Originally Posted by Nem14
They show average speed because the general public can't relate to a lap time like 39.25 seconds.
A 39.25 second lap on a 1.5 mile oval would be a much slower average speed than a 39.25 on the 2.5 mile Indy oval.
Average speed is calculated from the lap time. The drivers look at lap time, not average speed.
The goal is to make a lap in the shortest possible time.
At Indy, a 40.000 second lap time = 225 mph average speed
It's a 2.5 mile lap, or 13200 feet.
13200 feet / lap time x 60 sec x 60min / 5280 feet per mile = average speed in miles per hour.
13200 feet / 40 seconds x 60 seconds x 60 minutes / 5280 feet per mile = 225 miles per hour
Will Power did 4 laps in 2:37.3127 (157.3127 seconds - an average of 39.328 per lap). His fastest lap was done in 39.2290 seconds
His 4 lap average speed was 288.8425 mph. His fastest lap (lap #1) was an average speed of 229.4221 mph