Andretti Global’s Colton Herta in the No.26 Gainbridge Honda was quickest on Fast Friday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, setting a speed of 234.974MPH and ending the day just ahead of Indianapolis 500 rookie and NASCAR star Kyle Larson of Arrow McLaren. Defending Indianapolis 500 winner Joef Newgarden was third fastest, just ahead of his teammate Scott McLaughlin in the No.3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet.
Alexander Rossi was fifth fastest for Arrow McLaren, just ahead of Will Power in the No.12 Verizon Business Chevrolet, while Pato O’Ward was seventh fastest. Kyle Kirkwood, who drew No.1 in qualifying, was eighth fastest, just ahead of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato.
Santino Ferrucci had a great day for AJ Foyt Racing as he ended the day in tenth place with a speed of 233.412MPH, ending the session just ahead of Agustom Canapino for Juncos Hollinger Racing. At the same time, Ryan Hunter Reay for Dreyer and Reinbold Racing was 13th, just behind Meyer Shank Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist, while Callum Ilott was 14th for Arrow McLaren.
Rinus VeeKay was 15th for Ed Carpenter Racing, just ahead of Sting Ray Robb of AJ Foyt Racing, who put in a 233.042MPH just ahead of Marco Andretti and Christian Lundgaard.
Ed Carpenter was 19th, just ahead of four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves, who rounded out the top twenty. Chip Ganassi Racing struggled on Friday, with Scott Dixon in the No.9 PNC Bank Honda ending the day as their fastest car in 21st place, just ahead of his former teammate Marcus Ericsson. Tom Blomqvist was the 23rd fastest.
Defending series champion Alex Palou, on the pole for the Indy 500 last season, suffered an engine failure and ended the day in 24th place, just ahead of Romain Grosjean and Marcus Armstrong.
Christian Rasmussen was 27th, just ahead of Linus Lundqvist and Pietro Fittipaldi, while Graham Rahal rounded out the top 30 for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Conor Daly was 31st for Dreyer and Reinbold Racing, just ahead of Kyffin Simpson, who drew number 3 for qualifying on Saturday, while Katherine Legge was 33rd.
Nolan Siegel suffered a big crash early in the day, ended upside down, and had to go to the backup car. The American completed 182 laps.