Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward in the No.5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet led the way in the opening practice session ahead of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES return to the streets of Detroit this weekend. O’Ward set a fastest time of 01:03.0773s ending up just ahead of six-time series champion Scott Dixon in the No.9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda who set a fastest speed of 01:03.1749s.
Andretti Autosport’s Kylle Kirkwood was third fastest in a session that saw a total of six red flags due to various on track issues. Alex Palou was fourth fastest for Chip Ganassi Racing and goes into this weekend’s race with a 20 point lead in the championship. Felix Rosenqvist was fifth fastest for Arrow McLaren just ahead of his teammate Alexander Rossi who set a 01:03.7277s ending the session just ahead of Team Penske’s Will Power in the No.12 Verizon 5G Chevrolet.
Colton Herta in the No.26 Gainbridge Honda for Andretti Autosport led the session for a time and ended the day in eighth place just ahead of Callum Ilott who did a great job for Juncos Hollinger Racing setting a fastest time of 01:03.7984s ending the session just ahead of Scott McLaughlin who rounded out the top ten.
Marcus Ericsson in the No.8 Huski Chocolate Chip Ganassi Racing Honda ended the day in 11th place overall just ahead of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Christian Lundgaard in the No.45 Hy-Vee Honda while Simon Pagenaud was 13th just ahead of Chip Ganassi Racing’s Marcus Armstrong with a time of 01:04.3134s ending the session just ahead of Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden in the No.2 Hitachi Team Penske Chevrolet who set a fastest time of 01:04.4376s ending the session just ahead of Graham Rahal who is back in the No.15 United Rentals Honda.
Devlin DeFrancesco was 17th just ahead of Jack Harvey and David Malukas while Rinus VeeKay rounded out the top 20 for Ed Carpenter Racing. Sting Ray Robb was 21sy just ahead of Conor Daly and Romain Grosjean and Agustin Canapino while Santino Ferrucci was 25th just ahead of Helio Castroneves and Benjamin Pedersen who rounded out the order for AJ Foyt Racing with a time of 01:07.7024s.