The last practice session ahead of the first day of qualifying for the 500 was delayed due to intense fog on track.
Group 1’s allotted track time began half an hour after the scheduled starting time, with rookie Ganassi driver Kyffin Simpson the first out on track, followed by JHR’s Grosjean, who was the first to complete a qualifying simulation with an average speed of 231.395mph.
Siegel is up next. Dale Coyne’s rookie driver has recovered from yesterday’s big shunt, with the team hard at work on his car no.18 in order to allow the youngster to attempt to qualify later today. He is still getting up to speed, signing an average speed of 224.445mph to slot in the provisional last spot.
At the halfway point of Group 1’s session, Armstrong holds the best speed 0.020mph ahead of Grosjean, as his teammate Linus Lundqvist comes out on track, slotting in P3.
The Ganassi driver, in his second season with the team but racing at the 500 for the first time, went for another qualifying simulation but failed to improve his previous performance.
Siegel’s second attempt is definitely an improvement, signing a fast lap speed of 226.903, but it’s clear that the hours of practise he missed yesterday have had an impact on his qualy craft. Lundqvist holds the fastest lap from this group in 232.525 mph.
Grosejan holds the provisional average best lap speed in 231.815mph.
Group 2 saw Conor Daly out on track first for Dreyer&Reinbold Racing with Cusick Motorsport, followed by Scott Dixon. Daly’s first fast simulation of the day sees him the fourth fastest lap overall I 232.054, but his average is in the 231.4mphs, for a much better performance compare to his previous outing.
Championship leader Alex Palou in his Pride DHL car no 10 is up next, following his engine issues yesterday. His first lap out on track is a 232.727mph, with the fastest average speed of the day so far in 232.336mph.
Dixon is out on track for his first qualifying simulation of the day, after backing out earlier in the practise session. Not even today the six times IndyCar champion appears to be able to sign a lap in the 232mph, , and his average puts him in P6, behind three of his teammates.
Things aren’t that bright for Dale Coyne Racing, with Katherin Legge’s average speed over four laps is 229.674mph, 1mph slower than yesterday.
Many drivers didn’t take part in the session, including the Arrow McLaren’s, the Penskes and the Andrettis, feeling confident already about their quali setup. Only 10 cars were on track, featuring mostly rookies as well as all Ganassis, still getting the hang of their Hondas.
Tune in in an hour for Day 1 of Qualifying!
