David Malukas of Team Penske delivered a dominant performance in the opening practice session for the NTT IndyCar Series Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway. Driving the No. 12 Chevrolet-powered Dallara, he recorded a stunning lap time of 20.5005 seconds, reaching speeds of 175.605 mph on the demanding 1-mile oval track.
This swift pace highlighted Malukas’ continued strength at Phoenix, where he also led February’s preseason open test with a notable lap at 172.605 mph marking his Team Penske debut. The increase in speeds during this session reflects how teams are fine-tuning their setups ahead of qualifying and the race itself.
Chevrolet’s Stronghold and Competitors’ Standings
Malukas guided Chevrolet to a commanding presence by securing the top spot among a 1-2-3-4 finish for the brand. Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward followed in second place, trailing Malukas by 0.1345 seconds. Malukas’ teammate Josef Newgarden took third, 0.1824 seconds behind the leader, while Christian Rasmussen of Ed Carpenter Racing finished fourth, just 0.1931 seconds off the pace.
The highest-placed Honda competitor was Will Power from Andretti Global, who secured fifth place with a margin 0.2095 seconds slower than Malukas. Power’s performance underscored a competitive yet somewhat slower showing for Honda-powered cars during the session.
On-Track Incident and Safety Update
The session experienced disruption when Felix Rosenqvist of Meyer Shank Racing lost control in Turn 2, resulting in a collision that severely damaged the rear of his No. 60 Honda. Fortunately, Rosenqvist was checked at the infield medical center and released without serious issues, confirming his safety following the incident.
A big hit for Felix Rosenqvist during Practice 1 at Phoenix Raceway. pic.twitter.com/Og2PHeZVOU
— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) March 6, 2026
Significance for the Race Weekend Outlook
David Malukas’ commanding pace in this opening practice sets a hopeful tone for Team Penske as the Good Ranchers 250 approaches, signaling strong potential for qualifying and race day. The Chevrolet squad’s clear advantage introduces a competitive dynamic, while the close times among the top four suggest continued pressure in fine-tuning performance across the field. Monitoring developments, especially the recovery of drivers like Rosenqvist and the efforts of Honda teams, will be essential as the weekend progresses.
A big hit for Felix Rosenqvist during Practice 1 at Phoenix Raceway. pic.twitter.com/Og2PHeZVOU
— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) March 6, 2026
