The good times continue for Josef Newgarden.
Two-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES Champion Newgarden, who leads the series points this year after winning two of the first three races, led the rain-delayed second day of Thursday’s Indianapolis 500 Open Test with a top lap of 229.519 mph in the No. 2. Shell Team Penske Chevrolet. That lap was nearly 2.5 mph faster than six-time series champion Scott Dixon’s Wednesday top speed of 227.187.
RESULTS: Thursday | Two days combined
Newgarden is seeking his first Indianapolis 500 win, presented by Gainbridge, and a record-breaking 19th 500 win for Team Penske.
“I can’t deny things are feeling really good on the 2nd car,” said Newgarden. “You’re just making progress. It’s not like two steps forward, two steps back, or vice versa. I feel like we’re moving forward every time and we’re just getting better.
“We are currently on the right track. I don’t want it to be too flat; I want things to be different. I’m confident with what we have, feel good about showing up everywhere. Being on Team Penske makes that easier. I always feel safe in our group.”
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato was second fastest with a 229.427 in the No. 51 Nurtec ODT Honda, followed by 2013 Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan with a 228.767 in the No. 1 The American Legion Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.
2008 “500” winner Dixon finished fourth with 228.689 in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Scott McLaughlin, winner of the season-opening race at St. Petersburg, completed the top five in the No. 3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet.
The start of the four-hour session was delayed four hours and 30 minutes due to morning showers in the Indianapolis area. The day was accident-free after there were three driver spins on or off the acceleration lane at Turns 1 and 2 on Wednesday, but diligent asphalt work overnight and this morning from INDYCAR, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Firestone increased the grip level area today.
Once the track dried, the riders wasted no time spinning around the 2.5-mile oval in large packs to simulate traffic while testing race setups. All top speeds were achieved with the help of an aerodynamic tow from leading cars.
Among the few drivers who drove clean laps without a tow, Rinus VeeKay was fastest with 221.314 in the SONAX Chevrolet No. 21. McLaughlin was the second fastest no-tow driver with a 221.221, followed by Conor Daly with a 220.793 in the No. 20 BitNile Chevrolet.
“We won’t know where we actually are until qualifying Saturday (May 21) when everyone does their first heat,” said 2018 500 winner Will Power, who is the No. 12 on the Verizon team 14th place overall went to Penske Chevrolet. “Then you get a rough idea of how fast we could be.
“You need (extra boost for qualifying) when all the individual heats are running on exactly the same fuel load with no train, all of that. That’s the only way you’ll know.”
Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson continued a solid two-day buildup for his maiden start at The Greatest Spectacle in Racing by finishing eighth with 227,900 in the #48 Carvana Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Johnson was the fastest of the seven Indy 500 rookies in the test.
32 drivers collectively covered 4,318 laps (10,795 miles) during the two-day test. Marcus Ericsson completed 148 laps Thursday in his No. 8 Huski Chocolate Chip Ganassi Racing Honda — nearly three-quarters of Gainbridge’s presented 200-lap distance at the Indianapolis 500 — more than any other rider.
The only rider not to be on track on Thursday was four-time and reigning winner Helio Castroneves. His test was aborted due to damage to the front, right side and underbody of his #06 AutoNation/Sirius XM Honda when it spun while exiting the acceleration lane at Turn 2 and the SAFER barrier at Turn 2 on Wednesday met.
Next up for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is round four of the season, the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama presented by AmFirst from April 29th to May 1st at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama.
Presented by Gainbridge, the 106th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 29 on IMS.