The final practice for the Gallagher Grand Prix started with everyone going out straight away, as the half hour session was the de facto warm up for the race tomorrow. Most of the field opted to practice a pit stop straight away, with a few opting to set a time on the board. Penske driver Josef Newgarden missed the driver weigh-in, meaning he would have to sit out final 10 minutes of the 30 minute session.
Rinus VeeKay was the first to go to thetop of the sheets, but soon bested by teammate Ryan Hunter-Reay and Felix Rosenqvist, albeit at a moment in the session when the times were still quite stretched out. Marcus Ericsson reported a clutch issue on his Chip Ganassi entered Dallara, but he kept running nonetheless.
Newgarden was on top after 10 minutes into the session, and with 17 minutes to go last race’s winner Kyle Kirkwood went a little wide in turn 1. Coming at the halfway point, Marcus Armstrong and Graham Rahal continued their strong performances with a second and third place.
After switching to the alternate (soft) tyres VeeKay jumped to first place, but was bumped to third with 10 minutes to go as first Calum Ilott and then championship leader Álex Palou jumped to the lead.
With just over five minutes to go Ericsson was having a little scuffle with Hunter-Reay, and ended up using the emergency road in turn 1. David Malukas followed duly while Scott Dixon improved to first. VeeKay finished the session with not one but two lock-ups at the rear in turn 1, indicating the brake balance isn’t quite as it should be.
Coming the chequered flag it’s Scott Dixon on top, followed by teammate Palou. Fellow Kiwi Scott McLaughlin was third, followed by Ilott, Kirkwood and VeeKay. Colton Herta was seventh, with Ericsson, Canapino and Armstrong rounding up the top 10. Polesitter Graham Rahal ended up in 17th place.
