recently in 2004 (Smarty Jones as the Derby winner and Buddy Rice as the Indy 500 champion).

Track Schedule

May 18: Fast Friday
($10 admission, 12 and under free)

• Practice, Noon-6 p.m.
• Pole Day Qualifications Draw, 6:15 p.m.

May 19: Pole Day
($15 admission, 12 and under free)

• Practice, 8-10 a.m.
• First qualifying segement, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Fast Nine pole qualifying, 4:30-6 p.m.

May 20: Armed Forces Bump Day
($15 admission, 12 and under free) Practice, 10-11 a.m.