CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Boeing’s first astronaut launch is off until late next week because of a bad valve in the rocket that needs to be replaced.
The countdown was halted Monday night after a pressure-relief valve in the Atlas V rocket’s upper stage opened and closed so quickly and so many times that it created a loud buzz. Engineers for United Launch Alliance determined Tuesday that the valve has exceeded its design limit and must now be removed, pushing liftoff to no earlier than May 17.
The NASA astronauts assigned to the Starliner capsule’s test flight to the International Space Station — Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams — will remain at Cape Canaveral.
Starliner's first crew flight already is years behind schedule because of a multitude of capsule problems.
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Boeing's Starliner capsule atop an Atlas V rocket is seen at Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Stationa day after its mission to the International Space Station was scrubbed because of an issue with a pressure regulation valve,Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Boeing's Starliner capsule atop an Atlas V rocket is seen at Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station a day after its mission to the International Space Station was scrubbed because of an issue with a pressure regulation valve, Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Boeing's Starliner capsule atop an Atlas V rocket is seen at Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Stationa day after its mission to the International Space Station was scrubbed because of an issue with a pressure regulation valve,Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Boeing's Starliner capsule atop an Atlas V rocket is seen at Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station a day after its mission to the International Space Station was scrubbed because of an issue with a pressure regulation valve, Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Kyle Larson will shoot for the Indianapolis 500 pole after the NASCAR star posted a blistering four-lap average of 232.788 mph on Sunday during his Fast 12 run at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Larson is trying to become the second driver ever and first since Tony Stewart in 2001 to complete “The Double,” running the entire Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte on the same day — a full 1,100 laps.
The fastest 12 from the first day of qualifying advanced to Sunday. The top six among them run for the pole.
By making the six-car shootout, Larson also will get a dry run for May 26. He is due at North Wilkesboro later Sunday to run the NASCAR All-Star Race, and he must leave Indianapolis Motor Speedway by helicopter by 6:15 p.m. EDT to reach a nearby airport and hop on a plane to North Carolina.
If all goes according to plan, Larson would land at Wilkes County Airport at 7:45 p.m., jump into another helicopter and land at the racetrack 15 minutes later — exactly 14 minutes before NASCAR drops the green flag.
“Pretty neat being in the top six,” said Larson, who pleaded with NASCAR and TV broadcaster Fox to delay the start of the All-Star Race. “Just happy with how the day is going. Felt like our car was good there.”
Chad Knaus, the vice president of competition at Hendrick Motorsports, said there was no backup plan if Larson does not make it in time.
“The car would just sit there and look pretty. We would save it for another event,” Knaus said from North Wilkesboro. “The way things are working out, all of our cards are in getting Kyle here. That’s the plan.”
Larson had a nervy first day of qualifying Saturday when an engine issue that Chevrolet has struggled with all weekend caused him to scrap his initial attempt. But he returned to the track a little later and laid down a 232.563 mph four-lap average, putting him sixth quickest among the 34 entries and into the pole mix.
Things were a little dicey again during an hourlong practice Sunday, too.
Larson had to abort his first qualifying simulation because of traffic, backed out of his second with understeer, but eventually put together a quality run that gave him confidence of making the final six going for the pole.
When he did it, thousands of fans along the front stretch at Indianapolis Motor Speedway stood and cheered.
“People used to say to me, ‘Can you believe Kyle Larson?’” said Jeff Gordon, the vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, which is working with Arrow McLaren to field the No. 17 car. “I used to think the same way but I don't anymore. He always steps up. He's just fun to watch.”
AP Sports Writer Steve Reed in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, contributed to this report.
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Kyle Larson drives through the first turn during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kyle Larson drives through the first turn during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kyle Larson, left, talks with a crew member during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson drives through the first turn during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kyle Larson talks with his family during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson climbs into his car during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson prepares to drive during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson, center, walks to his pit box during a practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson waits in his pit box during a practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Friday, May 17, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson walks down pit lane with a crew member during a practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Friday, May 17, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson sits on pit wall during a practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Friday, May 17, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson climbs out of his car during a practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson leaves the pits during a practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson prepares to take off his helmet during a practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson signs autographs during a practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson looks at his phone during a practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kyle Larson, left, talks with his team during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kyle Larson, left, talks with 2013 Indy 500 champion Tony Kanaan as he met with his team during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kyle Larson climbs into his car before the start of practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kyle Larson waits for the start of practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
