The practice session for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway got off to a frustrating start with a significant delay caused by a heavy downpour and strong winds. More than eight hours later, the session finally began, but only lasted for a brief 60 minutes due to the adverse weather conditions. Despite the limited time on track, drivers were able to showcase their skills on the 1.25-mile oval. Josef Newgarden emerged as the fastest driver of the session, clocking a lap time of 24.9944s at a speed of 180.040mph.
Debut of the Alternative Tire
Firestone introduced an exciting change for this session by introducing a softer alternate tire option. Each team was required to run this tire at some point during the practice. Initially, drivers began on the primary tires, with most opting to switch to the red-walled alternates during the second half of the session. The introduction of the alternate tire added an extra layer of strategy for the teams to consider.
Early Pace Set by Ericsson and Herta
Marcus Ericsson, racing for Honda-powered Chip Ganassi Racing, set the early pace with a lap time of 25.3202s, reaching a speed of 177.724mph. However, his teammate-to-be, Colton Herta of Andretti Autosport, quickly surpassed Ericsson’s time with a lap time of 25.2607s, achieving a speed of 178.142mph. The battle for the top spot was now heating up.
As the session progressed, Josef Newgarden, a dominant force on ovals this season, claimed the top position for Team Penske. With a lap time of 24.9944s at 190.040mph, Newgarden was 0.2425s ahead of Alexander Rossi in his Arrow McLaren car, who reached a speed of 178.310mph. Newgarden’s four victories at this track in previous years showcased his skill and familiarity with the circuit.
While the majority of drivers focused on improving their lap times, others opted for race simulations to analyze tire degradation. Felix Rosenqvist, driving for McLaren, impressed by securing second place on the primary tires with a lap time of 25.2076s and a speed of 178.518mph. However, the session was marred by several incidents and a caution flag. Herta had a heart-stopping moment at Turn 4 but managed to keep his car away from the wall. Later, Takuma Sato ran wide in Turn 4, triggering the caution flag. In a subsequent restart, Scott McLaughlin spun into the grass, forcing Will Power to make contact with the wall in an attempt to avoid a collision. Unfortunately, Marcus Ericsson was unable to avoid the chaos and collided with Power at high speed.
Newgarden Tops the Session
Despite the disruptions and limited track time, Josef Newgarden concluded the hour-long session as the fastest driver, maintaining a lead of almost a tenth of a second over Scott McLaughlin. Takuma Sato, Will Power, Felix Rosenqvist, and Alexander Rossi followed closely behind in the timings. With the practice session now complete, the focus shifts to the ‘high-line’ practice session scheduled for 9pm ET, where additional rubber will be laid down on the track to enhance Sunday’s racing.
In addition to the on-track incidents, IndyCar officials handed out penalties for unapproved engine changes since the previous round on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Scott McLaughlin (Penske), Scott Dixon and Takuma Sato (Ganassi), Kyle Kirkwood (Andretti), and Agustin Canapino (Juncos Hollinger Racing) received nine-position starting grid penalties as a result.
The practice session for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 faced its fair share of challenges caused by inclement weather and technical penalties. Despite the delays and accidents, Josef Newgarden emerged as the standout driver of the session, showcasing his skills and experience on the oval. The introduction of the alternative tire added an intriguing strategic element for teams to navigate. As the race approaches, teams will be looking to make the necessary adjustments to optimize their performance and gain an edge over their competitors.
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