RAIN PUTS AN EARLY END TO INDY 500 OPEN TEST SESSION
The NTT Indycar Series held an open test session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last Wednesday, allowing drivers and teams to prepare for the upcoming Indy 500. Poor weather was in the forecast, so series officials adjusted the schedule earlier in the day in an attempt to allow drivers to get in as much running as possible.
The opening two-hour session began just after 9:00 AM local time and allowed those that have recent speedway experience to complete laps around the 2.5-mile oval. The reigning Indy 500 champion Josef Newgarden ended the morning run with the fastest time, completing a lap in 39.3338 seconds at an average speed of 228.811
MPH.
Setting the second fastest time was Kyle Larson, with the NASCAR champion adapting impressively well to the added speed ahead of his Indy 500 / Coke 600 double attempt next month. Scott Dixon and Alex Palou set the third and fourth fastest times respectively, with Scott Mclaughlin rounding out the top five.
Callum Ilott was on track again during the opening session despite not having an official ride in Indycar this year, as he continued to sub for an injured David Malukas.
After the initial runs from the veterans, the rookies and drivers that needed a refresher course were allowed on track to slowly build up speed and confidence. Marco Andretti, Katherine Legge, Pietro Fittipaldi, Christian Rasmussen, Nolan Siegel, and Kyffin Simpson had the track to themselves as sprinkles of rain threatened to put a halt to their runs.
They each were able to complete a prescribed program of laps at increasing speeds, finishing the required total just minutes before the forecast rain moved in.
Poor weather cancelled the rest of the day’s running and also forced Indycar to call off the second day of the test altogether. Teams and drivers will have to wait until the two weeks before the big race to properly test out their machines.