After an oval race in Phoenix last weekend, IndyCar was back on a street circuit, this afternoon, this time on the streets of Arlington for practice 1. The session was the first time drivers had the chance to drive and learn about the new track. After it was all said and done, it was Scott McLaughlin at the top of the timing sheets.
Early Runnings and Times
All cars took the track as the green flag waved to get their first-ever laps on the new street track. Early on, Álex Palou led the timing with a 1:36.933 before a red flag. During the stoppage, teams made some changes as they continued to learn and adapt.
Once the session returned to green-flag conditions, drivers really started putting down their fast laps. It started with David Malukas setting at a time of 1:36.258 with 12 minutes to go. Team Penske teammate, McLaughlin, would get the better of him by 0.220 seconds.
Just before another red flag caused by Rinus Veekay, Pato O’Ward would put down a time of 1:35.686 ahead of McLaughlin’s improved time of 1:35.846. It would stay that way until the end of the group session.
The Group Sessions
McLaughlin continued to show his speed throughout the entire Group 1 session. The New Zealand native found the top of the timing sheet with 8 minutes to go, with a time of 1:35.196, and he never looked back. He continued to improve on his time until he set his best lap of 1:34.892. That time would be the best of the entire session.
Behind McLaughlin, Will Power, O’Ward, and Felix Rosenqvist each set laps in the 1:35.300’s. The next closest driver was Marcus Ericsson with a 1:35.627. At the end of the session, Rosenqvist had a moment of oversteer and found the wall.
In the Group 2 session, it was Palou and Alexander Rossi who were setting the pace. The two sat 1-2 throughout most of the session as they both improved on their initial times. Rossi finished with a 1:35.669, while Palou was the closest to McLaughlin’s time with a 1:34.951.
New Track Excitement
This is the first time IndyCar has been in Arlington, and there has already been some feedback from the drivers
McLaughlin, in an interview with Fox, called Arlington, “instantly my favorite street circuit ever“.
Cars will be on track for Practice 2, which is set for tomorrow at 14:30 CET. It will be followed by qualifying at 19:30 CET.