Alexander Rossi emerged as the fastest driver during the second and final day of IndyCar testing at Phoenix Raceway on Wednesday, driving his Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet. In a session affected by rain delays, Rossi managed to post the top speed, marking a significant improvement over his performance from the previous day.
Rossi recorded a morning lap at 174.444 mph and improved further in the afternoon with a 20.6254-second lap, averaging 174.542 mph. This peak performance underscored his readiness as the series prepares for the upcoming season and showcased the car’s strong capability on the one-mile oval.
Top Performers and Rookie Highlights
During the morning segment, Josef Newgarden and Alex Palou secured the second and third fastest times, respectively, followed closely by Christian Rasmussen. David Malukas, who had led the opening day of testing, finished fifth fastest on the second day. Among the newcomers, Mick Schumacher stood out as the quickest rookie, reaching 171.096 mph in the morning and completing an impressive 222 laps over the two days as he adapts to oval racing.
Drivers across the board expressed satisfaction with the track conditions and vehicle handling, noting the challenge of whether a second racing groove will develop during the actual race weekend. Overall, the sentiment remained positive despite the variable weather.
Rain Interruptions Affect Afternoon Testing
The morning session ran largely uninterrupted except for a brief stop due to debris, while the afternoon faced multiple pauses caused by passing rain showers. Although Phoenix is located near the Sonoran Desert and typically experiences minimal rain, February brings an average of four measurable rain days, which impacted the test schedule.
Despite the interruptions, two hours of continuous green-flag running allowed teams to complete essential testing objectives. However, Marcus Ericsson’s session was cut short when he collided with the wall in his Andretti Global Honda. The damage was confined to the car’s rear, with Ericsson attributing the incident to a possible mechanical failure.
Test Results and Upcoming Race at Phoenix
Overall, the group of 25 confirmed entrants completed 4,853 laps over the combined eight hours of track time, gaining valuable experience on the unique oval layout. This testing phase is crucial as it sets the stage for the Good Ranchers 250, scheduled in just two weeks, which will be the first IndyCar race at Phoenix Raceway’s one-mile oval since 2018.
The data gathered during these sessions will inform team strategies and vehicle setups, as drivers and crews look ahead to the competitive challenges of race day. Alexander Rossi’s top speed reinforces his status as a leading contender heading into the event.
