Andretti’s Ryan Hunter-Reay tops second practice for Long Beach Grand Prix

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Ryan Hunter-Reay posted the fastest lap in the second practice Friday for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, but his IndyCar competition was nipping at his heels.

Hunter-Reay, who drives for the team of Andretti Autosport in the Izod IndyCar Series, ran a lap with an average speed of 100.302 mph on the 1.97-mile, 11-turn course on the city’s seaside streets.

But the next three fastest drivers also topped 100 mph and were within one second of Hunter-Reay’s time. Ryan Briscoeof Penske Racing was second, Hunter-Reay teammate Tony Kanaan was third and Alex Tagliani was fourth.

Penske’s Will Power-- who won two of the first three IndyCar races this year and was the fastest driver in the first practice -- was fifth in the second practice.

Danica Patrick,the sport’s most popular driver and another teammate of Hunter-Reay’s at Andretti, continued to struggle. She was 23rd fastest in the 25-car field in the second practice after being 21st in the first practice.

Qualifying is Saturday for the grand prix’s pole position and to set the rest of the starting grid.

--Jim Peltz