Scott Dixon in the No.9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda led the way on the opening day of the Indianapolis 500 open test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday. Dixon said:
It’s testing – just trying to get through the test list, lots of changes. “We didn’t do the October test, so first time with the hybrid here, which definitely adds some elements to it and makes it pretty interesting. I think it is going to determine a lot race-wise, maybe even for the shootout at the end. I think it could determine that.
“So, trying to clarify a lot of those situations to make sure that you’re covered muscle memory-wise and memory-wise. It comes down to that. So even in qualifying, I think it be a few different strategies of how to get that right.”
The Iceman set a fastest speed of 225.182MPH during the afternoon full-field session ending the day just ahead of defending two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden in the No.2 Shell Team Penske Chevrolet who set a speed of 225.125MPH.
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato who was fastest in this morning’s refresher test was third fastest for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with a speed of 225.069MPH.
It was an excellent session for Meyer Shank Racing’s Marcus Armstrong who was fourth fastest with a speed of 224.987MPH.
Colton Herta was fifth just ahead of championship leader Alex Palou while Helio Castroneves was sixth for Meyer Shank Racing.
Felix Rosenqvist was eighth just ahead of Marco Andretti and Kyle Kirkwood who rounded out the top ten for Andretti Global.
On his return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, NASCAR CUP SERIES star Kyle Larson was 11th for Arrow McLaren.
I think the thing that — like I’m still trying to get used to when I’m out there, I don’t know what the common courtesy is as far as little things like blending on to the racetrack if you’re trying to get into a pack and all that sort of thing. So I hope I’m not making people upset when I’m out there trying to blend in and going slow — I just don’t really know what to do. There’s that side of things.
It was was a positive start to testing for Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Conor Daly who was 12th.
Scott McLaughlin was 13th in the No.3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet and speaking following the action he said:
Overall, a pretty good day. Just getting into the swing of things at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Our car felt pretty good. We’re just learning the new hybrid system and working through that as a team. Overall, a good first day. It’s good to be back.”
Graham Rahal was 14th just ahead of his teammate Devlin DeFrancesco who was 15th fastest.
Ed Carpenter Racing’s Alexander Rossi was 16th just ahead of Will Power who commented saying:
Really nice to get back out on the Speedway, get the car in a reasonable window with the weight and all that. It’s obviously a big change from last year. So I think we felt good at the end. Really interested to see how it feels in quali trim tomorrow.”
Marcus Ericsson was 18th for Andretti Global just ahead of Louis Foster and David Malukas in the No.4 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet.
Speaking following the action he said:
First day is done. It’s been a long time. I didn’t run last year, but I got comfortable within the first few laps. It took some time to get the first few laps. We had some car issues that we had to go through. The first time in this car and the first time being back here. We got going. I don’t think there is anything to be worried about. We’re right where we need to be. We need to figure out a set-up. I think we’re a little uncomfortable with where we are now. We need to get our heads down, and by the time the “Month of May” comes we should be good to go. We still have tomorrow, and that quali pace, so we’ll see how the car handles then.”
Ed Carpenter was 21st just ahead of Kyffin Simpson and Dreyer and Reinbold Racing with Cusick Motorsports Ryan Hunter-Reay.
Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Sting Ray Robb was 24th just ahead of the Arrow McLaren pairing of Pato O’Ward and Christian Lundgaard.
Christian Rasmussen was 27th just ahead of PREMA Racing’s Robert Shwartzman.
Santino Ferrucci was 29th for AJ Foyt Racing in the No.14 Sexton Properties Chevrolet following an engine change and speaking following the action he said:
Obviously an interesting day. We had to change a motor, but the boys got it done. Got out there. One set up change and I was able to hold it flat and quick one for Chevrolet.”
Jack Harvey was 31st for Dreyer and Reinbold Racing with Cusick Motorsports after stopping on track early in the day.
Nolan Siegel was 31st ahead of Callum Ilott who said:
All good, honestly; pleasantly surprised. I think we have a good baseline. Obviously, we’ve been building up a bit. Pretty happy. Going through some items that we needed to. We got through it cleanly.”
Rinus VeeKay was 33rd for Dale Coyne Racing following a curtailed session for the Dutch driver while his rookie teammate Jacob Abel.
Testing concludes on Thursday before the teams head to Barber Motorsports Park next weekend.