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Rookies Complete ROP At Indy

Last updated on Friday, May 11, 2012

(INDIANAPOLIS) - Five of the eight rookies for this year’s Indianapolis 500 have completed all three phases of the Rookie Orientation Program.

Josef Newgarden, Bryan Clauson, James Jakes, Simon Pagenaud and Rubens Barrichello completed the 40 laps of ROP and are cleared to drive in the May 27th '500'. Veteran Michel Jourdain Junior, who last competed at Indianapolis in 1996, also passed his phases and will be allowed to participate in open practice this weekend.

Wade Cunningham and Jean Alesi completed two of the three phases and can finish their rookie tests when ROP resumes this afternoon.

Rookie Katherine Legge did not participate on Thursday as her Dragon Racing team tries to finalize an engine deal with Chevrolet. Her teammate, Sebastien Bourdais, also needs to complete a refresher test.

Legge and Bourdais are in limbo after Dragon Racing's owner, Jay Penske, cut ties with Lotus earlier in the week and sued the engine manufacturer, claiming breach of contract.

Bourdais raced in the 2005 Indianapolis 500. Neither Legge or Bourdais has raced on an oval since their Champ Car World Series days. Both competed at the Milwaukee Mile in 2006.

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