The Field Is Set (Finally) ; Billy Boat provides the Bump Day dramatics.(Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Indianapolis 500 qualifying session)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

Billy Boat proclaimed himself the lucky one Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Frankly, we couldn't agree more.

He had survived bump day, the appropriately named final Indianapolis 500 qualifying session, for the third year in a row. In 2000, he was knocking himself into the race as the final gun sounded. Last year he agonized on the bubble as 12 competitors spent the last 48 minutes delivering their best shot. Sunday he got a safety net in the form of afternoon rain that kept everyone else at bay.

``I certainly don't want to do this again,'' Boat said. ``But it's tougher to be the guy sitting in line [waiting to qualify].'' Rain washed away the final two hours, 20 minutes of Sunday's final round.

Boat, a first-weekend qualifier, wasn't seriously challenged for the final spot because of the poor weather. But the truth is, only a few drivers left in line had run his speed. Oriol Servia, making his debut for Walker Racing, came the closest in a car leased from Conquest Racing (low 226s). Johnny Herbert wasn't around, leaving for the ALMS race at Sears Point.

Boat was relieved not to have to make another run. In the morning practice, he crashed his backup car, requiring quick repairs.

Parts were taken from three different cars, including Sam Hornish Jr.'s backup car, but Boat didn't need it.

Boat's four-lap average of 226.589 mph was noteworthy for a couple of reasons. First, it was faster ...