Josef Newgarden Sets Fast Pace in Final Practice Ahead of Indy 500
Josef Newgarden of Team Penske topped the final practice session for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, clocking a rapid lap at 225.687 mph. The experienced driver, seeking his third consecutive Indy 500 victory, was followed closely by Takuma Sato, who posted a speed of 225.415 mph. Scott Dixon rounded out the top three with a lap at 225.200 mph, while Devlin DeFrancesco and Will Power completed the top five with speeds of 224.778 mph and 224.419 mph, respectively. Notably, four of the five fastest drivers have previously won the prestigious race.
The top ten was filled out by Felix Rosenqvist, Helio Castroneves, Pato O’Ward, David Malukas, and Conor Daly. Despite starting the race in last position (33rd) due to a controversy involving the Penske attenuator, Power actively tested alternate racing lines early in the session. Tensions rose as two cars executed a three-wide maneuver while Rosenqvist entered the track.
Challenges for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Takuma Sato displayed his aggressive racing style with a bold outside pass on Rinus VeeKay. However, he experienced difficulties later in the session with a mechanical issue that triggered a brief yellow flag. His teammate, Graham Rahal, faced similar setbacks, concluding his practice prematurely due to undisclosed mechanical problems.
“We had a mechanical failure, unfortunately,” said Rahal. “It just feels like we can’t get caught up here.”
Rookie Robert Shwartzman, who secured the pole position, struggled to find his rhythm in the draft, finishing 29th despite logging the most laps at 85. Colton Herta reported braking issues, while Alexander Rossi was sidelined with a water pump failure.
Fire Incident Involving Hunter-Reay
In a dramatic incident, Ryan Hunter-Reay’s car caught fire with approximately 40 minutes remaining in the session. The 2014 Indy 500 winner managed to exit safely, describing the moment: “I just felt a lot of liquid on my left side. After I felt the liquid… it just started smoking more and more.”
As the session concluded, teams focused on practicing pit entries and strategies ahead of the race on Sunday. The final practice provided key insights into the competitive landscape, as teams prepare for one of motorsport’s most esteemed events.
