Josef Newgarden and Scott Dixon, both former Indy 500 winners and past champions, were involved in crashes during the first practice session of the 2026 IndyCar season on Friday at the St. Petersburg street circuit in Florida. These incidents made them the first drivers to crash in this year’s championship, raising concern among teams and fans about the challenges of the tight, 1.8-mile track setup.
Details of Scott Dixon’s Practice Crash at Turn 9
Scott Dixon encountered trouble early in the session while running on the softer alternate tires during his initial laps. Approaching Turn 9—a left-hand corner on the street circuit—Dixon experienced oversteer, causing him to lose control slightly. Attempting to correct, he overcompensated and collided head-on with the outer barrier. The impact severely damaged the front wing of his No. 9 Honda, and the left front tire was scraped in the process.
“Before turning in, got loose, and over-corrected and lost it,” Dixon explained to FOX reporter Bob Pockrass after returning to the pit lane. “Luckily, it scrubbed off quite a bit of speed. ‘Coz normally when you hit the inside, you are flat out, and it hits pretty hard. So that one wasn’t too bad.”
Josef Newgarden’s Spin and Barrier Impact at Turn 13
Josef Newgarden’s incident was less severe compared to Dixon’s crash. The Team Penske driver lost grip entering Turn 13, which caused his car to spin and slide into the barriers just before Turn 14. While his vehicle sustained some damage, it was not as extensive as the damage seen on Dixon’s car. Newgarden attributed the incident to a setup issue rather than track conditions.
“I would say it’s more setup-related for us,” Newgarden explained during a post-practice press conference. “We tried something different on our car, and I just got loose to the corner. It’s pretty simple as that. Nothing on the track. It wasn’t anything track-related.”
Other Practice Incidents and Their Impact on Teams
In addition to the two former champions, 2025 Rookie of the Year Louis Foster also crashed during Practice 1. The Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver locked up his front tires entering the sharp Turn 14 hairpin, leading him to collide with the barriers and damage the front wing of his No. 45 car. This was the third and final crash recorded during the session, underscoring the tight margins and high tension during the opening day of the weekend.
Scott McLaughlin Sets Fastest Time in Practice 1
Despite the crashes, Scott McLaughlin showed strong performance by posting the fastest lap of Practice 1. The Team Penske driver completed a lap in 1:01.1020 around the 14-turn street course, solidifying his reputation as a top contender in St. Pete for the second consecutive year. McLaughlin did 27 laps during the session, positioning himself well ahead of the competition.
McLaughlin was the only Chevrolet driver in the top five, surrounded by other front-runners from both Honda and Chevrolet teams. Felix Rosenqvist finished second fastest, just 0.064 seconds behind, representing Honda. Other notable midfield runners included Christian Rasmussen (8th), David Malukas (9th), and Christian Lundgaard (10th). Defending IndyCar champion Alex Palou secured the sixth-fastest time, signaling competitive pace among the frontrunners.
Rookies’ Performances and Upcoming Sessions
Among the rookies competing this season, Dennis Hauger posted the best time, ranking 17th, while Mick Schumacher and Caio Collet filled the 23rd and 24th positions respectively out of 25 drivers practicing. The tight field and tricky street circuit have made it clear that newcomers will face a steep learning curve ahead of the race weekend.
Practice 2 is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, followed by the NASCAR Truck Series race at noon. Later in the afternoon, Indy NXT qualifying will occur at 3:30 p.m. ET, with the main IndyCar qualifying session taking place at 4:30 p.m. ET, setting the stage for a critical day of preparation and competition.
Implications of Practice Crashes on Drivers and Teams
The early crashes involving Josef Newgarden and Scott Dixon highlight the delicate balance of the St. Petersburg street course, where tight turns and limited runoff areas increase risk. The damaging incidents not only impact the drivers’ confidence but also put pressure on teams to manage car setups carefully under high-stakes conditions. With the season just underway, avoiding unnecessary damage while pushing for speed will be crucial for championship hopes.
As teams rebuild and adjust from these early setbacks, the upcoming sessions will be crucial for assessing handling and adapting strategies to the unique challenges of the St. Pete circuit. Fans and participants alike will be watching closely to see how top drivers like Newgarden, Dixon, and McLaughlin respond to the pressure in the weekend ahead.
