Defending Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden in the No.2 Shell Team Penske Chevrolet was the pacesetter during Monday’s full-field practice session at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The Tennessee native set a 226.238MPH ending the session just ahead of Andretti Global’s Colton Herta and speaking following the action he said:
The car feels good. “I’ve been happy with it since we showed up. I’m excited to go racing. The team has done a great job.
“We’re going to see how things shake up. You’ve just got to be ready for everything. We’re going to make a plan, like qualifying, and we might change the plan. You never know with the Indy 500. We’re ready for Sunday.”
Will Power in the No.12 Verizon Business Team Penske Chevrolet was third fastest with a speed of 225.747mph.
Agustin Canapino was fourth fastest just ahead of Pato O’Ward and Christian Rasmussen.
Scott Dixon in the No.9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda was seventh with a speed of 225.516mph.
Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Romain Grosjean was eighth fastest just ahead of Alexander Rossi and Marco Andretti who rounded out the top ten.
Graham Rahal was 11th just ahead of Ryan Hunter-Reay in the No.23 VensureHR Dreyer and Reinbold Racing with Cusick Motorsports Chevrolet.
Helio Castroneves was 13th just ahead of Conor Daly and Santino Ferrucci. Speaking following the action, Ferrucci who starts the Greatest Spectacle In Racing on Sunday from sixth commented saying:
“Feeling really good. We’re slowly tuning this thing up. Every time we go out there, we find a little bit and find a little bit, and that’s part of the game. As long as we don’t lose a little bit, we’ll be good.”
Tom Blomqvist was 16th just ahead of two-time Indianapolis winner Takuma Sato.
Callum Ilott was 18th just ahead of Alex Palou while Christian Lundgaard rounded out the top twenty.
Polesitter Scott McLaughlin was 21st just ahead of Felix Rosenqvist and Linus Lundqvist while Kyle Kirkwood was 24th just ahead of Marcus Ericsson and Pietro Fittipaldi.
Kyffin Simpson was 27th just ahead of Kyle Larson who made it back to Indianapolis following his All Star NASCAR race on Sunday night.
Rinus VeeKay was 29th just ahead of Marcus Armstrong who rounded out the top 30.
Sting Ray Robb was 30th and speaking following the action he said:
“Today was good. I think that we have a better idea of where our Goodheart Chevrolet needs to be and where it is compared to where we were before today, which is nice. We had a little bit of an issue in the middle of the session and we were able to come back to the garage and figure it out quickly, which I’m super proud of the guys for doing. Got back out there, and got some race running in. I’m really excited about the race. I think we can go forward in the field. It’s going to be tight. Super competitive this year. Everyone is on top of their game this year. I’m excited to see how it shakes up. I’m really proud of the Goodheart crew and really want to do well. I think we have good potential.”
Ed Carpenter was 32nd while Katherine Legge rounded out the order in 33rd place.