After practice and qualifying, drivers got a third attempt to get used to the returning Phoenix Raceway before the race. High-line and final practice was the last time for the IndyCar drivers to prepare before the green flag falls tomorrow. David Malukas topped practice 1 and took pole position, but it was his teammate Josef Newgarden who was on top in the final practice session.
Team Penske Black Flagged in High-Line Practice
High-line practice allows the drivers to lay rubber on the alternate line of the track. This helps give more grip during the race, promoting more racing opportunities. The two 15-minute sessions on track saw drivers testing the high line for the race instead of focusing on quick laps.
Josef Newgarden and Graham Rahal were testing the overtaking abilities throughout the first session, offering a glimpse of what could come in the race. However, Newgarden and his Team Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin both received a black flag. This was due to them running too low, and saw them unable to continue for the rest of the session. Penske took this as an opportunity to look into a potential hybrid issue on Newgarden’s car.
After a lacklustre qualifying, Dale Coyne Racing started the session by fixing a gearbox issue in both cars. Dennis Hauger made it onto the track and topped the first session, but Romain Grosjean forfeited high-line practice. Alexander Rossi topped the sheets in the second group. Neither Will Power nor Felix Rosenqvist participated, but they were preparing for final practice.
Testing Issues in Final Practice
After missing the high-line practice, Grosjean was one of the first to hit the track. Ten minutes in, Grosjean caused a caution period after slowing down on track; however, he was able to return to pit lane under his own steam. With the No. 18 back in the pits, the track quickly returned to green.
Power and Rosenqvist also both quickly returned to the track after their respective crashes, and they were focused on ensuring their cars were fully fixed. Power returned to his pit box to continue fixing elements, leaving him P24. However, Rosenqvist looked to be back on form as he set his laps. He finished the session P.
After concerns in the high-line session, Team Penske was questioning Newgarden’s hybrid unit. With half an hour left, he eventually hit the track and immediately showed pace, slotting into P1 ahead of Marcus Armstrong. As he finally set laps, his hybrid unit seemed to be okay, so perhaps it was merely a blip in the early session.
Race Preparation and Newgarden on Top
Final practice was the time to look forward to the race and start to prepare. Instead of chasing speed and quick laps, it was all about testing the tyres to plan their race strategy. With drivers focusing on lap count, it was Álex Palou who initially led the field with a top speed of 166.197 mph. Armstrong was able to go faster than him, but Newgarden ultimately topped the timesheet.
Focusing on tyre degradation, drivers and teams were looking at whether the race would be a three or four stopper. The best tyre stint came from Arrow McLaren’s Christian Lundgaard, who went 56 laps before pitting. This suggests it will be a four-stopper. However, ultimately, no one will know the best strategy until the race itself.
With qualifying and practice complete, all lies in the race ahead. Drivers face 250 laps in the desert heat tomorrow. Team Penske has shown strength in both speed and race simulations, but can they stay calm to take the win? Oval races are unpredictable. What will the Good Ranchers 250 bring?