Defending Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden in the No.2 Shell V Power Nitro+ Chevrolet was fastest on Carb Day, the final practice session ahead of Sunday’s 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The Tennessee native who starts Sunday’s race from 32nd set a speed of 225.687MPH, ending the day just ahead of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato, who suffered a mechanical issue in the closing stages of the session.
Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon in the No.9 PNC Bank Honda was third fastest with a speed of 225.200MPH, just ahead of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Devlin DeFrancesco.
Will Power, who starts the race from 33rd place in the No.12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, was fifth fastest with a speed of 224.419MPH. Felix Rosenqvist in the No.60 Creed MSR Honda ended the day in sixth with a speed of 224.416MPH, while Helio Castroneves was seventh, just ahead of Pato O’Ward, while David Malukas and Conor Daly rounded out the top ten.
Ryan Hunter-Reay in the No.23 Wedbash Securities Chevrolet for Dreyer and Reinbold Racing with Cusick Motorsports was 11th despite a fire at the rear of his car. Jack Harvey in the No.24 INVST Chevrolet was 12th just ahead of AJ Foyt Racing’s Santino Ferrucci. In contrast, championship leader Alex Palou in the No.10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda had a 223.335MPH.
Kyle Kirkwood was 15th just ahead of Sting Ray Robb and Marco Andretti. Marcus Armstrong was 18th just ahead of Marcus Ericsson and Callum Ilott while Colton Herta was 21st just ahead of Louis Foster and Nolan Siegel. Christian Rasmussen was 24th just ahead of Rinus VeeKay.
Kyle Larson was 26th for Arrow McLaren just ahead of Scott McLaughlin and Ed Carpenter, while pole sitter Robert Schwartzman was 29th just ahead of Christian Lundgaard and Kyffin Simpson.
Alexander Rossi who suffered a water leak in the No.20 Java House Chevrolet was 32nd just ahead of Graham Rahal in 33rd. The next on track action for INDYCAR will be the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday.