Kyle Kirkwood emerged as the fastest driver during the IndyCar practice session at Road America, delivering an impressive lap time of 1:44.9881 that clearly set him apart from the competition. Taking place on the renowned road course, this session showcased his exceptional driving skills and speed.
Behind Kirkwood, Devlin DeFrancesco surprised many by securing a strong second position driving the #30 RLL Honda. Despite several interruptions on the track, including stoppages late in the session that affected some drivers’ attempts on softer tires, the fight for top positions intensified among the teams.
Competition Heats Up Amidst Tire Challenges and Team Performances
Felix Rosenqvist was unable to test the softer tire compounds, which introduced uncertainty ahead of the qualifying rounds. Team Penske showed their strength with drivers finishing third, fourth, and sixth, demonstrating their consistent competitiveness at Road America.
Christian Lundgaard also made a solid impression by finishing fifth in his Arrow McLaren Chevy, adding to the close contest among the leading drivers. Earlier in the session, Alex Palou held the fastest time for a while before late runs on soft tires pushed him down to ninth place.
Incidents Add Drama to Practice Session
The session included several dramatic moments that kept fans on edge, particularly involving Santino Ferrucci and Alexander Rossi. Ferrucci experienced a spin that ended in the grass, while Rossi had a gravel excursion, both illustrating the challenging nature of the track as drivers tested limits.
Anticipation Builds for Upcoming Qualifying and Race
As the practice concluded, drivers and teams prepared for the next rounds where factors like heat and wind are expected to impact performance and strategy. This sets the stage for a thrilling showdown at one of the United States’ most respected racing venues.
With Kyle Kirkwood dominating practice and several contenders close behind, the upcoming sessions promise fierce competition as all participants aim for supremacy at Road America.
“Kyle Kirkwood put on a fantastic display today, setting a lap time that everyone will be chasing.”
—Devlin DeFrancesco, Driver
“The conditions and interruptions today made it challenging, but the team’s effort kept us competitive.”
—Christian Lundgaard, Driver
