Just five days after the opening race of the 2026 IndyCar season, drivers assembled at Phoenix Raceway for the first oval event of the year. During Friday morning’s opening practice, David Malukas set the fastest lap of the session, marking a standout performance as the only driver to exceed the 175 MPH mark.
Malukas completed a lap around the 1-mile oval in 20.5005 seconds, reaching 175.605 MPH. This pace put him at the top of the timesheets at the end of the 60-minute session, setting the tone for what should be a highly competitive weekend at the venue returning to the schedule after a lengthy absence.
Competitive Running and Engine Supplier Trends
A total of 25 cars took part in the early practice, with initial laps used for system installation and setup checks. Speeds increased rapidly as teams worked to optimize performance on the renewed Phoenix track. Pato O’Ward secured second fastest time though he fell short of the 175 MPH threshold, while Josef Newgarden posted the third best lap time.
Christian Rasmussen, driving for Ed Carpenter Racing in a Chevrolet-powered car, was fourth quickest. Will Power, the highest-ranking Honda-powered driver, placed fifth representing Andretti Global. Chevrolet engines dominated the session, with eight of the top 10 times credited to drivers using the American supplier’s power units, continuing their historical strength on short oval circuits.
Returning to a Familiar Yet Updated Phoenix Raceway
IndyCar has not visited Phoenix Raceway since 2018, when Josef Newgarden won the race on his way to defending his series championship. Significant changes have been made to the track’s facilities since that time, including relocating the starting line to the opposite end of the oval. Friday’s practice also served as an opportunity for drivers and teams to familiarize themselves with the updated turn numbering and pit road entry and exit points.
Adjusting to Oval Setups After Years Away
Due to limited recent oval experience, with just a full field test two weeks prior being the only oval practice in eight years, teams dedicated much of their efforts on Friday to fine-tuning car setups. With speeds exceeding 175 MPH and changes in aerodynamics compared to previous years, achieving proper balance was critical to prevent instability and possible crashes.
Felix Rosenqvist of Meyer Shank Racing suffered the session’s most serious incident when his Honda-powered car lost grip exiting Turn 2, spinning between Turns 3 and 4. He collided heavily with the SAFER barrier, damaging the rear suspension and left sidepod. Rosenqvist exited the vehicle unharmed but left his team with a rapid repair challenge before qualifying later that day.
“I just lost it in Turn 2 on exit,”
said Rosenqvist to Fox Sports.
“Got a little loose in the middle, kind of recovered, then it snapped again and I just couldn’t catch it. Super bummed.
“Very early in the practice, still kinda getting up to speed. Tough one to save. Big hit. I hope we can get it together.
“Super bummed for everyone in the team. Car felt pretty good until it became a little loose. See what we can do from here.”
Next Steps Before Saturday’s Race
Aside from Rosenqvist’s crash, several drivers experienced moments of oversteer but managed to control their cars and stay on track. The field is set to return at noon local time for single-lap qualifying, which will determine the starting grid for Saturday’s race. With Phoenix’s recent upgrades and strong performances early in practice, this oval round promises to be a pivotal event in the 2026 IndyCar season.
