By: Spencer Neff
March 4, 2023

Practice 2 Results Combined Practice Results Qualifying Groups

Continuing Honda’s pace from yesterday’s opening practice, Colton Herta led the field in Saturday’s practice session for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The 2021 pole and race winner ran a best lap of 1m00.0779 (107.860 mph) on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn street course in Florida.

Finishing .1732 of a second back of Herta, 2022 pole and race winner Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske was fastest of the Chevrolet portion of the field.

Defending NTT INDYCAR SERIES Champion Will power ended the morning 19th as the driver of the No. 12 seeks his 10th (official) poole and third win at St. Petersburg. Marcus Armstrong was again the fastest rookie driver, ending the session 20th.

Like Friday’s opening practice, the session was fraught with issues for a number of drivers.

15 minutes into the session, the first red flag was displayed. Romain Grosjean spun in between Turns 13 and 14. Since the Andretti Autosport driver was unable to get restarted on his own, the AMR Safety Team was brought out to assist the No. 28.

Following the delay of less than five minutes, the session resumed under green flag conditions.

Just over five minutes later, Sting Ray Robb made heavy contact with the inside wall in Turn 3, prompting a second red flag of the morning. The No. 51 Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing entry was unable to continue on in the session after the damage.

After leading the opening practice session on Friday, Scott Dixon found trouble late in the session on Saturday morning. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver half-spun in Turn 4 and sustained heavy damage to the front and rear wing of his No, 9.

With both practice sessions completed, the focus now shifts to qualifying for the 27-car grid.

Up Next

At-track schedule (All Times Local/Eastern Time):

Saturday, March 4

2:15-3:30 p.m. – Qualifying for the NTT P1 Award (three rounds of knockout qualifying), Peacock

Sunday, March 5

9-9:30 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES warmup, Peacock

Noon – NBC Sports on air

12:23 p.m. – “Drivers, start your engines”

12:30 p.m. – Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding (100 laps / 181 miles), NBC, Telemundo Deportes on Universo and Peacock (Live)

Stay with IndyCar1909.com and our social media channels for the latest on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg 

Header Image By Joe Skibinski/INDYCAR