Josef Newgarden, Team Penske Look Like Pole Favorites at Indy
Photo Credit: Dana Garrett, Penske Entertainment
With the top simulated qualifying run Friday, reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Josef Newgarden established himself and Team Penske as the ones to beat in qualifying this weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Fast Friday proved to be just that as Newgarden posted a four-lap average of 234.063 miles per hour in the heat of the afternoon in his No. 2 Shell Powering Progress Team Penske Chevrolet. Team Penske drivers Scott McLaughlin and Will Power rounded out the top three simulated qualifying runs.
“Yeah, it's always interesting to see how this shapes up,” Newgarden said. “Friday is one deal, and then tomorrow is going to be where it really comes together and you're going to see where the field truly stacks up. But I think today is a good indicator, and we feel like we're in a decent spot. We're definitely in the mix, which is great to see. We've been working the last four years to try and get back into the mix in qualifying.
“Really proud of the team. I think they've built fast cars. That's what happens when you're quick in qualifying here. It's about a team effort and building fast cars. It doesn't matter how good you are. You can't will the car faster through ability. It is a team effort at Indianapolis.
“The race is one deal, but qualifying really shows the true nature of the build quality. I think everybody at our shop should be really proud. They've done a good job over the off-season, and we're excited for tomorrow.”
Photo Credit: Chris Owens, Penske Entertainment
While the two-time NTT INDYCAR Series champion appears to be the favorite to win the pole Sunday afternoon, Newgarden doesn’t consider himself to be.
“No, I don't think at Indianapolis. I've never felt like a favorite here, and I don't know that I ever would. There's so many good-quality teams nowadays. This race has changed from where it was 20 years ago, just to speak recently. Certainly changes from 30, 40 years ago.
“I think you could really choose who had the fast car throughout the month or who had the fastest cars.
“Qualifying is still one thing. It shows general car speed. But you can't ever get ahead of yourself here. That's been my experience the last 12 years running at this place that stuff surprises you. There's so many good quality teams and drivers that I just don't think you can ever feel too confident and comfortable.
“I think we're in a good spot. There's no doubt. I just wouldn't consider ourselves a favorite. I think we've just shown up prepared and ready, and now we need to execute tomorrow and Sunday.”
In addition to his four-lap run, Newgarden also had the fastest non-tow lap of the day at 234.260 miles per hour on the third lap of his simulated run.
Photo Credit: Walt Kuhn, Penske Entertainment
Fastest lap of the day honors went to Andretti Global’s Colton Herta. The driver of the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda posted a speed of 234.974 miles per hour, albeit with the help of a tow.
“Happy with what the program we were able to get through with. Seemed to be lacking a little bit of speed I think on our own. Obviously the fast lap was a tow lap. Nice to be quickest, but doesn't really mean much for qualifying.
“But yeah,” Herta remarked, “I think we have a little bit of speed to find, unfortunately, but I think there's a chance if we do everything right, we should be able to make the Fast 12.”
Photo Credit: Joe Skibinski, Penske Entertainment
Indy 500 rookie Kyle Larsen ran the second fastest speed of the day at 234.217 miles per hour in his No. 17 hendrickcars.com Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. With the extra horsepower boost, it’s the fastest the NASCAR Cup Series driver has gone in a race car. While Larson thought it was fast, he was expecting it to feel faster.
“For me, surprisingly, it didn't feel as different as I was expecting it to be. It's obviously different. You can tell you're going faster and you're a little bit more on the limit of things.
“But I was expecting like from what I've heard or just from watching Indianapolis stuff in the past, the commentators do such a great job of making it seem like it's like, boom, you're going 100 miles an hour faster.
“It didn't feel way different, so I was happy about that. I think our car balance was in a comfortable spot, too, that allowed me to be a little bit calmer in the car, where I think if I would have went out there and felt on the limit of the rear tires, then yeah, I would have felt like I probably going way faster.
“I think they did a good job today with the balance and keeping me comfortable.”
There was one incident in the six-hour session. Rookie Nolan Siegel spun in Turn 2 during a qualifying simulation and hit the SAFER Barrier. Siegel’s No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda then rolled and became briefly airborne, landing on its left sidepod and sliding down the backstretch on its roll hoop. Siegel was unhurt. The car was heavily damaged, and Siegel said the team is shifting to a backup car.
The first day of PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying takes place from 11 a.m.-5:50 p.m. Saturday. A practice session will precede qualifying from 8:30-9:30 a.m., with two 30-minute groups.
Positions 13-30 in the starting field will be set Saturday, with the Last Row Shootout, Top 12 and Firestone Fast Six qualifying sessions Sunday afternoon deciding the rest of the 33-car starting grid.