The Honda-powered NTT INDYCAR SERIES teams had an encouraging start to their Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on Friday. Six of the ten cars in the top ten were Honda-powered entries.
It was a great start to the season for Andretti Global, which had all three of its cars in the top six. Kyle Kirkwood in the No.27 Chili’s Honda led the way with the fastest time of the day, 01:00.4409s.
Defending series champion Alex Palou in the No.10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda was second fastest with a time of 01:00.6004s, while Colton Herta in the No.26 Gainbridge Andretti Global Honda was fourth quickest with a time of 01:01.0603s.
Marcus Ericsson in the No.28 Bryant Andretti Global Honda was sixth fastest, just ahead of Meyer Shank Racing’s Marcus Armstrong, who in turn ended his day just ahead of Chip Ganassi Racing’s six-time series champion Scott Dixon in the No.9 PNC Bank Honda. The Iceman, who suffered an engine failure in Sebring last week, set a fastest time of 01:01.1906s.
Despite an engine failure in pre-season testing, Dixon will not receive any special treatment with the Iceman expected to take an engine penalty at some point in the season. Speaking ahead the opening practice on Friday, INDYCAR President Doug Boles said that the rules are the rules and that Dixon won’t receive a special dispensation for the failure at Sebring.