Alex Palou, the championship leader for Chip Ganassi Racing, led the speed charts on the second day of Indy 500 practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, reaching a blistering 227.546 mph. Practice was hampered by rain and lightning throughout the day, which limited track time for all 34 drivers. Despite these challenges, Palou’s performance outpaced the previous day’s top speed set by Will Power, marking a significant milestone in preparations for the biggest race of the year.
The full-field practice did not begin until after 1 p.m. EST due to earlier rain, allowing teams and drivers nearly three hours on track before weather conditions briefly interrupted the session. After a 45-minute pause caused by light raindrops and nearby lightning, activity resumed in a flurry, only to be stopped again mid-session by more rain during the so-called “happy hour”. Fortunately, the rain delays were short-lived, enabling the completion of Day 2’s practice under green-flag conditions.
There were no accidents on track, and the only yellow flags issued were weather-related or for track inspections. Alongside Palou’s leading speed, Will Power and his Team Penske teammate Josef Newgarden demonstrated strong performances, finishing second and third overall with speeds of 225.584 mph and 225.545 mph, respectively.
Palou reflected on his day, saying,
The top five was rounded out by Scott Dixon and Conor Daly, while drivers David Malukas, Marcus Armstrong, Helio Castroneves, Jack Harvey, and Christian Rasmussen completed the top ten on the speed charts for the day. Meanwhile, Santino Ferrucci expressed frustration with his car’s performance, ranking 33rd, and veteran Ed Carpenter finished last, in 34th place.
Ferrucci shared his thoughts candidly, stating,
In other notable performances, Kyle Kirkwood maintained his position at the top of the no-tow speed charts with 222.760 mph, followed by Christian Rasmussen and Alexander Rossi. Helio Castroneves led in terms of laps completed, logging 114 laps and demonstrating consistency despite the weather interruptions.
The second day of practice reinforced Alex Palou’s status as a frontrunner heading into the Indy 500, signaling that Chip Ganassi Racing remains a strong contender despite the challenging conditions. As the teams digest the limited track time and adjust their strategies, fans can expect an intense battle for the coveted victory at this historic event. Weather permitting, the upcoming sessions will be crucial for drivers looking to fine-tune their performance and secure a competitive edge on race day.
