Newgarden Tops Carb Day Practice Ahead of Indianapolis 500
Josef Newgarden secured the fastest lap during the Carb Day practice session ahead of the Indianapolis 500, recording a speed of 225.687 mph in the No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet. The two-hour session featured a mix of fierce competition and mechanical setbacks, setting the stage for the 109th Indianapolis 500.
Newgarden’s speed, achieved early on the seventh lap, proved unmatched throughout the session. He was closely followed by Takuma Sato, who clocked in at 225.415 mph in the No. 75 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda, while Scott Dixon rounded out the top three with a speed of 225.200 mph in the No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Devlin DeFrancesco and Will Power completed the top five, achieving speeds of 224.778 mph and 224.419 mph, respectively.
However, the session was marked by multiple mechanical issues for several teams. Sato’s practice was cut short due to an unspecified mechanical failure that halted his car on the back straight with 15 minutes remaining. Fellow Rahal Letterman Lanigan driver Graham Rahal experienced similar woes, exiting the session after just 21 laps due to smoke from his No. 15 RLL Honda. “We had a mechanical failure… We’re done for the day, unfortunately,” Rahal stated, expressing frustration over the team’s challenges.
On the Chevrolet front, Ryan Hunter-Reay had a dramatic incident when smoke filled the cockpit of the No. 23 DRR-Cusick Motorsports Chevrolet, evolving into a fire. “It just felt really cold… when it starts to fill with smoke when you’re in fourth gear, you know something’s wrong,” Hunter-Reay recounted after escaping the car.
Alexander Rossi also faced disappointment, managing only five laps in the No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet before suffering a water pump failure. The team is currently working on repairs to avoid an engine change.
Teams used the session to refine strategies, with some increasing focus on pit stop practices. Notably, Robert Shwartzman, who took pole position for the race, had to implement significant changes to his No. 83 Chevrolet to address handling issues. Despite challenges, he finished the session with three successful practice pit stops.
As Carb Day concluded, the atmosphere in the paddock remained focused on preparing for the historic race. The Indianapolis 500 is set to commence with Shwartzman leading the field, promising an action-packed event.
Results
- Josef Newgarden (Team Penske Chevrolet) – 225.687 mph
- Takuma Sato (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda) – 225.415 mph
- Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda) – 225.200 mph
- Devlin DeFrancesco (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda) – 224.778 mph
- Will Power (Team Penske Chevrolet) – 224.419 mph
As preparations finalize, teams remain keenly aware of the trials that lie ahead on race day.
