A systematic on-track program for Buddy Lazier and race engineer David Cripps was in place well before the garage door was opened May 14 to expose the No. 91 Wynn Iowa Vision Research Lazier Racing Chevrolet.

Team manager Larry Curry wanted a gradual build-up for Lazier, the 1996 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race winner, heading into qualifications May 16-17 on the 2.5-mile oval.

“Get a few laps in the books and get Buddy re-acclimated and comfortable. Just a nice, methodical approach and not getting too aggressive early and take it as it comes,” Curry said. “I know it’s a short program but I have a veteran. He’s won the race and been here and done that. Having him in the car in this situation is an advantage.”

Cripps, who engineered Panther Racing’s Indianapolis 500 entries that finished second in 2008-2011, served as technical director for the U.S. bobsled contingent in the Sochi Olympics. He said the new aerodynamic bodywork packages from Chevrolet and Honda that have produced performance gains are a strong step forward for the series.

“The complexity of the aero package has changed with more components to it than last year,” he said. “Ultimately, what they’ve done is improve the efficiencies. It really should be to our advantage. At the end of the day it’s the same chassis, mechanically it’s the same car. Our downforce numbers, we would hope to achieve the same or more with less drag.

“I’m a big proponent that we need to introduce more technology to the car and more options to the car to give the teams more control. So if you want to run a really high downforce set-up or run a low downforce set-up it gives the teams something to experiment with, and I think it’s something the fans appreciate.”

De Silvestro back on track

Andretti Autosport personnel got Simona de Silvestro back on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval less than 48 hours after her No. 29 TE Connectivity Honda sustained heavy damage from a fire sparked by a fuel leak.

The car was rebuilt at the team's Indianapolis shop. De Silvestro was uninjured in the incident. She had a fast lap of 225.160 mph and totaled 97 laps.

“Today we ran mostly in traffic … we learned a lot," she said. "I have a little bit of work to do, and I’m looking forward to going back out there tomorrow and working on it."

Extra boost for weekend

The boost level will be increased from 130 kPa to 140 kPa for “Fast Friday” practice May 15 and qualifications May 16-17.

The change in pressure adds about a 40 horsepower boost to the Chevrolet and Honda 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 engines. The boost level will return to 130 kPa for final practice on Coors Light Carb Day on May 22 and the 500 Mile Race.

Honoring veterans and U.S. Military personnel

Among those honored will be U.S. Army Air Corps Captain Jerry Yellin, 91, of Fairfield, Iowa, who flew the final combat mission of the war on Aug. 14, 1945, the day the war ended.

The veterans recently took a trip to Washington, D.C., on an Indy Honor Flight, a program that offers free-round trip travel to veterans so they may visit the memorials in our nation’s capital that stand in their honor.

U.S. military personnel will be honored May 16 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Armed Forces Day, which is the first day of qualifications for the Indy 500.

Of note

The centerline wicker on the chassis of Verizon IndyCar Series cars, added for the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis, is a manufacturer option for the Indianapolis 500. … Six past winners are entered for the 99th Indianapolis 500. … Ed Carpenter, driving the No. 20 Fuzzy’s Vodka CFH Racing Chevrolet, will attempt to become the first driver in race history to earn the pole position three years in a row. Eleven have won back-to-back pole awards. … Twenty drivers have won the race from the pole – most recently in 2009 by Helio Castroneves.