Power Leads Penske 1,2,3 On The Opening Day Of The Milwaukee Hybrid Test

Jun 12, 2024 | IndyCar, News

Two days after leading home a Penske 1,2,3 at Road America, Will Power in the No.12 Verizon Business Chevrolet led a Team Penske 1,2,3 on the opening day of a hybrid test at the Milwaukee Mile. Power set a fastest time of 00:22.6001s and the teams conducted race simulations with the new hybrid systems which will be introduced at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio next month.

Speaking following the action, Power said:

“You do feel it’s probably going to assist in passing. “If you’ve got a run on someone, I think it will work.”

Speaking about the return of the Milwaukee Mile for the first time since 2015, Power said:

It hasn’t changed much. “I think those patches don’t seem to have much grip though in the middle of the corners, which is really good for passing. It’s the same track. It feels exactly like it did.

“I did really well here. It was one of my favorite ovals. I had been looking forward to coming here.”

Power, who completed a total of 188 laps, ended the day just ahead of Josef Newgarden, who set a fastest time of 00:22.7073s, while Scott McLaughlin rounded out the top three with a time of 00:22.7242s.

Andretti Global’s Colton Herta in the No.26 Gainbridge Honda, who has found himself in hot water over the past 48 hours over comments he made after the race in Road America, was the fastest Honda-powered driver in fourth with a time of 00:22.7955s. Pato O’Ward in the No.5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet was fifth fastest at 00:22.8160s.

Marcus Ericsson in the No.28 Delaware Life Andretti Global Honda was sixth fastest with a time of 00:22.8684s, just ahead of Felix Rosenqvist, who set a 00:22.8866s, and his new teammate at Meyer Shank Racing, the returning David Malukas, who set a 00:22.9162s, just ahead of Alexander Rossi, who set a 00:22.9695s. Graham Rahal rounded out the top ten for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with a time of 00:23.1170s.

Santino Ferruci in the No.14 Sexton Properties AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet was P11 with a time of 00:23.2162s having completed 138 laps setting a time of 00:23.2162s.

Kyle Kirkwood in the No.27 AutoNation Honda was 12th with a 00:23.2775s, just ahead of Rinus VeeKay and Christian Lundgaard. Sting Ray Robb set the 15th fastest time with a time of 00:23.5683s, ending the rain-interrupted day in 15th place, just ahead of Pietro Fittipaldi and Arrow McLaren’s Theo Pourchaire, while Ed Carpenter was 18th.

Dale Coyne Racing’s Jack Harvey was 19th just ahead of Katherine Legge who rounded out the order in 20th place. Chip Ganassi Racing and Juncos Hollinger Racing are not testing this week.

Teams will be back on track on Wednesday. INDYCAR SERIES President Jay Fyre was delighted with how the day went.

“This was another important milestone for the INDYCAR hybrid power unit. “Chevrolet and Honda checked a lot of boxes today, and none of it could happen without the continued partnership and support of our drivers and teams. The anticipation grows, and we cannot wait to see the hybrid era begin at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in a few weeks.”

Josef Newgarden who was second on Tuesday and speaking following the day of track running he said:

For me it was a pretty seamless day. It seemed like an easygoing day for most people.

“The system, certainly from the last time I ran it, it operates pretty seamlessly. Just not having a lot of hiccups with it. We’ve definitely had a lot of miles on it now. It seems to work really well. Pretty robust.

“I think it’s impossible to say we’re not going to have any issues. It’s like any new part, if there’s a new part, there’s always going to be some risk of something still needing to be developed.

“Up to this point, I think we’ve seen the system is fairly robust. It’s ready to drive I think in a race condition. Yeah, I’m excited to see this new chapter for the rest of the year.

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