Dixon sets the pace in Indy Open Test
Today at 10:59 PM
Chip Ganassi Racing's Alex Palou was the fastest driver in the shortened first Indy Open Test session and teammate Scott Dixon went to the top of the longer session to close the day with a top lap of 225.182mph in the No. 9 Honda.
“It’s testing – just trying to get through the test list, lots of changes," Dixon said. "We didn’t do the October test, so first time with the hybrid here, which definitely adds some elements to it and makes it pretty interesting. I think it is going to determine a lot race-wise, maybe even for the shootout at the end. I think it could determine that.
"So, trying to clarify a lot of those situations to make sure that you’re covered muscle memory-wise and memory-wise. It comes down to that. So even in qualifying, I think it be a few different strategies of how to get that right."
After losing 2h45min in the morning due to an internet failure that disconnected radio and messaging communications between race control and pit lane, the abandoned 10am-12pm session was rescheduled for 12:45-2pm, which Palou led with a lap of 223.303mph.
Once the 2-4pm session for rookies and refresher runs was complete, Dixon and most of the rest of the field fired out to lap from 4-7pm as the perfect day of 70F weather and no noticeable wind allowed groups of cars to run together and simulate race-day conditions. Defending Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden was second in the No. 2 Chevy with a 225.125mph lap, and with the exception of the Team Penske driver, the top 10 was occupied by Honda-powered drivers.
The returning Takuma Sato was an impressive third at 225.069mph, and fellow returnees Helio Castroneves in seventh (224.447mph), Marco Andretti in ninth (223.602mph), and Kyle Larson – best among the Arrow McLaren camp in 11th with a 223.430mph – stood out in the afternoon filled with significant tows.
Meyer Shank Racing's Felix Rosenqvist was eighth on the overall list, but first on the no-tow report after completing an unassisted lap of 220.835mph.
Adversity was kept to a minimum on Wednesday. Dreyer & Reinbold/Cusick Motorsports' Jack Harvey experienced an energy recovery system problem that stopped his car on track during the first session. A new hybrid unit was needed, which lost most of the day, but he did get out for 15 laps before the final checkered flag. AJ Foyt Racing's Santino Ferrucci was fortunate to keep his car intact after experiencing a scare in Turn 1 that led to the car coming to a halt on the back straight. A new Chevy engine was the remedy, and he got out in time to turn five laps.
Graham Rahal was the only driver to touch the wall — a light glance coming out of Turn 3 — in the closing moments of the day.
Wednesday was spent using practice and race boost; Thursday's two-hour run from 9:30am-12pm is the first and only opportunity for drivers to use high qualifying boost before returning to low boost for the afternoon.
