Defending NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou in the No.10 Ridgeline Chip Ganassi Racing Honda led the way in the test session ahead of this weekend’s $1 million Challenge at The Thermal Club in California. The Spaniard set a fastest time of 01:39.5149s just ahead of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Christian Lundgaard while Marcus Armstrong made it a Honda Racing Corporation 1,2,3 while Alexander Rossi was the fastest Chevrolet driver in 4th place just ahead of Pato O’Ward.
Linus Lundqvist was sixth with a 01:39.9197s while it was a great session for Felix Rosenqvist and Meyer Shank Racing as he ended the session in seventh place just ahead of Team Penske’s Will Power who was eighth just ahead of Callum Ilott of Arrow McLaren while Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon in the No.9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing rounded out the top ten with a time of 01:40.1103s.
Romain Grosjean had a great session for Juncos Hollinger Racing as he was 11th just ahead of Marcus Ericsson who suffered a left front brake fire. Colton Herta was 13th just ahead of Rinus VeeKay while Kyle Kirkwood was 15th just ahead of Scott McLaughlin, while Santino Ferrucci was 17th for AJ Foyt Racing in the No.14 Sexton Properties Chevrolet.
Christian Rasmussen was 18th just ahead of Agustin Canapino while championship leader Josef Newgarden in the No.2 Hitachi Team Penske Chevrolet rounded out the top twenty.
Pietro Fittipaldi was 21st for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing who set a 01:41.0314s just ahead of Graham Rahal while Kyffin Simpson was 23rd just ahead of Tom Blomqvist and Colin Braun. Nolan Siegel ended his first INDYCAR SERIES session in 26th place just ahead of Sting Ray Robb who rounded out the order in 27th place.