Newgarden Tops Practice Sessions at World Wide Technology Raceway
World Wide Technology Raceway experienced delayed practices due to morning rain, but once the track opened at 2 PM ET, Josef Newgarden of Team Penske demonstrated his prowess, clocking the fastest lap at 178.243 mph in the No. 2 Chevrolet.
Teammate Scott McLaughlin followed closely, securing the second-fastest time with a lap of 178.149 mph in the No. 3 Chevy, achieving competitive results after a slow start. David Malukas, representing AJ Foyt Racing, placed third with a speed of 177.858 mph in the No. 4 vehicle, while Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou took fourth at 177.518 mph in the No. 10 Honda, despite a delay due to a part replacement.
Completing the top five was Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward with a lap of 177.492 mph in the No. 5 Chevy, followed by Colton Herta of Andretti Global in sixth, reaching 177.413 mph in the No. 26 Honda.
Newgarden, a five-time winner at this track, commented, “So far so good. It’s going to get close. It already is. I think we’ll have a tight battle with a lot of people.”
The session proceeded without incidents apart from a brief caution for track inspection to address debris affecting tire integrity.
Results
- Josef Newgarden (Team Penske) – 178.243 mph
- Scott McLaughlin (Team Penske) – 178.149 mph
- David Malukas (AJ Foyt Racing) – 177.858 mph
- Alex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing) – 177.518 mph
- Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren) – 177.492 mph
- Colton Herta (Andretti Global) – 177.413 mph
Up Next: Qualifying at 5:30 PM ET on FOX Sports 2.
