XPEL Grand Prix Practice Session – Road America Highlights
Elkhart Lake, WI – In a critical 75-minute practice session at Road America ahead of the XPEL Grand Prix, Kyle Kirkwood showcased his prowess by setting the fastest lap of 1m44.988s in the No. 27 Andretti Global Honda, marking a significant moment as drivers adapted to hybrid power.
Kirkwood’s impressive performance on Firestone’s alternate tires made him the only driver to break the 1m44s barrier. Devlin DeFrancesco of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing secured second place with a time of 1m45.141s in the No. 30 Honda, followed closely by Team Penske’s Will Power in third at 1m45.180s. Power’s teammate, Josef Newgarden, rounded out the top four with a time of 1m45.223s.
Christian Lundgaard from Arrow McLaren and Scott McLaughlin, also of Penske, finished fifth and sixth with times of 1m45.225s and 1m45.319s, respectively.
The session, held under 80-degree temperatures, proceeded without incident, aside from two minor off-track stoppages. Initial laps were slow, with many teams conserving tires. Lundgaard took an early lead before Santino Ferrucci briefly held the fastest lap at 1m45.934s.
As the session progressed, Alex Palou posted a competitive 1m45.552s to take the lead with less than 40 minutes remaining, while other notable drivers like Louis Foster and Marcus Armstrong remained within striking distance.
Midway through the session, a red flag was waved when Ferrucci went off course; however, he returned shortly after the incident. The session resumed, and drivers switched to the alternate tires for qualifying simulations, leading to rapid lap time improvements. Kirkwood’s eventual top time came with only five minutes remaining.
Another red flag occurred three minutes before the session’s conclusion when Alexander Rossi spun and became stuck in the gravel, halting further attempts at setting fast laps.
Next on the schedule is Practice Two, set for 11:05 a.m. ET.
Results: Detailed lap times and additional qualifying results will follow.
