INDIANAPOLIS — Danica Patrick sounded relieved Sunday. Other drivers were merely trying to contend with the deluge of delays, distractions and disappointments that ruined the first week of Indianapolis 500 practices.

But at least it wasn't a complete washout. The consolation: Having three more days to practice before qualifying for the May 28 race starts.

Sunday's on-and-off rain showers postponed pole qualifying for the second straight day after giving fans and drivers a glimpse of what to expect when qualifying resumes next weekend.

"We know it will take away from race testing, but if we find more speed, we'll just dial in some downforce and go racing," said Patrick, who hopes to make her second Indy start.

For many around the track, the persistent rain that has shortened or canceled practice for six straight days and wiped out the first two days of qualifying has been a disconcerting distraction.

Many teams hoped to use the first six practice days to fine-tune their cars for pole qualifying and the second week to establish race setups. Instead, they've spent more times watching weather radars and debating changes with few chances to test their theories on the track.

There was speculation Indy Racing League president Brian Barnhart would announce qualifying would be held Monday or Tuesday when the historic 2.5-mile oval was scheduled to be closed. But with forecasts calling for rain both days, many fans unable to return because of work and other obligations and many of the IRL's volunteer officials and track workers in the same predicament, Barnhart took a more traditional approach.

Rather than hold weekday qualifying for the first time since 1968, Barnhart announced the track would remain closed until Wednesday when practice resumes. He hopes to fill all 33 spots in the traditional starting field next Saturday and have Bump Day on Sunday.

"It puts a little burden on (the teams) now because they have to kind of mix and balance full-tank runs and race preparation with qualifying preparation because you will be jockeying for all 33 spots," Barnhart said.

Most teams, who have been chasing the two drivers for Roger Penske and Chip Ganassi all week, welcomed the challenge because it gives them more time to work out the kinks.

"I think we had a plan coming in here, but the weather upset our plan, I think," said Kim Green, who is working with Andretti Green Racing this month. "I think this is the best plan."

Before Sunday's mid-afternoon announcement, fans and drivers got a preview of next weekend's pole qualifying. With temperatures in the 50s, light wind and a cool track, drivers took advantage of the ideal conditions to turn in the fastest times of the week.

Defending Indy champion Dan Wheldon and Sam Hornish Jr., a two-time IRL champ, became the first drivers to top 228 mph. Wheldon clocked the fastest lap at 228.663, while Hornish was a tick slower at 228.220.

Former IRL champion Scott Dixon, Wheldon's teammate, and two-time Indy winner Helio Castroneves, Hornish's teammate, also turned their fastest laps at more than 227. Castroneves had the third-fastest lap at 227.888, and Dixon was next at 227.274.

The nine fastest speeds of the month all came Sunday — before the rain.

But the IRL's biggest attraction, Patrick, and her teammates at Rahal Letterman Racing continued to struggle. Patrick's best lap was 222.720, and teammates Buddy Rice and Jeff Simmons were slower. Rice, the 2004 race winner, made it onto the track for the first time since crashing Thursday.

Patrick, who finished fourth as a rookie last year, just wanted a few more chances to test.

"I did an interview right when it started to pour and the guy asked would you be happy to go tomorrow?" said Patrick, the only women entered here. "I told him I was going to walk over to Brian and tell him we should go next weekend."

It marked the first time since 1983 that the first weekend of qualifying was wiped out. All 33 spots were filled the following Saturday, and the field was also filled on one day in 1999, when there was only one weekend of qualifying on the schedule.

Anxious drivers wasted no time getting back on to the track.

But when the rains came again, the frustration mounted.

Green said he was more exhausted after Saturday's rainout than during practice or qualifying in his previous trips to the track. Patrick said it was difficult to concentrate over the past few days, and Tomas Scheckter, who was 10th Sunday at 225.091 was upset with having to wait again.

"For a driver, you get focused and do some decent times and then get rained out. To me, it's more frustrating sitting out there," he said.

The question now is whether the extra time will benefit anybody chasing the Penske and Ganassi drivers for the pole.

"I think everyone is looking for a fair shot at practice and qualifying, and this race has the most prestige from a qualifying standpoint," Green said. "You get to brag about it for two weeks. This year, I guess, it will be one week."