The NTT IndyCar Series kicked off its 2026 season with a practice session on Friday afternoon at the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, where 25 drivers tested their setups ahead of the weekend’s racing. Despite looming rain threats, the showers held off, allowing the session to run uninterrupted. Scott McLaughlin, last year’s polesitter, finished fastest with a lap time of 1:10.1020, demonstrating he has not lost speed during the offseason. McLaughlin IndyCar practice set the tone early in the weekend.
Top Competitors Near McLaughlin’s Pace
Felix Rosenqvist closely followed McLaughlin, missing the fastest lap by just 0.064 seconds. Kyle Kirkwood rounded out the top three, with Kyffin Simpson and Marcus Ericsson securing fourth and fifth places respectively. These results gave Honda a strong presence among the leaders, occupying four of the top five positions. The session highlighted a common challenge: many drivers struggled with oversteer off the corners, making it difficult to manage power delivery through the rear wheels.
As more Firestone rubber was laid down on the circuit, grip improved, though drivers still had to modulate throttle input carefully to avoid crashes. David Malukas showed early promise by leading initially before dropping to ninth by the session’s end. His performance in the #12 Team Penske entry reflects his ambitions to build a reputation within this historic team.
Rookie Mick Schumacher participated in his first official IndyCar session with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Despite finishing last among the 23 drivers, Schumacher maintained consistent lap times and stayed clear of major mistakes, ending just one second behind McLaughlin’s pace in his #47 Honda.
Challenges on the Street Circuit Prove Costly for Veterans
The difficult street layout proved unforgiving for some experienced drivers. Scott Dixon, a seasoned competitor nicknamed “The Iceman,” suffered a significant crash at Turn 9 when his Chip Ganassi Racing Honda lost grip exiting the corner and slammed into the concrete barrier. The impact heavily damaged his car’s front and side, requiring a tow back to the paddock. Fortunately, Dixon was checked at the care center and released with no injuries.
Josef Newgarden, a two-time series champion, also faced trouble after clipping too much curb at Turn 12’s chicane, causing his Team Penske Chevy to spin onto the grass and stop near the barriers. Despite the incident, Newgarden was able to drive back to the pits under his own power.
Louis Foster encountered a similar mishap, but with more severe consequences. His Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda’s nose wedged under tire barriers, damaging the left front suspension and forcing a tow back to the garage.
Next Steps for Drivers Ahead of Qualifying
Drivers will return to the St. Petersburg streets early Saturday morning at 9:35 AM eastern time for a second practice session to refine their setups further. Later in the afternoon, knockout qualifying will take place at 4:35 PM, setting the starting grid for the opening round. The gripping and demanding conditions of the circuit, combined with early signs of cautious yet competitive driving, make the upcoming sessions critical to driver performance and safety.
