Josef Newgarden led the INDYCAR Indianapolis 500 practice speed charts on Day 3 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, clocking a top speed of 226.632 mph for Team Penske. Although slightly slower than the fastest times posted earlier in the week, Newgarden still set the standard others will chase as the competition intensifies ahead of qualifying weekend. The session was marked by high tension and aggressive on-track battles, culminating in a dramatic spin by Christian Rasmussen late in the day that underscored the fine line drivers are walking while pushing their cars to the limit.
Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing secured the second fastest lap at 225.457 mph, while Conor Daly impressed once again with a strong third-place lap of 224.893 mph driving for Juncos Hollinger Racing. Pato O’Ward, Ryan Hunter-Reay, and Alex Palou completed the top six, demonstrating the depth of talent in the field. Colton Herta, Christian Rasmussen, David Malukas, and Scott McLaughlin rounded out the top ten, each driver striving to find the perfect balance between speed and control on the demanding 2.5-mile oval.
“Pretty solid week so far,” said Newgarden after the session.
The session also had its share of setbacks. Santino Ferrucci, who openly expressed frustration the day before, struggled again and earned a drive-through penalty after crossing the pit exit line with all four tires while passing Devlin DeFrancesco. Several drivers wrestled with handling issues caused in part by the added weight of the hybrid power units installed in the rear of the cars. Graham Rahal voiced concern over the balance of his machine, describing how he felt the rear sliding unexpectedly and warning his team he was worried about crashing.
Ferrucci and Rahal were among the slowest drivers Thursday, with neither managing to break the 220 mph average lap speed. The session‘s intensity and aggressive tactics were on full display, especially in drafting maneuvers where drivers attempted daring passes. Nolan Siegel expressed frustration after an aggressive move by Rasmussen forced him to lift, calling the Ed Carpenter Racing driver an “idiot” for making a late overtake.
The highlight of the wild session came with under two hours remaining when Rasmussen’s car suddenly snapped around exiting Turn 2. Miraculously, he avoided a catastrophic crash, only grazing the outside wall with his right-rear tire as the car spun.
Rasmussen explained to IndyCar on FOX.
Rasmussen also noted that he was running on 31-lap old tires, which likely contributed to his loss of grip. He believed the team may have been pushing the tires too hard deep into the stint. Thankfully, the damage was minimal, and he was able to return to the track before the session ended, emphasizing the resilience of the cars and crews under pressure.
In the quieter final hour, when most drivers focused on qualifying simulations, Josef Newgarden seized the opportunity to climb to the top of the non-tow speed charts, posting a lap of 222.555 mph. This marked a sweep of both speed charts for Newgarden and ended Kyle Kirkwood’s streak, as Kirkwood settled for second in non-tow speeds with Scott McLaughlin in third. Kyffin Simpson was the most active driver on the track, completing 119 laps during the session, showcasing endurance and providing valuable data to his team.
Kyle Larson, aiming to complete the grueling feat known as ‘The Double’ by racing the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte and the Indianapolis 500 on consecutive days, ranked 17th on the speed charts at 222.222 mph. He was also among the late arrivals to the track after veteran Tony Kanaan conducted the morning refresher test, which helps experienced drivers stay sharp for the demanding race week. Larson witnessed Rasmussen’s spin firsthand, highlighting the high-stakes drama unfolding during practice.
Looking ahead, “Fast Friday” promises to be a critical day where teams will unleash the cars’ full power with the boost allowed under race regulations. This practice session typically produces the fastest speeds of the month, as drivers and engineers fine-tune setups and strategies in preparation for qualifying. With temperatures expected to rise, managing tire degradation while extracting every ounce of speed will be vital for Josef Newgarden and his competitors as they fight for prime starting positions at the Indy 500.
Josef Newgarden’s performance so far underlines why he is considered one of the frontrunners for the coveted victory. Leading practice charts and consistently posting competitive laps keeps him in a strong position heading toward qualifying and race day. The challenges faced by other drivers, including handling struggles and penalties, only highlight the demanding nature of the event and the precision required to succeed at Indianapolis.
As the field prepares for the next phase, the momentum built by Newgarden’s speed and his team’s preparedness will be tested against emerging challengers. Fast Friday will give a clearer picture of the pecking order while intensifying the excitement around the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500. Fans and teams alike will watch closely to see how Josef Newgarden’s pace holds up under pressure and how the unpredictable elements inherent to the track and competition influence the unfolding drama.
