AsMario Moraestells it, his first time on an oval racetrack was almost his last.

At last year’s preseason test at Homestead Miami Speedway, the then-rookie got his first taste of driving a car at more than 200 mph.

“That first day, I jumped out of my car and asked myself, ‘What the hell am I doing here?’ " Moraes said Thursday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he showed yet again he is a fast learner.

Moraes followed his third-row qualifying effort last weekend by posting the fastest lap of Thursday’s practice at 222.739 mph. On the heels of a career-best sixth-place qualifying effort in the most recent race at Kansas Speedway, he is beginning to reward the faith shown in him by KV Racing Technology co-ownerJimmy Vasser.

“He’s got so much natural speed,” said Vasser, who convinced partnerKevin Kalkhovento sign Moraes after being impressed with the 20-year-old Brazilian’s performance last year at Dale Coyne Racing. “He’s got the most natural talent of any young guy I’ve seen in a long time.”

Moraes, who led three laps last year in his first Indianapolis 500 start, made his bosses nervous by running a higher line on the track than almost any other driver. So the focus Thursday was to get him away from the wall and into a more comfortable groove now that the chase for outright speed is complete.

“Everybody was talking about my lines. I tried to run a shorter line, but the speed dropped so much,” he said. “Everybody was a little afraid, but I told them (there’s) no need to be afraid. The car just wants to go there.”

Moraes led last year’s race only because he stayed on the track while others pitted. His goal this time is to get to the front on his own.

“It was exciting leading the race, but my car was not quick enough to be up there with the leaders,” he said. “It’s a big difference from last year to this year.”

Rounding out the top five Thursday behind Moraes wereRyan Briscoe,Helio Castroneves,Scott DixonandTony Kanaan.

The 55th Hoosier Hundred is a week from tonight at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, and one of its former winners will miss it for the first time.

Larry Rice,who shared 500 rookie honors in 1978 withRick Mears, is battling lung cancer at his home in Brownsburg. Rice attended the Hoosier Hundred in its early years with his father,Bob, as they lived in Linden, a small town north of Crawfordsville.

Rice, a former school teacher, won the Hoosier Hundred in 1981 as part of an illustrious U.S. Auto Club career that saw him inducted into the National Midget Hall of Fame.

He last drove in the Hoosier Hundred in 1991 before focusing on his career as a broadcaster. On ESPN, he andGary Leehosted USAC’s “Thunder” series and in recent years they provided commentary for the international feed of IndyCar Series races.

Fans with a desire to do more than watch fast cars have the opportunity to buy one this weekend at the Mecum Auction at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Among the 1,250 race cars, muscle cars and rare collector vehicles available is a 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra. Several other Shelby cars and Corvettes also will be on the auction block. The event runs through Sunday. Admission is $10 and the auto auction begins daily at 10 a.m.

Rahal Letterman Racing made its debut Thursday with SpaniardOriol Serviaposting a 221.353-mph lap, fastest of the yet-to-qualify drivers and seventh-fastest for the day. . . . Colts coachJim Caldwellwaved the green flag to open Thursday’s practice. “We build our team around speed, but this is a different type of speed,” he said. . . . The early morning storm that passed through the area caused minor damage at the track.A.J. Foyt‘spit wagon was blown over, but the computers inside were not damaged. The 70-mph wind gusts ripped off the awning and bent the metal supports in the Panther Racing hospitality area. . . . Two-time Indy winnerAl UnserJr.greeted fans at Kirles Jewelers on Wednesday night to raise money for theCody UnserFirst Step Foundation. An auction raised $5,740 for the nonprofit foundation founded by Unser’s daughter, Cody. . . .Buddy Laziertopped out at 217.007 mph in his first time in an Indy car since he finished 17th in last year’s race. For what would be his 17th Indy start, Lazier is reuniting with his 1996 race-winning Hemelgarn Racing team that includes ownerRon Hemelgarn, team managerLee Kunzmanand engineerRonnie Dawes.

Call Star reporter Steve Ballard at (317) 444-6184 or e-mail steve.ballard@indystar.com.