Carpenter had the Brickyard in a state of rapture as he knocked off three Penskes and all five Andretti cars to score the biggest pole position of his life.
Fast Friday's activities turned into Wet Friday just past 3 p.m. ET, but while the good weather held, Andretti's E.J. Viso used a tow to hit 229.537 mph.
Despite decent to great weather, the Speedway has been empty the past six days with a couple hundred people watching daily practice from the grandstands.
If the conditions are right on Saturday’s run for the pole, the men behind the Chevy and Honda powerplants believe a 230 mph average is indeed possible.
Indy 500 rookie Carlos Munoz added to his drafting experience on Thursday, using a tow to grab the fast lap for the second time in five days of practice.
“I appreciated Sam’s effort and Honda was willing to take the risk if they needed 33 cars but I don’t want to do a Bump Day program just to fill the field," said Rice.
Longtime Sam Schmidt Motorsports supporter Forrest Lucas is sponsoring rookie Tristan Vautier, and the team could be getting closer to its third driver.