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Fernando Alonso just misses qualifying for Indy 500 on first day

Former Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso will need a clutch run on Sunday to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 on May 26 after he failed to seal a guaranteed spot on Saturday. The Spaniard tried fives times to put his McLaren Racing Chevrolet in the top 30, but wound up one spot short. He can make the 33-car field only through a six-car shootout on Sunday that will determine the race's final three drivers. "We have another chance to be in the race," Alonso, who is seeking to make his second Indy 500 field, told IndyCar TV. The Spaniard twice got inside the top 30 but both times was bumped outside the mark, with JR Hildebrand and Graham Rahal the final two drivers to seal qualifying spots. Britain's Pippa Mann will be the only woman in the race, qualifying 30th in 227.244 mph. Race positions 10-30 were determined during the day-long qualifying with Saturday's nine fastest drivers set to return on Sunday to decide pole. Spencer Pigot, driving the Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet, led qualifying with a four-lap average of 230.083 mph. He was followed by 2018 winner Will Power of Australia (230.081) and Simon Pagenaud of France (229.854). The troubles for Alonso, whose top four-lap average was 227.224 mph, were exacerbated by a punctured tire in his first qualifying run. "That didn't help," Alonso told reporters. "But, obviously, our performance has been quite bad all week. Quite poor." The Spaniard crashed his Chevrolet in practice on Wednesday and missed nearly two full days of practice while a backup car was prepared. He returned on Friday. Alonso said he was worried the McLaren team was "not ready for the challenge." "We've been slow. You see Juncos Racing crashing yesterday and being ready at 6 o'clock. That's impressive," he said. "For us, we've been a little bit slow on everything." Alonso is bidding to join Graham Hill as the only drivers to achieve the 'Triple Crown of Motorsport' with an Indy 500 victory. He previously won the Monaco Grand Prix and Le Mans 24 Hours race. He also won two Formula One drivers' titles. (Reporting by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)Related Video: Motorsports Chevrolet McLaren IndyCar

Chevy Colorado gets box delete option designed for upfitters

The Colorado, which marks the return of Chevrolet to the midsize truck segment, is receiving critical praise, and now it's time for the pickup to get to work. At the National Truck Equipment Association Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, IN, Chevy is unveiling a box delete option package for the model that allows businesses to custom tailor the Colorado to their needs. The choice to remove the bed is exclusively available on the Colorado Work Truck trim in the rear-wheel drive, extended cab model with a 305-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 and six-speed automatic gearbox, and Chevy claims this is the only option of its type in the segment. Beyond the obvious loss of the rear, these trucks feature eight mounting points on the frame for upfitters to install any necessary modifications. They also get the Z82 trailering package and a locking differential. The versions with the box delete package carry a payload rating of 2,200 pounds an a gross vehicle weight rating of 6,001 pounds. "It's ideal for utility companies requiring service bodies, as well as landscapers and other businesses needing the utility of a flatbed," Ed Peper, US Vice President for General Motors Fleet and Commerical, said in the option's announcement. Further options with the package are limited to choosing a repositioned fuel filler for the upfitter to install and deleting the rear seat for extra interior capacity. The box delete becomes available in mid-April, and buyers get a $300 credit off the price of the Colorado when it's selected. Colorado 'Box Delete' Expands Options for Businesses Chevrolet package offers unique midsize pickup platform for alternative uses 2015-03-04 INDIANAPOLIS – With a box delete option, business owners and fleet managers can have it their way when it comes to customizing the back end of the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado. Chevrolet today announced availability of the package in mid-April. It is on display this week at the annual National Truck Equipment Association Work Truck Show in Indianapolis. It is the only such option offered in the midsize truck segment. "With the segment-leading efficiency and maneuverable size, the Colorado makes a great, flexible choice for urban businesses and fleets to make the most of a midsize truck," said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president, GM Fleet & Commercial.

Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra could get independent rear suspension

The Chevrolet Silverado and the GMC Sierra could reportedly receive a variant of the four-link independent rear suspension found under the new Tahoe and Suburban. While that's not a surprise, a recent report suggests electrification, not comfort, convinced General Motors to make the change. Replacing the time-tested solid rear axle with an independent suspension will improve comfort, handling and off-road prowess, while adding weight, and likely making the trucks a little bit more expensive. It's a fair trade-off, but GM Authority learned the real reason for the swap is that at least one of the pickups will spawn an electric model, and it's more difficult to package a bulky battery pack around a solid rear axle. The independent rear suspension takes up far less space, even if it has more moving parts. General Motors will build its first regular-production electric pickup on an evolution of the Silverado's T1 platform named BT1, according to the same source. The b stands for -- you guessed it -- batteries. The firm reportedly doesn't want to make two suspensions for cost reasons, so the independent setup will come standard regardless of whether the truck runs on gasoline, diesel, or electricity. As a bonus, Chevrolet and GMC could choose to offer their T1-based trucks with Magnetic Ride Control or an air suspension, options available on the 2021 Suburban and Tahoe. The independent rear suspension will also find its way to the next-generation GMC Yukon due to be revealed January 14, and to the 2021 Cadillac Escalade scheduled to make its debut February 4. The long-rumored, born-again Hummer will get it, too, because it will arrive as an electric model built on the BT1 platform. It's worth noting none of this is official, and General Motors has remained quiet about what's next for its new suspension design, and what will be under its electric truck's sheet metal. If the GM Authority report is accurate, the Silverado (pictured) and the Sierra could ditch their solid rear axle for the 2021 model year. The change will likely be accompanied by other tweaks inside and out. Featured Gallery 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 View 16 Photos Chevrolet GMC Truck