Sharp all smiles after turning in fastest lap

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Scott Sharp grabbed his baseball cap, sat down at the table and grinned.

He tried not to, of course, but Sharp couldn't contain himself Wednesday after turning in the fastest practice time of the week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway -- 226.137 mph.

"They were fun more than anything," Sharp said, describing his trips around the track with about 20 minutes left in practice. "We got a little run going, and I probably would have had to pit if I didn't keep the hammer down. So I kept it down all the way around."

Sharp sped away like few have this week.

Until Wednesday only two drivers, Greg Ray and Mark Dismore, had even cracked the 224 barrier.

But Sharp joined those two just 56 minutes into practice, clocking a 224.382. Nearly six hours later, Sharp shattered that mark with the week's fastest speed -- by a long shot.

"For me, I try to back off during Happy Hour," he said, his voice speeding with excitement.