It was a beautiful afternoon in Portland as the penultimate round of the 2023 IndyCar season kicked off with first practice.
At the 15-minute mark, a 59.0588 from Lundgaard put him top of the charts from Armstrong, VeeKay, Pedersen, Canapino, Robb, Blomqvist and Ferrucci.
Just under 20 minutes into the session, Arrow McLaren’s Felix Rosenqvist caused a red flag as he gently hit the barriers at turn 12 moments after moving up to P4 on the timing charts. He lost the engine and had to be fired up.
When the action resumed, Pato O’Ward slotted himself into P1 before the 30-minute mark as he logged a 58.9334, a tenth ahead of Lundgaard.
There was a hairy moment for Ryan Hunter-Reay as he had a snap in turn 11 and took a trip through the grass. Fortunately for the veteran, he avoided the wall.
A second red flag was required 30 minutes into the session as Ferrucci stalled his car. He spun out of turn 6 and couldn’t get the car moving afterwards.
At the halfway point of opening practice, O’Ward led Lundgaard, Grosjean, Palou and Kirkwood. Scott Dixon was down in 10th at this stage.
Soon after, Palou and Dixon vaulted up the order. The championship leader moved into P1 with a 58.9168, as the Kiwi moved himself into 3rd.
At turn 1, Helio Castroneves got in way too hot, locked up and missed the corner.
Yet another red flag had to come out as Ryan Hunter-Reay understeered at turn 12 and the rear had a brief snap. Although he avoided the wall, he heavily locked his front tyres and stalled.
Out of turn 2, Will Power had a strange moment as he lost the car on traction out of the corner.
The first drivers to do a lap under 59s were Rinus VeeKay and Christian Lundgaard. A 58.7843 from the Dutchman on primaries was just over a tenth quicker than the Dane in the RLL
On his second quick lap on the alternates, however, Lundgaard smashed in a 58.1776 to go fastest by over 0.6s. Kirkwood was the first one to get close as a 58.3246 moved him within 0.2s of the Danish star.
Callum Ilott had a huge moment in turn 5 as he ended up off the road but managed to return to the track without hitting anything.
Lundgaard led Kirkwood, Palou, O’Ward, Rosenqvist, VeeKay, Ericsson, Armstrong, Vips and Rahal with 10 minutes to go.
Save of the day went to Colton Herta as he had a huge snap in turn 6, ended up in the grass but avoided the barriers.
At turn 12, Canapino got a bit wide but managed to avoid the wall.
As the chequered flag was thrown to end the session, Lundgaard was fastest from Kirkwood, Palou, O’Ward, Rosenqvist, Malukas, Grosjean, VeeKay, Rossi and Newgarden.
The lead rookie was Marcus Armstrong in P13, with former F2 teammate and debutant Juri Vips impressing in 15th. He managed to outpace teammate Graham Rahal, as well as big names like McLaughlin, Power and Dixon.
Championship contender Dixon struggled with the balance of his car and could only manage P19.
Photo credit: Penske Entertainment | Joe Skibinski
