Hinchcliffe says qualifying was likely "the most difficult ever" at Indy

And pole-sitter James Hinchcliffe was no exception, saying this when asked about the re-introduction of domed skids.

"If you talk to the guys over the last 48 hours, everybody will say this is probably the most difficult qualifying session they've ever had to do at Indy. What's changed?

"The windy conditions don't help, but we've had windy conditions here before. I think what made it tricky is the regulations. Some will argue that's great. It was a bit harder, which is good in theory. What's tough for the drivers is that a really difficult qualifying run or a pretty smooth qualifying run is absolutely indecipherable on television. So when you're watching, it looks the same. It's no more spectacular outside the car, but it is terrifying inside the car.

"We don't mind driving hard or working hard or making us do more, but man, give us some credit for it. It is hair-raising."

Added Hinchcliffe: "The feeling inside the car, fundamentally I stick by what I said. I understand why we did it -- Safety comes first and that's what we're doing."

There have been four incidents this week, but two can be attributed to issues outside the driver's control. Another near-incident happened Sunday morning when Townsend Bell got ridiculously sideways, nearly binning it in practice.

RHR and Newgarden agree

Ryan Hunter-Reay, who qualified third, echoed Hinch's comments, discussing the razor edge drivers were on all weekend.

"Crazy intense weekend. I mean stressful beyond belief.

"It's been incredibly difficult the whole weekend. When the wind shifts and the conditions change -- man, this is probably the trickiest conditions, other than that one time when I had that car it was eight miles an hour off the pace. That was worse. But this was pretty bad."

Josef Newgarden, who will start the race from second position, feels similar to the two veterans.

"It's been tough, you know. I was telling everybody yesterday in this room, I was watching Scott Dixon's run, and I was, like, you have no idea how stupid loose he is and how crazy it is driving that car.  

"I mean they have been difficult to drive. We've been running with more downforce than we have in years past. I think that's a lot to do with the floor. But we adjust."

As for the kind of show we can expect next Sunday, Hinchcliffe believes that it will mirror previous years, as long as it doesn't get too hot and slick. 

"From what we've seen in practice, it still should be pretty decent as long as the track temps don't  get too hot and we lose a bunch of grip."