Tagliani to rely on Alex Nagy to move safely up the field on Sunday at the Indy 500

Montreal, Quebec - Canadian driver Alex Tagliani was back on track Friday morning for the final practice session prior to the start of the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500-mile race, running mid-pack in the AJ Foyt Racing number 35 Alfe Heat Treating Special Honda. Tagliani was 19th quickest, posting a 223.133 mph fastest lap, only half a second off Brazilian Tony Kanaan who led the 33-car field on the day.

"I'm super happy with this morning results and thankful for the hard work by all of the guys at AJ Foyt Racing to get the new car ready for the race," mentioned Tagliani. "They kept pounding at it. No one threw in the towel after the qualifying incident and they built a really good, solid car. Everybody is pumped. We were aggressive out there [today in final practice], so it's going to be good to sleep, but still I'm really excited for the race. The car was solid, predictable, and safe. The way we ran today, it was really positive."

Tagliani reunited once again with spotter Alex Nagy

Tagliani will have his work cut out come Indy 500 race Sunday, as he will start last on the grid following a crash last Sunday during Pole Day at Indianapolis. Tagliani will need all the help he can get, especially from race spotter Alex Nagy who will be on top of the spotter stand watching over him.

Nagy, from Brantford, Ontario, is a very busy man as the Director of the NASCAR Pinty's Series in Canada, but he took the time off to come to Indy. Nagy met Tagliani in 2008 when asked to work with the Lachenaie native when he competed in the Canadian NASCAR race in Edmonton. After Tagliani formed the FATZZ IndyCar Race Team in 2010, he phoned Nagy and ask if he wanted to spot the ovals for him.

"Through 2010 to 2013, I was more involved with the FATZZ IndyCar Race Team as I was there for the whole season," Nagy said about his work this week with Tag. "This year, I am working with the guys at AJ Foyt and I don't have any other role than spotting for Tag. He leans on me a lot. Personally we will talk about the why, we will talk about other competitors and what he could do different. We bounce stuff off each other as far as what could help him on the racetrack and try to carry that onto race day.

"When I was coming to all the ovals when we started back in 2010, I got to know some of the other spotters and I actually stayed in touch with a few," mentioned Nagy when asked about his relationship with other spotters. "It's funny. I haven't been around since 2013, but coming back this weekend and going up to the spotter's stand it's a lot of the same people. So it was good to see some old friends."

Tagliani is also very happy to be reunited with his long-time friend for this all important race weekend.

"I am very excited to work again with Alex Nagy this Sunday, Tagliani said. "We worked together for three years and we have some great memories; some of them from Texas Speedway, known as a really tough track for an open wheel driver when cars go three wide into a corner. We won the pole twice there and the Indy 500 pole in 2011. Over this period of time, we developed a trusting relationship. He is my wingman, the eyes in the sky for me. I trust him with my life, especially when there are blind spots in your mirrors. He tells you over the radio what is going on around me, whether it is the right side or rear, or the left side. He also spots if there is potential trouble ahead. Indy cars run at high speed on super fast oval track and that is sometimes scary.

"Alex (Nagy) is also a very technically minded and is very experienced in racing matters having been around racing for 35 years. He sees things that can help improve the set up of the car. In a 500-mile race, track conditions are always changing. He also advises me how to get ready for restarts or how to defend my position on the track. I feel completely safe having him up there watching over me. I am privileged to have Alex back. This Indy 500 race will be a real challenge charging from the back of the field," concluded Tag.

Indy 500 Race Broadcast

The 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Presented by PennGrade Motor Oil is a 200 laps race around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2.5-mile oval track. Fans can watch all the action live on ABC or SportsNet 360 on Sunday, May 29 (11 a.m. ET). Allen Bestwick is the lead announcer for ESPN on ABC broadcasts for the second consecutive year alongside analysts Scott Goodyear and Eddie Cheever Jr. Rick DeBruhl, Dr. Jerry Punch and Jon Beekhuis are the pit reporters. Fans can also follow all the on-track action at http://racecontrol.indycar.com/

Canadian James Hinchcliffe (No. 5 Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda) will lead the field. Green flag is scheduled to be waved at 12:21 p.m. (ET). The Indianapolis 500 will be the 100th 500-mile Indy car race conducted on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's oval. Ray Harroun won the inaugural race in 1911. Juan Pablo Montoya won the race in 2015 to become a two-time winner of the race.

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